50 Best Cocktail Bars in Pittsburgh

“My wife and I had several drinks there on a Saturday evening. The atmosphere was very chill but the drinks were top shelf. My wife went on and on about the blackberry smash and my smoked bourbon was fantastic. I highly recommend and would go back in a second.“

“Warm and inviting atmosphere. Great place to relax and meet other people.“

“Incredible meal, outstanding service, cool vibe. Scallops were fresh, perfectly cooked chicken, and the best Panna cotta I've ever had. I asked the server for pairings and they were all perfect. First time having a Pinela and loved it. I wish I was there with someone to try more. It was a last minute decision to eat here and really only stumbled upon it. So glad I found it! Definitely worth a visit. Make a reservation or get there when they open to sit at the bar.“

“Great drinks, incredible Martinis🍸, nice staff! The food was incredible with an incredible variety of dishes!“

“Cool for breakfast. Great location and atmosphere.“

“The food and service was phenomenal! We will definitely be back.“

“Outstanding pizza and service“

“Great food and drink! Had the best burger and watermelon mimosa! staff was super friendly!“

“What a cool place! Thanks for hosting our Robert Burns Night!“

“Came here after seeing a TikTok video of a women eating The Summit Burger and had to try it out. It was DELICIOUS!
This is a nice spot to get something to eat after getting off the Incline. The area the place is on is perfect for tourists to get a bite to eat before getting back down onto East Carson Street before their 3 hour PRT pass expires.“

“Best cocktails in the city- strong and classic. Love the daily drink specials and the jukebox. Super cool and nice bartenders who really make the experience great. A really good place to drink by yourself or with a friend since it's laid back“

“Easily my favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh. My go to meals there are consistently the same every time. Excellent food and great service, which is hard to find anymore. Eat the best and f**k the rest. Streets On Carson baby!! ❤️🤤“

“...simply, absolutely amazing. You know what the buzz is about...“

“It’s a nice place to get a drink. Great dive bar! And the bartenders were friendly. The neighborhood seemed a little sketchy tho. Drinks were pretty cheap! I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit this bar but if I’m in the area I would definitely stop in again.“

“Very delicious food every time‼️ Never disappointed...treat us like family no matter when we go their. Hometown bar nothing fancy...but we love it‼️“

“A new experience for our group. Took the plunge and got 3 grappa's, but couldn't tell you anything about one over another, except they definitely are 10/10 on the hard core scale. Regardless, cozy spot with our the door wine for sister restaurant around the corner.“

“As long as you answer with respect you will receive it back. If you answer with the attitude don't be upset if that's what you get back. This place is so chill and laid back bartenders are cool the food is good security is cool but does his job“

“We had the best time here recently!! Food, staff, drinks, all amazing. The courses were fun and they kept things moving smoothly, very organized. We will definitely be back!“

“One of my favorite spots, great service and the oysters are always amazing!“

“Would definitely recommend! The entire staff was so friendly and the food was incredible!! I tend to think that truffle fries are overhyped, but these ones were AMAZING!! I will never go there and not get them!! Also lovely ambiance and vibe for date night or drinks with a friend!“

“We stopped here for Mother’s Day during baseball season, right after catching a game at PNC Park (we’re on a mission to visit as many parks as possible this season and next). While the game was a blast, the true highlight of the weekend was our romantic dinner here. The Quilt Cabernet, recommended as a popular, rich, and well balanced Napa Valley wine, was absolutely spot on. It paired beautifully with my wife’s braised short rib, my steak, and the charcuterie board we shared. A perfect ending to a memorable day.“

“We had a great dinner here that accommodated all of us! They had fantastic and clearly marked vegan options on the menu and were very helpful with food allergies. The falafel was so good we got a second order. Even though they were short staffed, the staff was attentive and personable. The cocktails were also very good and well balanced. We'll definitely be back.“

“One of our top 5 restaurants in our decades of eating out! Inventive, unique, and well crafted cocktails to the Porchetta and Crab Trophie to the amazing Creme Brulee and affagato...All top notch! These chefs know what they are doing!!! Unfortunately, they aren't open on Sundays when we are normally in town otherwise we'd be here monthly!“

“Always delicious! Meghan and Barry where awesome servers and the food was top notch!“

“One of our absolute favorites. Great, creative margaritas and awesome food, either dine in or take out!“

“Fantastic tea and hip atmosphere.. A++“

“We went to @ritualhousepgh tonight and it was one of the best freaking experiences I have had very long time! Liam was our waiter and did a phenomenal job at anticipating any need we would have, had insighful recommendations, and even surprised us with a dessert experience to end our night. The attention to detail with the food all the way to management was top tier. If you’re in the Burgh make yourself a reservation (request Liam- we promise you won’t be disappointed) and enjoy some hella yummy food and a great experience.“

“Awesome food and atmosphere“

“These folks are doing some fantastic work with their cocktails. Great flavors, great creativity. Staff is also fantastic. Enjoyed my brief conversations with them around current menu and my particular off-menu order.
5/5 would cuss respectfully at the bartender again.“

“We frequent this place often - great food, good vibes, and fast service. There is plenty of seating at the bar and the tables at both the front and back of the restaurant. Never had nopal (cactus) before? Give it a try - it’s delicious! And if you like some heat, the homemade salsa that comes with the tacos is fire - literally! Just wash it down with a margarita or mezcal cocktail. You can’t go wrong here.“

“We went to G’s for our anniversary and it was an absolutely delightful experience. Great quiet and cozy atmosphere, stellar service, and incredible food and drinks. Every dish was full of flavor and the textures were all beautifully done. Even the bread basket was amazing with maple butter. It felt like a 5 star dining experience for a reasonable person. Excited to go back again soon.“

“I recently reserved the confidant (the speakeasy connected to the Goldmark) for my proposal to my now fiancée. The entire process was incredible. Nicole and the staff are kind, responsive, accommodating, and went above and beyond to help make the night go just as planned. Nicole helped me plan every detail, including personalized drinks and coordination with a photographer. I would definitely recommend the Confidant if you are looking for great drinks, a cozy atmosphere, and amazing service. Our time there could not have been better!“

“This is a super cute little hideaway bar, posing as a 'speakeasy'. While prohibition is long past, the idea of a secret bar still has a certain cache to it. It feels special. And they get it right here. The atmosphere is amazing. It's a beautiful room, with a skylight and a chandelier. It's stunning. A real 'Wow' moment when you arrive.

Food and beverage are certainly good, but pricey. It looked like there was an upcharge to order off menu. A gin and tonic (with Beefeaters?!) should not cost that I was charged.

The other issue? Service was really slow. Painfully slow. The bar was not at all busy. It was a Thursday. It took easily ten minutes for drinks to be delivered. I watched them sit at the server pickup for 5 minutes, easily.

Also, the bartender was wearing shorts and a ball cap. Looked newly 21. Come on. Class it up already. It's supposed to be a sort of Prohibition era theme park, right? How about a tie? A nice crisp shirt, sleeves rolled up? Maybe a vest?

Great space. Good offerings. Indifferent service. They could try harder, but the service industry has been suffering since the pandemic. It makes me sad. We went to Kelly's afterwards, and had a much better time for half the money.“

“My experience with Hysyde was very wonderful. They’re very professional, wonderful vibes and good food. I want to say that I tried their sour cream and onion chicken and it was delicious. I plan on coming back again. This place deserves 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“best lil pinball cocktail lounge dance floor in da 'burgh! 🖤“

“Great atmosphere, very friendly workers and great food!!“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Great sushi and wanton soup.“

“So I had an issue. I needed a last minute spot to have a few friends join me for my Birthday!! Well let me say this "Kulchure Kitchen YOU ROCK"!!! This is such a friendly estabilment. Everyone was so very nice and all smiles, very welcoming and attentive! Great hospitaity and BOMB FISH!! We Had a TIME OK!! See yall March 1st We will be there ..this time to Celebrate YOU! Happy 1 year! Best kept secret on the South!“

“I want to like this place so badly. It has a cool vibe. It feels like a real, homespun venue. Sound is decent if not the best upstairs. Staff is friendly. All good things.

But Ticketmaster/Live Nation ruins everything it touches, and the last show I went to didn't have paper tickets, couldn't buy them, and tickets were not available at all with cash. Credit card only. The person literally just enters your credit card manually into whatever live nation/tm site they're using.

Tickets often have about 40% in fees added to them because of this. Most venues make it easy to get paper tickets to avoid the fees. I buy tickets without fees at Mr. Smalls and with very low fees at the bar at Thunderbird. And they always have paper tickets for their shows.

I realize the venue gets bullied into this, but this isn't very punk or homespun. Not allowing cash for cover/tickets let's the government monitor everything we do. Again, that's not punk.

We need venues to push back because us, as fans, have no voice. Ticketing scams are ruining live music and every venue needs to do their part.

I hate leaving negative reviews for music venues due to ticketing because I know they don't like it either.

Edit: I'm updating my review because of the heartfelt response from the venue and by realizing that they can't control a broken ticketing industry. They seem to be trying, and in a world of chain venues I have to support the independent ones that are doing their best to navigate this awful reality of Live nation/AXS.“

“Good food… no, great food and awesome drinks. I love Mexican food and this hit the spot!“

“Porky's is a hidden gem in PGH. The BBQ is fantastic. The smoked wings are some of the best I've ever had and the atmosphere is exactly what you're looking for in a relaxed yinzers bar. It's a great spot to watch sports and the staff is very accommodating to most requests.“

“Good environment, and friendly bartenders plus the DJ on Mondays is the best“

“The Commoner’s kitchen knows what they’re doing, and it shows in every dish. The menu is straightforward but executed with real attention to detail and bold, well-balanced flavors. The Spicy Crab Dip is rich, creamy, and just the right amount of heat, paired with perfectly crisp toast for scooping. It’s the kind of appetizer that disappears fast. The Crispy Potatoes are a must-order—deeply golden, crunchy outside, soft inside, and made even better with a velvety taleggio cheese fondue and roasted garlic butter. Simple, but perfect. The Pork is cooked exactly how you want it—juicy, well-seasoned, and served with sides that let the meat shine. It’s clear the chefs here care about the details, from technique to balance on the plate. Service is friendly and efficient, the drinks are well-crafted, and the atmosphere is lively but comfortable. No gimmicks, just seriously good food made by a team that knows what they’re doing.“

“🌟 A Sushi Delight in Downtown Pittsburgh! 🌟 If you’re a sushi lover, you absolutely must try the Spider Roll at Luke Wholey’s Wild Alaskan Grille. This incredible roll is a symphony of textures and flavors that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy. Imagine biting into a perfectly crispy USDA soft shell crab, complemented by the fresh crunch of asparagus and cucumber, the creamy richness of avocado, and the delightful pop of masago. This roll is huge and too big for our chopstick skills, so we used our fingers! Each piece is generously topped with a luscious combination of eel sauce, spicy sauce, and a sprinkle of scallions, adding a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy notes. For just $19, you get 10 pieces of this culinary masterpiece, making it not only a delicious treat but also a fantastic value. Whether you’re a sushi aficionado or just looking to try something new, the Spider Roll at Luke Wholey’s is a must-try experience in the heart of Pittsburgh. 🍣✨“

“love this place! our first visit as growing bourbon connoisseurs, and our bartender dominic did not disappoint! great food, amazing bourbon, fantastic service, wonderful atmosphere.“

“I can’t say enough great things about this place! They invited our specials needs kiddos in and not only made us the most wonderful, delicious pizzas but it was all on the house! They treated the kids so well! Highly recommend this place to everyone!! Thank you so much for donating lunch to us! The kids absolutely loved it!“

“Odd 90s music or a cigar bar but I really liked it there“

“Drinks are amazing! 10 for 10 no notes!“

“Food is amazing . Staff is friendly .“