Cocktail barsouth-side
Acacia on East Carson Street in the South Side is a low-lit cocktail bar in Pittsburgh. A calmer corner of the bar strip built for conversation.
Signature drink: Custom cocktails
Food: Snacks
Tip: A quieter spot on a rowdy strip. Tell the bartender what you like and let them build it.
Cocktail barbloomfield
Tina's on Main Street in Bloomfield is a retro cocktail bar and bottle shop in Pittsburgh. Inventive drinks, a jukebox and board games in a compact room.
Signature drink: House cocktails
Food: Snacks
Tip: A cocktail bar and bottle shop in one. The retro room and jukebox are the draw.
Bar and restaurantoakland
Butterjoint on North Craig Street in Oakland is a bar and restaurant in Pittsburgh. Classic cocktails, a strong burger and house pierogi near Pitt.
Signature drink: Classic cocktails
Food: Burgers and pierogi
Tip: Come for the burger and pierogi as much as the drinks. Happy hour is the value play.
Cocktail barlawrenceville
Bar Botanico on Butler Street in Lawrenceville is a plant-filled cocktail bar in Pittsburgh. Botanical drinks and small plates in a greenhouse-style room.
Signature drink: Botanical cocktails
Food: Small plates
Tip: The greenhouse room is the seat. Good for a date; the cocktails lean herbal and floral.
Cocktail bardowntown
Bridges & Bourbon on Penn Avenue downtown is a high-end cocktail bar in Pittsburgh. A long bourbon list and serious cocktails in the Cultural District.
Signature drink: Bourbon cocktails
Food: New American plates
Tip: One of downtown's best cocktail programs. Handy before a Cultural District show.
Cocktail bardowntown
Space Bar on Market Square downtown is a small cocktail bar in Pittsburgh. A tight, design-forward room mixing seasonal drinks in the Golden Triangle.
Signature drink: Seasonal cocktails
Food: Snacks
Tip: Small and intimate; get there early on weekends. A reliable downtown cocktail stop.