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Located in the East Side of Pittsburgh sits the neighborhood of Shadyside. The business district and residential areas are where many people spend their time, but where do the locals go for fun? Read our list to discover the best bars in Shadyside, Pittsburgh.

Casbah Interior

Casbah

Bar, Restaurant, Wine Bar, Mediterranean, American, Cocktails, Wine, Beer

Harris Grill Patio
©IK’s World Trip/Flickr
Casbah is a delicious neighborhood restaurant and wine bar. Open for lunch and dinner, enjoy tasty Mediterranean cuisine, such as the seafood stew with octopus and chorizo or pasta like ricotta cavatelli. Pair your meal with a refreshing wine by the glass or bottle, including red, white, and sparkling. The wines come from all over the globe, including California, Italy, Spain, and France. Though Casbah is a wine bar, they specialize in other creative, craft cocktails. Stop by during happy hour for great prices on beer, wine and cocktails; or enjoy an early morning drink with your brunch on Sundays.

Harris Grill

Enjoy seasonal cocktails at this Shadyside neighborhood favorite. There are about 10-12 signature cocktails on rotation through the seasons; during the summertime, try drinks like the ‘Derby Day’ and the ‘I Carried A Watermelon?’. There are also 15 craft beers available on tap. Harris hosts specialty nights throughout the week, including Monday-Friday happy hour, Service Industry Sundays for those who work in food service, Tuesday All-You-Can-Eat Bacon Night. The food menu comes with more than just bacon dishes, order their burgers and sandwiches, tacos, wings, and various macaroni and cheese bowls.

The Yard Gastropub

Gastropub, Bar, Pub Grub, American, Beer

The Yard is a fun, gourmet gastropub and bar. The menu features amazing bites, such as sliders, wings, and 26 varieties of gourmet grilled cheeses. Popular selections for the cheese sandwich, include the ‘Turkey Cristo’, ‘Cheesy Capresey’, and ‘Crabby Patty’. The grilled cheeses, along with other food items, pair great with a cool cocktail. Order from 42 beers on tap, over 15 whiskey drinks, at least 10 wines, coffee-infused drinks, and other crafty cocktails. This is a great place for happy hour with coworkers, or family brunch on Sundays; brunch even features bottomless mimosas and an unlimited bloody Mary bar.

Kelly’s Bar & Lounge

Bar, Diner, American, Cocktails, Wine, Beer

Moscow Mule
©Nan Palmero/Flickr
Kelly’s is a local lounge in the Shadyside area. The tucked away bar is popular with locals, including college students, older professionals, hipsters, and more. With such a wide variety of patrons, it makes sense that there is also a wide variety of food and drinks. When you’re hungry, order the sweet potato fries with Cajun aioli, mini macaroni and cheese, or tasty tacos. When you’re thirsty, enjoy an inexpensive pint of beer, Cosmo, or other craft cocktails. Enjoy your drink indoors in a cozy, diner-like area, or head outside to the chill patio for some fresh air. Be on the lookout for drink specials and the occasional live music performance.

Social

Bakery, Bistro, American, Vegetarian, Cocktails, Wine, Beer

Mint Julep
©Danielle Scott/Flickr
Located at Bakery Square, Social is a casual hangout that serves delicious food and incredible drinks. The bistro-styled menu features signature and build-your-own salads, handcrafted pizzas, sandwiches and grilled cheeses, soups, and fun appetizers. There are daily drink specials throughout the week, including Martin Mondays, Thirsty Thursdays, and $2 Beer Can Wednesdays. If none of those take your fancy, come for happy hour and order a creative cocktail, refreshing wine, or pitcher of sangria, margaritas, and other punches to share. Stop by for brunch to dine on breakfast pizza or breakfast burritos, served with mimosas or bloody Marys.

Tavern

Bar

Beer, bourbon, burgers, and bruschetta; try them all at Shadyside’s 1947 Tavern. Enter a warm and welcoming atmosphere, curl up in an intimate booth, and be prepared to have a comfortable experience. The food, including the hot crab dip and bourbon glazed burger, is delicious, but the drinks are where 1947 really shines. With a wide selection of bourbon, order their frozen bourbon lemonade and frozen bourbon raspberry lemonade. The mint julep, Italian wines, and grand beer selection also accompany the meals beautifully. Don’t miss out on the fun mason jar glasses and happy hour prices. 1947 Tavern is a must!
Address and Telephone: 5744 1/2 Ellsworth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA Beer at the Bar | ©Matt Niemi/Flickr

Mario’s East Side Saloon

Bar, American, Fast Food, Vegan, Vegetarian, Coffee, Tea

Jukebox
©Thomas Hawk/Flickr
Mario’s is the neighborhood sports bar that locals love to love. Stop by Thursday nights for Trivia, Tuesdays for a movie night out on the patio deck, or Mondays for a karaoke jam session. Then, any day throughout the week, head to Mario’s to catch you favorite team on the big screen. Order wings by the dozen, a pizza to share, saucy ribs, or a juicy burger. If you’d prefer an appetizer to a large meal, check out the happy hour specials; there’s one everyday. The specials also apply to their drinks, so be on the lookout for $2 beer, $4 bloody Marys, and 50% off other cocktails. There’s a beautiful mural painted on the side of the building, and the cozy rooftop deck creates a great atmosphere.

Le Mardi Gras

Bar, Cocktail Bar, American, Cocktails, Wine, Beer

Sharp Edge Beer Emporium Beer Selection
©somenametoforget/Flickr
This retro lounge is straight out of the 1950s, which makes sense, since it originally opened in 1954. The old-school cocktail bar brings the residents of Shadyside together, and with only 20 bar stools, the space is cozy and intimate. Sit at the bar and order a Red Bull cocktail, one of over 30 bottled and tapped beers, and their famous Captain Hurricane cocktail. Have a delightful chat with the bartender, or stick to the sweet sound of music by selecting your favorite classic on the jukebox. Though it’s in Pittsburgh and not New Orleans, Le Mardi Gras is fun, festive, and one of the best bars in Shadyside.

Sharp Edge Beer Emporium

Pub, Pub Grub, Wine, Beer, Cocktails

Buffalo Wings
©Yuri Long/Flickr
Stop by Sharp Edge Beer Emporium for good food and drinks, fun games, and live music. The friendly hot spot offers an amazing happy hour, making it a bustling watering hole for local coworkers. There are a ton of fun weekly and monthly events, including Trivia Nights, Sunday Funday, Oktoberfest, and exciting specials whenever there’s a Steelers game. Munch on their delicious pizzas, burgers, mussels, or tasty appetizers to share and of course, pair your meal with a select beer. Choose from Belgian and craft drafts, imported drafts, Pennsylvania beers, and even a mystery brew. Sharp Edge is also equipped with a full-service bar, so when you aren’t in the mood for beer, have the bartender whip you up a cool, craft cocktail.

William Penn Tavern

This hip sports tavern is popular every night of the week. Snack on their famous wings and tenders, which come with a surplus of sauces, or chow down on the sandwiches and wraps, soups and salads, chicken quesadilla, mac & cheese bites, and more. Wash it all down with an ice-cold beer or well drink. Monday through Sunday there are happy hour specials available, including 50-cent wings, and great prices on craft beers, beer specials, and pitchers. This is a great place to watch the game, play darts or pool with your friends, grab a casual bite to eat, or sip on a drink after a long day of work.

About the author

Shyla has just graduated Lafayette College. Even though she went to school in Pennsylvania, USA, she was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Shyla is an English major, so writing and reading are kind of her thing. She also loves all things Disney, pop culture, TV/movies, and Christmas. Her dog Precious is Shyla's pride and joy and you can often find the two of them walking around in the California sun. Last year, she traveled around Europe for the first time and the next place on her list is Brazil!

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