Pittsburgh may not have a beach, and it’s not always sunny… but we do have three rivers and tons of restaurants serving tropical cocktails! Get your sunglasses and Instagram accounts ready because these drinks will make you feel like you’re on a staycation in Pittsburgh.
Hidden Harbor
Nationally-recognized Hidden Harbor has been a tropical drink staple in Pittsburgh since their opening in early 2016. The bar is constantly mixing their menu up with new items, not to mention their Tuesday Tiki Time Traveler menu, and their famous Weird Science Wednesday (dry ice volcano, anyone?). Get a giant drink for everyone in your group to share, or order a single cocktail like the “Gardenia Grog,” with gin, rhum agricole, Jamaican rum, lemon, raspberry, lavender, lemongrass, vanilla, cantaloupe, pineapple, bitters, rose water, or the “Rum Cannonball,” with virgin islands rum, lemon, strawberry, pineapple, mint – literally served in a cannon ball.
Hidden Harbor (1708 Shady Avenue), Squirrel Hill
Maggie’s Farm Rum
The award winning Maggie’s Farm Rum team make some of the best rum in the country, not to mention some of the best tropical drinks in town. The Maggie’s Rum Room, which is attached to the distillery in the Strip District, is open Tuesday through Saturday. The “Maggie’s Daiquiri” can be found in bars around town, and they are always coming up with something creative in house, like the “Maggie Palmer” with Maggie’s Farm Spiced Rum, lemonade, and iced tea.
Maggie’s Farm Rum (3212a Smallman Street), the Strip District
Condado Tacos
Pittsburgh’s newest taco joint is also home to one of the best happy hour deals in the city – half off their beautiful margaritas from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. every day. Our advice? Get a taco, guacamole, and a Delicioso! Margarita, made with muddled jalapeno & cucumber, and a splash of soda chiquita, while you’re there.
Condado Tacos (971 Liberty Avenue), Downtown
Kaya
Pittsburgh’s Island restaurant in the Strip, Kaya, is always serving something tropical and refreshing. In addition to their fantastic happy hour (half off cocktails from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday), Kaya’s drink menu is ever-changing. We suggest the “Smoke & Ginger,” with Vida mezcal, Espolon blanco tequila, Barrows ginger, chamomile-hibiscus, lime, orange bitters.
Kaya (2000 Smallman Street), the Strip District
Emiliano’s Mexican Restaurant & Bar
This South Side staple doesn’t skimp when it comes to their drinks, so stop by for some colorful and potent concoctions. Try the “Diablo Margarita,” made with Silver Tequila, orange liqueur, pomegranate juice, lime juice, or design your own from their “Make Your Own Margarita” menu.
Emiliano’s Mexican Restaurant & Bar (2557 E. Carson Street), South Side
The Pub at 333
This pub in Oakmont is serving up a collection of fruity and fun drinks. Try the “Mezcal Las Word” with Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Luxardo Maraschino, Green Chartreuse and lime juice, or the Gingerita with Espolon Blanco Tequila, Cointreau, ginger syrup, simple syrup, and lime juice.
The Pub at 333 (333 Allegheny Avenue), Oakmont
Tiki Lounge
The name doesn’t lie – this is a place to kick back, relax, and forget you’re even on the South Side. Most of the drinks at the Tiki Lounge are served in crazy tiki glasses shaped like sharks, parrots, pandas, or mermaids. Try drinks like the “Gilligan’s Island,” with vodka and tropical juices with a touch of peach, or the “Suffering Bastard,” with three kinds of rum, colored with a splash of tropical juices.
Tiki Lounge (2003 E. Carson Street), South Side
Bahama Breeze
Pittsburgh’s outpost of the Bahama Breeze chain, located near the airport, transports you to faraway places. Some of their “Legendary Island Cocktails” include the “Curly Tail,” with Cruzan Coconut and spiced rums, notes of citrus and secret ingredients, and the “Painkiller,” with Pusser’s Dark Rum, cream of coconut, pineapple and orange juice, with freshly ground nutmeg.
Bahama Breeze (6100 Robinson Center Drive), Robinson
Täkō
Täkō is known for serving up some strong margaritas, and imbibed slushies, along with their stellar tacos, of course. Can’t get a reservation? Stop by their bar for different margarita flavors like Watermelon & Basil, Grapefruit & Sage, Thai coconut, and more, and keep an eye out for their ever-changing list of daily special cocktails, too.
Täkō (214 6th Street), Downtown
Round Corner Cantina
This trendy cantina is known for their frosty, super-sized margaritas. Stop by for fun vibes, great patio seating and their famous margarita menu, serving favorites like the “Casa de Flores,” with Casamigos Blanco, Elderflower, melon, orange blossom, rosewater, and lemon, or their classic “La Cantina,” with tequila, triple sec, orange juice and lime (get $20 pitchers of it during happy hour Mondays through Fridays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.).
Round Corner Cantina (3720 Butler Street), Lawrenceville
Mad Mex
Last but not least, Mad Mex, which considers itself a “Funky Fresh Cal-Mex” joint is known as one of the best places in town to get a margarita. Mad Mex always has a “featured margarita” (currently the “Orange Pineapple”) and has specials that vary from restaurant to restaurant.
Mad Mex (various locations)
Do you have a favorite spot for tropical drinks in Pittsburgh? Share in the comments!
Looks like Hidden Harbor is the place to be – especially on a rainy and cloudy Pittsburgh day!