Indulge too much on Saturday night? What better way to bounce back than with a little hair of the dog… enter, the Bloody Mary. The most basic recipe calls for tomato juice and vodka – after that, it’s dealer’s choice.
From spicy to sweet, simple salt rims to fully-loaded garnishes, Pittsburgh brunch spots are giving us lots of options for our Bloody Mary fix this summer. Here’s 12 of our favorites.
Luke Wholey’s Wild Alaskan Grille
Bloody Mary purists… this one is not for you. Luke Wholey’s Wild Alaskan Grill in the Strip District has found some serious fans thanks to their outlandish Bloody Mary offerings, and even though it looks like it might be, oh, a little much, it’s actually pretty delicious. The garnishes are what sets it apart, starting with their deep-fried soft-shelled crab, topped with two olives to give it that googly-eyed look we love. They’ll keep loading your drink with as many toppings as you like, from candied bacon and prawns to celery and pickles. If you’re looking for a drink that doubles as a meal, this one’s for you.
Luke Wholey’s Wild Alaskan Grille (2106 Penn Avenue) http://lukewholey.com/wp/
The Urban Tap
You call the shots at The Urban Tap, thanks to their extensive Bloody Mary bar. They prep the cocktail for you, and present you a perfectly-plain cocktail canvas, with only a pepper rim to get you started. Then, you’re off to create your own garnishes, with choices from fresh grilled cheese sandwich bites, to peppers, pickles, prosciutto, stuffed olives, bacon, shrimp, jalapenos, cheese… and lots more. Get it during brunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 pm. on Sundays.
The Urban Tap (1209 E. Carson Street)
Meat & Potatoes
Let’s be honest: The Bloody Mary bar at Meat & Potatoes is out of this world. The M&P crew dedicate a lot of bar space to it each week, and it shows. You start with their house Bloody Mary mix, then have the choice to add one of their infused vodkas (we’re always partial to a spicy pick like Old Bay). Then, you get to go crazy. They have extra spices, tons of pickled vegetables, peppers, pickles, charcuterie and cheeses, bacon, celery, hot sauce… the list goes on and on. And even though the actual cocktail can get overlooked with so many garnish choices, Meat & Potatoes’ Bloody Mary mix is top notch, with a fresh, clean taste that doesn’t need any extras.
Meat & Potatoes (649 Penn Avenue)
Pig Iron Public House
At Cranberry’s Pig Iron Public House, not only do you get to choose your garnishes – everything from olives and pickles to mini burger sliders and grilled cheese sandwiches – but you also get to choose your cocktail mixes. You start with a ‘Work Order’ for your drink that lets you pick everything from rim syrup (basil or jalapeno), rim spice (Chipotle cinnamon, Old Bay, Celery Salt), juice (smoked tomato basil, A1 BBQ, Srircha Ginger, House), and liquors, including a number of vodkas, gins, rums and tequilas.
Pig Iron Public House (926 Sheraton Dr. Cranberry)
Muddy Waters Oyster Bar
Care for a little spice? Muddy Waters Oyster Bar’s Bloody Mary brings the heat. The bustling East Liberty spot does brisk brunch business, making reservations a good idea – but if you can snag a table, you’ll be rewarded with one of the best Bloody’s in town. It has just the right about kick (and you can always add more), and the garnish offerings focus primarily on lots of pickled vegetables, olives, and shrimp. Plus, they offer a Saturday Brunch Happy Hour from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with $1 and $2 featured oysters.
Muddy Waters Oyster Bar (130 S. Highland Avenue)
Ten Penny
Fresh herbs and loads of spices take Ten Penny’s Bloody Mary bar to the next level. Add fresh horseradish, cayenne pepper, chili powder, rosemary, or basil to your base drink, then garnish with their assorted pickled vegetables and olives to really make it your own. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday starting at 10:00 a.m.
Ten Penny (960 Penn Avenue)
Park Bruges
Everything is fresh at Park Bruges, especially their Bloody Mary’s. At the Highland Park brunch staple, the Bloody Mary’s are icy cold and extra spicy, and the minimal toppings – lemon, lime and fresh herbs – mean that cocktail is what really stands out. Plus, it’s the perfect way to reward yourself after surviving their notoriously long wait times for brunch.
Park Bruges (5801 Bryant Street)
The Commoner
Sausage. Grilled Cheese. Bacon. Pancakes. Okay, the garnishes at the Bloody Mary Bar at The Commoner are a little extreme. But who cares? Their Bloody Mary Bar is $10, and comes with endless choices for making your cocktail exactly the way you want. Start with a choice between their house Bloody Mary mix or Smoked Tomato, then decide what kind of infused vodka you want (lemongrass? grilled celery? rosemary?), and design your drink your way. Go sweet with maple syrup and pink salt, or spice it up with Aleppo pepper and house-made Sambal – with dozens of spices, salts, cheese, and pickled vegetables, you’ll be able to find your perfect Bloody Mary match.
The Commoner (458 Strawberry Way)
Spirit
Looking for a classic Bloody? Spirit’s brunch menu changes every week, but one thing that stays the same is their Bloody Mary. It’s bold, it’s spicy – basically, it’s no joke. Their Bloody Mary bar is loaded with no-frills garnishes, like pickles, olives, celery and hot sauce, so you can go old-school with your before-noon cocktail.
Spirit (242 51st Street)
OTB Bicycle Café
At OTB Bicycle Café, you’ve got to go with the bacon. During their Sunday brunch, OTB offers a make-your-own Bloody Mary bar, with all the classic fixings from pickles to hot sauce. And, you can even throw in a crispy slice (or two) of perfectly-cooked bacon to the mix, making your cocktail that much better.
OTB Bicycle Cafe South Side (2518 E. Carson Street)
Bar Marco
Oh, you like spice? At the Strip District’s Bar Marco, you’ve come to the right place. We all know that their craft cocktails are killer (Pimm’s Cup, anyone?), and their reputation for artfully-designed beverages holds with their classic Bloody Mary. The alchemists (okay, bartenders) bring the heat with super-spicy bitters, adding as much zest as you can handle.
Bar Marco (2216 Penn Avenue)
Harris Grill
No Pittsburgh Bloody Mary listicle would be complete without a mention of Harris Grill’s famous Bloody’s. They’re cheap ($7 on their own, or as part of their $14 entrée-and-a-cocktail deal for Sunday brunch), and they have a nice kick of spice and a peppery finish. If you’re looking for a classic, you’ve found it.
Harris Grill (5747 Ellsworth Avenue)
Did we miss your favorite? Share your picks in our comments!
Blue Dust in Homestead is better than any of these places. Stephanie makes the best Bloody Mary’s in town.
Carmella’s Plates and Pints on the Southside has the most excellent Bloody Mary. Pleasantly spiced and adorned with olives, homemade pickles and a vet large shrimp. Great start and companion to the wonderful brunch menu.
Blue Dust at the Waterfront in Homestead is my favorite, with their Horseradish or Pickle infused vodka.