Won’t you get the next round?
In June, Pittsburgh learned that the team behind Pittsburgh-favorite Embury bar (which closed in 2011), and last year’s incredibly popular “Miracle on Liberty” holiday pop-up, were in the process of opening two new Downtown concepts.
Spencer Warren, the man behind both of those bars, has been working with Penn Avenue Fish Company to get the doors open on the new projects.
The space, located close to the Benedum on 7th street, is a combination of a couple of concepts all at once. One side will be “The Penn Cove Eatery,” a lunchtime spot, serving seasonal dishes with seafood forward menu – as per the Penn Avenue Fish Company influence.
The other half will be Mr. Rogers Neighborhood Bar, a casual bar serving upscale cocktails.
The Penn Cove Eatery will open at 11:00 a.m., providing downtown with another lunch option. Customers can pick up food and take it back to the office, or eat at the tables on the bar side of the space. The menu will feature items like grab-and-go sushi and sandwiches.
The eatery will also be a wine store, selling around 200 wines. The goal for the wine shop is to offer a well balanced variety of bottles. The selection will have varietals aimed for general retail, as well as options to excite wine enthusiasts. Warren is particularly excited to have a section curated by different Pittsburgh sommeliers.
Once the late afternoon hits, Mr. Rogers Neighborhood Bar will open with another seafood-forward menu that still includes bar food staples like burgers. Warren promises that the menu will be, “not overly complicated, but great.”
The space will feature a large bar that is a focal point, as well as six booths and a couple of high top tables. Any references to the Pittsburgh icon who shares a name with the bar will be very, very subtle.
“We aren’t putting a trolley in it. People keep asking,” laughs Warren.
But what is a bar without the booze? Mr. Rogers will have local beer and eight-10 wines by the glass, each selected to be delicious with or without the food. Guests are encouraged to bring over a bottle from wine shop and enjoy it with corkage fee.
And, of course, a bar opened by some of Pittsburgh’s cocktail royalty will have a world-class cocktail menu. Warren says that the drink menu will be a mixture of experimental cocktails and classic options. Everything will be approachable.
Guests can expect to see some Embury classics they haven’t enjoyed in a few years. Additionally, Warren’s Subversive Cocktail group has been working closely with 412 Food Rescue to make syrups from rescued food.
“It is great because the food is fresh and seasonal, but it gives us a challenge trying to create something unique with it,” says Warren.
Finally, because the space is so close to the Benedum, Mr. Rogers plans to serve some playful items influenced by shows passing through.
“You can stop in wearing a suit, jeans, or dressed up to go to the show. It will be a great place to grab a drink and wait for the post-show traffic to clear.”
Both spaces are planning to open in mid to late October. Mr. Rogers will be remain open until 2:00 a.m. every night once it’s open.
Warren also has one more piece of exciting news – his much-loved holiday pop-up bar is returning!
“We will be having the holiday bar at the Original Oyster House from the day after Thanksgiving until New Years. It will be called the Miracle on Market.”
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