Let’s have another round!
Everyone has their favorite dive bar, and in Pittsburgh, there are a lot to choose from.
As a follow up to our 47 of the Best Dive Bars in Pittsburgh article, we’ve listed a few of the most popular dive bars in (almost) every Pittsburgh neighborhood. Cheers!
If you visit any of these bars, we want to see! Please tag #goodfoodpgh and @goodfoodpgh.
The Best Dive Bars in Every Neighborhood
Northside
Huszar
Formerly “The Recovery Room,” Huszar is now a Pittsburgh’s premier Hungarian restuarant. Be sure to try the plum brandy and Krémes cake. They also host an annual bacon roast every year that shouldn’t be missed.
Huszar (627 E North Avenue)
Allegheny Elks Lodge
Dive bar? Great. Dive bar with live entertainment? Even better! That is exactly what the Elk’s Lodge on the Northside provide – a bowling alley, jazz nights, and live banjo every Wednesday.
Allegheny Elks Lodge (400 Cedar Avenue)
Monterey Pub
Located in the Mexican War Streets, this Irish pub is a great spot to grab a drink and chat with fellow Pittsburghers. Featuring antique carved mahogany booths and a cozy fireplace, it’s a great place to hangout. Happy Hour is every Monday through Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monterey Pub (1227 Monterey Street)
Verdetto’s Bar & Restaurant
Located adjacent to Interstate 279, Verdetto’s is a blink-and-you-miss-it type of place. This old-school bar has a jukebox playing classic hits, and a wonderful atmosphere of friendly regulars. There are also unique specials, like mason jar full of Yuengling for $2.10.
Verdetto’s Bar & Restaurant (814 Madison Avenue)
Polish Hill
Gooski’s
Gooski’s is the worst kept secret in Pittsburgh is Gooski’s. It’s everyone’s favorite dive bar. Go for the laid-back atmosphere, and be sure to follow the house rules – know what you want to order before you approach the bar!
Gooski’s (3117 Brereton Street)
Rock Room
The Rock Room is a classic dive, and don’t expect it to be anything else. There is a straightforward food menu, and killer Bloody Mary’s.
Rock Room (1054 Herron Avenue)
Lawrenceville
Take a Break Bar
Take a Break – you deserve it! This dive has some of the cheapest drinks in the city, not to mention multiple pool tables, and tasty bags of chips.
Take a Break Bar (3825 Penn Avenue)
Kelly’s Korner
Get off Butler Street and head to Kelly’s Korner. The spot is a neighborhood bar, but everyone is friendly and welcoming. Remember: cash only!
Kelly’s Korner (285 45th Street)
Stinky’s Bar & Grill
Stinky’s is another dive bar off of Butler Street in Lawrenceville. The drinks are cheap, and the atmosphere is great on a game day. Everyone swears by their grilled burgers and selection of beers.
Stinky’s Bar & Grill (4901 Hatfield Street)
Blue Moon
Everyone is welcome at the self-proclaimed “Friendliest Gay Bar in Pittsburgh!” The drinks are cheap, and there are always fun events and drag shows happening. Blue Moon was selected as the “Most Inclusive Barspace” by Pittsburgh magazine.
Blue Moon (5115 Butler St)
Bloomfield
Howlers
This dive bar is a Bloomfield classic. With live music and cheap drinks, head over for a hazy night with friends.
Howlers (4509 Liberty Avenue)
Sonny’s Tavern
Sonny’s is another fun dive. Located just off of Liberty, there are dart boards, and plenty of space to hang with a large group.
Sonny’s Tavern (630 S Millvale Avenue)
Nico’s Recovery Room
Nico’s boasts one of the best karaoke nights in the ‘burgh, and awesome deals on pitchers of beer. This is the perfect spot to take someone for a fun night out (without worry about spending too much money).
Nico’s Recovery Room (178 Pearl Street)
Lou’s Little Corner Bar
Lou’s back porch is the spot to be on a nice day in the summer. During the winter you can hang inside and cheer on the Steelers or Pens. Don’t miss the $1 bags of Snyder chips.
Lou’s Little Corner Bar (4924 Liberty Avenue)
Shadyside
Le Mardi Gras
Le Mardi Gras unapologetically serves very strong drinks, made with fresh squeezed juice. The atmosphere is always lively, and your money will go very far at this bar.
Le Mardi Gras (731 Copeland Street)
Shadyside Hideaway Bar
The name says it all. Sneak off to this tiny bar on Highland Ave in Shadyside for strong drinks and a fun atmosphere.
Shadyside Hideaway Bar (228 S Highland Ave)
Squirrel Hill
The Squirrel Cage (Squirrel Hill Cafe)
Officially “Squirrel Hill Cafe,” but locally known as The Squirrel Cage, all roads in lead to this smokey a late Friday or Saturday night. Take a deep breath of air before entering.
Squirrel Hill Cafe (5802 Forbes Avenue)
Oakland
Garage Door Saloon
This smokey bar has a large beer selection and famously cheap drinks. Whether you’re there to play pool, or just have a few drinks, you’re sure to have a good time.
Garage Door Saloon (223 Atwood St)
Hemingway’s Cafe
Hemingway’s Cafe is the spot in Oakland for college students. The food is great, and they also shot pitchers with gummy worms. They even host different events throughout the year.
Hemingway’s (3911 Forbes Ave)
Gene’s Place
This is another classic oakland spot. The owner, Gene, is an Oakland legend. The space is no frills, but who needs frills?
Gene’s Place(3616 Louisa St)
Highland Park
Park Place Pub
This Bryant Street bar has great food and great drinks. Stop by in the summer to enjoy the outside seating.
Park Place Pub (5719 Bryant St)
Point Breeze
Howards Park Place Pub
This neighborhood bar is a neighborhood hangout. Regulars are always sipping on beer and watching sports. The spot opens up early, and has a decent food menu.
Howards Park Place Pub (534 Peebles Street)
East Liberty
Kelly’s Bar and Lounge
This is another bar that somehow manages to be extremely popular while remaining a total dive. The food is as good as their drink specials. Don’t miss the $4 cocktail of the day and the famous mac and cheese.
Kelly’s Bar and Lounge (6012 Centre Avenue)
Edgewood
Murphy’s Tap Room
If you’re looking for a bar with shuffleboard, check out the spacious Murphy’s Tap Room in Regent Square. The bar is always crowded with regulars, but there is plenty of room to hang out in the back.
Murphy’s Tap Room (1106 S Braddock Avenue)
Swissvale
Triangle Bar & Grill
This bar is famous for its crazy sandwich, “The Battleship.” This two-foot long sandwich weighs in at a whopping 1 1/4 pounds, and is stuffed with salami, ham, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, oil, vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper. The space is also a full-service sports bar with a wide variety of beers & spirits, and multiple TVs.
Triangle Bar & Grill (2122 Monongahela Ave)
Strip District
Lefty’s
Most people have spent a night at the classic Strip District dive bar, Lefty’s. With cheap drinks and loud music, its a great place to hang out with friends.
Lefty’s (2021 Penn Avenue)
Downtown
Grant Street Tavern
Head Downtown to checkout the Grant Street Tavern. The bar is always fully stocked, and the menu has house made soups and pierogies.
Grant Street Tavern (310 Grant Street)
Millvale
Barking Shark Saloon
The Barking Shark is your average dive bar, with an above-average name. Everyone loves their karaoke, pool table, darts, and drink specials.
Barking Shark Saloon (616 North Avenue)
Sidelines Bar & Grill
Within walking distance of the Barking Shark is Sidelines Bar & Grill. A perfect spot to watch anyone any Pittsburgh’s sports game, Sidelines has a great selection of microbrew beer, and an awesome food menu, with a rotating list of daily specials.
Sidelines Bar & Grill (621 Evergreen Road)
Cousins Lounge
Another Millvale haunt, Cousins is a popular neighborhood waterhole. The place opens early, and the bar is almost always packed. When the weather is nice, be sure to head out back to play horseshoes.
Cousins Lounge (203 Grant Ave)
Troy Hill
Tammy’s Place
Tammy’s Place opens at 8:00 A.M., serving up their popular breakfast. This local dive is a fun place to hang out for cheap drinks.
Tammy’s Place (1354 Goettmann St)
Darbea’s Tavern
Decked out in black and gold paint, it would be hard to miss Darbea’s Tavern. The bar’s atmosphere and staff are friendly and welcoming.
Darbea’s Tavern (1962 Lowrie Street)
South Side
Bar 11
The later the night gets, the rowdier Bar 11 becomes. This South Side classic dubs itself Pittsburgh’s “Ultimate Party Bar,” so stop by for lots of fun (and drinks)!
Bar 11 (1101 Bradish St)
Jack’s Bar
This neon bar draws people in off East Carson Street. Jack’s is a pittsburgh classic, with two bars and pinball machine. Legend has it that a scene from Flash Dance was filmed in the back room.
Jack’s Bar (1117 E Carson Street)
Brewski’s
There is always a crowd at this South Side bar. It’s a fun space with foosball and inexpensive drinks.
Brewski’s (801 E Carson St)
Jekyll & Hyde
No matter who you are, you can’t deny that a “Halloween themed bar,” sounds like fun. Luckily, that is exactly what Jekyl & Hyde is offering. This bar can get crazy on the weekends with college students, but it’s always a fun time. The nostalgic karaoke selection is top notch.
Jekyll & Hyde (140 S 18th Street)
Red & Irene’s Tavern
Many Pittsburghers will tell you that Red & Irene’s is the first bar they ever went to. Beers are only $1.50, and word on the street is they will give you a freezer pop if you ask nicely.
Red & Irene’s Tavern (136 S 20th Street)
White Eagle
White Eagle is another classic South Side bar. A quintessential dive, expect cheap drinks and colorful regulars.
White Eagle (2300 E Carson Street)
Southside with no Dee’s? Blasphemy.
Take A Break is awesome.The drinks are cheap..the place is spotless..The best bartenders around..You can’t go wrong
Howard’s isn’t in Point Breeze, and to claim that even have a food menu, let alone a decent one, is being extremely generous. It’s a fun, friendly little place, though. Cash only. One beer on draft.
Exactly what I was going to say. This WILKINSBURG bar is a friendly dive, but please do not go there expecting more than a bag of fritos.
Secrets Bar and Grill in West Mifflin!?
Riggs Northside