Pittsburgh's best non-smoking dive bars
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Crisp Troegs PA Lagers ($6) are always on tap at Kelly's in East Liberty. Photo: Ryan Deto/Axios
Smoking doesn't have to dominate Pittsburgh's dive bar scene.
Why it matters: Pennsylvania bars can still permit smoking if they sell under a certain percentage of food, and hundreds of Pittsburgh-area bars still allow smoking.
Zoom in: Some of these dives have plenty of charm, but leave you smelling like an ash tray.
- If you want that classic dive bar experience without the second-hand smoke, there are still plenty of options.
What they're saying: Axios Pittsburgh readers suggested several great non-smoking dive bars like Cousins Lounge in Millvale and the notorious Evergreen Cafe in Point Breeze.
- We took some of those suggestions and included a few of our favorites.
The fine print: Our criteria focused on bars where the food isn't the main draw, the space still has old-school touches like wooden bars and worn-in booths, there's at least one drink for under $5 and the atmosphere feels lively and welcoming.
Kelly's Bar & Lounge
- Neon red lights, no TVs, and a great happy hour. Tall boys of Old German ($4) are the cheapest beer option and there's also a daily cocktail special for $6. Best mac and cheese in the city.
- 6012 Centre Ave., East Liberty
Nico's Recovery Room
- Known for its competitive Saturday trivia nights, top-tier wings and friendly staff, this former smoking bar has a nice oval-shaped bar that's great for mingling.
- 178 Pearl St., Bloomfield
Poetry Lounge
- Beautiful old long wooden bar in a retro setting. The owner is a local booze historian and the bar serves Pittsburgh's original boilermaker (Imperial whiskey and Iron City, aka Imp and Arn, for $6). Don't forget to try Super Punch.
- 313 North Ave., Millvale
Squirrel Hill Cafe
- Known as the Squirrel Cage, this dive has a great selection of cheap canned and bottled beers, and a solid cheeseburger. Old wooden booths are small, but cozy.
- 5802 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill
Bottlerocket Social Hall
- Venue hosts comedy, dance and music shows in an old social hall with wood paneling and '70s decor. Shows are nightly, so bar time is limited. Cans of Hamm's are $4 and Old German is on draft for $4.50.
- 1226 Arlington Ave., Allentown
Ruggers Pub
- Rugby bar is tucked away on a quiet side street that serves a Serbian plum brandy called Slivovitz. Order it with an I.C. Light (called a Steel Hurtin') for $5.
- 40 S 22nd St., South Side
Red's Good News
- Rowdy bar with a great beer list, cheap cans of Hamm's, and a specialty cocktail called the Mayer's Cup — lemon iced tea, grenadine and vodka in a Turner's carton. A nice patio, too.
- 542 Brookline Blvd., Brookline
What did we miss? What's your favorite non-smoking dive bar?
- Email us at [email protected] to share.