3 hours ago - Food and Drink
Pittsburgh's best secret bars
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Inside Commerce Bar in East Liberty. Photo: Ryan Deto/Axios
There are thousands of bars in Southwest Pennsylvania, but only a handful of them are hidden in alleys, at the back of stores and behind unmarked locales.
The intrigue: We selected our favorite secret bars that are completely open to the public.
- You don't need to be a member or get an invitation to enjoy a beverage at these locations.
Commerce Bar
- Open an unmarked door in Commerce Way in East Liberty and walk upstairs to a fabulous speakeasy with an inventive rotating cocktail menu and chic decor.
- 128 S. Highland Ave., East Liberty (enter on Commerce Way near the intersection with Baum Boulevard, across from the Goodwill donation drop-off)
The Storyville Lounge at Dr. Tumblety's
- Walk to the back of Dr. Tumblety's steampunk specialty shop in Allentown and emerge at a New Orleans-themed bar complete with classic cocktails and sometimes burlesque shows.
- 753 E. Warrington Ave., Allentown
Unspeakable
- Open the bookcase door inside Ineffable Cà Phê and enter a cozy bar with cocktails inspired by Vietnamese cuisine. You can also enter through a regular door near the restrooms, but don't miss the chance to open a bookcase.
- 3920 Penn Ave., Lawrenceville
fl. 2
- Walk up the grand staircase at the Fairmont Hotel and an elegant bar and restaurant with great views of Market Square awaits. Don't miss the social hour from 4pm–6pm for $10 cocktails and wine glasses, and $2 off draft beers.
- 510 Market St., Downtown
Villa Reale Pizzeria bar
- Affectionately known as "Bar Bar" by Downtown patrons, this shot-and-beer bar is located in the back of Villa Reale Pizzeria and has a back entrance on Strawberry Way with a black-and-white sign that just reads "bar." No frills, but an inexpensive escape among the other high-end secret bars.
- 628 Smithfield St., Downtown
The Confidant
- At this speakeasy tucked away behind The Goldmark in Lawrenceville, expect a more laid-back vibe than the dance music playing next door. Sip on espresso martinis and tegronis, aka tequila negronis.
- 4517 Butler St., Lawrenceville, but enter in the back alley on Eden Way
Bar 11
- Looks like a sketchy dive from the entrance at an unmarked door on Bradish Street in the South Side, but it's really a killer party bar popular with twenty-somethings. Cheap drinks, foam machines and dancing make it a destination.
- 1101 Bradish St., South Side