A Pittsburgh Bar For the Kid At Heart

This Pittsburgh nightlife rave is long overdue. My friends and I have been fans of BAR 11 since discovering the South Side long, long ago. The bar, located at 1101 Bradish St [Google Maps], right on the corner of South Side’s 11th St. and Bradish. The bar is hard to find and doesn’t even resemble a business from the outside. If you didn’t know what you were looking for, you’d miss it in a heartbeat. But, once you get inside, it’s hard to imagine that the outside could even contain and conceal the color, noise, and fun that fills the inside!

There are fire-breathing costume-wearing bartenders (oh yeah), toys galore, blacklights, strobelights, and any other kind of lights you can picture and a very eclectic music mix (P-Funk to Backstreet Boys) which suits the very eclectic crowd perfectly. There are LOTS of Pittsburghers here: young and old, hippies and preppies, men and women - all quite drunk - all having the time of their life. And they’re all housed behind a nondescript stone gray wall…

Even better, the bartenders are quick and skilled (and the drinks always pack a punch for a low price). In fact, I asked Rob, the owner, about drink price hikes after the Pittsburgh drink tax - and guess what? Minus a 25 cent increase in mixed drinks, BAR 11 prices stayed the same (which were always very good to begin with) and this equals many very happy Pittsburgh night owls!

My production crew (okay, my girlfriends) and I spent a Friday night at BAR 11 with my banging new camcorder and we got great footage (coming to a Web site near you soon!) and even better, some EXCLUSIVE interviews with the BAR 11 staff: Bartenders Howdy & Dave and Doorman 2T. We heard some uncensored stories and even got the answer as to why they were all wearing raincoats (It was a theme because it was raining outside). Read more to find out what we learned and keep an eye out on Pittsburgh Rants and Raves for the VIDEO Exclusive! Full Story »

So, I just learned upon visiting some of my favorite Pittsburgh blogs that Pittsburgh Blogfest 13 (although it’s only the 3rd year…so I’m still working on figuring that one out) will be held this Friday evening. The details below come from Cynthia Closkey, blogger of MyBrilliantMistakes.com.

I’m excited to go and network with fellow Pittsburgh bloggers and would love to see others (non-bloggers welcome too) who have the interest. Thanks to the organizers for a great idea to get together some smart Pittsburgh minds!

Here’s the info:

“BlogFest is an informal and friendly quarterly gathering of local bloggers, vloggers, podcasters, and anyone who enjoys life on the Internet. It’s more happy hour than meeting: No talks will be given, no credentials required. There may be nametags, but that’s only because I’m terrible at remembering names.

WHAT: Pittsburgh Blogfest 13
WHEN: Friday, February 22, 2008, 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM and beyond
WHERE: Finnegan’s Wake (near PNC Park, 20 General Robinson St., North Shore, 412-325-2601), in the Pub Room
WHO: All local bloggers, vloggers, podcasters (and their friends!) and Pittsburgh Bloggers

Food and beverages will be available for purchase from Finnegan’s Wake, as always. Arrive when you like, leave when you must.

UPDATE/CLARIFICATION: Please note that our events in the Pub Room are smoke-free. The main bar area at Finnegan’s Wake, just on the other side of the door, allows smoking of course.

Please note that we’re gathering on a Friday evening this time around. We’ve received requests to vary the nights of these events, so that people who can’t go out on a work night can join in the fun, so we’re eager to see any new faces. And we’re equally eager to see old faces. Wear whatever face you have handy, and you will be welcome.

As always, if you plan to attend, please send an e-mail to “blogfest@ closkey.com”

Hey friends,

So, I put a new poll on the site asking what YOUR Pittsburgh Rant is…help me out and take it so I can write more of what YOU want to hear!

Any additional notes on the subject can be left in comments to this post… And, I always accept submissions from other Pittsburgh writers

Thanks all and I hope the weather hasn’t got you too chilly!

Not the amusement park but…your fly?!

I just had to write about a little piece o’ Pittsburghese slang I heard today that I found hilarious!

So, turns out Pittsburghers say “Kennywood’s Open” to let you know your fly is open! I thought I’d write to help those of you who are being told Kennywood’s Open. It doesn’t mean the amusement park…so, look down! And, being that I grew up on the other end of the state, I found this super funny and was hoping someone could shed some light on WHAT this saying means and/or where it came from. Share if you know!

Romantic Pittsburgh Dinner+ Amazing Food = Atria’s

I think one of the sweetest little restaurants in Pittsburgh is Atria’s (specifically, the one located in the South Hills). This small brick building was the initial site for Atria’s restaurant and the family actually lived on the top floor, which is now a part of the restaurant. The food is fantastic and not too pricey, the service is terrific, and altogether, I have never had a bad experience there, or anything close to one.

There are actually multiple locations for an Atria’s restaurant, including the South Hills (Mt. Lebanon), Murrysville,  O’Hara Township, PNC Park North Shore, Richland, Robinson Township,  Peters Township, and Wexford. With a Valentine’s Day menu that includes Surf and Turf, Cedar Plank Tasmanian Salmon, Heavy Aged Angus Prime Rib, and Jumbo Lump Crabcakes and Sesame Seared Scallops, any woman would be glad to be taken to dinner here!

If you’re still trying to make last minute reservations for Valentine’s Day, maybe try Atria’s! It’s one of many amazing restaurants in Pittsburgh, but I think, of all, the one in the South Hills has a great quaint and romantic atmosphere

So, there’s this really cool Web site for Pittsburgh party-goers that should be pointed out to all those interested in the nightlife scene. Barjumper.com is actually more than just a guide to nightlife in Pittsburgh, it’s actually a very cool social network (or, as the Web site says: A Nightlife Community) that you can join and receive member benefits.

There are three membership levels - two are free and the third all-access level costs 5$ to join. Not too tough to scrape up - even for you poor college students! What you get with your memberships are access to special contests (there is currently a contest to win a South Side barcrawl). And, discounts…access to private events…specialty drinks…line privileges…reduced or no cover…and, did I mention coupons? Full Story »

Cheap Food + 6 Different Beers = One Fun Pittsburgh Night to Me!

I’m a beer snob - I LOOOOVE a good brew - but there is NO way, as a mother and full-time working professional that I can 1. afford the new (good) beer prices (result of Pittsburgh drink tax), or 2. find time to go out.

Luckily for me, a solution rests about 2.5 blocks from my humble abode and that solution is Tom’s Diner and Beer Store. This great little multitasking unit (altogether, there’s a great diner, a bar, and a beer store) can satisfy any beer urge I have. At Tom’s, I can buy individual beers at a much lower cost than at the bar (I estimate anywhere from 50% to 75% less!). Which saves me money, first. AND, is a huge benefit, because as a working Mom, I’d much rather be able to relax with my hubby at home with a cold brew instead of spending a whole ton of money going wild every night (not to say we don’t all enjoy that once in a while though, right?)

Tom’s Beer Store is a narrow room stuffed between the bar and diner and lined with two coolers of some of the best beers I’ve found in this city. AND, did I mention, I can pick individual numbers of them (from 4 to 12) and can mix and match my faves? That’s excuse to RAVE! PS: They just ordered the whole Great Lakes line of beer. Yum!

Speaking of YUM, did I mention that the diner attached to the beer store is seriously amazing too? Great, low diner prices for fantastic food and quick service. Gotta love it. So, if you’re ever in Dormont, stop at TOm’s diner. Follow this link to Google Maps to find it! Now, go eat, drink, and be merry!