Archive for the 'Pittsburgh Drinks' Category
A Pittsburgh Parade to Remember…or Forget!
Pittsburgh is well-known for its exciting St. Patrick’s Day Parade [official site] held each year (rain, sun, snow, or shine), which is noticed as one of the largest in the country. Due to many reasons (my honeymoon, broken leg, etc), I have only celebrated St. Patrick’s Day one time in Pittsburgh - and it certainly was one to remember (despite the fact that I forget most of the day LOL!).
But, a TYPICAL St. Patty’s Day in Pittsburgh may follow a similar schedule to this:
- Wake up - 5:00 AM
- Jello Shots - 5:30 AM
- Party - 6:00 AM
- Keg Stand - 6:30 AM
- 6 Green Beers Later - 8:30 AM
- Head Downtown - 8:45 AM
- Bar - 9 AM
- Wait…was there a parade?
Okay, so this may be an exaggeration (although I’m sure some of my readers could share some crazy stories and schedules that are worse than this one). But, you get the point - this is an adult parade and the Irish like to drink - and so do the Pittsburghers!
I am really excited for this year’s parade and will definitely be capturing some footage to re-post on this site. Be careful what you’re doing downtown when my video camera comes around! The parade starts at 10 AM this year (as always) and you can continue reading this post for more info on the parade this year (and past years too!)
Here are some fun facts about the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: Full Story »
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”
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!
While I’m just about fully recovered from New Year’s Eve, my tapping feet will not recover for weeks after the amazing musical show put on by regional touring band, JAZZAM, at Molly Brannigan’s this Monday night.
I attempted to get some video on my new camera so I could post it here. While the picture was fantastic, the audio is horrible - and the most important part - so, yinz will have to wait until I get my new digital video camcorder to see these guys in action (PS: donations are welcome!) Until then, check the band out on Archive.org, YouTube, or Myspace!
Finally, if you’re looking to see JAZZAM again, they will be playing on January 26 at the awesome Thunderbird Cafe! Here’s a collection of pictures from New Year’s Eve so you can see the fun you missed!
Are you still debating what to do in Pittsburgh this New Year’s Eve? Well, stop worrying - I can tell you exactly where you SHOULD be!
The place to be is Molly Brannigan’s in the South Hills. This will be the first time in months that Pittsburgh’s most established funk jam band JAZZAM will be playing together and I can’t wait to see the most talented and amazing local band onstage in the area again!
Molly Brannigan’s is a great authentic Irish pub on Rte 19 in Mt. Lebanon. Molly’s has great drink prices, fantastic food, and a large enough establishment with plenty of room for people to sit and congregate at tables to talk; to sit at the bar for easy drink access; to dance on the floor; or to simply stare at the amazing talent on the stage in your very own backyard!
And, for those of you who have never seen JAZZAM - this is one show that is not to be missed. After their recent stint touring with Rusted Root (some of you may have seen them at the Homegrown Hoo-Ha with the Clarks and Rusted Root at the Post Gazette Pavilion this summer), JAZZAM had taken some time off to re-group. Luckily for all of its fans, this is their first show in months…and let me tell you again - you will be sorry for missing this band!
Anyone interested in listening to JAZZAM can go to their Myspace page (link above), listen to a live show on Archive.org, watch a video on YouTube, or simply purchase their CD online (if you haven’t heard it - it’s AMAZING). The duet with Liz Berlin of Rusted Root, who also does all background female vocals, will truly knock your socks off. Even if you can’t make it this time around, do keep an eye out for JAZZAM shows and other great Pittsburgh bands (more posts on them to come). Support live music!
I hope to see you all there, but even if not, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year’s to all!
 Hemingway’s cafe, located at the base of Pitt’s Litchfield Towers in Oakland, is a great gathering place for young professionals and, obviously, college students and even professors.
A real hit is the what I call the “Hemmy’s Wednesday Double Whammy.” Take their famous appetizer, the Pita Chips, which consist of fried pita bread covered with a spicy artichoke cream cheese spread, smothered in cheese, and topped with tomatoes and scallions. Pair Pita chips with non-stop $1 Blue Moons on Wednesday and it makes the perfect”hump day celebration’ for a Wednesday night out or happy hour celebration. (ONE SPOILER: There are no orange slices paired with the Blue Moons on Wednesdays) Full Story »
|
Rant and Rave!
Loading ...