3 of the Best Venues to See Live Music in Pittsburgh

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May 24, 2023

a performer on stage sings in front of a full crowd. Pittsburgh music venue — Photo by Austin Neill

Live music is great, but these Pittsburgh music venues have the power to take the experience from good to phenomenal.

The Mr. Roboto Project

5106 Penn Avenue
Locate in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood, Roboto is, to me, the most important venue in the city as its mission “…as a ‘safer space,’ meaning racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, or any other types of oppressive language are considered inappropriate and are not tolerated.” This DIY, all-ages, alcohol-free venue presents the cutting edge in touring and local bands.

Thunderbird Café & Music Hall

4053 Butler Street
Lawrenceville welcomed back the Thunderbird in 2019 after a three-year-long renovation that turned the once cozy venue into a beautifully spacious three-level stage that can “adjust” the capacity of any given show. Come for the slammin’ Black Sheep BBQ and stay for the weekly, rotating, stripped-down lineup on the Front Porch Stage.

Roxian Theatre

425 Chartiers Avenue
Like its sister space, the Thunderbird, this McKees Rocks venue opened in 2019 after a stunning renovation, incorporating the latest state-of-the-art tech to satisfy any music lover’s audio/visual experience. Featuring an open-area GA “pit” section for those who need to be close to the action, there are also seating options for anyone who is in a more relaxed mood.

Story by Hugh Twyman, HughShows

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The Best Spots for Boat Lovers to Enjoy the Monongahela River

By

Jordan Snowden

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May 24, 2023

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The tip of kayak is shown sitting on the Monongahela River, looking at a yellow bridge — Photo by Jocelyn Allen

Freedom Boat Club Pittsburgh owner and general manager Michael Hills shares his picks for the best spots for boat lovers to enjoy a beautiful day on the Monongahela River.

BEST BEER
Hofbräuhaus, South Side

BEST FLATBREAD
Terrene Restaurant (Freedom Boat Club Marina at Station Square)

BEST MARTINI
Gandy Dancer, Station Square

BEST SUSHI
Kiku, Station Square

BEST SPIKED SLUSHIE
Carousel Marina Restaurant, Bunola

BEST STATE PARK (AND NICEST BATHROOMS FOR BOATERS)
Point State Park, The Point

BEST POOL
Fox Chapel Marina, Fox Chapel

BEST BOOM BOOM SHRIMP
Greene Cove Yacht Club, Millsboro

Don’t own a boat to explore the Monongahela River (or the Ohio and Allegheny)? Freedom Boat Club Pittsburgh is like a country club for boats. Members get unlimited use of their boat fleets in Pittsburgh from April 15 to November 30.

Story by Michael Hills

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Shop Local at These 7 Pittsburgh Markets

By

Star Laliberte

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May 24, 2023

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4 people standing in the middle of a small grocery store next to a display of packaged pita bread — Pitaland

Shop local at these neighborhood markets.

Pitaland

620 Brookline Boulevard
Pitaland’s fresh pita bread is baked daily here in Brookline, but it’s not the only star at this Mediterranean bakery and market. Try some of the best gyros in Pittsburgh, along with a wide range of desserts, dried goods, and other assorted groceries.

Bryant Street Market

5901 Bryant Street
This quaint Highland Park store offers lots of fresh local produce and specialty items like house-baked pepperoni and cheese rolls.

Groceria Merante

3454 Bates Street
Oakland’s longtime Italian market prides itself on providing authentic ingredients, both local and imported. Make this your first stop for homemade hot and mild sausages, prosciutto, and a wide variety of cheeses.

Mayfly Market & Deli

1327 Arch Street
This charming market in the North Side’s War Streets neighborhood specializes in locally sourced foods, including fresh breads from Mediterra Bakehouse and Pane è Pronto, seasonal selections from Gilligan’s Sorbet, house-made soups and salads, and more.

Millvale Market

524 Grant Avenue
Brand-new as of January 2023, this corner grocer aims to bring fresh, local foods to Millvale. Co-owned by Jen Saffron of Sprezzatura and Derek Dumont, the market also has pledged its commitment to hiring local residents and providing industry training.

Salem’s Market & Grill

2923 Penn Avenue
Salem’s promotes itself as Pittsburgh’s “largest and longest-running” halal food operation, providing Middle Eastern food to residents for nearly 40 years. Among this Strip District market’s offerings are fresh produce, and international spices and desserts.

WFH Oriental Food Market

2306 Penn Avenue
This Strip District grocer is a must for cooks planning their next stir-fry. Shop from an assortment of fresh ingredients like pad pak boong, and Asian herbs, such as Thai basil and Vietnamese coriander, alongside canned and frozen offerings. Pro tip: a bag of their frozen pork dumplings sautés itself into a lovely family dinner!

Story by Lisa Cunningham / Photography by Jeff Swensen

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7 Pittsburgh Tourist Spots Worth the Trip

By

Jordan Snowden

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May 24, 2023

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Far from overrated, these Pittsburgh tourist spots have stood the test of time.

Grandview Overlook

136-160 Grandview Avenue
Hitch a ride on the Duquesne Incline from Station Square to Mt. Washington and take in stellar views of the Downtown Pittsburgh skyline atop this 450-foot-high hill. Along Grandview Avenue are observation decks that are notorious selfie spots where you can take souvenir photos with the Golden Triangle and attractions like PNC Park and Acrisure Stadium as your backdrops.

Gus & Yiayia’s

Allegheny Commons Park
It’s not officially summer in Pittsburgh until you make a stop at Gus & Yiayia’s iceball cart in the city’s North Side. Originally established in 1917, the bright-orange food cart serves flavorful ice balls, carved on the spot from a large ice block, as well as peanuts and popcorn.

Kennywood

4800 Kennywood Boulevard, West Mifflin
Whether you’re a fan of roller coasters, carnival games, or fairground-style food, this amusement park has a bit of something for everyone. Try the park’s iconic fresh-cut Potato Patch french fries.

Saint Anthony Chapel

1704 Harpster Street
This unassuming building nestled in Troy Hill is home to a not-so-secret treasure: “the Greatest Collection of Relics Outside of the Vatican,” according to Smithsonian Magazine.

Point State Park

Downtown Pittsburgh
This state park, more commonly known as The Point, sits on 36 acres at the tip of Downtown. It’s here that the city’s famous three rivers—the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Ohio—meet, allowing for spectacular views and a convergence of cyclists, riverboats, and pedestrians enjoying the iconic Point State Park fountain.

Randyland

1501 Arch Street
This North Side attraction is an explosion of color. Pittsburgh artist Randy Gilson transformed the exterior of his home and its attached courtyard into a colorful outdoor museum, where tourists can be spotted in droves photographing his eclectic collection of found items and upcycled artwork.

Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold

3759 McCreary’s Ridge Road, Moundsville, WV
Delight out-of-town guests with a trip an hour-and-a-half south of Pittsburgh to search for gold. Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold is an attraction that has to be seen to be believed. Founded and run by Hare Krishnas, this religious tourist attraction features gorgeous architecture and beautiful grounds, and was named “one of the 30 most beautiful places to visit in the USA” by Business Insider.

Story by Lisa Cunningham

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5 Meat-Free and Full of Flavor Pittsburgh Restaurant Offerings

By

Star Laliberte

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May 24, 2023

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A bowl of iwaki potato dumplings with dill and mushrooms soup in a white bowl on a table with a side bowl of roasted potatoes — APTEKA's Rwaki potato dumplings with tomato, dill, and maitake mushrooms are vegan, as are all of this restaurant's offerings.

Whether you’re planning a Meatless Monday or embracing a meat-free lifestyle, these TABLE staff favorites are delectable.

Shadobeni: Doubles

1534 Brighton Road
Try Trinidad’s most famous dish, featuring curried chickpeas and chutney on a fried flatbread. Pro tip: Pair it with a mango smoothie.

Con Alma: Smoked Zucchini Bruschetta

5884 Ellsworth Avenue
Described as “vegan food with soul,” this restaurant offers both delicious food and live music. Start off with Greens & Beans, and follow up with the Smoked Zucchini Bruschetta, featuring fire-roasted tomatoes, black olives, and more.

Spak Brothers: Seitan “Cheese Steak”

5107 Penn Avenue
This popular pizza shop is a favorite with vegans, and for a good reason. It’s a cool spot, and the seitan offerings are top-notch.

Udipi Café: Dosas

4141 Old William Penn Highway, Monroeville
This vegetarian Indian restaurant specializes in South India’s Tuluva-Mangalorean and Andhra cuisine. We recommend trying one of the nearly 20 vegetarian dosas, crepes filled with an assortment of offerings, and served with sambar and coconut chutney.

Apteka: Zupa Ogórkowa

4606 Penn Avenue
This Central- and Eastern European-focused restaurant and bar features all vegan entries, including zupa ogórkowa, an amazing classic Polish sour pickle soup. Pro tip: Get there early! It’s not unusual to see a line at the door.

Owners Tomasz Skowronski and Kate Lasky were named a few weeks ago as 2023 James Beard Award Semi-Finalists — for the second year in a row.

Story by Lisa Cunningham / Photography by Laura Petrilla

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Sip Around Gluten Intolerance at 3 Pittsburgh Area Hot Spots

By

Star Laliberte

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May 24, 2023

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4 champagne glasses with an orange a red a yellow and a peach colored mimosa — Speckled Egg Dealer's Choice Mimosas

Blogger, restaurant broker, and man-about-town Sidney Sokoloff sips his way around his gluten intolerance. He shares some tipsy tips with gluten-sensitive TABLE readers.

Speckled Egg

501 Grant Street
This is one of the best gluten-free-friendly brunch places to go. They have a long list of craft cocktails, including a dealers-choice mimosa, and their food options are very gf-friendly. Whether you are going to grab cocktails after work, or having a bubbly brunch with friends, if you have a gluten-free restriction, their staff is educated to make sure your experience is seamless.

Mary’s Vine

211 Kenmawr Avenue, Rankin
If you love wine, cigars, and a cool experience, this is one of my favorites, and well worth the drive. With a selection of over 400 wines (with wine being the safest gluten-free alcohol option), there’s something for everyone. It’s a cool experience because you’re lounging in a rehabbed church, and you get an iPad to select your wines. The food menu also has gf options available.

Leo. A Public House

1207 Allegheny Avenue
Hands down, Leo is one of the best places to get a gluten-free craft cocktail in the ‘Burgh. They infuse a large selection of liquors in-house, and the bartender is extremely talented. You order your drink based on the liquor of your choice, and the bartender will ask you questions on your flavor likes and dislikes. Within minutes: a custom cocktail unlike any other you’ve tried before.

Story by Sidney Sokoloff / Styling by Anna Calabrese / Photography by Laura Petrilla

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Time to Party With These 3 Snack Trays

By

Star Laliberte

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May 24, 2023

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a round board with meats cheeses fruits vegetables and crackers on a rustic green painted board — Cheese and charcuterie tray from Blanket & Board

Mackenzie Reffuge, owner of wedding and party agency Mack & Main, shares with TABLE readers her recommendations for snack trays that will take your next party to the next level.

Graze with Lenora

Each charcuterie board or table is custom-curated for every occasion, from intimate gatherings to extravagant weddings.

Blanket & Board

Elevate your picnic in one of Pittsburgh’s many beautiful parks with an assortment of cheese, berries, chocolate, and more. In addition to charcuterie boards, picnics also include tables, pillows, blankets, candles, flowers, cups, plates, an ice bucket, ice, napkins, and utensils.

Modern Charcuterie

Modern Charcuterie was founded by Christi Pletcher during the pandemic. Once she started posting images of her elaborate boards for fun, she discovered that people were interested in purchasing her services. Bonus: She donates 10% of all sales to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown

Story by Mackenzie Reffuge / Styling by Anna Calabrese / Photography by Dave Bryce

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3 Cold Drink Recipes to Beat the Summer Heat

By

Lisa

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May 24, 2023

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An image of cranberry mocktails created by thefeedfeed.com. — A Cran Club: remarkably simple and yet remarkably refreshing. Photo by TheFeedFeed.

Cold drink recipes by Joe Starkey, on-air host for 93.7 The Fan and writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, to beat the summer heat.

Cran Club

As they called it in the Old Country, although I’m not sure which country. I think I may have invented this drink. Which means it’s not old either. It’s very simply half cranberry juice, half club soda (or tonic water) with a wedge of lemon, over ice. It’s remarkably simple and yet remarkably refreshing. Please try it.

Carrot Top

I invented this drink, too. It’s a tasty treat that also serves the purpose of satisfying several required daily food groups (if “food groups” is still a phrase). It’s a smoothie of sorts, although the term “smoothie” somehow seems insulting in this instance. Or at least inadequate. The base can be either water or yogurt. Just a dollop (if dollop is the right word). More can always be added to the blender, as needed. Then toss in a handful of spinach and a handful of chopped carrots. Carrots are the key here. You may add some banana slices, a dollop of peanut butter (I truly love that word, if it’s a word), and some honey as a sweetener. Finally, a bit of ice. Then fire it up. You will be overjoyed with the result.

Ginger Lemon Honey I Shrank The Kids

It begins with diet or unsweetened ginger ale, poured over ice. To this, I add a teaspoon of honey and a healthy squeeze of fresh lemon. Mix thoroughly. If you’re having guests and want to be fancy, serve with a lemon wedge garnishing the glass. Your palate will thank you for this. So will your guests.

Story by Joe Starkey, on-air host, 93.7 The Fan and sports writer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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The Rise of Indoor Mini Golf

By

Lisa

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May 24, 2023

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An indoor mini-golf course styled to look like a library at Puttery. — Puttery in the Strip District Library Room mini-golf course.

While indoor mini golf is nothing new, its popularity is currently trending.

Coop De Ville, Pins Mechanical Co., Shorty’s Pins x Pints: there’s no denying that duckpin bowling was the hit activity of the last few years. Now a different entertainment option is popular in Pittsburgh: indoor minigolf.

In February, Puttery, a 21-and-over indoor miniature golf venue, opened its door in the Strip District. Its three, nine-hole courses include rooms styled like a vintage garage, a Rocky Mountain ski lodge, and a library. Also coming to the Strip in 2023 is Puttshack, an “upscale, tech-infused” mini-golf chain that already has locations in Miami, Boston, Atlanta, St. Louis, and Chicago, with more to open in major cities around the US.

While miniature indoor golf has been available in the city of bridges since the early 1900s— Stanton Heights Golf Club, Pittsburgh’s first indoor golf venue, debuted in 1911 — its popularity has gone in and out of fashion. (Think, your favorite bell-bottom jeans.) But the opening of these new indoor miniature golf establishments, almost back-to-back like the duckpin bowling spaces, proves that the activity is, once again, trending.

Story by Jordan Snowden

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5 Places to Exercise in Pittsburgh

By

Lisa

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May 24, 2023

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A photo of various people in a gymnasium practicing circus arts. — Circus arts is one of many options to exercise in the Steel City. Photo by ironcitycircusarts.com.

Pittsburgh has a wealth of exercise options, from hiking to climbing to circus arts or simply strolling through a public park. Time to get your body moving!

Pittsburgh Parks

From Emerald View Park, nestled in Mount Washington with breathtaking views of the city, to the historic Frick Park and the North Side’s Riverview Park, dense with beautiful and calming woodlands, the city of Pittsburgh has a wealth of public parks perfect for hiking, biking, running, or simply strolling through to get a break from the noise of the city.

ASCEND

South Side, Point Breeze, Youngstown
Pittsburgh may have hills and mountains aplenty, but most aren’t climbable. Luckily, South Side’s ASCEND houses extensive climbing walls for novices and experts alike. Climb on your own, with a friend, or join one of ASCEND’s many climbing classes or workshops. Other fitness programming includes slacklines, yoga, and youth activities.

Iron City Circus Arts

711 S. 21st Street
For those looking for a unique way to get the blood flowing, this South Side-based fitness center offers workshops and classes specializing in circus artistry: aerial arts, pole dancing, floor, and acrobatics.

Market Square

Downtown
Now hear us out: the middle of the city may not be at the top of your list for working out, but it’s certainly on ours. On warm summer days, take part in one of the free, bi-weekly yoga classes offered by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, then hop over to Point State Park for a bike ride, running session, or stroll.

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

2900 Liberty Avenue
Go beyond stage performances and join in on the fun yourself. Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre offers dance classes and workshops ranging from ballet to jazz and hip-hop for both newbies and seasoned dancers.

Story by Jordan Snowden

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Grandview Overlook

Gus & Yiayia’s

Saint Anthony Chapel

Point State Park

Cran Club

Carrot Top

Ginger Lemon Honey I Shrank The Kids

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