Happy hour in The Steel City can be a fun way to unwind after work or start your night out on the weekend. In this series, we’re going to be featuring happy hours specials in different neighborhoods around Pittsburgh. Let’s start in the South Side!
Carmella’s Plates and Pints
The Deal: 4-6 PM, Monday-Friday and Sundays, 25% off wine, cocktails, and beer on tap and share plates
What to Expect: Carmella’s is the right move if you’re looking for a more grown-up happy hour in South Side. It’s cozy and relaxed, and you can find excellent wine and unusual tequilas, whiskeys, and craft beer in their impressive alcohol collection. The share plates are rich and flavorful.
Carson Street Deli
The Deal: 5-7 PM, Monday-Friday, $2 off drafts, half off mini plates, Wednesday night beer tasting event.
What to Expect: Go to Carson Street Deli for happy hour if you love trying unique beers. While many are bottled and available to mix and match as to-go packs, they also rotate out their taps frequently. It’s a laid-back little place to learn more about craft beer from the bartenders or catch up with a friend.
Claddagh Irish Pub
The Deal: 5-7 PM, Monday-Friday, $4 drafts, $3.50 well drinks, $5 house wines, half off all appetizers
What to Expect: Claddagh is a casual bar and restaurant that’s off the beaten path from the Carson Street bars, located in SouthSide Works. It’s spacious inside with classic Irish pub fare and décor. You can’t beat sipping on a $4 draft outside on the patio during the summer!
Emiliano’s Mexican Bar and Restaurant
The Deal: 4-6 PM, Monday-Friday, $2 off 16 oz. drafts, $4 house red wine, $5 fish bowl margarita on the rocks, $2-7 select appetizers, different daily drink specials
What to Expect: Emiliano’s is bustling and bright. It tends to get busy for happy hour, but the service is typically fast. The appetizers are filling and offered at a substantial discount from the standard menu, but the large $5 Fish Bowl Margarita on the rocks really steals the show.
Fat Heads
The Deal: 4-6 PM, Monday-Friday, $2 off drafts, $2 off appetizers
What to Expect: This friendly Pittsburgh staple, Fat Head, has a wide selection of house brews and craft beers, which rotate out seasonally. Appetizer portions are large and meant to be shared. Happy hour can be quiet on most weekdays but gets crowded on Fridays. Grab a table with your pals or sit at the bar and talk to the regulars.
Local Bar and Kitchen
The Deal: 5-7 PM, Monday-Friday, $3 domestic drafts, $4 Captain Morgan, $5 select craft brews, $5 select apps
What to Expect: Local Bar and Kitchen has an affordable happy hour, plus plenty of tables and bar space, including up on its roof deck. It tends to be much quieter from 5-7PM in comparison to its weekend nights, so it’s a good time to catch up with a big group of friends.
The Library
The Deal: 5-7 PM and 10 PM-Midnight, every day of the week, half off small plates. ($4 drafts and $5 drinks all the time, plus nightly food specials.)
What to Expect: The Library has an easygoing atmosphere, with a wide range of age groups hanging out during happy hour. If you don’t feel like sitting down, you can play pool or darts. Half off the small plates is a steal, and the drinks are always low-priced at just $4-5 each. The second happy hour starting at 10PM is a nice bonus is you want late night food.
Nakama
The Deal: 5-7 PM, Monday-Friday, $10 sushi, half off appetizers, drink specials
What to Expect: Fancy a little sushi after work? Nakama has several combinations of rolls to choose from for $10, along with discounts on other appetizers and drinks. They have a long list of signature martinis with interesting flavors, such as Key Lime Pie. The tall windows that look out onto Carson Street are great for people watching, and there’s also a smaller Sushi bar if the main bar fills up.
Over the Bar
The Deal: 5-7 PM, Monday-Friday, $2 off draft beer, $4 Absolut cocktails, half off appetizers
What to Expect: OTB Bicycle Cafe welcomes those who arrive on two wheels with bike racks placed right out front. Even if you don’t come in straight from the South Side trails, you should still check out happy hour at this colorful bar for craft beer, cocktails, and appetizers, including several vegetarian options.
Tres Rios
The Deal: 5-7 PM, Monday-Friday, $6 margaritas on the rocks, $4 wine, $2 off drafts, $2 tacos (everything but shrimp), various appetizers for $6-7
What to Expect: A $2 taco is hard to find nowadays, so take advantage of it at Tres Rios! Hit up happy hour here for somewhere that’s a little less crowded than most of the typical South Side hotspots. The staff is welcoming and the décor is eye-catching, so it’s an inviting place to relax after work.
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.
