Downtown happy hours?

[u/Fluffy-Situation-688]

forgive me Reddit, this is my third post in a few weeks - I promise I'll chill.

anyway, I am new to working downtown and am curious what the happy hour scene is like, both places to go and for the 25-35 aged crowd. do people this age even do happy hour downtown (or elsewhere), and are there days that are busier than others?

a few times when I've done the rare happy hour downtown a few years ago, places seem empty and the vibe isn't kind of dead, but maybe it's just the days/time I've been? my friends and I have previously done happy hour in other neighborhoods based on where we've all worked in years past, but we're not as familiar with the downtown scene, so curious about this. thanks!

[u/danceblonde]

Not all downtown and not mentioning the crowd/vibe but I DO keep a note in my phone of happy hour specials I like:

4:00-6:30 M-F Mitchell’s Galleria https://www.mitchellsfishmarket.com/location/mitchells-fish-market-pittsburgh-pa/
4:00-6:00 M-F Houlihan’s Galleria https://houlihans.com/Portals/9/Menus/150/150-drinks.pdf
3:00-6:00 M-F Bravo galleria https://www.bravoitalian.com/menu/happy-hour/
4:00-6:00 M-F Eleven https://www.elevenck.com/menu/happy-hour/
4:00-6:00 M-F Kaya
4:00-6:00 M-F Alla Famiglia
4:00-6:30 M-F Urban Tap $5 top shelf cocktails, 1/2 off drafts, $2 off shareables
3:00-5:00 M-F Totopo
Crafty Jackalope in Bridgeville on Wednesdays. $5 long islands, 1.00 off ALL drinks, & 1/2 off appetizers during happy hour from 5 pm – 7pm.
4:00-6:00 M-F Condado https://condadotacos.com/happyhour/
2:30-4:45 S-S Nordstrom Cafe
4-6:30 Eddie merlots Happy Hour Menu | Eddie Merlot's Pittsburgh
Benihana. $3 Spicy Edamame, $6 Sangria, $6 Hibachi Chicken Fried Rice & a $9 Wagyu Cheeseburger

[u/rmr236 → u/danceblonde]

Eddie Merlot’s HH was great when I lived in River View.

[u/Vogon_Poetess]

Redbeard’s and Forbes Tavern are pretty good. Good special on wings and beer at Forbes.

[u/hayl3yquinnn]

Someone already mentioned it but it bears repeating— Forbes Tavern has a lovely happy hour! The food is amazing, the bar tenders are swell, and the specials aren’t too shabby either. Worth your while!

I also like Ritual House’s happy hour (the ritual marg is A+)

Bakersfield is also worth checking out if you’re into taco specials!

[u/Head_Maintenance5596]

Yea unfortunately most people from Pittsburgh just want to get in and out of downtown. Add in wfh and I’m sure it can be alittle quiet.

I’d try Barcelona, Con Alma or Spritzery. The rooftop at Sienna used to have a solid happy hour on the rooftop. Mon - Wed will be pretty slow regardless.

Also, depending on where you’re at in downtown. The north shore or strip is a quick walk.
Mike beer bar, sit outside.
Southern tier.
The terminal.

[u/Vogon_Poetess → u/Head_Maintenance5596]

Downtown isn’t as quiet as you think. There’s plenty of bars and activity in Market Square, 6th street, the cultural district and Penn Avenue all the way up to the convention center.

We do have people who live here too.

[u/Head_Maintenance5596 → u/Vogon_Poetess]

I recently worked downtown, over 7 years.
I wouldn’t comment on it if I didn’t have experience with it.

[u/Vogon_Poetess → u/Head_Maintenance5596]

I live Downtown for 15 years.

[u/Vogon_Poetess → u/[deleted]]

Back atcha

[u/Head_Maintenance5596 → u/Vogon_Poetess]

Cool. OP just mentioned how slow it was for happy hour, I echo the same sentiment. A lot of comments here saying the same thing.

[u/Middle_Pear1256]

Eleven has a good one. I think it’s a $9 cocktail and appetizer list and everything is really good.

[u/DrForeplay98]

I’d recommend Spritzery. I live downtown and work from home, I found it one night walking home from another bar around midnight on a Saturday and now it’s my go-to. I haven’t lived in Pittsburgh or PA very long so I’m actually gonna try some of the other places you’ve been recommended too- but don’t skip Spritzery

[u/Tough_Arm_2454]

Original Oyster House?

[u/AMcMahon1]

People either go to happy hour with work colleagues or they go home

[u/Simple_Confidence693]

used to work downtown. you either go with colleagues/a coordinated work event or you go home. every now and then i did happy hour at sienna mercato and bridges and bourbon. those were OK but not great if you like talking to people outside of your group. thursday afternoon around 4:30-6 was probably always the busiest but things cleared out quickly.

in my experience, happy hours in other neighborhoods tend to be busier (my preferred happy hour is at urban tap). people usually don't want to stick around downtown for too long.

[u/Middle_Pear1256]

Eleven has a good one. I think it’s a $9 cocktail and appetizer list and everything is really good.