Squirrel Hill Cafe

The Squirrel Hill Café, otherwise known as The Squirrel Cage or just simply The Cage, is the only “dive bar” in Sq. Hill. I would call it an upscale dive bar, maybe? A dive bar to which I could take my parents.

(Full disclosure, we have been going to The Cage for well over a decade. We seem to go less-and-less as the years go by, but not much has changed.)

The space is cozy, cramped when full, but this was a Tuesday night (which is both game night and import night), so it was far from capacity. The bartender is engaging and witty with a vast knowledge of his craft and wares. Additionally, he seems to have free reign over the bar and creates a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere when you are hanging out with him.

The service at the booths, of which there are many, can be slow. The food is the same bar food they’ve always had: dips, fried food, sandwiches, hot cheese balls. (Mmmm, hot cheese balls.) Don’t go looking for a gourmet meal. However, my friend Travis stubbornly insists they have the "best burgers in the burgh!”

The main drawback to The Cage is that if you have more than four people, it can be very difficult to hang out comfortably. There are tables in the middle that you can cobble together, but it is not the best experience. It is more about a small intimate gathering.

It is a smoking bar, but it is fairly well ventilated. It’s is not all-consuming like some other bars we have been to. Bathrooms are still tiny, but not as gross as I remember. No TP on a Tuesday night means no TP any night of the week, though.

Overall, The Squirrel Cage has its time and place in the world; it’s a good fit for a group of 2 -4 people looking a low-key, smoker friendly place to hangout. The fried mushrooms burnt my tongue, so my instinct is -10000 points, but we’ll let that slide this time.

Address:	5802 Forbes Ave, 15217	Games:	Tuesday Board Game night / Pinball
Façade:	Not Scary	Scene:	Hipster, Dive
Parking:	Walking Shoes	Patio/Outdoor:	No
Kitchen:	Bar Food	Cleanliness:	Normal
Smoking:	Yes	Jukebox:	Internet Crap
Hours:	-2am	Cig Machine:	No
Drink Prices:	Average	# taps:	forgot to check
Bathrooms:	Hover	Specials:	Nightly
Live music:	Never	Riley Factor:	$9.50
		Cash Only	No
TVs:	2	Size:	Medium