1947 Tavern

Maybe the whole small batch bourbon bar thing has peaked. J and A have always enjoyed bourbon, both fancy and cheap. So, we welcomed the onslaught of fancy new bourbon places. But, like all fads, this one seems to be running its course. How long can you sustain the hoity-toity $8 an ounce bourbon business model? The delicious Manhattans and fancy cocktail joints are great, but it is starting to feel stale.

All that being said, 1947 is a beautiful bar. It is perfectly lit with nice dark wood and a vast bourbon selection. It is part of the Elbow Room, Bites and Brews and Buffalo Blues family of restaurants and is comparable in quality of food and attentiveness of service, which is above average. A's French Dip was very good; his soup was mediocre. J's tuna sandwich was so bland that she started to think there was something wrong with her mouth. We each got a pour of fancy bourbon. It may be played out, but we’re still going to enjoy some bourbon while it’s here. “A” won the try a new random bourbon game. J's was a bit harsh.

1947 has become a haunt of hipsters and writers, so don't be surprised if you see a number of laptops at the bar plunking away at some yet-to-be-seen masterpiece.  We saw a couple of those types on the night we were there, and we are pretty sure the people next to us were discussing a new project. We, of course, wish them the best on their creations and are glad to see Pittsburgh's creative class flourishing. Although, you think they would pick a cheaper bar.   

Address:	5744 1/2 Ellsworth Ave, 15232   http://www.1947tavern.com/	Games:	None
Façade:	Not scary	Scene:	Bourbon
Parking:	Wear Walking Shoes	Patio/Outdoor:	Yes
Kitchen:	Blah	Cleanliness:	Nice
Smoking:	None	Jukebox:	None
Hours:	5pm - close	Cig Machine:	No
Drink Prices:	Average	# taps:	12
Bathrooms:	Sit	Specials:	Happy Hour-  $3 Rock n Ryes
Live music:	Never	Riley Factor:	$7
ATM:	No	Cash Only	No
TVs:	1	Size:	Normal

Redbeard's (Downtown)

This is pretty clearly just the slightly fancier downtown version of Redbeard's. We weren't crazy about it in Mt. Washington and we're not crazy about it here.

The physical space is somewhat nicer and there are two separate bars, one upstairs and one downstairs. It's classier feeling because the lighting is better and there's a lot of dark wood but don’t let that fool you, it's the same mediocre food and drinks, just pricier.

Address:	6th St 15222 http://redbeardspgh.com/downtown/	Games:	Golden Tee, darts
Façade:	Not scary	Scene:	Downtown yinzer sports bar
Parking:	Easy	Patio/Outdoor:	No
Kitchen:	Bar Food	Cleanliness:	Normal
Smoking:	None	Jukebox:	Internet crap
Hours:	11am - 2am	Cig Machine:	No
Drink Prices:	A little more than average	# taps:	15
Bathrooms:	Sit	Specials:	daily and happy hour
Live music:	Sometimes	Riley Factor:	$13.91
ATM:	No	Cash Only	No
TVs:	12	Size:	Normal

Local

Local gives you the illusion that it is going to be different than other South Side bars. It has a raw and exposed industrial look, with metal pipe and fittings everywhere, a tin ceiling, and theater lights. It’s elegant in a bare bones kind of way. With a cool name and a beautiful new huge space, we had high hopes for this to be an interesting bar. 

We walked in and made our way to the bar, grabbing the last two seats. We got our first drinks quickly, and settled in. We reviewed the menu and found some things we thought sounded ok. Then we waited. And waited. And waited. The three bartenders were having what must have been a very important conversation for a very long time. 

We finally waved down our bartender, placed our orders, and took the opportunity to get a fresh round of drinks. J took a moment to go check out the upstairs patio, which is somewhat hard to find, but beautiful once you find it.

The soundtrack was fun early 90’s pop when we got there. Alanis Morissette seemed to be following us around that night. But as the bar filled up, it changed to more traditional South Side house music. 

Our food finally came and we dug in. It was some of the blandest fare we have had the pleasure of eating on our adventures. But we had a night of bar hopping ahead of us...so we made do. Don't get the sweet potato fries. They are not worth the extra $1.

After we finished our lackluster dinners, we decided it was time to move on, but the bartenders decided we should stay there for at least another 10 minutes. Paying our bill became a test of how long we could stare at the bartender before she came over to us.  Eventually, we won.

So, yeah, not what we hoped for. Don't go out of your way.

Address:	1515 East Carson, 15203 http://www.localpgh.com/	Games:	Darts
Façade:	Not scary	Scene:	South Side
Parking:	Wear Walking Shoes	Patio/Outdoor:	Yes
Kitchen:	Bar Food	Cleanliness:	Nice
Smoking:	None	Jukebox:	Internet crap
Hours:	11am - 2am	Cig Machine:	No
Drink Prices:	Average	# taps:	40(!)
Bathrooms:	Sit	Specials:	Happy Hour
Live music:	Never	Riley Factor:	$9
ATM:	Yes	Cash Only	No
TVs:	3	Size:	Friggin' Huge

5801

5801 has been a mainstay for the LGBTQ community in Shadyside through several incarnations. Over the years, they’ve opened up the windows in the front bar and made the façade much more welcoming. Additionally, the recent patio remodel has made 5801 one of the nicest bars in Pittsburgh, regardless of your orientation. It has always been one of the few bars in Shadyside that J can be talked into going to, but with the warm days of summer ahead, it will be even easier to get her there. 

There are three distinct parts of 5801: downstairs, upstairs and patio. The downstairs bar is very sleek and you can still smoke down there. Obviously, non-smokers hate that and want to change it; smokers love it and will cut you. The upstairs bar is non-smoking and larger than the downstairs. There are multiple dart boards, a dance floor and way more seating. The patio, as we said, was remodeled this year and is huge and gorgeous.


The prices are decent and the service is good. There is a menu full of bar food standards, daily drink specials, a decent beer selection and a wide variety of fruity cocktails. One of the fruit cocktails is named "Smurf Cum." Is there anything else to say?

Address:	5801 Ellsworth Ave, 15232 http://www.5801videolounge.com/	Games:	Darts
Façade:	Not Scary	Scene:	Young Shadyside Gay
Parking:	Wear walking shoes	Patio/Outdoor:	Yes
Kitchen:	Bar food	Cleanliness:	Normal
Smoking:	Some	Jukebox:	Internet Crap
Hours:	4pm-2am	Cig Machine:	No
Drink Prices:	Average	# taps:	8
Bathrooms:	Sit	Specials:	Happy Hour, daily specials
Live music:	Never	Riley Factor:	$7.77
ATM:	Yes	Cash Only	No
TVs:	a lot	Size:	Freakin' Huge

17th Street Cafe

This was right on the border of more bar than restaurant, but we were standing outside so we figured what the fuck. 

17th Street Cafe is a cozy little space. It has dim lighting and a faux-upscale feel. It was pretty deserted on the night we were there, and the bartender was really glad to have anyone to hang out with. We talked with him for awhile and learned about the Coach purse being raffled off, and that they are no longer allowed to enter their red pepper tomato soup into the South Side soup contest because they won so many times in a row. However, a quick internet search proves that to be a bit of an exaggeration:  http://southsidesoup.com/about/awards

They have something called a Malbec Margarita on Fridays. At first we thought they were independent specials, but they are indeed one drink. We will gladly have a taste of yours if you order one. Other than that and some other specials (see picture), it is a pretty standard little bar. The bartender swore it was usually packed. I guess we will have to take his word for it. 

The food there is really great. So, if nothing else, go for that. As far as a bar experience goes, we'd advise you to go elsewhere. 

Address:	75 S. 17th Street, Pittsburgh PA 15203 http://17thstreetcafe.com/	Games:	None
Façade:	Not Scary	Scene:	faux-classy pretentious scenesters
Parking:	South Side	Patio/Outdoor:	No
Kitchen:	Come Hungry	Cleanliness:	Nice
Smoking:	None	Jukebox:	None
Hours:	http://www.17thstreetcafe.com/gettinghere/map.html	Cig Machine:	No
Drink Prices:	Average	# taps:	5
Bathrooms:	Sit	Specials:	See Picture
Live music:	No	Riley Factor:	$10.50
ATM:	No	Cash Only	No
TVs:	2	Size:	Small

Jekyll and Hyde

Jekyll and Hyde would be just like any other off-Carson Street South Side bar except for its aggressive Halloween theme. It’s like a haunted house in an amusement park and it's hard to tell whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. Do you have a secret love of black lights and goofy masks? Do you get excited about ghosts, bats, and old-time horror flicks? Then this just might be the best place you'll ever go. If not, it's probably going to irritate you after a bit.


J loves Halloween more than any other holiday and more than most other people. She spends months making her costume every year and transforms her house with creepy decorations. Even with that level of Halloween enthusiasm, Jekyll and Hyde's was a lot to take. It's kitschy and cute for a drink or two, but there's not much else to the bar. The drinks are South Side cheap, the crowd is pretty mellow, and you can get some spooOOooooky themed drinks with little toys attached. Overall, it's not a bar to go out of your way for, but it's a good stop if you're close by.

Address:	140 S 18th St, 15203	Games:	Pinball
Façade:	SpooOOOoooky	Scene:	Halloweentown
Parking:	South Side, but off the beaten path	Patio/Outdoor:	No
Kitchen:	None	Cleanliness:	Normal
Smoking:	Some	Jukebox:	Internet Crap
Hours:	7pm-2am	Cig Machine:	No
Drink Prices:	Cheap	# taps:	12
Bathrooms:	Sit	Specials:	Happy Hour, spooky drinks
Live music:	Sometimes	Riley Factor:	$7.50
ATM:	Yes	Cash Only	No
TVs:	3	Size:	Normal