From charming main streets with zero chance of gridlock to rolling meadows, the South Hills and beyond offer a way to enjoy the Draft weekend on your own terms. Think leisurely brunches instead of long security lines, back-road drives instead of congestion, and patios where the Draft is on—but with plenty of elbow room.
Heading South
Places to Eat
Waffles INCaffeinated
155 McMurray Road, Upper St. Clair
Avoid the lines at popular chains along Route 19 and grab breakfast (or breakfast for dinner) at this squeaky-clean spot just a couple minutes off the main drag. A big menu features plain or fancy waffles along with any kind of eggs, meats or other breakfast faves. Surprise! French toast has the fewest calories.
The Saloon of Mt. Lebanon
622 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon
Watch the draft and grab a beer and a bite. The basic bar food is decent, but the friendly staff and patrons are the real attraction. You might not resonate with the draft picks, but you’ll love the rapport at the bar. Or grab a booth for the family.
Iovino’s Neighborhood Brasserie
306 Beverly Road, Mt. Lebanon
Chef Jeff and Carol Iovino have created an upscale, welcoming space with comfy seats at the bar or around tables. Their elevated comfort food combines customer favorites and Jeff’s artisanal specials. There are seven rotating craft beers and four wines on tap. No reservations, so plan to eat early-ish if you don’t like to wait.
Leo Greta
301 West Main Street, Carnegie
Known for simple, fresh Italian cuisine, with everything—pasta, sauces, gnocchi, meatballs—made from scratch. Many recipes are family favorites of classically trained chef Greg Alauzen, who grew up in the Chartiers Valley. Cocktails, beer and wine are available by the glass, with a happy hour on Fridays. After dinner, stop at Leo Greta Bakery and Dessert Bar next door and enjoy crème brulée or tiramisu.
Performances to Catch
Rowhouse Cinema—Hollywood
1449 Potomac Avenue, Dormont
See a new release or a classic film at Dormont’s 99-year-old movie house, recently reinvented and reopened. Located in the heart of the business district, the venue also offers special events and a film club. And a plus? Its neighbor at 1426 is the popular Moonlit Burgers.
Hollywood Casino at the Meadows
210 Racetrack Road, Washington
Watch harness racing, enjoy live bands or check out the high rollers at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows. Play a few slots and if you win, grab a track-side table at the casino’s posh Bistecca Steakhouse and wine bar.
Where to Have Fun
Top Golf
400 Presto-Sygan Road, Bridgeville
This is a great place for kids and grownups to practice. You can bring your own clubs or use complimentary rental clubs. There’s a pro shop. You can order food. And you can watch the draft while your partner drives. Each climate- controlled bay has HDTV.
AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes
1601 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon
Reserve one of this family-friendly bowling spot’s 52 lanes online. You can opt for a package that includes shoe rental and a pizza party with drinks—lemonade, margaritas, or whatever suits your group. Or order chicken tenders, a burger or a quesadilla in the lounge, where you can sneak away for a beer and watch the draft.
Boyce Mayview Park Walking Trails
1571 Mayview Road, Upper St. Clair
There are several trails at this park, which houses the community’s recreation center, ballfields, playgrounds and other amenities. Hikers give the 2.4- mile Boyce Mayview Loop high ratings for its beautiful views and diverse wildlife. It is kid-friendly and dogs on leash are welcome, but it can be tricky on a wet and muddy day. If it’s a nice day, pack a picnic lunch.
Sites to See
Andy Warhol’s Grave
St. John the Baptist Byzantine Cemetery ,1066 Connor Road, Bethel Park
Hidden in plain sight in this tiny cemetery, you’ll easily find Andy Warhol’s tombstone bedecked with tributes from fans—Campbells Soup cans, wigs, perfume. Warhol, a Pittsburgh native who was buried here in 1987 next to his parents, Andrej and Julia Warhola, did not want any engraving on his stone, except perhaps the word “figment.” He did not get his wish. But he would have appreciated his grave as a work of art.
South Park
2027 Buffalo Drive, South Park
A few miles along Library Road from Warhol’s resting place is South Park, with its 2,000 acres of tree-lined roads, picnic groves, a wave pool, BMX track, playgrounds, skating rink, dog park—and the game preserve home to a duckpond, a few peacocks and—ta-da!— a herd of bison, which have roamed there in an enclosure for more than 100 years.
Woodville Plantation
1375 Washington Pike, Bridgeville
Located just off I-79, Woodville, home to General John Neville and site of a key skirmish in the 1790s Whiskey Rebellion, is a National Historic Landmark. View the house, garden, chicken coop and back oven, along with an interpretive cabin that shows how enslaved people lived on the estate, and a reconstructed barn for a glimpse of 18th century life. Self-tour the grounds anytime or take a guided interior tour Sundays from 1-4.
Story by Susan Fleming Morgans
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