While some are more clandestine than others, each of the six Pittsburgh speakeasies on this list offer great cocktails and unmatched atmosphere. Whether you’re looking in a hotel basement, an alley or underneath a bicycle shop, it’s time for a cocktail.
Speakeasies Around Pittsburgh
Acacia
2108 East Carson Street, South Side
Acacia has been located in the middle of East Carson Street for nearly 15 years — yet you’ll still probably walk right by it, even if you’re looking for it. That may be by design. The more revelous element that flocks to the South Side on the weekends isn’t likely to notice the cozy, two-room speakeasy sitting beyond an anonymous doorway. For those more interested in great cocktails and inviting atmosphere than drink specials, however, Acacia is worth finding. (If you’re looking: It’s between Buddy’s Brews on Carson and La Dolce Vita.)
Born out of bygone cocktail haven Embury in 2012, Acacia is a collision of modern mixology and prohibition-era craft. You’ll never go wrong ordering one of the house favorites — an old fashioned, a Manhattan, a Last Word — but trust the feature offerings to provide a remarkable experience. If the Practical Magic is on the menu during your visit, order it; it’s a rum-forward cocktail that makes great use of angostura amaro. You’ll drain your glass and nibble on the coconut shavings that top the drink. (You’ll also be feeling it; Acacia is not shy about drinks that pack a punch.)
The no-frills nature of the decor doesn’t reduce the easygoing, (figuratively) underground atmosphere of Acacia; no wonder, then, that it fills up as soon as the doors open, often seeing a rush of eager patrons within the first 30 minutes of service. — Sean Collier
Cellars Speakeasy
2400 Smallman Street, Strip District
This one isn’t exactly a secret; its sign is all over the Smallman Street building it calls home. The surprising part is simply that there’s a high-end bar and restaurant located directly underneath a bicycle shop. While Pro Bike + Run sells gear and bicycles overhead, you’ll descend into a subterranean haven that feels … well, very underground. Between the exposed concrete walls and the timeless, climateless nature of Cellars Speakeasy, you won’t know — or care — much about the world overhead. It’s a bunker of comfort — and, should you bring any worries down here, the cocktail menu can help you forget them.
Order off of the whimsical menu promising a “journey through time itself,” with drinks inspired by moments in history. I tried a drink dubbed Do You Have a Flag?, featuring “colonial liquors and pen-inspired rebellion” — in practice, that means Brugal 1888 rum, Courvoisier, fig and walnut bitters. It’s a bracing beverage that recalls an Old Fashioned with exceptional smoothness. Cellars also offers cocktail and liquor flights and seasonal selections, so plan to experiment. (Those seeking something a bit gentler should consult the smart, locally-focused draft list.)
While many speakeasies don’t offer food at all, Cellars has a full menu, making it more than just a spot for one late-night cocktail; this is a speakeasy that can easily be the main event of a night out. — Sean Collier
Commerce Bar
Rear of 128 S. Highland Ave., East Liberty
Tucked into a narrow alley in East Liberty, Commerce Bar feels like a place you’re lucky to stumble into. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t bother with reservations — because part of the charm is the chance of discovery. Inside, the space is airy but intimate; it’s stylish without trying too hard. This is a place equally suited for a first date (that you hope turns into a second) or a long-overdue night out with the girls (if they appreciate a well-made drink). The fun yet precise menu shifts with the seasons.
There’s a whole host of inventively-named cocktails, including N’at Kat’s Nectar, which balances Drumshanbo Orange Gin, Cointreau and orange juice with ube-infused Coco Lopez. It’s sweet, tart, and a little unexpected. The Threat Level Midnight brings depth with Smith & Cross rum and Amaro Nonino, while the Just What The Doctor Ordered layers Rittenhouse rye with house-made ginger syrup and lemon. They’re each beautifully created.
Commerce Bar also offers mocktails (at least two on the regular menu, though if you ask the bartender, they’re usually willing to improvise to your tastes) and a thoughtful wine list. The details, like house-made syrups and creative garnishes, are the whole point. — Emily Catalano
The Confidant
Rear of 4517 Butler Street, Lawrenceville
Slip behind The Goldmark and you’ll find it — or rather, you might. There’s no sign for The Confidant, The Goldmark’s hidden speakeasy-style bar, just a quiet stretch of Eden Way between 45th and 46th Streets and a green light that acts as an invitation. If you miss it, The Goldmark crew will nudge you in the right direction, but finding it is part of its charm. Inside, the space feels like a well-kept secret. It’s dark without being gloomy and intimate without feeling overly crowded. There are a few distinct drinking areas that give the space shape, but the real anchor is the bar, where every drink feels deliberate.
The bartender isn’t just mixing your drinks, he’s curating your night. The cocktail list is playful but incredibly polished. Favorites include the Caliente Amor, which balances the heat of whiskey with citrus and a jalapeno kick. The Ura Vida (basil-infused vodka, elderflower, cucumber and lime) is crisp and herbaceous. The truly excellent Confidant Espresso Martini, spiked with hazelnut and vanilla, is a rich indulgence. Even the Pepperoncini Shot (vodka cut with brine) is a pleasant surprise, with some distinctly Italian-sandwich notes. And you shouldn’t overlook their mocktails.
The Wild Blackberry Mule, with house-made blackberry syrup, lime, honey and ginger beer, is such a good alternative to imbibing that you won’t be missing a thing. The Confidant is a big reward — for those who know where to look. — Emily Catalano
Co-Sign
Floor 4, 145 E. Eighth Ave., Homestead
There’s a certain thrill in being let in on a secret. At Co-Sign Speakeasy, tucked inside Homestead’s historic Bank on 8th building, that feeling starts before you take your first sip. Located in the same building that houses an axe-throwing spot and escape rooms, you’ll find a quieter, dimly-lit world behind the secret doors. Lined with dark wood (and distinctly Prohibition-era vibes), Co-Sign promises a fun night out — and carefully-crafted cocktails. The space is cozy and intimate, which is part of its charm.
Reservations are strongly encouraged, especially on weekends, when walk-ins may find themselves waiting as staff thoughtfully stagger seating to keep the experience unhurried and personal. Behind the bar, talented bartenders treat drinks like storytelling. Classic cocktails really shine here — including their bright and balanced daiquiri and a silky French martini — but house favorites are worth a look, too. The Pain Killer offers a tropical take, with spiced rum, coconut rum, coconut cream, pineapple and a dusting of nutmeg; the margarita is bright and bold.
Even the mocktails hold their own: The Mango Tango is sunshine in a glass with a playful mix of mango, pineapple and orange juices (plus ginger beer), while the Speakeasy Lemonade layers blueberry and lavender with a soft floral finish. But the real magic? It’s off-menu. Strike up a conversation with your bartender, and you might just find out an extra secret or two that the space holds. — Emily Catalano
The Speakeasy
Omni William Penn Hotel, 530 William Penn Place, Downtown
If the name is somewhat straightforward, that’s the point: This is exactly the type of faux-secret, refined cocktail bar you’d imagine when picturing a 21st-century speakeasy. While it doesn’t quite date back to the roaring ’20s, the Speakeasy — located on the underground floor of the Omni William Penn Hotel — predates most of the other bars on this list, having first pulled back its velvet rope in 2012. (There’s a literal velvet rope, though it’s purely for show; the Speakeasy is open to the public.)
Located in the same spot a literal speakeasy occupied during Prohibition, this dimly lit and inviting space lies just feet from the front door … if you know where to look. Enter from William Penn Place, but instead of heading up the short flight of stairs toward the main concourse of the hotel, duck down the other staircase and head for the basement — then hang an immediate left, where you’ll find check-in for the Speakeasy. You’ll be greeted by a pleasant din of laughter and conversation and handed a carefully curated menu. The traditional cocktail menu combines modern ingredients with throwback names (Bathtub Gin, for example, adds amaro and Campari to Bluecoat American Dry), while the classic cocktails are exemplars of old recipes.
A short list of wines and bourbons (and a trio of light fare — olives, chips and charcuterie) accompany the cocktails. Don’t be surprised if the hours get away from you; this isn’t a place you’ll want to leave. — Sean Collier
Story by Emily Catalano and Sean Collier
Photo From Co-Sign
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