Shopping at thrift stores in Pittsburgh is such a fixture in our everyday life that thrifting has become a verb.
Thrifting, our modern-day equivalent of a treasure hunt, saves shoppers money, plus it allows a kind of risk-taking that traditional retail shopping doesn’t: a pair of hot pink corduroys for $95? You might pass on that — but hot pink pants for $6.99? Bag ‘em up.
Before you go, know that there are three basic types of secondhand clothing stores: vintage (highly curated and niche), consignment/resale shops (often upscale and trendy), and true thrift stores (donated items, often a bulk shopping experience).
We’ve rounded up some places for you to start your treasure hunt:
This nonprofit was started by the folks at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church — and a lot of their donations come from the area’s affluent neighborhoods. As such, Second Harvest has designer sections for men and women where Brooks Brothers and Ralph Lauren dress shirts, Lululemon workout gear, and brands like Free People and Seven jeans are common finds. They have a color-coded price tag system that brings prices lower each week. Second Harvest also has a community fridge and pantry onsite, so consider bringing some goods to donate.
This small Aspinwall store packs in big treasures — they bill it as “Nordstrom level or higher’ — whether you’re looking for work clothes, workout clothes, or cocktail dresses. Stylish outerwear, such as a vintage Christian Dior Jackie Kennedy-style pea coat, and gently used footwear, handbags, and belts are also at the ready.
This OG thrift store opened in 1962 and has seen it all come through its doors. Located on Saw Mill Run Boulevard in a former A&P (yes, it’s that big), the Red, White, and Blue store is a favorite for many dedicated thrift shoppers, one called it the Taj Mahal of thrift stores. RWB is the kind of place you go without a plan — and expect to be surprised by the many finds, such as a recent item: a beat-up, full-size orange Pittsburgh construction cone. You never know when you might need one.
Located on Forbes Avenue, Avalon is a curated shop that buys fashions from the public every day, so their stock is ever-fresh. Look for eclectic finds that add flair to a wardrobe, such as a sheer Jean Paul Gaultier shirt (NWT), an extensive shoe section that might include Doc Martens and Bottega Veneta, and a wide section of designer bags. One of my recent grabs was a vintage pink Cartier wallet.
If you are shopping for 1970s-1990s tees, sweatshirts, Pittsburgh sports memorabilia, or Y2K denim looks, Fifty One Ten is your shop. They also stock fun women’s dresses and cool trend pieces, aka main character energy looks. While you’re in the neighborhood, stop next door to the East End Community Thrift Store, a volunteer-run shop.
Set up like a boutique with seasonal pieces on display, Clothes Minded stocks everything form in-style clothing like Levi’s and Free People to high-ends finds such as Louis Vuitton handbags, Hermès scarves, and even the occasional Rolex watch.
Boheme Shops has more than 30 local vendors under one roof, including more than 15 vintage and resale booths, each with its own specialty. Dead Byrd Vintage merges current fashion with vintage flair, Willow’s World Vintage embraces a 1990s/Y2k vibe, and Honor Student stocks items that are both size and gender inclusive.
At Thriftique, racks are organized by color, so if you need a white blouse, you need not search through every shirt in your size to find what you want. The shop also does skew a little bit higher in price than your average thrift store, so look for student or senior discounts (Tuesday and Thursday, respectively) or Quick Fit Friday where a top, bottom, and shoe are 25% off. Thriftique also has a large selection of costume jewelry.
A pair of Jeffrey Campbell orange patent leather boots with silver buckles? A Mac Doggal coral satin dress that retails at $400 priced at $130? Lime green Tory Burch slides at half the cost of retail? Yes, yes, and yes — and these are among the unexpected finds you can discover at this high-end women’s resale shop.
If you go by the motto, “You can never make too big of a statement,” go to Gemini. Billed as maximalist vintage, Gemini owner Hanna Edelstein loves to style looks and embraces the idea of Gemini as a place for customers to play dress-up, experiment, and explore their self expression. Edelstein also loves jewelry, so this is a top spot for a thrifter looking for some sparkly finds.
This shop curates their inventory with fashions from the 1880s to the 1980s, making it into a category of its own — archival vintage, aka actual historical garments. Whether you are into Victorian or disco-glam, accessories from the 1950s or men’s suits with structured Edwardian tailoring from the early 20th century, Eons — going strong since 1986 — is the place for curated vintage. Plus owner Richard Parsakian is a treat to shop along with. He knows what he has, and can help you focus on what works best for you.
Close by, Hey Betty! opened back in 1988. There, you might find a 1980s Valentino yellow wool summer jacket, a set of 1910 Art Nouveau cufflinks, or 1970s Lily Pulitzer floral skirts. There’s a fresh, irreverent take on classics here.
Brighten your glass with the Golden Path, a sophisticated marigold and smoked agave mocktail by Scratch and Co. Lead Bartender, Nathan West. Crafted with an earthy marigold tea base, smoked agave, and house-made acid orange juice, this zero-proof recipe captures the complex, vegetal depth of a fine mezcal—no alcohol required. Make this fantastic NA cocktail at home, or, better yet, climb Troy Hill and sip one at the bar at Scratch and Co.
A Note From the Mixologist
“The Golden Path name is inspired by the use of marigold as its main ingredient, a beautiful bright orange flower traditionally placed on ofrendas and believed to help guide spirits during Día de los Muertos. I wanted something in our zero-proof section that had the bright, earthy, and slightly vegetal flavors of agave-based spirits. To accomplish this I used citrus, herbs, marigold, and a touch of smoke (a nod to traditional earth-roasted agave production methods used in mezcal).” – Nathan West. Scratch and Co.
Left to Right: New Dawn, Bitter End, Golden Path
On top of the recipe here, you can also find two other zero-proof recipes on the menu at Scratch and Co pictured above. The red-colored drink in the shorter glass is called Bitter End. It features hibiscus, juniper, and bitter roots. The drink in the tall glass is called New Dawn. That one changes seasonally and now features ginger beer, lemon, and raspberry. All three drinks are zero-proof and even the bitters are NA.
As always, Munich’s Oktoberfest—a singing, dancing, beer-drinking festival and funfair that has been a German tradition for more than 200 years—gets the party started, and Pittsburgh is joining in. From late August to mid-October, the Burgh’s breweries and brewpubs will go full-on Bavarian, with celebrations that put their own Pittsburgh spin on German tradition and culture.
So whether you’re looking for a proper German beer hall, a brewery’s own Oktoberfest, or a full-blown festival that takes over the streets, we’ve got you covered. Some special-event dates and musical acts aren’t finalized yet, so check each venue’s website for the latest details on days and times.
Pittsburgh’s Oktoberfest Season Starts Early
Photo From Inner Groove Brewing
If You Want to Start Oktoberfest Right Now
Inner Groove Brewing | Verona August 29
Inner Groove jumpstarts the season with Augtoberfest, an all-day German party at its Verona location. Even if you miss the one-day event, the German-style beers will be on tap for a while afterward.
The beer: Instead of imports, Inner Groove serves its own German-style brews that it crafts on the premises. The hook is the merch-beer crossover: each year, the brewery sells a 21-ounce souvenir glass beer stein tied to its Augtoberfest event.
The food: There’s no in-house kitchen, but there will be two on-site food trucks for the day, serving bratwurst, kielbasa, sauerkraut, pierogies, and schnitzel.
The music and traditions: Live music starts at 3:30 p.m., with performances by Yagermadel and Polkamaniacs.
Know before you go: Inner Groove Brewing, 751 East Railroad Avenue, Verona, is about 15 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Admission is free; the commemorative stein is a paid add-on. Free lot parking. Dogs are welcome on the back patio and the cafe tables out front. Go to innergroovebrewing.com/augtoberfest for more details.
Photo From Teutonia Männerchor
If You Want To Drink Imported Munich Beer Inside an Exclusive, 172-Year-Old German Club
Teutonia Männerchor | North Side September 4–6
Teutonia Männerchor is a private, members-only German singing and cultural society founded in 1854. Since 1888, it’s been housed in a Fachwerk-style building on Phineas Street that looks like it was airlifted out of Franconia and dropped into Deutschtown. The club still runs a men’s chorus, a women’s chorus, a children’s chorus, German language classes, a Fasching (pre-Lent carnival), a Maypole, and a Schützenverein (shooting club). For three days in September, it’s open to everyone for its authentically inspired Oktoberfest celebrations.
The beer: Imported German beer. In previous years, the club has poured Hacker-Pschorr from Munich, alongside Pennsylvania specialties from Pittsburgh Brewing and Straub of St. Marys.
The food: Old-school German food made by club members. Past Oktoberfest menus have included bratwurst, knockwurst, Oktoberfest roast chicken, hot pretzels, and potato pancakes.
The music and traditions: There’s a different band every day. The Barons play Friday night; Mädel Jäger takes the Saturday afternoon slot, and The Barons return for the evening; The Low Kings close it out on Sunday. At past Oktoberfests, the club’s Alpen Schuhplattlers—an authentic folk-dance group that meets Tuesday nights year-round—have performed demonstrations.
Know before you go: Teutonia Männerchor is at 857 Phineas Street on the North Side. Admission is $5 per day, and cash is strongly recommended for everything. The club sells house scrip called “Männerchor Money,” but the credit-card line to get it is famously long. No one under 21 is admitted without a parent or guardian. It’s street parking only in Deutschtown, so give yourself plenty of time to find a spot. While you’re inside, go downstairs to check out the Ratskeller, or cellar bar: it was remodeled in traditional German style in 1934, with hand-painted murals, wood paneling, and portraits of members. Go to pghmannerchor.com for more details.
Late September Means Serious Oktoberfesting
Photo From Penn Brewery
If You Want Liter Steins and Lagering Caves
Penn Brewery | North Side September 18–20, 25–27
Pittsburgh’s oldest and largest brewery is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. It occupies the mid-19th-century Eberhardt & Ober brewery buildings in Deutschtown, and the complex includes a labyrinth of stone lagering caves that were used to chill beer before refrigeration.
The beer: Penn Oktoberfest is the star of the festival: it’s a Märzen, a traditional German lager known for its copper color and rich, malty flavor. It’s poured alongside Penn Pilsner, Penn Gold, Penn Dark, and seasonal shandies and ciders. The brewery has a long history of award-winning beers, collectively earning 20 Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup medals. Thursday night features a Munich-style ceremonial keg tapping, brought in a few years back by Austrian-born owner Stefan Nitsch, who has said the kickoff ceremony is the one he always felt every Oktoberfest deserved. Last year’s tapping featured a maple bourbon beer lagered in the caves.
The food: The outdoor tent menu is separate from the restaurant menu, so decide which experience you want. The tent has bratwurst, kielbasa, vegetarian sausages, Penn’s schweinebraten with sauerkraut, hot German potato salad, soft Bavarian pretzels, potato-cheese pierogies, and German chocolate cake. The restaurant serves a proper sit-down Oktoberfest menu, with German-inspired dishes including handmade pierogies and Penn’s famous French fry salad.
The music and traditions: Oompah and polka music fill the festival grounds throughout both weekends, with regional acts performing throughout the celebration. Sunday Family Days have featured complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides through Deutschtown, face painting, and balloon animals.
Know before you go: Penn Brewery is at 800 Vinial Street, North Side. Admission is free. VIP tickets give you perks like exclusive seating inside the caves or on the terrace and tastings of specialty beers. There’s free parking in the double-decker lot behind the brewery and in the lot across the street. Children are welcome; check the festival’s daily schedule for any age restrictions. For more information check https://www.pennbrew.com/events.
Photo From Canonsburg Chamber of Commerce
If You Want an Entire Downtown Turned Into a German Village(With Carnival Rides)
Pennsylvania Bavarian Oktoberfest | Canonsburg September 18-20
During Oktoberfest, two-and-a-half blocks of downtown Canonsburg shut down for a three-day festival, with German food and beer, live music, craft vendors, carnival rides, and games. The festival, which has attracted 40,000 visitors in past years, has a genuine German lineage: it started in Pittsburgh, and when it was nearly dissolved, Canonsburg took it over with help from the Deutsch Amerikanischer Nationalkongress, a national German-American cultural organization.
The beer: An assortment of beers is served across the festival footprint.
The food: More than 17 food vendors mix traditional German dishes with familiar American fair food.
The music and traditions: There are two primary stages: one devoted to German music and the other to contemporary pop, rock, oldies, country, and karaoke. Opening ceremonies, including the tapping of the first barrel, kick off Friday at 6 p.m. on the main stage at Pike Street and North Central Avenue. Carnival rides and games add a full-on fairground element to the German festivities.
Know before you go: The Pennsylvania Bavarian Oktoberfest is in Canonsburg, centered on Pike Street, about 25 minutes southwest of Pittsburgh. Admission is free; ride and game tickets can be purchased on-site. Street parking fills fast on Saturday, so arrive early or be prepared to park farther from the festival and walk. Go to canonsburgboro.com for details.
Photo From Eleventh Hour Brewing
If You Want a Secret German Village and Easy-Drinking Lager
Eleventh Hour Brewing | Lawrenceville September 19, 25–26 and October 2–3
Eleventh Hour Brewing occupies part of the circa-1872 building on Lawrenceville’s Charlotte Street that was once part of a gas-light manufacturing factory run by Charles Brown III—the same man who built the Bayernhof, the wildly eccentric Bavarian mansion in O’Hara Township that’s now a museum. The brewery leans into its heritage with a seasonal German Village—a tucked-away room decorated with Alpine-style storefronts and a Black Forest backdrop—that it opens during Oktoberfest.
The beer: The brewery serves up its own beer for Oktoberfest, usually an easy-drinking, German-style lager. Special cocktails are also on the drinks menu.
The food: There will be assorted food trucks, plus pretzels each day of Oktoberfest from the Pretzel Shop.
The music and traditions: Plenty of accordion music, plus a stein-holding tournament.
Know before you go: Eleventh Hour Brewing is at 3711 Charlotte Street in Lawrenceville. Admission is free. Street parking is limited. The brewery openly recommends public transit, and there’s a NextBike station a block away.
Photo From Hofbräuhaus Pittsburgh
If You Want Nonstop Sing-Alongs and a Riverfront Biergarten
Hofbräuhaus Pittsburgh | South Side September 11–13, 18–20, 25–27
Munich’s Hofbräuhaus am Platzl, Germany’s first beer hall, opened in 1589 as the brewery of the Bavarian dukes. Pittsburgh’s Hofbräuhaus is a licensed replica, with lots of blue-and-white Bavarian checks, long communal tables, a Bier Hall with high ceilings and exposed rafters ideal for boisterous sing-a-longs, and one of the city’s most scenic riverfront biergartens.
The beer: Brewed on-site under a German brewmaster, who oversees four core varieties plus seasonals. September’s seasonal is HB Oktoberfest, a Märzen at 6.3% ABV that starts malty-sweet and finishes with a spicy hop bite. It’s served in liter steins in the hall.
The food: The menu features dishes made with authentic ingredients imported from Germany, including sauerkraut, red cabbage, and soft pretzels. Oktoberfest is the time to order the Grillhendl, a Bavarian rotisserie chicken that’s a traditional staple in Munich’s beer tents. There’s also sausages, schnitzel, and house-made bier cheese and cream puffs.
The music and traditions: Ceremonial keg tappings, a parade, stein-hoisting competitions, live music in both the Bier Hall and the biergarten, and stein-raising sing-alongs are in the lineup. Past Oktoberfests have brought in balloon artists, face painters, and magicians for kids, and there’s a monthly Family Night with free kids’ meals.
Know before you go: Hofbräuhaus Pittsburgh is at 2705 South Water Street in SouthSide Works. Reservations are recommended on Oktoberfest weekends and essential for groups. The best option for parking is the SouthSide Works garage parking. Go to hofbrauhauspittsburgh.com for more details.
Photo From Cinderlands Warehouse
If You Want Some of the Best German Beer in the City
Cinderlands Warehouse | Strip District September 30
Cinderlands’ Head of Brewing Operations Paul Schneider established his bona fides in Chicago before bringing his talent to Pittsburgh, and today its beer is brewed under the watchful eye of head brewer Nina Santiago. They’re currently making some of the best beer in the city—and they also know how to throw a darn good Oktoberfest party in their 17,500-square-foot warehouse.
The beer: The flagship is Cinderfest, a Bavarian-style festbier. This year, the brewery is also pouring a fresh batch of Allegheny Altbier, which took home a gold medal at the World Beer Cup—beating out even German breweries—and a bronze at last year’s Great American Beer Festival.
The food: Cinderlands’ 3,000-square-foot kitchen goes into Oktoberfest mode with a special German-inspired, from-scratch menu featuring pierogies, sausages, and potato pancakes.
The music and traditions: The evening includes a best-dressed competition with a runway for showing off lederhosen and dirdnl, a stein-hoisting competition, flower crowns, and live music from father-son team The GRKMN Duo, whose accordion-fueled polkas and waltzes have historically brought down the (ware)house.
Know before you go: Cinderlands Warehouse is at 2601 Smallman Avenue in the Strip District. Tickets are $10. It’s usually family-friendly, but their Cinderfest event is strictly 21+. Check https://www.cinderlands.com/cinderlands-public-events/ for details.
Photo From Golden Age Beer Company
If You Want a Rauchbier and a Dirndl Disco
Golden Age Beer Company | Homestead Starts mid-September. Final dates and times to be announced; check goldenagebeer.com for details
Golden Age is a lager-only brewery with a German-made, 15-barrel brewing system capable of producing more than 465 gallons of beer at a time. Head brewer Aaron Dahl, who came to Golden Age from Chicago’s Alarmist Brewing, brings a serious brewer’s attention to detail, even fine-tuning the brewery’s water to suit different styles. The lineup ranges from delicate German Kölsch and lightly-hopped Czech pilsners to maltier Vienna lagers and dark Schwarzbiers.
The beer: Golden Age goes big on Oktoberfest beers. In 2025, the festival opened with four: a Festbier, Oktoberfest Märzen, Festweizen, and Rauchbier Märzen, which is brewed with smoked malt. Expect a rotating lineup of Oktoberfest-specific beers, with the food and beer menus updated throughout the festival.
The food: The year-round kitchen serves wood-fired pizza, burgers, wings, and sandwiches with a German bent. Come Oktoberfest, the menu gets a Bavarian makeover, with extra bratwurst and schnitzel alongside the regular lineup.
The music and traditions: In years past, the festival usually kicks off at 5 p.m. on opening Friday with an “O’zapft is!” ceremony—Bavarian for “It’s tapped!”—as the first Oktoberfest keg is opened, with DJ Lederhosen spinning Oktoberfest tunes beforehand. The weekend also brings Dirndl Disco, a DJ dance party with themes ranging from “Das Boot-y Shake” to ’80s night and Rocktoberfest. In years past, there has also been a Saturday Kinderfest for kids at noon. Sundays bring live jazz and DJs.
Know before you go: Golden Age is at 337 East 8th Ave., Homestead. Admission is free. There’s a year-round beer garden, ample street parking, and a municipal lot directly behind the beer garden. Go to @goldenagebeer on Instagram or goldenagebeer.com for the details of the 2026 Oktoberfest schedule when it’s announced.
Oktoberfest Keeps Going Into October
Photo From Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership
If You Want a Big, Free, Bring-Everyone Public Party with Dachshund Races
Oktoberfest Pittsburgh | Downtown October 1–11
By far the largest event on the list, Oktoberfest Pittsburgh turns Downtown into an 11-day Bavarian-style festival with a biergarten, live music, carnival games, and a Ferris wheel. It debuted in Market Square in 2024 and drew 80,000 people in its first year. New for 2026: The festival has rebranded as Prostburgh, a Pittsburgh spin on the traditional German toast “Prost,” meaning “cheers.”
The beer: A festival biergarten serves German-inspired beers, with food and drink available for purchase throughout the festival.
The food: Classic Bavarian festival fare like bratwurst and pretzels from local vendors. The 2026 biergarten menu also includes other German-inspired dishes and plenty of beer-friendly food.
The music and traditions: Live music runs every day on the Market Square main stage, with oompah bands, polka, and other local acts. The signature competition is stein holding, and the 2026 schedule adds dachshund races, a puppy costume parade, and a giant chicken dance. There’s also the return of the 60-foot Ferris wheel on the Roberto Clemente Bridge and a best-dressed contest celebrating traditional German fits, with prizes for the most-stylish lederhosen and dirndls.
Know before you go: Oktoberfest Pittsburgh, a.k.a. Prostburgh, takes over Fort Duquesne Boulevard from Stanwix Street to Seventh Street and incorporates the Roberto Clemente Bridge. General admission is free. The Ferris wheel, Karneval games, and other activities require separate tickets. Use downtown garages or public transit rather than trying to street park, because this is a big one. Go to oktpgh.com for more details.
Kenny Gould is a writer and the founder of Hop Culture, a digital magazine focused on the beer industry. In addition to writing about food and beverages, he’s also the author of several fiction books, including the bestselling fantasy The Castle of 1,000 Doors. He holds a BA from Duke University, an MFA from Chatham University, and an MBA from NYU Stern. To learn more about Kenny, visit his website or follow him on Instagram at @thekennygould.
It would be easy to dive deep on the surprising heart in Coyote vs. Acme — the clear-eyed consideration of trust and friendship, the subtle exhortation to accept one’s true nature, the man-versus-machine appeal to humanity (and/or coyoteness) in an age of corporate anonymity. That’s all important in this unexpectedly beautiful feature. More important, though: It’s uproariously funny.
Wile E. Has Finally Had Enough in the New Movie Coyote vs. Acme
The premise, adapted liberally from a 1990 New Yorker article, is brilliant: Wile E. Coyote, finally fed up with decades of malfunctioning products from the Acme Corporation, enlists a low-rent lawyer (Will Forte) to sue for damages. It’s the precise sort of updated, fresh take on beloved material that a sturdy and enduring property like Looney Tunes should be doing.
What I didn’t expect, however, is how impressive the execution would be. Coyote vs. Acme — directed by Dave Green and written by May December scribe Samy Burch (with story help from James Gunn and Jeremy Slater) — is a marriage of the traditional Looney Tunes slapstick with Mel Brooks-esque gags and wit. It’s delivered in a delightful hybrid of animation and live action; the filmmakers have admitted that Who Framed Roger Rabbit was a touchstone, and Coyote vs. Acme recalls that film’s sharp, lively visual style.
The cartoon characters feel fresh and precise despite their age — yet they also seem more like themselves than they have in several recent outings (such as the messy Space Jam legacy sequel). The human performers, too, are just right; Forte gives what may be the best performance of his career, Luis Guzmán shines as a no-nonsense judge and John Cena nearly steals the show as Acme’s slick advocate. (A scene that features Cena arguing with Tweety Bird is the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time.)
It is simply a great movie — and that makes it all the more shocking that it nearly vanished forever.
How Warner Bros. FumbledCoyote vs. Acme— and a Small Studio Brought It Back
Coyote vs. Acme was completed in 2023. Warner Bros., in the midst of a largely callous and investor-focused cost-cutting effort, decided not to release it, opting to give themselves a large tax loss on the project. (I don’t really know how the economy works, but I know that this sort of thing is not actually supposed to happen in a functional society.)
After an outcry — which was heightened when the film was screened for industry insiders, who unanimously praised it — Warner Bros. allowed the filmmakers to shop the film to other studios. After years of uncertainty, Coyote vs. Acme was bought by the modestly sized studio and distribution house Ketchup Entertainment.
Not Netflix, not Apple, not Amazon and not Universal — Ketchup Entertainment.
It’s sad to watch a film as good as Coyote vs. Acme knowing that business-minded execs could watch it and decide to bury it rather than share it with the world. But there is something appropriate about the whole thing. A film about a hard-luck canine fighting a giant corporation is nearly killed by a giant corporation and eventually saved by a humble yet earnest group of film lovers.
The movie’s great — and I think the story behind it somehow makes it better.
Ridley Scott’sThe Dog StarsHits Theaters
Storied filmmaker Ridley Scott has made a number of good films in recent years, including the oddball historical biopic Napoleon and the elevated pulp drama The Last Duel. His latest, The Dog Stars, fails to meet his own standard. A post-apocalyptic drama about survivors of a devastating, COVID-like illness, The Dog Stars follows pilot and ex-mechanic Hig (Jacob Elordi), nihilistic former soldier Bangley (Josh Brolin), mournful medic Cima (Margaret Qualley) and suspicious Navy SEAL Pops (Guy Pearce) as they navigate a depressing, hostile existence. The cast is good, and one late sequence, featuring a bizarre cult leader played by Allison Janney, injects much-needed flavor to the proceedings. Mostly, though, it’s a dull movie about unhappy people.
Plus More New Movies
An unlikely indie hit cracked the Top 10 last weekend as Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, an uncanny take on film fandom and horror history, rode a wave of word-of-mouth into solid box office. Written and directed by I Saw the TV Glow creator Jane Schoenbrun, the film follows a trendy young filmmaker (Hannah Einbinder) as she heads into the woods to meet a reclusive scream queen (Gillian Anderson). What results from this meeting defies expectations, discards narrative logic and serves as an earnest and stirring celebration of movies and the way we attach to them. Even if the references escape you (or the fountains of blood seem a bit extreme), it’s worth a look — it’s one of the best films of the year.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day has won the past four weekends at the domestic box office; it now ranks as the second-highest-grossing film of all time in North America. Could it catch up to current champ Star Wars: The Force Awakens and claim the record? It has a solid chance, and it could well hold off Coyote vs. Acme and The Dog Stars to win another weekend. Here’s our review. Last week, we took a look at Tony, the solid feature about a young Anthony Bourdain; the review wasn’t rapturous, but it’s a pleasant enough time at the theater. And catch up to The End of Oak Street while you can — who doesn’t love dinosaur action from time to time?
Sean Collier is the editor-in-chief of Shady Ave and the arts and culture editor of TABLE Magazine. Before joining the TABLE Media team, he spent nearly 15 years as a writer, editor and columnist at Pittsburgh Magazine. As the in-house film critic for the top-rated WDVE Morning Show since 2009, he’s been Pittsburgh’s most widely heard voice on movies for nearly two decades. A Pittsburgh native, Sean has since 2020 appeared weekly on KDKA-TV’s popular Pittsburgh Today Livetalk show. He’s the co-founder of Vigilance Theater Group and an active stand-up comedian and event host. He can be found on Instagram and Twitter at @seancollierpgh.
It’s been just 11 years since the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden opened to the public. Now, they’ll be participating in one of the most prestigious flower shows in the nation in Philadelphia.
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden Makes Its Philadelphia Flower Show Debut
The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden will participate in next year’s PHS Philadelphia Flower Show. The prestigious, nearly 200-year-old event — said to be both the oldest and the largest flower show in the world — will welcome just five gardens from Pennsylvania in 2027. That means the still-new Pittsburgh Botanic Garden will join institutions with more than a century of experience, such as Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and The Arboretum at Penn State.
“We’re just incredibly proud and excited,” says Abigayle Tobia, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden’s executive director, who says the garden’s swift ascent is a testament to “the faith and support of our core community.”
The Philadelphia Flower Show, which hosts garden displays, floral-arranging competitions and plants from around the world, is “one of the premiere landscaping, horticulture, floriculture — even design and fashion shows for the nation,” Tobia says. For the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, inclusion not only represents a new audience but affirms the success and program of a decade of transformation.
“We really had to do a lot of discovery about what it meant to be the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. We’re not a park; we have cultivated gardens. We have research going on. We tell the story of the transformation of the land here.”
Showcasing the Garden’s History
In partnership with landscape design architect Rob Thompson, the Garden will present a display that depicts the history of the Garden’s land — beginning with a coal cart, to represent the site’s mining history, and flowing into native trees and a “celebration garden” centered around native plants, including an intricate diagram of the dogwood flower. A massive bamboo sculpture of a Great Blue Heron, made by avian-focused artists The Myth Makers, will soar above the display. (The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is planning a large installation featuring work by The Myth Makers for 2027.)
The challenge, as Tobia puts it: “How can we take 100 years of history of land and an eco-region and condense it into 860 square feet?”
The answer to that question will be unveiled from March 12-21 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center — with a planned assist from students at the Bidwell Training Center. “We can tie this into workforce development, bring this crew in training out to Philadelphia … give those folks a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for workforce development, training and also just a fantastic experience.”
In the meantime, the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is open six days a week throughout the year — and the whimsical Scraposaurs exhibition is on display through October.
“Pittsburgh deserves to be on the map as a premiere recreation destination,” Tobia says, “and the Botanic Garden is a big part of that.”
Sean Collier is the editor-in-chief of Shady Ave and the arts and culture editor of TABLE Magazine. Before joining the TABLE Media team, he spent nearly 15 years as a writer, editor and columnist at Pittsburgh Magazine. As the in-house film critic for the top-rated WDVE Morning Show since 2009, he’s been Pittsburgh’s most widely heard voice on movies for nearly two decades. A Pittsburgh native, Sean has since 2020 appeared weekly on KDKA-TV’s popular Pittsburgh Today Livetalk show. He’s the co-founder of Vigilance Theater Group and an active stand-up comedian and event host. He can be found on Instagram and Twitter at @seancollierpgh.
Twelve hundred feet above the city, perched on the edge of Mt. Washington, there’s a dining room that has quietly become one of Pittsburgh’s most iconic tables. Next year, Monterey Bay Fish Grotto will celebrate its 30th anniversary in this location because residents of and visitors to the city continue to find true hospitality within its four walls. It is grateful to its guests and its staff who have made 30 years possible.
That sense of gratitude runs through everything here, from the seasonal menu to the standing Friday night live music lineup in the lounge.
Monterey Bay Fish Grotto is the Pittsburgh Dining Destination for Unforgettable Views and Exceptional Seafood
The food is the obvious starting point, and for good reason. Monterey Bay’s menu moves with the seasons and the catch, built around fresh seafood prepared with a level of care that has kept regulars coming back for years. The kitchen isn’t chasing trends. It’s refining a handful of things (perfectly prepared fish, thoughtful sauces, produce that actually tastes like something) and doing them exceptionally well. Pair that with a wine list built to match, and it’s easy to see why the restaurant keeps landing on “best of” lists across the city.
But the food is only part of the story. What sets Monterey Bay apart is the genuine Pittsburgh hospitality that comes from being locally- and family-owned. The team, from the valet who parks your car to the manager who oversees its dining rooms, works hard to ensure every guest knows they are welcome and celebrated.
Then there is the setting. The dining room looks out over the entire Pittsburgh skyline, the kind of view that turns a Tuesday dinner into an occasion without anyone trying too hard. Guests routinely say some version of the same thing: photos don’t do it justice. You have to see it from the table.
Beyond the Main Dining Room
One level down from the main dining room, the lounge has developed its own following. Every Friday night, it turns into one of the best late week plans in the city: live music, a well-built cocktail list, and that same skyline glowing through the windows. It’s the kind of spot that works equally well for a first date, a reunion with old friends, or a solo seat at the bar with a drink and a view.
Monterey Bay has also leaned into something a little more personal lately. Its “Moments at Monterey Bay” series turns the spotlight on its guests, the regulars, the families who’ve made the restaurant part of their own traditions. It’s a small thing, but it says a lot about how the restaurant sees its role in the city: not just a destination, but a backdrop for the moments people actually remember.
That philosophy extends to private events as well. Birthdays, anniversaries, corporate gatherings, and everything in between find their way to Monterey Bay’s private dining spaces, where the same view and the same kitchen come together for parties of nearly any size. Few backdrops in Pittsburgh can compete.
For a restaurant that’s been part of the city’s dining scene for years, its continued success is confirmation of what regular guests have known for almost 30 years: this is one of the best tables in Pittsburgh, in every sense of the word. Monterey Bay Fish Grotto is located at 1411 Grandview Avenue in Pittsburgh, open Sunday through Thursday from 4:30 to 9 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. Make it memorable. Reserve a table at montereybayfishgrotto.com.
On The Oaklander Hotel’s 10th floor, Spirits & Tales introduces guests to a new face: Executive Chef Andrew Alvarez. A longtime professional in the culinary industry with 15 years under his belt, he’s now getting his chance at full creative control over a restaurant’s menu.
After his tenure as Executive Chef at Gaucho Parrilla Argentina, as well as time on the leadership teams for The Vandal, Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh, Bistro 19, and Sweetwater Center of the Arts, Spirits & Tales starts a new chapter for Chef Alvarez. It’s one he hopes to fill with as much diversity as possible, drawing from different parts of Pittsburgh’s cultural melting pot, whether that’s his own Filipino American background or another influence within the community.
We got to speak with Chef Alvarez about his new position and how his plan for a seasonal, rotating menu breathes new life into Spirits & Tales.
Meet Spirits & Tales’ New Executive Chef Andrew Alvarez
TABLE Magazine: What are you most looking forward to in your new position at Spirits & Tales, and how do you see this experience differing from your past roles?
Chef Andrew Alvarez: I haven’t worked at a restaurant where I have (more or less) free rein on the menu concept that will also impact In Room Dining and Banquets. Because of that, my ambition to represent Pittsburgh’s diversity while also balancing a unified menu will be an exciting challenge. We’re also well into the culinary exploration on, “What is fine dining?” and “What is quality dining?” in Pittsburgh. Do we need to have a $115 plate lined with a 200 thread count linen napkin to convey a great dining experience? Or, is that communicated through attentive service, intentional food, and a well informed staff to convey the menu? I have an incredible dining room, so we’re already starting with great bones. So, what can I do to build off of this? That’s my current “philosophical” question to communicate through the menu, staff training, etc.
TM: With your Filipino background, will you bring any of those influences onto the menu?
Chef Alvarez: If it makes sense! The world should know about lumpia, chicken adobo, kare kare, and halo halo. Jolibee should be a staple in every state. But, there are a couple of very talented Filipino chefs and organizations that are bringing that representation to the city and are far more talented than I will ever be.
TM: What atmosphere are you looking to create at Spirits & Tales? Can you describe your perfect experience for our readers?
Chef Alvarez: I want to create an environment that isn’t pretentious. Despite working in fine dining for the first half of my career, I never really felt like I “belonged” in those dining rooms. Something about it felt stuffy and I couldn’t relax. I want everyone to feel welcome and emphasize that everyone deserves to have a great dining experience with great food.
A perfect experience would involve great dishes and drinks that inspire as much thought and conversation as went into creating them. Like, “Wow, this Filipino dish is so good, I wish there was more Filipino representation in Pittsburgh.” And then, cue me saying, “Actually, the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh and the Philippine-American Performing Arts of Greater Pittsburgh have been around since I was 10 years old, let alone the Filipinos in the hospitality and medical workforce”.
TM: How do you plan to incorporate the bar program into the menu?
Chef Alvarez: I have always found wine tasting menus to be very Eurocentric. One of my favorite conversations I’ve had with a sommelier at a Cincinnati restaurant was about which wines you would pair with fast food. Another example is with the growing interest in cuisines from the expanding middle class around the world and exploring which wines pair well with those foods. Apparently rosés, Champagnes, and sparkling wines have been great go-to options. If I’m going to have fun food, ideally, I would have drinks to compliment that fun.
TM: What’s special about being a chef in Pittsburgh?
Chef Alvarez: From a career perspective, seeing the Pittsburgh palate evolve from the ’70s Euro dining standards to being more open minded and accepting of different flavor profiles has been great and validating in a lot of ways. I’ve worked in restaurants where “spicy” was a negative, even during a time when restaurants like Pusadee’s, Nicky’s, and Taj Mahal were already Pittsburgh staples in the 2010s. A lot of it comes down to the chef committing and believing in their dish. In that, if it happens to be spicy, pairings that are unusual, ingredients that aren’t commonly used, and you execute it well, you objectively have a great dish. As long as it’s within your brand, then you have to stand by your conviction.
There’s a misnomer that Pittsburghers have basic palates or are unadventurous, but my time at Sweetwater Center of the Arts as the Culinary Coordinator continuously proved that wrong. Every month we had a date night where you and your partner, along with three other couples, would cook a four-course menu with each couple taking on one of the courses. The catch is, I never released the menu and they wouldn’t find out until they got to class. Plus, I purposely chose recipes that were not “safe” and technical.
99% of my classes merited positive/glowing reviews. My favorite commentary was, “I would never have ordered this on a menu, but now I have to find restaurants that serve this.” I had people coming from Beaver County, West Virginia, Allentown, San Bernardino, Sharpsburg, and what I got from the feedback was that Pittsburghers are more open minded than they have ever been.
It’s on me and my team to deliver them a menu and experience that represents us and our brand. And, if my brand is representing Pittsburgh in its (apparently unknown) diversity and beauty, then how much more special can it get?
Fall arrives visibly in Western Pennsylvania and as the landscape shifts and the days shorten, Pittsburgh’s galleries and museums open a season of art exhibits that likewise ask us to look again at familiar subjects, from landscape and community to the body itself. Others bring overdue attention to artists and practices rarely centered in this part of the world. The result is a season that feels especially attuned to change — with its strongest offerings scattered widely enough to reward a little extra looking.
Pittsburgh Fall Art Exhibits 2026
Installation image of JOSIAS FIGUEIRIDO: LIFE OF A DREAM at ZYNKA Gallery.
A sleeping figure named Piri and his mischievous companion, Flying Coyote, roam the strange gardens of Josias Figueirido’s paintings. Drawing loosely from medieval bestiaries and botanical illustrations, Figueirido repeatedly distorts historical imagery until it belongs to a mythology of his own. His process is similarly hybrid, moving between drawing, 3D modeling, airbrush and spraypaint to produce surfaces that hover intriguingly between the handmade and the digital.
August 27-November 7, Silver Eye Center for Photography
For Ryan Frigillana, the American Dream is inseparable from the histories that make it possible — and from those it leaves unresolved. Drawing on his experience as a first-generation Filipino American, Frigillana combines contemporary photography with family archives, biblical imagery, news photographs and collage to trace connections among migration, labor, faith, land and citizenship. The resulting images consider how belonging is shaped by the past and continually renegotiated in the present.
Through November, Robert Morris University, Slippery Rock University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Seton Hill University
For its 112th annual exhibition, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh stretches well beyond a single gallery. Juried by Allison Lacher, Near Here unfolds across four western Pennsylvania universities, with each site offering a different perspective on what it means to belong to the same regional landscape. The dispersed format makes geography part of the exhibition itself, mapping Pittsburgh’s artistic community across a wide network of places and institutions.
September 13-May 2, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art
Two separate photography exhibitions make an especially compelling pair. Majestic Lands presents 44 of Ansel Adams’s celebrated views of the American wilderness, while Altered Lands turns to Victoria Sambunaris’s contemporary large-scale color photographs of mines, highways, and other landscapes shaped by human intervention. Installed in dialogue, the exhibitions set Adams’s idealized wilderness against Sambunaris’s landscapes of infrastructure and extraction, revealing just how dramatically the visual language of the American landscape has changed over a century.
Pittsburgh arts initiative The Future Is Black takes over Brew House Arts this fall with Sovereign Ground. Founded by curator, photographer, and community organizer Ahmed Tacumba Turner Jr., the organization has spent the past several years creating platforms for Black artists centered on joy, healing, remembrance and transformation. Sovereign Ground continues that work, bringing its community-driven curatorial approach into one of the city’s most unique independent gallery spaces.
Textures of Being begins with the body as a source of knowledge. Bringing together artists whose work grows from experiences of disability, the exhibition foregrounds touch, sensation, adaptation, vulnerability and the different ways bodies encounter their surroundings. Material practice becomes especially resonant here: craft offers a language through which lived experience can take form, while disability emerges as a distinct way of perceiving and remaking the world.
Pittsburgh Glass Center marks its 25th anniversary by looking back at the artists who helped define its signature Art on Fire fundraiser. Forged in Flames gathers work by 25 internationally recognized glass artists previously honored by the organization, offering a compact history of contemporary glass alongside a portrait of the institution’s expanding ambitions (including the newly-opened Pittsburgh Glass Corner, located just down the street). The anniversary exhibition is also a reminder of Pittsburgh’s increasingly prominent place within the studio glass field.
Cecil McDonald, Jr., Brain Matter, 2025, Photography. Courtesy the artist.
ALMA | LEWIS reopens its doors after an extensive renovation with the first U.S. survey of Chicago artist Cecil McDonald, Jr. Spanning more than two decades, The American Beauty brings together photography, montage, film and video examining Black family life, masculinity, creativity and self-fashioning. At its center is Praise House: We All Shine, which transforms the historical praise house into an imagined space for collective refuge.
Story by Shawn Simmons Featured Photo: Victoria Sambunaris, Altered Lands
Pittsburgh, get ready to 24K Magic your way into an unforgettable night with Bruno Mars at Acrisure Stadium on August 29. It’s sure to be a night of big hits, dancing, and plenty of Uptown Funk energy. Whether you’re coming for the throwback favorites, hoping to Treasure every moment, or just ready to Leave the Door Open for a great night out, knowing the ins and outs of Acrisure Stadium can make the experience even better. From parking and stadium entrances to food, drinks, show times, and navigating the venue, this guide has everything you need to know before heading to the Bruno Mars concert in Pittsburgh. So grab your crew, plan ahead, and get ready to Runaway Baby into one unforgettable night on the North Shore.
Your Concert Guide to Bruno Mars at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh
Door and Show Times
Bruno Mars’ The Romantic Tour at Acrisure Stadium on August 29 is set to begin at 7 p.m. with Anderson .Paak performing as DJ Pee .Wee as part of the show before other opener Leon Thomas.
Exact concert door times can vary by event but based on other shows, Bruno should be taking the stage around 8:45–8:50 p.m.
If you want to see the full show, grab food or drinks, visit the merchandise stands, and get settled before the music starts, plan to arrive at the stadium around 5–5:30 p.m. This also gives you extra time for traffic, parking, security, and finding your seats, which can take longer on a major concert night. Worst comes to worst you take in the scenery around the area as you wait for the show to begin.
Bag Policy
For this show, Acrisure Stadium is following the NFL’s clear bag policy. That means you can bring a clear plastic bag the size of a 1-gallon Ziploc bag (no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″) or a small hand held purse clutch as long as it does not exceed 4.5″ x 6.5″. Those with diaper bags that contain necessary medical care can also enter the facility after proper inspection at the gates.
Parking Info
Since Acrisure Stadium is over on the North Shore, you have plenty of options for parking to see The Romantic Tour. But, some lots come with an expensive price tag while others save you money for a bit of a walk.
Gold Lots are among the closest surface parking lots to Acrisure Stadium and allow tailgating, making them a convenient option for concertgoers. A few blocks towards PNC Park is also the Champions Garage, located at West General Robinson Street and Tony Dorsett Drive behind the Hyatt, offering parking that can be purchased in advance.
If you don’t buy your parking ahead of time, you can shoot for additional parking available within walking distance at Rivers Casino and around the Kamin Science Center.
Most parking lots typically open several hours before the concert, though opening times and prices vary by lot and event, so be sure to check current rates and availability before you go. Currently, many lots are already sold out of parking with remaining lots charging $64.25 and $70.
At the end of the day, parking farther from the stadium is generally less expensive, and walking a few blocks can also help you avoid traffic when leaving the concert. For the easiest experience, consider pre-purchasing your parking to save time—and potentially money—on event day.
Public Transportation
If you’re not wanting to spend upwards of $70 to park on the North Shore, you can always use the T Light Rail Transit and park Downtown or even in Station Square. All stops in Downtown and the North Shore are free to travel so arrive a little early, find a spot away from the North Shore, and take one of the T’s four Downtown stops over instead. Plus, Pittsburgh has plenty of bus lines that travel to the North Shore as well, so if you have an Airbnb or hotel in the area, check your maps app and click on the transit option to see a bus route to the stadium near you.
Another option if you’re parking in Station Square, the Gateway Clipper Fleet offers a boat shuttle over to the stadium from Station Square for just $15 round-trip.
If You Are Going to Buy Resale Tickets…
Bruno Mars’ show at Acrisure Stadium is officially sold out, so we completely understand if you’re still looking for tickets, even on the day of the show. But with your only options being resale tickets, you’ll want to proceed with caution.
NEVER buy tickets through a Facebook page, social media post, or a random seller claiming to have extras. Instead, stick with reputable ticketing platforms that offer buyer protections. That way, if your tickets never arrive or there’s an issue with your purchase, you may be eligible for a refund or, in some cases, replacement tickets.
Check out sites like StubHub, SeatGeek, Vivid Seats, or Ticketmaster’s official resale marketplace. And remember: if a ticket price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Currently on Ticketmaster’s resale marketplace, the cheapest ticket is $162.63 to be at the very top. Anywhere in the lower bowl or closer is going to run you at least $264.42.
Resale prices can vary significantly, especially for a sold-out show like this, so compare listings and make sure you’re comfortable with the price before purchasing. You can also call the Acrisure Stadium box office on the day of the show to see whether any additional tickets are released.
Most importantly, don’t let the excitement of seeing Bruno Mars lead you into a risky purchase. Stick to trusted platforms and make sure you know exactly what you’re buying.
Who Are the Openers?
The first opener, Anderson .Paak, is a close friend and colleague of Bruno Mars as well as the second half of their duo R&B project Silk Sonic. For his opening set, he’ll be taking on his alter ego DJ Pee .Wee to warm up the crowd. Get your dancing shoes on because DJ Pee .Wee is playing all kinds of popular hits from Dancing Queen by ABBA to Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell as well as even his own song Come Down.
You may recognize the second opener for Bruno Mars if you grew up watching Victorious. Leon Thomas played Andre on the series and introduced the world to his soul vocals. Nowadays, he’s a Grammy-winning R&B singer and his latest single from this year is Fly U Out with Lucky Daye. He’ll perform his set before Bruno goes on so plan to arrive a little early if you want to catch his whole set.
The Setlist
The Romantic Tour from Bruno Mars takes you through all the different eras of his career. For his setlist, you’ll start off in the current era of Bruno as he kicks things off with Risk It All off his 2026 album The Romantic. After traveling through the more recent releases like 24K Magic, I Just Might, and God Was Showing Off, the show transitions into a Silk Sonic party as Bruno brings out Anderson .Paak to perform hits off of their album An Evening With Silk Sonic.
But don’t worry if you’re an old school Bruno fan, the last section of the show is a dedication to the songs that got Bruno where he is today. The joyfulness of Marry You, the groovy-vibes of Uptown Funk, and even a heartwrenching mashup of It Will Rain, Talking to the Moon, Grenade, When I Was Your Man all get their time.
Navigating the Venue and Surrounding Area
With its large standing stature, Acrisure Stadium has several entrances, so check your ticket ahead of time to see which gate is closest to your seating section, that’s the one you’ll want to shoot for. The main entrances include Gate A East and West, Gate B near Art Rooney Avenue, Gate C near Reedsdale Street, and the FedEx Great Hall entrances.
Once inside, all parts of the stadium concourses provide access to seating sections, restrooms, concessions, Guest Services, and merchandise for concerts.
Food options are available throughout the venue, with concert concessions offering favorites such as pizza, burgers, wings, pretzels, and other stadium-style snacks. You may even come across a few Pittsburgh favorites such as Primanti Bros., Potato Patch Fries, and pierogies. Note though, the stadium is cashless, so credit and debit cards, as well as mobile payment options, are accepted.
Pro-tip: If you’re meeting friends, using your gate, section number, or a recognizable spot like the FedEx Great Hall as a meeting point can make it much easier to find each other.
Where to Eat Before or After the Show
The North Shore has plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance of Acrisure Stadium, making it easy to grab a meal or drink before or after the Bruno Mars concert.
If you’re looking to treat yourself to a sit-down meal that’s worth every penny, Fig & Ash offers an upscale option, while ShadoBeni is a great choice if you’re looking for something different, with Trinidadian-inspired food and vegan options.
For families and those looking for something more casual, Burgatory serves burgers, fries, and milkshakes, while Federal Galley offers several food concepts under one roof, making it a convenient choice for groups with different tastes.
Mike’s Beer Bar is another popular stop, with over 300 beer selections, a full menu, and TVs to catch any sports games on.
After the concert, Bruno would expect you to keep the party going and one of the best spots to do that is Tequila Cowboy, an extensive bar on North Shore Drive that has three different rooms (including karaoke for the singers out there). But, you can also grab a cocktail at Bar Louie, Southern Tier Brewing, and Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Bar, all offering drinks and food for those who want to keep the night going.
Since the area can get especially busy after major concerts, plan for extra time if you’re heading to a restaurant or bar immediately after the show.
Looking for a Bruno Mars Pre-Party?
If you’re local to the area or coming into the city early, Con Alma, Pittsburgh’s live jazz bar, is throwing a Summer Cocktail Party with the music of Bruno Mars on August 26. You’ll relax Downtown in their space with cocktails, wine, appetizers, and live music from Jevon Rushton Group, playing all the Bruno songs you love and will definitely be screaming on Saturday night. Plus, there will be liquor reps on site for tastings as well as the premiere of newly curated cocktails.
Then, August 27-29, stop by The Industrialist in Downtown and enter their 24-Karat Pop-Up Lounge. The second-floor lounge is transform into a golden Bruno Mars party with menu items like the Uptown Funky Fries and Billionaire Chicken Adobo Sliders alongside themed-cocktails and a 360 photo booth.
And, if you’re for more places to explore, check out our guide to the North Side.
Perched on the North Shore where Pittsburgh’s three rivers meet, Acrisure Stadium is home to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pitt Panthers. It’s open-air, unapologetically loud, and pure Pittsburgh, right down to the Primanti Bros. sandwiches at the concession stands.
But football isn’t the only draw. Acrisure hosts major concerts as well as special events, such as Monster Jam and the annual Kickoff and Rib Festival. No matter what event you’re coming to Acrisure Stadium to see, this guide runs down the venue’s bag policy, parking information, in-stadium concessions, insider tips, and so much more. By the end, you’ll be navigating Acrisure Stadium like a pro.
Acrisure Stadium Venue Guide
Where Are the Best Seats in the House?
Depending on whether you’re heading to a Steelers game or a concert, there are a couple of different options to get the best seat in the house.
The lower bowl along the sidelines is the gold standard. Sections 108-136 offer some of the best views, with sections near midfield giving you the clearest look at the action.
If you want to be close to the Steelers bench, sections 133-136 are on the home sideline.
For a different perspective, end-zone seats put you close to the action without the price tag of midfield seats.
Don’t overlook the club and suite levels. They offer more comfortable seating, climate-controlled spaces, and access to premium food and beverage options, although the experience comes at a premium.
One thing to remember for cold-weather events: Metal seats can get very cold, so consider bringing a seat cushion (but note seat cushions with backs are not allowed).
Bag Policy
Acrisure follows the NFL’s clear-bag policy that you’ll find at all other stadiums.
Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches are permitted, as are one-gallon, clear freezer bags and small, non-clear bags up to 4.5 by 6.5 inches.
Each person, including children, can carry one permitted clear bag plus one small clutch.
Medically necessary items are permitted after inspection at the gate.
Outside food is permitted if it is carried in a clear plastic bag, but glass bottles are prohibited.
Getting to Acrisure Stadium
If you’re driving from north of the stadium, take I-279 South toward Pittsburgh and follow signs for the North Shore and stadium exits.
Coming from the west, south or east? One option is to park Downtown and walk across the river. The Roberto Clemente Bridge (Sixth Street Bridge) and Andy Warhol Bridge (Seventh Street Bridge) both lead directly to the North Shore. On Steelers game days, the Clemente Bridge closes to vehicles and becomes pedestrian-only.
The North Shore can get extremely congested before and after major events, so give yourself plenty of extra time.
Alternate Transportation
Public transportation is actually one of the easiest ways to get to Acrisure Stadium but you can always take rideshares or The Gateway Clipper too.
Pittsburgh’s light rail system “The T” is free for rides between Downtown and the North Shore, and the station is just steps from the stadium.
The Gateway Clipper also operates game-day shuttle service from Station Square for Steelers games. Service typically begins three hours before kickoff, with return trips beginning during the fourth quarter.
You can also bike to the North Shore. Riverfront trails run alongside the stadium, and bike racks are available nearby.
Buses and rideshares are additional options. On event days, follow posted signs for designated rideshare drop-off and pickup areas.
Where to Park
Gold Lots are among the closest surface lots to Acrisure Stadium and allow tailgating.
Champions Garage is located at West General Robinson Street and Tony Dorsett Drive, behind the Hyatt. Parking can be purchased in advance.
For Steelers games, parking lots typically open several hours before kickoff. Prices vary by lot and event, so check current rates before you go. Tailgating is permitted in surface lots but not garages.
Parking farther from the stadium is generally cheaper, and walking a few blocks can save considerable time getting out.
Pro tip: Pre-purchasing parking can save time (and money) on event day. Check availability through the stadium’s parking partners.
Where to Eat and Drink Inside the Stadium
Acrisure has plenty of standard stadium fare, but there are also some distinctly Pittsburgh options.
Primanti Bros.: The Pittsburgh classic, with sandwiches piled high with fries and coleslaw.
Franco’s Pizzeria: Located on the 100 level, the stand is named for Steelers legend Franco Harris and serves Steelers-themed pizzas, including the Immaculate Pie.
Pro tip: For something decidedly less traditional, the stadium also rotates limited-time specialty concessions. Check the event-specific food lineup before you go.
Insider Tips and Tricks
Acrisure is cashless, so bring a credit or debit card or use a mobile payment option.
Acrisure is mobile-ticket only. Download your tickets and save them to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet before you arrive rather than relying on a cell signal at the gate.
Guest Services desks are located at sections 104, 123, 504, and 528 and can assist with lost-and-found and other visitor needs.
The Steelers Hall of Honor Museum is inside Acrisure Stadium and showcases more than 50 inductees and more than 10,000 square feet of Steelers history. It is open to the public, although hours vary by season and around stadium events, so check the museum’s current schedule before visiting.
If you’re attending a Steelers game, tailgating is part of the experience. Most surface lots allow grills and open flames.
Know that a stadium event affects the entire North Shore. Even if you’re not attending the game or concert, parking and traffic around the stadium can be significantly heavier than usual.
Where to Eat Around Acrisure Stadium
The North Shore has plenty of options for a pre-event meal, but you’ll want to allow extra time on busy game and concert days.
Fig & Ash: An upscale option for a sit-down meal before an evening event. Reservations are recommended.
ShadoBeni: A small Trinidadian restaurant with a vegan menu — a good choice for something different before heading to the stadium.
Allegheny City Brewing: A neighborhood brewery with rotating food trucks, making it an easy option for a beer and a bite before walking to the stadium.
Burgatory: Pittsburgh burgers, fries and thick milkshakes, including boozy versions for those who want to make a night of it.
Federal Galley: A food hall with multiple restaurant concepts, making it a good choice for groups with different tastes.
Mike’s Beer Bar: A huge beer selection and a substantial menu, including its popular Steak on a Stone.
Wise County Cafe: A good choice for an early event or afternoon game, particularly if biscuits are calling your name.
Where to Drink After the Event
If you’re looking for a post-event drink or even bite, the North Shore has plenty of options, although getting out of the area can take time.
Tequila Cowboy: A lively late-night option on North Shore Drive.
Mike’s Beer Bar: Open late with a full kitchen, making it an easy post-event stop for a meal and a drink, including its popular Steak on a Stone.
Tom’s Watch Bar: A sports bar near the stadium with wall-to-wall screens, a broad menu and plenty of beer.
Bar Louie: A more conventional sports-bar option with a full food and drink menu.
Southern Tier Brewing: A brewery and restaurant that gets particularly lively on game nights.
