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10 Pittsburgh Bars That Have Expansive Non-Alcoholic Offerings

By
Kylie Thomas
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0
A short non-alcoholic cocktail from a Pittsburgh bar in a dark orange color with an orange slice as the garnish.
Pre Amp Coffee Studio

Wanting a night out that still feels social and flavorful is why Sarah Just and Angie Carducci team up for an occasional Zero Proof series on Instagram, where they highlight spots around Pittsburgh that take their non-alcoholic offerings seriously. This list of 10 of their recent favorites involved making few tough cuts, because the city’s restaurants and bars keep raising the bar on what zero proof can be. That’s a smart investment of time and talent: the U.S. non-alcoholic beverages market reached $280.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow 7.4 percent annually through 2030.

What Bars Around Pittsburgh Have the Best Non-Alcoholic Options?

Alta Via

Fox Chapel and Downtown

This hometown favorite pairs its cozy, pasta-forward menu with one of the city’s most thoughtful N/A programs. The Golden Hour Sour, made with Lyre’s Amaretti, lemon, and simple, earned top honors at a Teetotal Initiative event and also leads a list that includes the Amalfi Escape, a bright take on an Aperol spritz. Three crisp refreshers round out the non-alcoholic list, including Rose Colored Glasses, a grapefruit and rosemary spritz lifted by Fever Tree ginger beer.

Golden Gai

116 Bakery Square Boulevard, East Liberty

The spirit-free menu here shows the same precision as the sushi counter. The standout Night Rain blends blue spirulina, cucumber, honey, white tea, and lime, then tops it with a cascade of salt foam. It tastes like a shoreline breeze that feels made for a slow evening.

EYV

424 East Ohio Street, North Side

At this plant-forward, chef-driven spot on the North Side, the threecourse prix fixe pairs beautifully with a lineup of bright and clean mocktails. The A-Tonic Cuke, made with cucumber, lemon, ginger, and tonic, is a refreshing opener; the Cosnopolitan, made with cranberry, lime, as well as orange, offers a polished alternative to a classic.

Pre Amp Coffee Studio

Shadyside and Squirrel Hill

Vinyl spinning, espresso humming, and a sophisticated nonalcoholic bar make Pre Amp a haven for anyone who craves complexity without the buzz, because here the buzz is all caffeine. The Unplugged Old Fashioned layers Kentucky 74, Dr. Zero Zero Amaro No, Chicory Pecan, Pappy Maple Bourbon, as well as cherry into a drink that could satisfy even the most devoted whiskey drinker. The lineup also includes a riff on an espresso martini with Kyoto cold brew and latte bubbles. The bar’s housemade syrups and sodas are worth mentioning, too, bringing the same thoughtfulness to every glass on the menu.

Space Bar

22 Market Square, Downtown

Market Square’s cosmic cocktail lounge takes its N/A offerings seriously, with a long list that’s as imaginative as its theme. The N/A Tartooine Sour is the star. It blends soursop, passionfruit, lime, pandan, clarified coconut milk, and also kaffir lime leaf, and arrives with a glowing cosmic light. The drink is playful, tropical and a little otherworldly, befitting the room’s sci-fi glow.

Palm Palm

5996 Centre Avenue, East Liberty

This East End small plates destination channels vintage West Coast cool. Not to mention, its house made sodas are every bit as compelling as any mocktail. The Lychee Coconut is where to start. It’s lush, fragrant and creamy, and also arrives looking as good as it tastes.

Mixtape

4907 Penn Avenue, Garfield

This Garfield night spot is known for themed dance nights and immersive installations, and its zero-proof program is just as inventive. The rotating mocktail list rivals the cocktail menu, and even the welcome drinks at ticketed events come with an N/A option. The recent award-winning Maize Runner, made with sweet corn, coconut cream and milk, jalapenos, salt, agave, and citric solution, also shows the kind of creativity that’s always on display.

Co-Sign Speakeasy

145 East 8th Avenue (4th Floor), Homestead

Half the fun is getting in, and the other half is discovering how seriously this Prohibition-era hideaway takes its mocktails. The Speakeasy Lemonade, made with lemon juice, blueberry, vanilla, and lavender, is fragrant as well as refreshing. The bar team also enjoys crafting bespoke N/A drinks on the fly.

Pusadee’s Garden

5319 Butler Street, Lawrenceville

At one of Lawrenceville’s most celebrated dining rooms, you can pair your Thai dish with a mocktail as nuanced as the food. The Spa-like Solitude blends Free Spirits N/A gin with green apple, celery, bok choy, ginger, citrus, and then vegan foam. It’s crisp and also herbal in a way that makes it a natural companion to the restaurant’s iconic Khao Yum salad.

Two Frays

5113 Penn Avenue, Garfield

This Garfield brewery is a leader in N/A beer with a rotating lineup that spans Munich styles, porters, IPAs, and more. The current Ruby Crush, a blood orange and raspberry blonde with nostalgic notes of Trix cereal as well as Haribo Berries, shows how fun and flavorful a zero-proof brew can be.

Story by Sarah Just and Angie Carducci
Styling by Star Laliberte
Photography by Dave Bryce

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How to Navigate the Wine Selection at Fine Wine & Good Spirits

By
Kylie Thomas
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0
Wine pours from a bottle to a glass help up against a blue sky.

My first experience with Pennsylvania’s curious liquor laws dates to August 2005. While driving through the state en route to college, my father and I decided to spend the night. We dipped into the nearest gas station in search of beer only to be laughed out of the store after asking the cashier where it was hiding. 

At the time, I had no idea that we’d have to go to a bar to purchase a 6-pack to go, nor that beer was sold only in larger quantities at licensed distributors. What if we’d wanted a bottle of wine or some spirits to make a cocktail? Oh, then we’d have to visit a state-run Fine Wine & Good Spirits store. Who knew? 

Finding the Right Wine for You at Fine Wine & Good Spirits

As a wine professional in PA, it dawned on me that newcomers and locals alike could use a comprehensive guide to explain the keys to finding fermented grape juice around town, allowing consumers to shop with confidence and avoid confusion and disappointment. 

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Explained 

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PCLB) regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol by operating over 570 Fine Wine & Good Spirits (FWGS) stores throughout the state, each of which gets a specific store number. The PLCB is also responsible for issuing bar and restaurant liquor licenses, as well as other licenses to serve alcoholic beverages. A look at their FAQs gives you an idea of the many nuances at play. As you’ve already seen above, beer is handled separately through licensed distributors. 

As a result of this system, private retail is extraordinarily limited. Many local consumers lament the lack of specialty shops, as well as the fact that the state may not consistently purchase the same wines: when a wine you like is gone, it might be gone for good. 

Conversely, an advantage of this system is that there’s a minimum selection available throughout the state. While the PLCB and FWGS stores often receive a lot of understandable flak, this is an often-overlooked aspect of the system that is quite positive. The base inventory from store to store allows access to certain wines statewide, making it easy for consumers to expect at least some level of consistency, especially in more rural areas.  

A Cut Above: Premium Collection Stores 

Not all FWGS stores are created equal! Just because the state purchases a wine does not mean it will be available on the shelves of your local FWGS outlet. For wine lovers, this can be especially frustrating. To give yourself the best chance of success at finding the best bottles, ensure you are visiting a Premium Collection store. These designated retail outlets offer more high-end and specialty items than your run-of-the-mill FWGS store. However, the availability of the best selections may vary even between Premium Collection stores. 

Store Organization: Navigating the Aisles 

Once you arrive at the store of your choosing, it’s time to make sense of how the wines’ organization. Alas, we find ourselves in another potentially confusing situation: the stores organize some sections by country and others by grape variety. 

The first thing to note: only international wines are organized by country (e.g. Spain, South Africa, Italy, etc.), and domestic wines are organized by grape variety. This has to do with the fact that here in the United States, we tend to look for wines by grape variety – when you’re at a bar or restaurant, you’re likely to ask for a glass of Pinot Grigio or a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. On the other hand, internationally wines, particularly in Europe, order by region and not the grape variety or varieties (e.g. Barolo, Champagne, Rioja, and so on). To be sure, there are exceptions to those rules – Germany and Austria use grape varieties on their labels, for example, and so do countries outside of Europe like Chile or New Zealand.  

This explains why it can be so hard to find that amazing Pinot noir from France that your friend brought over for dinner. If you went to the shelf labeled “Pinot noir,” you’d go mad combing through bottles from places like California and Oregon, but not a single example from France would be in sight. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you can’t seem to find what you need. 

Chairman’s Selection: Juice Worth the Squeeze? 

One of the most frequent questions I get is surrounding Chairman’s Selection wines. Are they good? Are they special? The answer is, unfortunately, a little complicated. It’s true that you can often find some outstanding deals, but whether the wine is noteworthy is often up to the palate of the buyer.  

Bear in mind that the seemingly amazing deal might simply be the result of a producer trying to clear out inventory. Maybe it’s an older vintage that isn’t quite at its peak; maybe it was an off-year, and they figure you’ll never know the difference. On the other hand, there are regularly some good finds if you know some producers and regions. The Argentinian producer Zuccardi often figures in the mix, and everything from them is worth a shot, whether it’s Malbec, Cabernet franc, or their excellent Tempranillo. Similarly, Corsican white wines from the Vermentino grape frequently appear here, and those are always a good value. 

Special Liquor Orders: Your Secret Weapon 

One of the idiosyncrasies of the Pennsylvania system is that restaurants and bars don’t get any discounts on wines. As a result, they often will only put wines on their lists that you won’t see on the store shelves – they know you won’t pay 2 or 3 times the price at the restaurant for the same bottle you enjoy at home. So where are they finding these wines? 

Enter the Special Liquor Order, or SLO. You see, there are more wines available for distribution within Pennsylvania than those you see in-store. Most consumers have no idea that you have the same access to these wines as the restaurants around town. If there’s a wine you like but you don’t see it on the shelf, it’s worth going to finewineandgoodspirits.com and searching for it using the field at the top of the page. Wines available for SLO will appear in your search results, and you can place an order through the website, as well as at the store at which you’d like to pick them up. The search tool is also useful for in-store wines, notably to see how much is in stock and in which stores they’re available (and you can even order some online there, too). 

If you place a special order, the PLCB will ensure there’s actual inventory with the distributor. If so, they will confirm the order and update you on delivery status to the store of your choice. Even better? There is no minimum purchase requirement, so you can get anything from a single bottle to many, stock permitting. 

Fine Wine & Good Spirits Premium Collections in Pittsburgh 

  • Shadyside/East Liberty, Store #247, 5956 Centre Avenue 
  • Downtown, Store #237, 339 Fifth Ave
  • The Waterworks (Aspinwall/Fox Chapel), Store #214, 991 Freeport Road 
  • McKnight (McIntyre Square), Store #232, 3080 McIntyre Square Drive 
  • South Hills Village (Village Square), Store #9211, 5000 Oxford Drive 
  • Sewickley, Store #266, 521 Beaver Street 

Story by Adam Knoerzer
Photo by Floris Christiaans

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9 Must-See 2026 Art Exhibits Within a Day’s Drive of Pittsburgh

By
Kylie Thomas
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0
People on bean bags look up at an art exhibit projected onto the museum walls.

You don’t have to travel far to encounter remarkable art this year. Within a few hours of Pittsburgh, museums and cultural institutions are mounting exhibitions that range from monumental ceramics and immersive installations to community-curated experiments and international surveys. Whether you’re staying close to home or planning a weekend drive, these shows offer plenty of reasons to explore the region.

2026 Art Exhibits Just a Short Drive From Pittsburgh

A bronze statue head with a pointy crown and bulbs for hair.
Crown Series installation view, (from left), Crown Series: Sadie, 2024, Photo: Kohler Co., courtesy of John Michael Kohler Arts Center.

Sharif Bey: Homecoming

June 26–October 12, The Andy Warhol Museum, 117 Sandusky Street, North Side

Pittsburgh-born ceramic artist Sharif Bey returns home in this noteworthy exhibition at the Andy Warhol Museum. Working in clay at an ambitious scale, Bey draws on memories of the city alongside traditions he encountered across a wide artistic network during years spent teaching and collaborating across the country. Installed in dialogue with works by Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat, the exhibition reflects on what it means to come back to a place that helped shape you.

If the word we (59th Carnegie International)

Through January 3, 2027, Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Oakland

The Carnegie International returns with a wide-ranging exhibition shaped by more than sixty artists and collectives exploring how shared experience takes form today. Many projects are newly commissioned, unfolding over time across the museum’s galleries and throughout Pittsburgh. A packed schedule of performances, talks, screenings, and other public programs keeps the exhibition in motion throughout its run.

Revolutionary Care

Through September 5, Contemporary Craft, 5645 Butler Street, Lawrenceville

This intimate exhibition brings together Amber Doe, Bekezela Mguni, and Pittsburgh-based artist Alisha B. Wormsley, each exploring care as a creative and political act. Doe’s protective textile works channel generational healing, while Mguni’s delicate bookmaking and collage reflect on memory and ancestral voice. Wormsley contributes a ceremonial installation rooted in collective repair and spiritual renewal. Together, these works treat care as something built through making—stitched, printed, and shared across generations.

French Moderns: Matisse/Renoir/Degas

June 20–October 11, The Frick Pittsburgh, 7227 Reynolds Street, Point Breeze

If French modernism feels overly familiar, this exhibition offers a chance to see it with fresh eyes. About sixty works by artists including Henri Matisse, Edgar Degas, Berthe Morisot, and Paul Cézanne trace a period when painters across Paris were arguing— sometimes fiercely—about how modern life should look on canvas. Seen together, the works reveal a restless, experimental moment when the rules of art were still very much up for debate.

A portrait of a man in black and white with a white cross and circle drawn over him.
Photo From Palmer Museum of Art

Community Curates: Dreaming American Futures

July 13–December 13, Palmer Museum of Art, 650 Bigler Road, University Park

At Penn State’s newly expanded Palmer Museum of Art—now a striking 73,000-square-foot building set beside the university’s arboretum—this exhibition hands curatorial authority to the public. Over the past year, visitors helped select works on paper from the museum’s collection, shaping a show that reflects on the ideals of the Declaration of Independence nearly 250 years later. The result offers a rare chance to see how a museum collection looks when the public decides what stories it should tell.

The Gift: Emma Amos with Friends

September 13-January 24, Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland

A two-hour drive to Cleveland rewards visitors with Emma Amos’s extraordinary portrait project The Gift (1990–94), shown publicly for the first time in nearly two decades. The suite brings together 48 watercolor portraits of women artists, writers, and curators from Amos’s creative circle, including Faith Ringgold, Lucy Lippard, and Lorna Simpson. Installed as a sweeping grid, the work turns portraiture into a visible network of influence and friendship while underscoring Amos’s role as a central figure in Black feminist art.

Greer Lankton: Could It Be Love

November 14, 2026, Mattress Factory, 500 Sampsonia Way, North Side

Few museums know Greer Lankton’s work as intimately as the Mattress Factory, which holds the artist’s papers and has long returned to her strange, magnetic universe. This exhibition shifts focus to Lankton’s photography, presenting 24 rarely seen images she made of her own uncanny dolls. Set across East Village apartments, storefronts, as well as sidewalks, the figures lounge and brood like downtown celebrities, capturing the theatrical, deeply personal world Lankton built around them.

Steel Valley Visions: An American Legacy

Through November 8, Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 North Main Street, Greensburg

A short drive east of Pittsburgh, the Westmoreland Museum of American Art revisits the Steel Valley through historic paintings and contemporary works, including a striking steel I-beam sculpture by Seneca artist Marie Watt. The experience expands beyond the gallery through an immersive installation of multi-projection imagery and surround sound that places visitors inside the artworks themselves: smokestacks looming, furnaces glowing, and the visual culture of the region unfolding at full scale.

Arts Landing

803 Penn Avenue, Downtown

Not every worthwhile arts destination this year is inside a museum. Opened this spring, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s new four-acre civic space in the Cultural District brings public art, performance, as well as a green space together in the heart of Downtown. While not an exhibition in the traditional sense, Arts Landing features more than twenty works of public art by Pittsburgh-connected artists alongside riverfront views, an outdoor bandshell, and a playground. More park than plaza, the project offers new ways to encounter art as a part of the city’s everyday rhythm.

Story by Shawn Simmons
Featured Photo Courtesy of Westmoreland Museum of Art

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The Ultimate Guide to PNC Park: Parking, Dining, Bag Policy, and More

By
Kylie Thomas
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0
A baseball game with a large crowd inside PNC Park in Pittsburgh with the skyline behind the stadium.

PNC Park is home to the Pittsburgh Pirates as well as a number of concerts from national and international bands, making it a venue that most Pittsburghers (and travelers alike) go to at some point in their lives. Whether you’re gearing up for the hottest concert of the summer or a weekday night baseball game, here’s your ultimate guide to navigating PNC Park from parking to dining to bag policy and even a few insider tips and tricks.

The Ultimate Guide to Navigating PNC Park

Getting to PNC Park 

If you’re driving in from the north, park in a garage or find street parking on the North Shore. There are often spots available in and around the Mexican War Streets neighborhood, and you can grab dinner at Federal Galley before walking to PNC Park.

If you’re coming from the west, south, or east, park downtown and walk over the Roberto Clemente Bridge to the park. On Pirates game days, the bridge is pedestrian-only.

PNC Park Bag Policy

Each guest may bring one soft-sided bag measuring 16 x 16 x 8 inches or smaller. Purses, fanny packs, soft-sided coolers, and backpacks are permitted as long as they meet the size limit. Unlike many NFL stadiums, bags do not need to be clear. 

Outside food is permitted, along with one clear, sealed disposable plastic bottle of water per guest.

Where to Eat and Drink Around the Park

Mike’s Beer Bar

A North Shore beer institution for good reason. Splurge on the cook-your-own Steak on a Stone, or graze on pretzels, wings, and the pickle-focaccia pizza.

The Bohemian

New this spring in the restored Garden Theater lobby. Try the Czech-style lagers, just $6, served in hand-washed steins. There’s no kitchen, so grab food from Mayfly Market across the hall. 

Burgatory 

A homegrown Pittsburgh favorite, located between PNC Park and Acrisure. Build-your-own burgers starting at $15 and thick, hand-spun shakes—including boozy variations—are standouts. If you’re adventurous, try “Wild Game Wednesdays”: a wild-game burger—like camel and kangaroo—that changes weekly.

Federal Galley

A food hall with a rotating array of chef-driven concept eateries and communal seating, plus an outdoor beer garden. Closed Mondays.

SugarBird

The season’s big debut, it opened in April 2026 at the new Plaza at North Shore, across from PNC Park. Casual and laid-back, with a menu of fried chicken, donuts, ice cream, frozen cocktails, and a full bar. 

The Smash Shack

Casual smash burgers, walkable on the North Shore.

Nicky’s Thai Kitchen

Thai spot downtown, just across the bridge.

The Eagle

Downtown, across the bridge. Southern comfort food.

Insider Tips and Tricks

PNC Park is cashless, so bring a credit card, debit card, or mobile payment.

All restrooms are wheelchair accessible, and family/companion-care restrooms are available at sections 109, 110, 115, 119, 132, 133, 147, 305, 315 and 331, plus the club levels.

PNC Park has partnered with KultureCity to help make the park more welcoming for guests with sensory processing needs. Complimentary sensory bags with fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones, and weighted lap pads are available at Guest Relations. There’s also a dedicated sensory room in Suite 62, accessed via the left-field rotunda.

Assisted-listening devices are free of charge at Guest Relations with an ID or credit card deposit.

Trained service animals are welcome, but must stay leashed or harnessed at all times. A service-animal relief area is located outside the right-field gate.

Each of the four corner gates features a Pirates legend: Roberto Clemente at the bridge, Willie Stargell in left field, Honus Wagner behind home plate, and Bill Mazeroski in right field. They’re handy landmarks if you’re trying to meet up with friends.

Where to Park When Going to PNC Park

Expect event pricing at all nearby garages and lots. Rates are set by individual operators and can be significantly higher for sold-out concerts than for Pirates games.

  • Blue 10 Garage: Closest to PNC, with security and public bathrooms. 
  • Red 5 Garage: Directly above the T Station, with quick access to 279.
  • Gold 1 Garage: About a 10 minute walk away, and accommodates vehicles, up to 8 feet, 2 inches tall.
  • Red Lot 6: Across the street from PNC park.  Tailgating allowed. Feeds directly onto 279.
  • Red Lot 5A: Closest to the home plate entrance. Easy access onto 279.

Or park downtown and ride the free T to North Side Station, just steps from PNC Park.

Alternate Transportation Options for No Parking Worries 

The Gateway Clipper runs between the Station Square dock and PNC Park, for about $15 round-trip.

More than 50 Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes serve downtown. From there, it’s a short walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge to the ballpark or a ride on the T.

Where to Grab a Nightcap After the Game or Concert

The Warren

Kitchen open until midnight, bar until 2 a.m. 

The Park House

Historic 1933 tavern with a full pub menu. Open until midnight Wednesday through Saturday. 

Space Bar

Sci-fi cocktail lounge open until 11 p.m. and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Closed Mondays. Vegetarian small plates only.

Con Alma

Latin-inspired dishes and live jazz nightly. Kitchen closes at 10 p.m., and 11 p.m. on weekends. The lounge/bar stays open later for drinks.

Täkō

Buzzy street-food and taco spot. Kitchen stays open until midnight, with a rotating late-night menu after. 

Story by Kenny Gould
Photography by Joshua Peacock

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The Roving Art Cart Is One of Pittsburgh’s Best Summer Activities

By
Kylie Thomas
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0
Two boys paint on either side of an easel with aprons on and a table of supplies.

In the summertime, my main parenting goal is getting my kids outside and off screens. If it’s sunny, we’re at the pool. If it’s rainy, we’re at a museum. But there’s a limit to how much you can do those things. Inevitably, one of my four kids will be tired of the pool or not in the mood for a museum — or just not in the mood to do anything big. Fortunately, three days a week, we have the Roving Art Cart as an option.

A little boy stands under a paper mache bear head.

Make The Roving Art Cart a Pittsburgh Summer Tradition

The Roving Art Cart has been bringing art into Pittsburgh’s CitiParks for more than 50 years. As many as three days a week from June through August, the art cart stops at a different local park or playground, bringing with it puppets, painting, clay, chalk and any number of other multimedia options kids can partake in for free.

Recommended for kids ages 5-12, the Roving Art Cart literally has something for everyone in my family, and the activities are more often quality over quantity — my kids aren’t making things I want to throw away as soon as their backs are turned. I’ve been to Roving Art Carts where one of my kids will paint a picture they’ll proudly display for months in their room while another is learning how to silk screen — while another is dressing up in one of Cheryl Capezzuti’s giant puppets. (They all want to join the line for a balloon animal, though, given the option.)

A little girl in an apron paints on an easel across from a little boy painting in an apron.

A Parent’s Perfect Outing

Because the Roving Art Cart circulates through the city, we can go multiple times and have a different experience. What kid would turn down an offer of: “Would you like to go to a playground you’ve never been to before and see what kind of fun crafts they have?”

And once we get there, it’s low-energy on my part. My kids can don a smock and learn to mix paint colors from a volunteer or hop to another booth where someone will help them create a beaded necklace. All I have to do is watch (and I often learn something myself). 

I’ve also never felt rushed. Sure, sometimes another kid is waiting for an easel or your spot at the clay station, but there are enough staff members on hand to help kids along when needed while encouraging creativity. Each kid can explore at their own pace. 

It’s just what a summer activity should be. 

Story and Photography by Lauren Davidson

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Try These Pittsburgh Milkshake Destinations

By
Kylie Thomas
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0
Blueberrys and raspberries fall into a milkshake glass filled with a white milkshake with the aforementioned berries.

Try these fun places all around Pittsburgh and treat yourself to the simplest of simples or the fanciest of milkshakes. Just remember to be very mindful when drinking a shake with one of those brightly-colored jumbo wide straws. If you get a little overzealous and take it in too fast — brain freeze!

Milkshake Destinations Around Pittsburgh

Brr-kee’s

Oakmont’s favorite ice cream shop has been around since the 1990s, and with an abundance of picnic tables, it’s a sweet spot to sit and sip a shake mixed with one of their more than 20 favors, such as espresso or fudge ripple. It’s a perfect moment of small town in the city.

Gepetto Cafe

It’s easy to walk past this small Lawrenceville cafe, sandwiched between Row House Cinema and Merchant Oyster on Butler Street. But if you do, you’ll be missing out on one of the best milkshakes Pittsburgh has to offer. The daytime spot for coffee spins ice cream into delicious, playful flavors: Nutella, banana creme pie, s’mores milkshake, tiramisu, chocolate coffee bean, and strawberry. A second Gepetto Cafe is located in Bloomfield.

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream

The best part about Handel’s? They turn all 15-plus flavors into tasty, thick milkshakes. Try the graham cracker-studded Graham Central Station.

The Milkshake Factory

It should come as no surprise that a shop named for the sweet treat makes a great milkshake. The Factory —with its 100-plus-year legacy of making ice cream —features milkshakes in every flavor, from whacky iterations like mint cookies and cream and birthday cake to the classics, chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. Now at three Pittsburgh-area locations.

Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream

You call the shots at Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream. The shop’s make-your-own milkshakes cover everything from dietary restrictions (Dairy-free? No problem.) to mix-ins, like chocolate chips, cookie dough pieces, and more. Our favorite? Their coffee break ice cream mixed with cookie dough and waffle pieces, then topped—of course—with whipped cream. Locations are found throughout the city.

Story by Star Laliberte and Maggie Weaver
Photography by Arvid Skywalker

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Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s 2026-27 Season Features Favorite Shows For — And Put On By — All Ages

By
Kylie Thomas
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0
Two actors in Evil Dead The Musical as a man in a jumpsuit with a chainsaw and a woman covered in blood holding a paper full of symbols.
Brett Goodnack returns as Ash for 2026's "Evil Dead The Musical."

Several returning favorites will be part of the 2026-27 season from Pittsburgh Musical Theater (PMT). The company will also once again shine the spotlight on young performers with a youth production — but, for the first time, a new program will exclusively spotlight actors ages 50 and up.

The 2026-27 Pittsburgh Musical Theater Season Has a Bit of Everything, Even for Seniors

The Broadway Senior program, an initiative of licensing company Music Theater International, adapts well-known shows for older performers new to the world of musical theater. Pittsburgh Musical Theater will offer adults ages 50 and up the chance to take a three-week training and rehearsal program before performing Into the Woods SR., an adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim classic.

“With Into the Woods SR., we are creating far more than a production — we are building a community where adults 50 and older can connect, rediscover a passion, challenge themselves, and experience the incredible joy of bringing stories to life together,” says Colleen Doyno, PMT’s executive director. “Every stage of life deserves its moment in the spotlight, and we are honored to provide a space where this vibrant and inspiring group of artists can thrive.”

Into the Woods SR. comes to the Gargaro Theater in the West End from April 1-4, 2027.

Grab Your Poncho: Evil Dead Is Back

The season will begin with another appearance of Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s Halloween tradition, Evil Dead the Musical. The show, adapted from the 1981 cult classic, is a comedic and playfully bloody tale of demons invading a cabin in the woods. The show is performed under the company’s canopy, adjacent to their West End home base; fans vie for seats in the splash zone, where patrons are guaranteed to leave soaked in stage blood. (Don’t worry: dry seating is also available.) Evil Dead the Musical runs September 25-October 25.

The season will continue with Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, staged November 5-8 at Downtown’s Byham Theater; the company will team up with the CAPA Orchestra to present the Tony-winning hit. December brings another run of the original adaptation A Lyrical Christmas Carol, coming December 16-20 to the Gargaro Theater.

Pittsburgh Musical Theater will return to the Byham for a production of the Broadway hit Miss Saigon, taking place March 4-14, 2027.

A Month With the Million Dollar Quartet

The musical Million Dollar Quartet imagines what happened the night that Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins hung out in a recording studio. The show, which features performances of I Walk the Line, Blue Suede Shoes, Great Balls of Fire as well as many more hits, was a smash for Pittsburgh Musical Theater in 2024; they’re reviving it at the Gargaro Theater from April 29-May 23, 2027.

A youth production by students from the PMT Conservatory is also on the schedule, and it’s a take on a Hollywood hit: How to Train Your Dragon The Musical JR. runs February 11-14, 2027.

An early preview of the season takes place August 27-30 at West End Overlook park, as the company presents its annual Broadway at the Overlook review.

Story by Sean Collier
Photos by Matt Polk, Courtesy of Pittsburgh Musical Theater

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Party Ideas for Your Fourth of July Celebration

By
Kylie Thomas
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0
A red, white, and blue gelatin cake decorated with fresh strawberries and blueberries sits on a platter while a woman holds out a cut slice on a small white plate.

When the Fourth of July rolls around, the best part of the holiday is bringing people together. Between the warm weather, the smell of food on the grill, refreshing drinks, and fireworks all across the sky, there’s nothing quite like a Fourth of July party. Whether your plans are small and intimate this year or you’re master-minding a big blow-out bash, make your party the best it can be with ideas for cocktails, hot dog toppings, burger recipes, and of course, red, white, and blue desserts. Plus, we even include a calendar to Pittsburgh’s Fourth of July events so you can be sure to see fireworks and at least one parade before the holiday is over.

Fourth of July Party Ideas: From Food to Fun

10 Spritz Cocktails to Try Instead of the Aperol Spritz

A red watermelon and orange spritz sit on wicker tray on an orange picnic table.

The Fourth of July always feels like the hottest day of the year when you’re out grilling with family. Cool down with 10 different spritz recipes that take your beyond the basic Aperol Spritz (which don’t worry, we still love). Sip on a Strawberry Aperol Spritz that doesn’t stray too far from the original but adds a fruity twist. Spritz cocktails don’t have to be on the sweet side either. For instance, the Sippin’ on the Spritz blends flavors like passionfruit, cinnamon, and a little citrus. Then there’s the Spritzer Sisters: that’s a bittersweet quaff with sage syrup and gentian amaro.

6 Recipes for a Red, White, and Blue 4th of July

A red, white, and blue gelatin cake decorated with fresh strawberries and blueberries sits on a platter while a woman holds out a cut slice on a small white plate.

Every great Fourth of July party is full of red, white, and blue. This year, make your food a part of the colorful fun with these six recipes all with a vibrant hue. Make a childhood favorite, Bomb Pops, at home with fresh fruits or create a sweetly delicious Tres Leches with an American-flag-themed edible topping. You can even take the simple route with a Red, White, and Blue Fruit Salad or put your skills to the test with a Red, White, and Blue Stained Glass Gelatin Cake that wows all ages.

5 Burger Recipes and Beer Pairings

On a wood picnic table sits a wooden board covered in Great Gourmet Burgers with drinks nearby and a bowl of potato salad.

Burgers are one of those foods that just screams summer cookout. For the Fourth of July, set up a menu of various burger recipes and beer pairings to go with them from local breweries. Our recipes take you outside the bun with variations like a Korean Lamb Burger that uses kimchi and homemade seasoned mayonnaise as well as a Turkey and Black Bean Burger for those looking to avoid the red meat this time around. But, in case you’re looking for the most gourmet of burgers, we also have a recipe that mixes bacon, beef, turkey, and pork into one patty then tops it with sharp cheddar cheese. Talk about a belly-full!

Gourmet Hot Dogs

Various plates of gourmet hot dogs with various vegetable and condiment toppings sit around the containers of toppings and sauces.

You probably have your own go-to hot dog assembled with a combination of chili, cheese, mustard, ketchup, and relish. However, there’s a whole world of hot dog toppings just waiting for you to test something new out. And we promise, these recipes are not your average dog. The Japanese Dog is dressed in a teriyaki glaze, Japanese mayo, nori flakes, and pickled ginger. Or try a Mexican Dog with fresh pico de gallo, avocado slices, jalapeños, and a drizzle of crema on a bun. Even a Vegan Dog lets everyone enjoy the fun featuring a plant-based dog, a medley of grilled vegetables, spicy mustard, and a fresh herb slaw.

Pittsburgh Hot Sauces Made Locally for the Grilling Season

A variety of Pittsburgh-made local hot sauces from Artie’s, Uncle Jammy’s, and Bazaaa Sauce arranged on a wooden table with fresh habanero and Fresno peppers.

If you prefer dishes that bring the heat, you might want a bottle of hot sauce on hand for your celebration. We highlight three of Pittsburgh’s local hot sauce masters, and each is ready to bring boldness to your Fourth. They know that hot sauce isn’t just about the burn. Instead, it’s about the flavor, the depth and the ingenuity. They sell types like Habanero Island, smokey variations, and ones that use Fresno peppers.

5 Potato Salad Recipes

A white plate is slathered in a crispy potato salad with dill pickles and a small plate to the bottom right holds a smaller portion.

The cooling nature of a potato salad makes it a fantastic side along meats on the grill. Shake up your usual potato salad recipe this year by going beyond potatoes, eggs, mayo, and mustard. Choose to cook up a Dill Pickle Potato Salad with crispy smashed potatoes, chunks of pickles, and a dill pickle dressing. Or, a Potato Salad with Green Garlic and Sumac that infuses earthiness and brininess into hearty potatoes and hard-boiled eggs. But just in case you don’t feel up to making it yourself, you can take our advice and check out these grocers for the best potato salad in Pittsburgh.

Stylish Melamine, Enamelware, and Paper Plates

A stack of green paper plates on a pattern tablecloth with a glass of orange juice above it.
Photo by Table Two

You’re going to need something to serve your feast on and with this much food, we’re not sure regular paper plates will do the job. But, an array of artisan paper plates, enamelware, as well as melamine can upgrade your table with a bit of beauty and hefty utility. These plate selections range from handprinted artwork on 100% recycled paper to patterned melamine-bamboo plates and eco-friendly enamelware. We’re sure you can find something in red, white, and blue here for the nation’s birthday.

Fourth of July Events in Pittsburgh

Three Fourth of July fireworks in red and blue colors explode in a nights sky.
Photo by Sebastien Gabriel

In case you’re in the mood to venture out and about on or around the Fourth of July, Pittsburgh’s calendar is full of parades, block-parties, and firework shows. You can be dazzled and impressed all holiday weekend long. You can head Downtown on the Fourth for family activities, live music from Plain White T’s, plenty of food to keep you full, and a huge fireworks show to end the evening. Or, spend the holiday itself cooking out at home with family and head to the Big Butler Fair over the weekend for a bit of nostalgia as well as more time together as a family.

Story by Kylie Thomas
Featured Photo by Dave Bryce

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Zodiac Gift Guide: What to Buy a Cancer

By
Kylie Thomas
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0
A record stand holds an album beside a white vase.

Happy Birthday Cancers! To learn about our friends born between June 21 and July 22, we consulted with TABLE Magazine’s astrologer Wade Caves about the personality, temperament, and likes of this water sign — and what might make a good gift for them. The first thing to consider, says Caves, is that, as a crab, “a Cancer has a hard shell but they’re very soft on the inside.”

Here are some ways to show the crab in your life that you care…

Best Gifts for Cancer Zodiac Signs: Ideas for June–July Birthdays

Throw Them a Birthday Party

Cancers are social creatures. “They’re ruled by the moon, and the moon is by far the fastest thing in the sky; it goes all the way around the Earth in 29 days, so Cancers are very known for being out and about and highly engaged.”

One way to make a party just for them is to throw a bash at their favorite restaurant or establishment as a surprise. Being both nurturing and sentimental, Cancers also often maintain long-standing friendships. Perhaps you could invite some old friends to join? 

Cancers love to entertain, says Caves, so you could throw an in-home celebration where friends bring a dish in their favorite server — the sentimental Cancer will appreciate this — or take the pressure off and employ a caterer to do the heavy lifting.

A tall blue kettle with a thin long spout.
Photo From Fellow Stag

A Gift for Their Comfort Space

“The moon also goes dark,” says Caves. Likewise, Cancers need their downtime, an escape, a safe spot to refuel. “Every Cancer has a den of some kind.”

The gift giver’s task is to consider: Where is my loved one’s den? How can I beautify and brighten their space?

This Mongolian cashmere throw from Quince is incredibly soft and cozy yet light. It’s hands-down divine. 

A mulberry silk pillowcase feels luxurious, and is also healthy for your skin and hair. Brooklinen’s version in the color Abyss is a soft place to get lost in thoughts. 

Cancers “appreciate things that they are going to interact with a lot — and are also one of the more stylish of the signs.” So, think gifts for their den that are utilitarian, yet have an inspired design.  

Sunglasses with polarized lenses in a cat eye shape.
Photo From Velodrome

Focus on Their Style

As a sign, “they appreciate sharp angles, sunglasses that have sharp angles, are dramatic, fun, cool, but not something that would make them stick out.”

Having developed a cult following, the Australian-born Le Specs is an on-point brand for Cancers, and the Velodrome cat’s eye style leans into the edges.

Quay embraces the 90s with these throwback frames, updated with sharp angles — and a sharp vibe for the guy in your life. 

Useful and Stylish Kettles

Top of our mind is the Fellow Stag Electric Kettle, which embraces a marriage of function and sleek style. 

Also, Breville is known for top-notch espresso machines, and their compact Bambino is a sweet introduction to the home espresso game.

A person cuts up steak on a wood thick cutting board.
Photo From The Boardsmith

Appreciation for Utility

Caves recommends gifts that are refined and elegant, “yet feel humble.” He suggests a 

“really, a really good cutting board.”

Boos Block is the long-standing gold standard of boards. The Boardsmith is another maker of heirloom-quality boards. Choose a close-grain hardwood, such as maple or walnut. 

A board with a lot of buzz is the MK Free Board. Landing on many “Best of” lists, the board is praised for its light weight, textured surface, and easiness to maintain. It is plant-based, non-porous, and leaves behind no microplastics. This chef’s favorite is great for cutting meat as it cleans up so well, plus, it comes in fun colors. 

Blue and white dyed cloths.
Photo From Gardenheir

Gift Something Blue…

Caves shares that Cancers, as a water sign, love beautiful, deep blues. 

As they also revere their private world, here’s a journal inspired by a deep blue-and-white porcelain plate from the Qing dynasty (housed at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston). A meaningful design concept to pair with their meaningful musings? Perfect for the Cancer sign. 

Shibori is a Japanese dye method that creates a deep indigo. This Shibori Kit is a fun introduction to the art, and comes with two tea towels and two bandanas to dye. 

A small red leather square pouch holds keys and hand sanitizer.
Photo From Portland Leather Goods

Or Something Red…

Caves says that Cancers also have a penchant for red, adding “it’s an ancient association.” As well, “they like attention for things that they’re wearing, things they could be complimented for, things that people can notice.”

Red leather is unexpected and makes a statement, and this howler pouch from Portland Leather Goods is also a practical place to store small items that get lost in your bag — one reviewer called it a conversation starter. Plus, delivery is fast. 

A copper watering can on a bench.
Photo From Ten Thousand Villages

Support Cancers’ Nurturing Nature

Cancers are known nurturers who enjoy gardening (especially for Cancer rising). This antique copper watering can is functional and artisan-made, plus it’s fair trade. 

For this moon sign, you could order moonflowers for their very own moon garden. Its flowers unfurl at night — glowing at dusk — then close at dawn. You can order live plants online.

Two brown platters with fruit and vegetables.
Photo From Our Place

Entertain Their Love of Hosting

As Cancers are social, nurturing, and have good taste, they are natural hosts. Caves recommends gifting them clean, elegant dish-ware. Our Place garners a lot of love online and in trendy kitchens, and their ceramic stoneware serving platter set comes in sizes ideal for future appetizer spreads. 

A record stand holds an album beside a white vase.
Photo From Upton

Help Display Their Collection

This is a fun thing we learned from Caves: “Every Cancer I know has a collection of something.” And because of the “den thing is about protection,” they also want to keep their collection safe. Think about what your loved one collects — and how you can gift them the perfect way to display and protect it. 

For someone who collects vinyl records, this shelf achieves both ends perfectly. It displays up to three records — safely on the wall. This LP Stand, from Southern California-based Upton, allows your collector to curate a record selection to have at the ready for their next listening session. It’s got style; it’s got substance. Just like your Cancerian. 

We haven’t forgotten the little ones — for crabby kids who collect Pokemon cards, here is a Pokemon-stylized binder with a display window for their prized card. 

A person lays out bags of tea in front of a box.
Photo From Tea Runners

A Subscription That Leaves Them Surprised

Cancers like change, says Caves. So, monthly subscriptions will give the gift of novelty to your Cancerian each month. Here are a few curated choices: 

Jiggy Puzzle Club delivers 500-piece puzzles (made by female artists from across the world) on a monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly basis. One reviewer calls it a “guaranteed spark of joy.” Who couldn’t use that? 

A Tea Runners’ tea subscription is another way to send a monthly surprise to your Cancerian. The boxes are customized: either herbal, pure, black, or their original tea box (which includes pure, blended, and herbal teas). You can even customize the first box with teas such as Ceylon Burning Sun (a Sri Lankan black tea), Lavender Lace with lavender cinnamon and mint, blood orange herbal, or the high-end green tea Clouds and Mist.  

A flower subscription is another way to add vibrancy to your Cancer’s den. Urban Stems offers a variety of price points and has a quick turnaround.

While you’re here, you can check out what to stock a Cancer’s bar cart with for more gift ideas! Plus, consider making them the perfect meal with a menu made just for the zodiac sign Cancer.

Story by Lauri Gravina
Featured Photo From Upton

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Summer’s “Coolest” Exhibition is ‘Planet Ice’ at the Heinz History Center

By
Kylie Thomas
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0
Two girls look up at a projection of an ice age mammoth on a museum wall.

The Heinz History Center has always focused on the people and culture of Western Pennsylvania. With the new exhibit Planet Ice: Mysteries of the Ice Age, that focus expands to cover the people who lived in the region tens of thousands of years ago.

History, Meet Science at Heinz History Center’s Plant Ice Exhibit

While there’s plenty of history — albeit a somewhat more distant variety — as part of Planet Ice, the exhibition is fundamentally rooted in science. Produced by the History Center with the Canadian Museum of Nature, the careful and approachable exhibition patiently explains the basics of climate and geology that lead to Earth’s Ice Ages.

Ice, as you may have heard, is necessary to modulate the temperature on the planet. Technically, we’re in an Ice Age right now. The term applies anytime ice is present at the Earth’s poles. While that ice is receding, a concern that Planet Ice presents in no-nonsense detail, many of the adaptations made by Earth’s creatures are designed to adjust to the presence of cold and snow.

In the case of prehistoric North America, that included the presence of megafauna — massive animals including mastodon, short-faced bear, Irish Elk and the slightly whimsical giant beaver. All of these animals appear in the exhibit in the form of skeletal casts and fossils; take a moment to marvel at the 11-foot antlers of the Irish Elk, which once roamed North America.

Skeleton and fossil models stand behind a family of two dads and a son.

Visiting the Prehistoric Neighbors

While many of the most attention-grabbing moments in Planet Ice involve giant animals — young and old guests will enjoy touching a preserved mammoth tooth — this is also an exhibition of how humans survived and lived when glaciers reached into what is now Western Pennsylvania.

Use a microscope to inspect tools and other artifacts, including delicate decorative items. A full-scale ice-fishing hut — presented in modern format, but referencing ancient techniques — provides an added bit of immersion. You’ll even have a chance to hurl a spear using an atlatl, targeting the imposing outline of one of those short-faced bears that intimidated our prehistoric neighbors.

These moments bring the connection between the modern Pittsburghers featured throughout the History Center and the hunter-gatherers of the distant past into sharp relief. The similarities between us are obvious; the differences are in the hardships and demands of a different climate. (That’s something of a grim reminder at a time of changing temperatures; the exhibit doesn’t shy away from this fact, but does state it simply enough to still allow for an enjoyable experience.)

A daughter and mother look into an ice fishing hole exhibit in the Heinz History Center.

Plan an Accompanying Trip to Meadowcroft for a Prehistoric Weekend

There are, of course, sites of ice-age habitation remaining in western Pennsylvania, including areas that were literally carved by glacial forces. One site, however, pairs perfectly with Planet Ice — and it’s in the Heinz History Center family.

Meadowcroft Rockshelter, a massive rocky overhang in Washington County, is an archeological site of vital importance. In the 1970s, researchers found signs of prehistoric human habitation under the shelter of this geological formation — then dated the evidence found there, discovering that humans lived in this spot about 19,000 years ago.

That makes it the oldest confirmed site of human habitation in North America.

On a visit to Meadowcroft — which also includes a charming historic village, for a trip to the more recent past, and additional opportunities to hurl the atlatl — you’ll be able to picture those ancient residents in situ, gathering around the fire and curling up for a night’s rest. Paired with the information and clarity gained by Planet Ice, it’s a remarkable glimpse through time.

Story by Sean Collier
Photos Courtesy of Heinz History Center

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