Nightlife · Pittsburgh · United States
Pittsburgh nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Pittsburgh, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ski2007 of English Wikipedia, Public domain
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Quick answer
Pittsburgh nightlife is relaxed and affordable, from East Carson Street's long bar strip to Lawrenceville's cocktail bars and breweries and the theatres of the Cultural District. Bars generally close at 2am. The main areas are East Carson Street, South Side, Lawrenceville, Cultural District and North Shore.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 4
- Stay near the action
- Lawrenceville
- Local drink
- Local beer
Where to go out
East Carson Street, South Side
The densest strip of bars in the city, busy and loud on weekend nights.
Lawrenceville
Cocktail bars, breweries and live music along Butler Street with a slightly older crowd.
Cultural District
Theatre, symphony and touring shows at Heinz Hall, the Benedum Center and smaller venues downtown.
North Shore
Sports bars and stadium crowds before and after games and concerts.
Nightlife tips
- On game days, North Shore bars fill hours before kick-off; book ahead or avoid if you are not attending.
- Use rideshares between neighbourhoods at night; buses thin out late.
- Many Lawrenceville bars are small, so arrive early on Friday and Saturday.
Evening sights
Experience · Mount Washington
Duquesne Incline
Ride up just before sunset and stay until the city lights come on; look through the window into the old winding machinery at the top.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- History
- Kids
- After dark
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Viewpoint · Mount Washington
Grandview Avenue overlooks
Walk the 1.5 km between the tops of the two inclines, then ride down the Monongahela Incline to Station Square for a different view.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
- After dark
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Landmark · North Shore
PNC Park
Walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge from downtown before the game, and pick seats on the third-base side for the skyline view.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- After dark
Experience · Station Square
Gateway Clipper riverboats
Choose an evening sightseeing cruise for the lit skyline, and combine it with the Monongahela Incline next to Station Square.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- After dark
What to drink
- Local beer — Iron City is the city's historic lager, while craft breweries in converted churches, firehouses and warehouses have spread through Lawrenceville, the Strip District and the North Side.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 18°C (64°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 17:17 | -6°C (21°F) | 15 |
| April | About 19:58 | 5°C (41°F) | 14 |
| July | About 20:49 | 18°C (64°F) | 12 |
| October | About 18:40 | 7°C (45°F) | 11 |
Getting home late
- Bus — Pittsburgh Regional Transit buses are the main public transport, with frequent routes from downtown to Oakland, Shadyside and Lawrenceville, plus dedicated busways.
- Tram — The T is handiest for game days and Station Square; most neighbourhoods are reached by bus.
- Walking — Downtown, the Strip District and the North Shore are close together and connected by pedestrian-friendly bridges, though hills and steps elsewhere are steep.
- Ride-hailing — Uber and Lyft are widely used and often faster than buses for crossing between hilly neighbourhoods.
Staying safe at night
Central areas are generally safe with normal precautions; East Carson Street can get rowdy late on weekend nights, and car break-ins happen in parking areas. Stairways and steep streets become slippery with ice in winter.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$ · Best for food lovers, nightlife and couples
Lawrenceville
A former working-class river neighbourhood, Lawrenceville now has some of Pittsburgh's most popular restaurants, bars, breweries and design shops along a long stretch of Butler Street. It also has the Allegheny Cemetery, one of the oldest in the country, and the Allegheny Arsenal ruins. Hotels are few, but holiday rentals are common.
- Good
- Great independent restaurants and bars; Walkable main street; Local feel
- Watch out
- Few hotels; A bus or rideshare from downtown
- Nearby
- Butler Street, Allegheny Cemetery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Pittsburgh?
East Carson Street, South Side, Lawrenceville and Cultural District. The densest strip of bars in the city, busy and loud on weekend nights.
+Which area of Pittsburgh is best for nightlife?
Lawrenceville: Row houses, independent shops and much of the city's newer dining on Butler Street.