24 Hours in Pittsburgh: Bites, Beverages, and Business Must-Dos
So you’ve made it to the Steel City — welcome yinz guys! Whether you are here for a business trip, a meeting with a new client, a long layover, or just a quick weekend away, there is so much to do, see, eat and drink in this rust belt city of Pittsburgh.
Let’s cut to the chase — the 24 hour guide to the ‘burgh below will get you through most parts of the inner-city for some bites, beverages, and business must-dos.
Check In to Your Hotel
Tuesday 7 PM, check in to your hotel. I’d recommend checking in to one of Pittsburgh’s unique boutique hotels. The Ace Hotel in East Liberty is centrally located in an up and coming part of town, with easy access to the busway to take you straight into downtown without having to worry about an Uber or Lyft.
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Other recommendations: you could try the AC Hotel, Kimpton Hotel Monaco, or Distrikt Hotel Pittsburgh.
Ace Hotel Pittsburgh: 120 South Whitfield Street
Grab Late Night Happy Hour Oysters and Champagne
Tuesday 9 PM, make your way from Ace Hotel to Muddy Waters (a short 3 minute walk) for some late night happy hour oysters and champagne. Muddy Waters is a staple to the East Liberty neighborhood, shuckin’ and serving up some of the best seafood and Cajun food.
Enjoy their featured east coast oyster for only $1, and their west coasts for $2. Don’t go to heavy on the chambongs though, you have business to take care of tomorrow morning, remember?
Muddy Waters: 130 South Highland Avenue
Try a Spin Class
Wednesday 8 AM, get your blood pumping with a spin class at Zenergy Cycling. Another 5 minute walk from Ace Hotel, stop in Zenergy Cycling to get your day started with a drop-in spin class.
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The music is upbeat and the instructors are motivating.
Zenergy: 6139 Spirit Street
Grab Your Cup of Coffee
Wednesday 10 AM, grab a coffee to go at Adda Coffee & Tea on South Highland. Talk about an Instagrammable coffee shop!
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This little cafe is quaintly decorated with teal and white accents, and serve up a variety of teas and lattes (with latte art) that you’ll need to snap a picture of. Not to mention, free WiFi and tasty, local baked goods. The shop is quiet and perfect for small one-on-one client meetings.
Adda Coffee & Tea: 200 South Highland Avenue
Take Advantage of a Mid-Week Brunch Opportunity
Wednesday 11 AM, hop on the busway, head downtown and grab brunch at or, The Whale. Again with the aesthetic, or, The Whale is a seafood and chophouse located downtown in the Distrikt Hotel.
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Inspired by Hermen Melville’s Moby Dick, this upscale restaurant serves brunch every day of the week. Yes, you read that correctly. Every. Day. We suggest the eggs Chesapeake — a crab cake, poached egg and old bay hollandaise on a housemade English muffin and with a side of farm greens. Pair it with a brunch cocktail and call it a morning. You’ll be full and so thankful you brunched it up on a Wednesday.
or, The Whale: 463 Boulevard of the Allies
Get Cultured at the Andy Warhol Museum
Wednesday 12:30 PM, treat yourself and your client to a museum. There are so many to choose from here in Pittsburgh, but if the weather is nice and you are feeling pretty artsy, walk across the Clemente Bridge from downtown and head to The Andy Warhol Museum.
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The art is unique and one-of-a-kind, as was Mr. Warhol himself. The Steel City native is truly an artistic icon, and his work is one you have to see for yourself. Not to mention, the museum cafe is also perfect for meetings!
Andy Warhol Museum: 117 Sandusky Street
Indulge in Some Happy Hour Time
Wednesday 4 PM, happy hour time! Walk back across the Clemente bridge and head straight to Il Tetto (the rooftop bar of Sienna Mercato). Whether you are visiting in a warm month or cold month, the rooftop is open (covered during the winter with a beautiful retractable glass ceiling).
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Il Tetto has one of the best happy hours in downtown. Enjoy $5 craft drafts, small plates, high balls, house wines, and frozen cocktails. The Froze is currently our favorite to cheers to!
Sienna Mercato/Il Tetto: 942 Penn Avenue
Dine at The Commoner
Wednesday 6 PM, dinner time! Make a reservation prior, and take a short stroll to The Commoner, located in the Kimpton Hotel Monaco. This upscale restaurant is romantic, inviting, known for their modern-American tavern food, and certain to impress your guests.
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Grab one of their crafty and creative cocktails while waiting for your table, and once seated, soak in the sites and ambiance this restaurant has to offer. Chandeliers, marble tables, a long bar that doesn’t seem to end — and not to mention, the most beautiful bathrooms. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, whether you are looking for a light salad or a meaty dish.
The Commoner: 458 Strawberry Way
Taste Local Craft Beers
Wednesday 8 PM, there’s still time for one more drink, right? If so, make your way back to the East End and stop at Eleventh Hour Brewing in Lawrenceville. The warm and welcoming brewery is known for their balanced and delicious craft beers.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn42kZQgoId/
Outfitted with handmade, wooden picnic tables and benches, grab one of the many board games they have to choose from and challenge your friends to a round. Be sure to fill up a growler for a friend at home, too!
Eleventh Hour Brewing: 3711 Charlotte Street