In 1920 the United States passed the now infamous Eighteenth Amendment with the intention of reducing violent crime. Prohibition didn’t exactly work as intended, with organized crime increasing as speakeasy bars flourished during the period.
Pittsburgh has the honor of being the city where the term “speakeasy” was first believed to be used to describe these secret watering holes by Kate Hester, owner of one such saloon. Speakeasies were also known to be a place where people of various walks of life mingled, after all, nothing brings people together quite like the desire to have a stiff drink and listen to jazz.
It should come as no surprise, then, that speakeasies are still alive and well in the city of Pittsburgh. They vary somewhat, with some embracing the aesthetics, and others even taking it a step further by making themselves inconspicuous like the original speakeasies. Here are a few of our favorite speakeasy bars in Pittsburgh.
What Are the Different Types of Speakeasy Bars in Pittsburgh?
As you might expect from the home of the speakeasy, Pittsburgh offers some colorful options. Some of these give you a true speakeasy experience, requiring a little bit of know-how or creativity to get in. Others are more straightforward bars with that nostalgic aesthetic of the Prohibition era.
You can choose exactly what kind of experience you’re looking for, whether you want a truly intimate underground spot, or something a little less secretive. Some offerings are strictly for alcohol, but others have food options as well.
The Best Speakeasy in Pittsburgh: Our Top 5 Picks
Whether you’re new to Pittsburgh or looking to find some new spots, we have recommendations for you. Each of these six bars offers their own take on a speakeasy experience.
1. Acacia
Image sourced from: https://acaciacocktails.com/our-cocktails.
Acacia is often renowned as one of the best bars in Pittsburgh, period, but it also has major speakeasy vibes. The windows are covered and instead of a big flashy open sign, a single lit bulb in an obscured window is the only indication when the bar is open.
Besides the secretive aesthetics, the menu also harkens back to the 1920s. A variety of creative modern cocktails are available, and you can even have one of their mixologists make you a concoction of their choice. They also offer absinthe-based cocktails and traditionally prepared absinthe in the “la louche” style popularized in the Belle Epoch.
The vibe is intimate and low-key, moody lighting from vintage lamps and a slightly battered-looking wooden bar are the main features.
However, it can get a little noisy as people may get animated while talking at the bar. This combined with music and the sound of making drinks can be a little much in a small space. To enjoy a quieter experience, stop by before 10pm. For a rowdy night, come later.
2. Co-Sign Speakeasy
Image sourced from: https://cosignpgh.com/escape-co-sign-speakeasy/.
Co-Sign Speakeasy’s aim is to create an immersive experience for their patrons. The decor has a distinctly antique vibe for visitors to soak up.
To enter the bar, you have to solve a puzzle, mimicking the way many speakeasies were accessed with passcodes during Prohibition. If the puzzle entry whets your appetite for more intellectual challenge, the bar has an attached escape room game you can play.
With an extensive drink menu, there’s plenty to choose from, but if you don’t know what to pick, you can order “Peddler’s Choice.” This allows one of the bartenders to create a custom drink based on your preferences.
If you’re planning to come during prime hours, we recommend booking in advance as it can get pretty busy. You can book the escape room experience in advance as well. While Co-Sign does not serve food, it’s located within the Bank on 8th building, which has a restaurant in it as well. The location is perfect for a friends’ night out with many activities all in the same building
3. Confidant
Image sourced from: https://www.thegoldmark.com/theconfidant.
While the decor has the look of an upscale take on a tropical tiki bar, this bar is the most speakeasy-like in its location. Confidant has no phone number listed online, and many people don’t even realize the space exists.
Confidant is the little sister of the more boisterous DJ bar, The Goldmark. If you’re done dancing and partying there, slip outside and head down the little alley called Eden Way. When you see a small green light over a black door, you’ll know you’ve found the place. Inside, this bar is typically manned by one bartender and can only hold thirty guests at a time.
Not surprisingly for the creators of The Goldmark, music is a big part of the vibe and you can even browse Confidant’s official playlist on their website. A lounge feel with house music and reggae creates the atmosphere along with the tropical leafy wallpaper.
The menu includes unique riffs on some classic cocktails, trendy mixology creations, signature shots, and a rotating beer menu. The space can also be booked for private parties.
4. Speakeasy
Image sourced from: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/pittsburgh-william-penn/dining/the-speakeasy.
Tucked away in the basement of the William Penn Hotel, Speakeasy offers an elevated speakeasy-inspired experience. The William Penn Hotel first opened in 1916, so the space is truly a relic of the Prohibition era.
Speakeasy leans into that history with their menu with an array of fun cocktails named after 1920s slang. They also do all of the classic vintage cocktails you love, serve wine, local beers and ciders, and some small bites. We love to see local Pittsburgh breweries and cideries have their brews on display and served to visitors to the city.
The space is definitely sophisticated and upscale with a metropolitan vibe. Being in the basement, it feels very private and secretive from the outside world. Discreetly accessed by a flight of stairs in the lobby of the hotel, this bar is open to guests of the hotel and locals alike.
5. Bitter End
Exposed brick walls, hammered copper ceiling; Bitter End has the charm of bygone eras. Look for the green light outside to know if they’re open.
This bar has legally been operating since Prohibition ended in 1933, making the experience of drinking there truly feel like stepping into another time. The bar has a few modern touches like televisions, but to help them blend into the atmosphere better, they are set to black and white.
Boasting a staff with extensive knowledge of not just Prohibition-era drinks but cocktail science in general, this hidden gem often wows with their mixology. They have a menu of house specialties that change from time to time as well as a list of classic vintage cocktails
This cozy space offers an impressive menu of not just drinks, but a good food selection compared to many other bars as well. Be aware, though, that the kitchen closes earlier than the bar. It’s also one of the more upscale options in the neighborhood, so prices do reflect that.
6. CADENCE+ Cellars Speakeasy
Image sourced from: https://www.cadenceatthestrip.plus/.
This speakeasy is more of a restaurant with a speakeasy included. Cadence Cellars is an upscale restaurant with brunch, lunch, and dinner menus and the adjoining Cellars Speakeasy is a Prohibition-era inspired bar. You can enjoy their extensive cocktail menu with a meal, seated at a table, or you can sit at the bar for just drinks and lighter fare.
The space features a tunnel in the lower level that was apparently really used for smuggling during the prohibition era. You can even tour the tunnels at designated times. The entire building was also a brewery in the 19th century. Clearly, there is a lot of Pittsburgh History at Cadence+.
As for their menu, the speakeasy features a rotating list of specialty negronis along with a selection of local beers, local whiskeys, classic and modern cocktails, and wine. If you aren’t sure what to try, you can even order a mini cocktail flight to sample a few of their house specialties in a smaller size.
Though it may seem sacrilegious in a speakeasy bar, Cadence+ also has a mocktail selection which is great news for the designated driver of the group or anyone else who doesn’t drink. They can still enjoy a tasty drink in a fun atmosphere too.
How to Find a New Speakeasy in Pittsburgh?
Looking for a new hot spot in Pittsburgh is easier than you might think. The city still has some local independent news outlets and magazines. These publications often report when new businesses are opening within the city, especially if they’re doing something notable.
Pittsburgh-specific message boards can also be a treasure trove of suggestions from other locals. Sometimes these discussions will be neighborhood-based, so if you’re looking for suggestions close to home or work, they can be a good resource.
Not all suggestions are created equal, though, so don’t forget to check back here as well. At Speakeasy Co, we curate the best there is in alcohol, from the best liquors to the best places to get served a great drink in your own backyard or the next city you travel to.
Find the Best Pittsburgh Speakeasy
Despite Prohibition happening a century ago, the speakeasy tradition is alive and well in the city that first coined the term. These six speakeasies all provide a memorable drinking experience with unique ambiance. Some lean into the vintage themes or city history more, others cultivate exclusivity in an intimate space, and some even put a modern spin on the concept of the speakeasy.
No matter what you’re looking for, these speakeasies are solid options for your night out in Pittsburgh. Prepare in advance so you know how to get in and then enjoy an immersive drinking experience in the city of speakeasies.
