 At first glance, the location of Threadbare Cider House & Meadery in Troy Hill is very unassuming. From outside, it just looks like an average warehouse. However, when you make your way upstairs into the tasting room, you'll find a cozy, inviting space with a well-designed bar, dining tables, and an abundance of bottled cider. Take note of the brand packaging and design. It's well-done.
Their cider selection is robust; offering sweet, semi-dry, and dry varietals. You'll find some class hard ciders, but you can also look forward to exploring some more creative options. For example: The "Dry Hopped" cider is inspired by an IPA beer and the "Bourbon Barrel Reserve" cider is barreled in bourbon whiskey barrels. For those interested in exploring the menu, cider flights are available. Obviously, cider is the star of the show, but Threadbare also happens to have a small, but flavorful food menu. The pizzas are a must-try. Rumor has it their brunch is also worth a weekend visit. If you're planning a visit, you should know that Threadbare offers a really great happy hour deal. Enjoy $5 glasses of cider every Wednesday-Friday from 5-7pm.
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 When it comes to trendy hangouts, Pittsburgh's list is pretty short. But this new restaurant and rooftop garden bar at Tryp Lawrenceville is giving us millennials a place to call "home". The views are beautiful, the space is gorgeous, the cocktails were well-made, and the mediterranean-style food was light and delicious. To get to the bar, you'll want to head through the lobby at the front entrance of the hotel. (Right off of 40th street across from Rite Aid) You'll step into a small, modern, and plant-laden entryway. From there, you'll walk down the stairs and past the hotel's new coffee bar and pizza restaurant (Brick Shop) and head toward the elevators. Take a ride up to the fifth floor and you'll be greeted with light from large garage-style doors. Welcome to Over Eden. On weekends, you can expect a crowd. When the sun is out, you can definitely expect to wait for a seat on the rooftop patio. In my opinion, the views of downtown make the wait worthwhile. My order recommendations: Cocktail 1: "Chiffon" - rum | fresh pineapple | rosemary | pink peppercorn | orange bitters Cocktail 2 : "Lost Time" - vodka | fresh cantaloupe | fresh lemon | thyme simple syrup Snacks: An order of hummus topped with falafel (You're going to want to order an extra piece of pita.)    Everything just seems to be better on a rooftop. Yoga, drinking, swimming, you name it. Unfortunately, rooftop options in Pittsburgh are limited, but there is one spot to get your fill of fresh air and sky-high views... Biergarten is a small beer garden situated on top of Downtown’s Kimpton Hotel Monaco. The vibe is casual, the drinks are swanky, and the set-up is ideal for a small group of friends. With limited space, Biergarten isn’t ideal for large groups. You can expect with a few communal tables, a handful of small private tables, string lights, a walk-up bar window, and some games like life-size Jenga, chess, Scrabble, and Connect Four. When it comes to drinks, you have options. The bar offers European style beer and a variety of frozen and shaken cocktails. The drinks are well-presented with fun garnishes. Biergarten also offers a limited bar menu with German influenced bites such as the Bavarian Pretzel, Bratwurst, and a Pickle & Cheese Plate. I haven’t personally tried the food here, but the Bavarian Pretzel was tempting.  Those rooftop views, craft cocktails, and European vibes are gonna come with a price tag. Be prepared to pay a little extra for the drinks here. Your wallet may take a hit, but the experience is worth it. Before you head Downtown be sure to check out Biergarten’s hours. They’re limited. To find your way up to Biergarten, head to the lobby of the Monaco and take the elevator up to the 9th floor. Make a turn out of the elevator, and you’ll be greeted with a view of Downtown Pittsburgh.    From the European-inspired beer to the natural light and greenery, everything about Lorelei in East Liberty is stunning. When you walk through the front doors, you’ll first find yourself in the cocktail & wine bar. If you’re in the mood to sip on a cocktail, grab a table or take a seat at the bar. Lorelei’s signature drinks are truly unique to the Pittsburgh bar scene. I recommend trying the Friesling. It’s a fun twist on Frozé and it’s light, refreshing, and absolutely delicious. If you’re really feeling adventurous, I also recommend the Bear’s Knees. If beer is your move, head back through the hallway, past the kitchen, and into the beer hall. Here you’ll find a beautiful open space with communal tables, a colorful mural, and of course a large bar offering 14 different drafts. A draft gin & tonic as well as a couple of cider options are also available on tap. If you choose to sit at the bar, ask about "Kolsch service". It's an interesting story. To round out the experience, Lorelei also offers some light bites like breads + spreads, pies + tarts, salads, and desserts. If nothing else, you really can’t leave Lorelei without a taste of the Pretzel. The Malted Chocolate Mousse is also heaven in a cup.   Good beer and dogs... a few of my favorite things. At Grist House, that’s exactly what you can expect. This dog-friendly craft brewery in Millvale has a beautiful outdoor beer garden where you’ll find picnic tables, daily food trucks, and really amazing beer. Brews range from lagers and kolsches to IPAs and stouts; all brewed in-house. The menu is relatively small, but offers something for every taste. I highly recommend the Sunshine Rancher or Kolsch on the Run. They’re lighter beers with great summer flavor. On top of the beer, there's almost always a food truck on site to cure those post-beer munchies. Scope out the food truck schedule on Grist House’s site. If you’re not much of an outdoor person or you just need to take a break from the heat and sun, there’s also a taphouse indoors offering air conditioning, bathrooms, and very friendly bartending staff. Insider tip: I would recommend catching a ride to and from Grist House. The brewery is in a residential neighborhood and parking is crowded.  |
drinkWhether it's a craft beer or a fancy glass of Rosé, you'll always find me sipping on something. Explore some of my happy hour go-tos! 
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