11 Best Nightlife in Pittsburgh

The Rex Theater showcases a wide range of live events, such as music concerts, burlesque and comedy shows. It was established in 1905 and originally served as a prominent vaudeville and movie house before becoming one of Pittsburgh’s most prominent concert venues.

The theatre occasionally hosts free movie nights and independent film screenings – you can check the official website for showtimes. It has a full-service bar providing wines, beers, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks for all shows. You can find the Rex Theater in Pittsburgh’s South Side, about 1.2 miles east of the Station Square Station.

Acacia is a Prohibition-themed bar on East Carson Street, about half a mile east of the Rex Theater. The nondescript speakeasy feature boarded-up windows and a doorway covered in newspapers – the only indication of its existence is a small logo on the door.

Acacia's skilled mixologists serve up artful cocktails such as Bar Milk (Johnnie Walker Red, amaro, barley, milk tea, and Goldenraisin) and Hot Sharwood (apple brandy, overproof rum, cream of coconut, toasted sesame, curry powder, and lime). There’s also an extensive whiskey list for if you like to keep things simple.

The Arcade Comedy Theater hosts some of the best live shows in Pittsburgh, including improv, stand-up, sketch comedy, and children’s shows. You can enjoy free arcade games while waiting for a show to start.

Families can take part in Penny Arcade, an improv show for kids aged 4 to 11 years old. It includes an arts and crafts session at the theatre’s Collaboration Stations and a 45-minute performance on stage. The Arcade Comedy Theater offers stand-up and sketch comedy workshops for adults, too.

Mixtape is a casual hangout spot in Penn Avenue, about 3.5 miles northeast of Downtown Pittsburgh. It serves a selection of typical and spiked coffee by day, while speciality cocktails, craft beers and wines are available until late. 

You can find many colourful beanbags and old-school board games, as well as local artworks for sale. Mixtape’s cocktail menu changes according to the season, with mainstays such as Dolores (rosemary-infused vodka, house spiced cranberry-cassis simple, and Jamaica’s Finest ginger beer) and Posh Spice (Faber craft vodka, blackberry puree, grapefruit, house jalapeno-tarragon and peppercorn simple) always available.

SkyWatch is a family-friendly activity that lets you experience the life of an astronomer in Pittsburgh. It takes place at the Carnegie Science Center’s Buhl Planetarium on Fridays at 7 pm and 9 pm. You get to enjoy a virtual tour of the night sky at the planetarium and a guided tour of the city from the first-floor observatory. 

When the sky is clear, you’re welcomed to observe the stars using a 16-inch Meade LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. The planetarium’s staff are more than happy to answer questions during your visit. SkyWatch happens rain or shine, as there are additional planetarium programmes to enjoy, too.

Manor Theatre showcases a wide range of films that usually don’t make it to typical cinemas in the United States. It’s very popular among fans of low-budget, independent, foreign-language films and documentaries. Tickets cost around $7.50 to $10, depending on the time of the day.

M Bar is a full-service bar in the lobby, serving beers, wines and signature cocktails – all food and drinks are allowed in the theatre. Located in East End, Manor Theatre is 1.5 miles east of the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

Rivers Casino has been a fixture in Pittsburgh’s nightlife scene since 2009. Open 24/7, the venue has over 85 table games and 3,000 slot machines, along with live entertainment at its onsite dining outlets. There’s a poker room with 30 tables, as well as a non-smoking area that holds 1,000 slot machines.

Dining options at Rivers Casino include Grand View Buffet, Wheelhouse Bar & Grill, and Martorano’s Prime. Spiral Bar, located in the middle of the casino floor, serves wines, cocktails and draft beers until 2 am. Happy hour is from Mondays to Thursdays, between 5 pm and 7 pm.

Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts has been entertaining fans of classical music and performances since 1971. The grand lobby of this French baroque-style theatre has a high vaulted Venetian ceiling, ornamental columns, and a marble staircase.

Heinz Hall can accommodate over 2,600 people, while its line-up consists around 200 performances every year. It’s also the home of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. You can find this historic concert hall in Downtown Pittsburgh, about 700 yards east of Point State Park.

The Speakeasy is an upscale bar hidden in the basement of the Omni William Penn Hotel, in the centre of Downtown Pittsburgh. As the name suggests, it stays true to its Prohibition theme with its nondescript location, minimal signage and lack of windows. 

Besides its noir ambience, The Speakeasy has professional and friendly mixologists fronting its bar. Expect innovative takes on highballs and gimlets, such as The Informant (Bluecoat American dry gin, Vigo Amaro, and Campari) and Death in the Evening (Wigle Absent Minded absinthe, sugar, lime juice, and Maschio prosecco).

Cavo Night Club consists of 3 bars and 2 rooms to cater to its party-loving clientele. The front section is excellent for socialising, thanks to its laidback vibe and spacious dancefloor. You’ll find a typical club setting and another dancefloor as you explore further in. Depending on the night, DJs spin house, techno and hip hop until late. 

There’s a VIP balcony with bottle service if you want to enjoy a luxurious evening. Do dress to impress if you’re planning a night out at Cavo – after all, it’s where the city’s most stylish crowd loves to party. Cavo Night Club is in Strip District, about a 10-minute walk northeast of Pittsburgh Union Station.

East Carson Street is a hot spot for nightlife, packed with sports bars, cocktail lounges, concert venues, dance clubs and casual saloons. Start at Skybar, a rooftop lounge with frozen cocktails, a pool, and sweeping views of Pittsburgh's skyline, then head to Acacia for a craft cocktail served in elegant, Prohibition-themed surroundings.

If you're looking for something more casual, try the long menu of wings and beer-pong tournaments at Carson City Saloon, or join the locals at Jack's Bar, the oldest on the South Side, for beer cocktails and enormous pitchers. Tiki Lounge is also a fun spot for a relaxing drink, featuring lush cocktails that match the tropical island interior.