Suggestions please...

[Steve Dave]

A buddy and I are coming into town next week for the Rags game. Any suggestions on pre-game and post-game places for food/drinks, etc. Will also be looking for attractions/Pens related shops to visit on Sat. and then a night out on the South Side. Any help and/or suggestions would be appreciated.

[yubb]

I'd suggest avoiding the South Side entirely.

[Steve Dave]

I'd suggest avoiding the South Side entirely.

Ok, can you explain why? People have always told me to make sure to go there.

[Great58]

South Side can be kind of a zoo on Saturday nights with crowded bars and drunk 20-somthings. If that's your thing, the have at it. If not, Station Square or South Side works offers some decent dinner/drink options in a more adult atmosphere, and I believe each have a Pens Gear store.

Superbowl on 5th Ave is right across from the arena and is good for pre-game dinner and drinks. Burgers, sandwiches and stuff is the fare.

[Steve Dave]

South Side can be kind of a zoo on Saturday nights with crowded bars and drunk 20-somthings. If that's your thing, the have at it. If not, Station Square or South Side works offers some decent dinner/drink options in a more adult atmosphere, and I believe each have a Pens Gear store.

Superbowl on 5th Ave is right across from the arena and is good for pre-game dinner and drinks. Burgers, sandwiches and stuff is the fare.

Thanks for the info.

[Letang Is The Truth]

acacia is a new place in southside that just opened that has different whisk(e)y's and cocktails that is pretty cool

http://acaciacocktails.com/

[jwest21]

Now I may have to try Acacia!

[penny lane]

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/23/1530034/ ... Pittsburgh

The Sharp Edge; Plenty of beer choices and it is downtown. I would order at the bar.
I also like the tap room, located in the William Penn Hotel.
Station Square has penguin gear at Hometown Sports. Consol is the best for official penguin merchandise.

[Steve Dave]

We are staying downtown. Is the Consol within walking distance? Is it safe to walk at night? Lol.

[Idoit40fans]

Super Bowl. Do they still encourage underage drinking? Good times there freshman year. Half guys in their 50s, half freshman Duquesne students.

[CERV96]

^so true^

[mac5155]

If everything is crowded, TGI Fridays isnt bad for a few beers. Food is standard but we were just after beers. Its connected to CEC

[Letang Is The Truth]

It's not connected, it's located within

[mac5155]

semantics

[DocEmrick]

If you're mid-30s or older, stick to the South Side Works. Hofbrahaus, that Irish place whatever it's called. The South Side Works is where sort of non-college idiots go. If you're early 20s, mid 20s, the South Side will be great. Station Square may be an alternative option, as it's more of a young professional crowd. The South Side slums are your Duquesne/Pitt drunkards, it's rarely a good time.

Fatheads, Wingharts are both great food/beer places. Be warned they will be crowded. They are in the heart of the South Side.

For pre-game meals downtown that are within walking distance to the arena I suggest Easy Street in One Oxford Center, downtown. You can park at Macy's for $5, walk to Easy Street, eat, then take the Easy Street shuttle to Consol Energy Center. This is what I normally do.

There is always the Friday's attached to Consol Energy Center, I went there earlier this year and it was fine. Same menu and what not. Got in and out. Market Square is another option. You can take the "T" subway for free anywhere within city limits. Sometimes we go to Market Square, then hop on the "T" at Gateway Station, up to the arena.

Now that the Pens have Iginla, the city is going to be packed with bandwagoners, especially near the playoffs. Everyone's paying attention now.


Resources:

http://winghartburgers.com/contact.html
http://www.fatheadspittsburgh.com/
http://www.southsideworks.com/
http://www.easystreetpittsburgh.com/
http://www.portauthority.org/paac/Sched ... anner.aspx
> Board at Gateway, get off at Wood Street for quick access to CEC

[ville5]

We are staying downtown. Is the Consol within walking distance? Is it safe to walk at night? Lol.

It's been a few years since I lived downtown. When I lived there, it was a complete ghost town at night. Can't imagine its changed much.
And yes you can walk there.

[MayIsForHockey]

We are staying downtown. Is the Consol within walking distance? Is it safe to walk at night? Lol.

Yes (5-15 min walk, depending on where you are)
Yes (unless you are too drunk to avoid the handful of moving cars you may see)

[Troy Loney]

I'd suggest avoiding the South Side entirely.

Ok, can you explain why? People have always told me to make sure to go there.

It's fine during the day, just stay away when bar time starts

[DocEmrick]

I'd suggest avoiding the South Side entirely.

Ok, can you explain why? People have always told me to make sure to go there.

It's fine during the day, just stay away when bar time starts

Like these guys, I suggest this as well, but it depends on your age and social preference.

If you like noisy and crowded bars full of macho dbags, and borderline hookers then by all means have yourself a ball.

[MayIsForHockey]

http://www.portauthority.org/paac/Sched ... anner.aspx
> Board at Gateway, get off at Wood Street for quick access to CEC

The T stop at Steel Plaza (if that's what it's still called) is closer to Consol than the stop at Wood St.

And, fwiw, unless you want to avoid walking, I wouldn't go to the T at Gateway Center and just wait for the next car. If I wasn't sure when the next one was coming, I would walk. Outside of weekdays during rush hour, waiting for the next T is not at all guaranteed to be faster than walking.

[Steve Dave]

What is the difference in South Side and South Side Works? Are they located close or entirely different areas? Also, my friend wanted to go to a country bar. I remember seeing one. Is this in the south side?
Thanks!

[DocEmrick]

What is the difference in South Side and South Side Works? Are they located close or entirely different areas? Also, my friend wanted to go to a country bar. I remember seeing one. Is this in the south side?
Thanks!

I think he's talking about Saddleridge, and that's actually in Station Square I believe.

South Side Works is at the very end of what's considered the "South Side," where the main drag of bars are on Carson Street. It's closer to an area called Homestead. If you enter the South Side on East Carson Street, and are heading East, you will run into the South Side Works around South 23rd Street.

It's newer, a little bit more upscale.

[DocEmrick]

http://www.saddleridgepittsburgh.com/

[llipgh2]

Go to Cafe Fifth Avenue before the game. Far less zoo like than the Super Bowl and much better food and beer. Not expensive, either.

Just up the street from the Super Bowl. Red goal light in front.

[MayIsForHockey]

Go to Cafe Fifth Avenue before the game. Far less zoo like than the Super Bowl and much better food and beer. Not expensive, either.

Just up the street from the Super Bowl. Red goal light in front.

Cafe Fifth is great, but get there early. It can get full and likely will before an important Friday night game. It's not unheard of for them to refuse entry when it gets full, even if you just want a drink at the bar.