Pittsburgh Nightlife

New in August 2008, this posh club and cocktail bar is inspired, as the name suggests, by the Far East. DJs provide the electronic soundtrack for stylish clientele throughout the two sleek black and red rooms and the VIP lounge; exotic cocktails include the Zentini, a Japanese-style concoction of green tea liqueur, sake, and lemon. Arrive before 1:30am to avoid paying a cover charge (price varies depending on the day of the week and the DJ line-up).

Expertly mixed novelty cocktails like a white chocolate martini and a mango mojito became even more popular at Z:Lounge after one of the bartenders was honored as the city's best in Pittsburgh's City Paper in 2006. The relaxed dance club, well-liked by college students and twenty-somethings, features live bands or DJs on the upper level every night of the week. Call ahead to find out if there is a cover charge for the evening.

Rose-colored lights, tasty small plates like crab dumplings and pot stickers, a range of beers on tap, and an eclectic crowd of hipsters and business types characterize Kelly’s Bar, a somewhat underground (at least to tourists) lounge on the East End. Retro-style booths and tiled floors feel straight out of the 50s, but a jukebox soundtrack including everything from punk to country music keeps this neighborhood bar grounded in the here and now.

The idea of kicking back in a church pew with a cold beer may seem strange until you walk into Church Brew Works. The once-sacred space was recycled into a contemporary watering hole and brewery in 1996, and still retains the church’s original high arches and stained glass, though copper beer tanks have taken the place of the altar. The pub food gets mixed reviews, but the signature beer, which is also for sale around the city, is a hit.

Le Mardi Gras may only be a hole-in-the-wall, but this cocktail bar is a local favorite for its dark, intimate atmosphere (including just a handful of tables) and the relaxed jazz soundtrack. The repeat clientele come for cocktails made from freshly squeezed juice; the jukebox adds to the vintage feel.

This lively Irish/Scottish pub draws a laid-back crowd with over two dozen beers on tap and a wide variety of single malt scotch. Shepherd’s pie and other classic dishes are popular among the groups of friends who show up to watch televised rugby matches and share a few pints on weekend nights.