Deprecated: mb_convert_encoding(): Handling HTML entities via mbstring is deprecated; use htmlspecialchars, htmlentities, or mb_encode_numericentity/mb_decode_numericentity instead in /var/www/html/wp-content/plugins/super-cool-ad-inserter/inc/scaip-shortcode-inserter.php on line 37
Stuntpig
1707 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill. stuntpigpgh.com
Bring good luck for 2025 with a special New Year’s Day menu at Stuntpig. On Wed., Jan. 1 from 12-5 p.m., the sandwich shop teams up with former 40 North chef Beth Zozula to create “the luckiest new year’s feast you could imagine.” For $30, diners can grab a plate “stuffed to the brim” with charmed foods including sauerkraut, “porky rings of kielbasa,” pierogi casserole by way of Zozula’s grandma, collard greens, corn pudding, and Hoppin’ John (aka Carolina peas and rice). The walk-in Unlucky Friends Lucky New Year’s Day celebration includes spiked cider and music from Steve FM.
Cinderlands Beer Co.
2601 Smallman St., Strip District. cinderlands.com
Barbecue lovers are eating good on New Year’s Day with another feast at Cinderlands. On Wed., Jan 1 from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m., the brewery and kitchen will serve an all-you-can-eat Hair of the Hog buffet. A whole hog will be smoked on the patio, and other selections include kielbasa, brisket, smoked chicken, New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp, three different barbecue sauces, and “all the sides you could ever hope for.” Pile plates high with coal-roasted squash, Brussels sprouts (prepared in the style of German potato salad), collard greens, black-eyed peas to ring in the new year, and more. Tickets cost $32 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under.
Grinch Who Stole Christmas Pop-Up
25 Market Sq., Downtown. instagram.com/pgh_popup
It’s not too late to see the Grinch. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas holiday pop-up bar runs through Sat., Jan 5 in Market Square. Enjoy seven themed holiday drinks among Christmas lights and gift-wrapped walls, a speakeasy lounge, and the mean green guy himself in an inflatable Whoville. The bar announced that its next iteration, a Candy Land pop-up, will open in January.
The Melting Pot
242 W. Station Square Dr., Station Square. meltingpot.com/pittsburgh-pa
The Melting Pot fondues through winter with a happy hour special. On Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m., guests who dine at Pittsburgh’s Station Square location enjoy half-priced cheese and chocolate fondue for $14 (serves two people). Offerings include Classic Alpine, featuring Gruyère and fontina cheeses, white wine, garlic, and nutmeg, and a Flaming Turtle milk chocolate fondue melted with caramel, flambéed, and topped with candied pecans. Guests also enjoy $9 handcrafted cocktails and $7 wines. View the special Down to Fondue happy hour menu and restaurant hours online.
Puttshack Pittsburgh
1729 Smallman St., Strip District. puttshack.com/locations/pittsburgh
The new year kicks off Dry January, and Puttshack, Pittsburgh’s indoor tech-infused mini golf course, “keeps the fun flowing” with a menu of zero-proof cocktails. The N/A Spritz combines Lyre’s Apéritif Rosso (a non-alcoholic sweet Vermouth), Töst Sparkling White Tea Cranberry and Ginger, and freshly sliced orange. The H2NO Ranch Water evokes a tequila drink with Almave Blanco Distilled Blue Agave, fresh lime, and soda water. Try something sweeter with Cotton Candy Crush (cotton candy syrup, lime juice, and Red Bull Coconut) or Passion Fruit Lemonade, made with cold-pressed passion fruit, lime juices, and sparkling lemonade.
The mini golf course also invites guests to play 18 holes for the price of nine on weekdays, from Monday through Friday, all through January. Use the promo code 18FOR9 to book a game online or mention the code at the venue.
City Works Eatery & Pour House
2 PPG Pl., Downtown. cityworksrestaurant.com/locations/pittsburgh
City Works celebrates Dry January with a specialty mocktail menu. For a limited time, try the gin alternative Cucumber Cure, and Mellow Mule, which mixes cucumber, honey and mango syrups, lime juice, and ginger beer. The restaurant also offers the Strawberry Soothe (strawberries, lemon and lime juices, simple syrup, and a splash of lemon-lime soda) and Peaceful Paloma, a spin on the traditional tequila cocktail made with lime and grapefruit juices, honey syrup, soda water, and a salt rim.
Kyuramen x TBaar
6204 Penn Ave., East Liberty. kyuramen.com
East Liberty welcomed Kyuramen, a Japanese and ramen restaurant featuring “comforting ramen, fluffy omurice, creative appetizers” and more. The new spot opened on Dec. 27 alongside TBaar, a bubble tea shop. Kyuramen’s location in the Eastside Bond development is the chain’s first in Pennsylvania, which it celebrated on its Instagram.
The blog PennsylvAsia noted that Kyuramen follows other national and international Asian chains recently opened in the region, including Paris Baguette, Tous Les Jours, and Kura Revolving Sushi, and “represents the growth of Pittsburgh’s food landscape.” A second Kyuramen location is planned for Cranberry.
2024 Pittsburgh Restaurant Closures
We say goodbye to several restaurants closing at the end of this year.
Cioppino Restaurant & Cigar Bar and Osteria 2350 — located next to each other in the Strip District and run by the same team – announced their closure on Dec. 31. “We’re sad to say goodbye to our neighbors and community who have been a part of our lives for more than 15 years,” Cioppino wrote on its webpage.
BullDawgs-Burgers in Ross will host its final day of service on Dec. 31 at 4 p.m. The restaurant on Perry Highway announced its closure in a Facebook post with a “bittersweet heart,” noting it began as a food truck 12 years ago, and that it “has been an honor to be a part of the North Hills community.” According to Patch, the BullDawgs space will soon become a Big Shot Bob’s House of Wings.
Sumi’s Cakery confirmed the permanent closure of its shop on Murray Ave. after temporarily closing earlier this year. It will maintain its Novo Asian Food Hall location in the Strip District Terminal. The Korean bakery, known for its fruit-filled cakes, pastries, and patbingsu (shaved ice), opened in 2012, and, according to a post by PennsylvAsia, remained Pittsburgh’s first and only Korean bakery until international chains opened earlier this year.
Lefty’s Bar in the Strip District will close on Jan. 25 and relocate to the North Side. Lefty’s owner Rick Krist told the Pittsburgh Business Times that the dive bar will not renew its lease and believes the building may be sold. According to the Business Times, Lefty’s new location has soft-opened in the former Yinz Locos and Bier’s Pub space at 900 Western Ave. and will open full-time in February.
This article appears in Dec 25-31, 2024.
