The reason for this is that Bar Botanico delivers something the neighborhood was lacking outright- a higher-end craft cocktail experience at approachable prices (for the neighborhood at least). But after having several rounds at Bar Botanico, we have to admit we were wrong. Prior to Bar Botanico opening, we were firm believers that Lawrenceville did not need another cocktail bar. Soluna is located at 1601 Penn Avenue in the Strip District. But if mezcal isn't your thing, a tequila or singani-based cocktail can be found on the menu, too!

So whether you are a mezcal die-hard like we are or are a bit leery from the otherwise intense flavors, this one strikes a lovely balance. Perhaps the most impressive part about this bar is that every cocktail we tried had prominent mezcal smokiness while also being perfectly balanced with the other flavors. Some are mezcal-based takes on popular drinks (like an Old Fashioned) and others are so unique it would be hard to equate them to a creation you may have had (like the Morenamia- mezcal, fig, puffed rice, and green tea). The collection of mezcal, tequila, and other unique spirits here (many from Mexico, South America, and beyond) is nothing short of impressive, and many find their way into the bar's well thought-out cocktail menu. Soluna in the Strip District is a unique space in Pittsburgh- in the morning it operates as a Honduran coffee shop and in the evening a backroom mezcal bar opens up for visitors looking for a libation! So, which cocktail bars should you hit up on your next night out? Our always-growing guide features all of the spots we've personally visited! But the point of this one is that you can show up to most of the following bars without an advanced reservation and grab a cocktail with ease.Īs such, places like Kaya, Bar Marco, and many, many other restaurants that deserve praise for their cocktail program are not being featured below (although we do feature many of these in our Pittsburgh happy hour guide for cocktails if they have a great deal). A few even have rather robust food menus. Some of these places may have a limited food menu. What we think of when hearing the term cocktail bar is a place you can walk into, get a seat at the bar (okay, sometimes standing room only works too), and be served drinks immediately. Our Pittsburgh wine bar guide doesn't highlight all of the Pittsburgh area wineries (even if they all, technically, have a bar), and in a similar vein, this cocktail bar guide will not feature restaurants that have a stellar cocktail program. But, as is the case with most guides like this on our site, we have to make a distinction as to what that means for us in selecting spots to feature.

On the surface, what makes a cocktail bar sounds pretty obvious- it is a bar with a strong cocktail menu.

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