Wigle Whiskey
2401 Smallman St., Strip District. wiglewhiskey.com
Wigle Whiskey unveiled an Americana Rye whiskey in time for the Fourth of July. A release states the new spirit is a “defiant nod” to the region’s whiskey-making history where Monongahela Valley frontiersmen “transformed surplus grain into liquid gold” and ignited the Whiskey Rebellion. Wigle also turned its Strip District distillery into a Stars, Stripes and Spirits pop-up bar, described as a “vintage Americana dreamscape” adorned with flags and nostalgic decor. Enjoy craft cocktails and Independence Day bites including corn dogs and fried Oreos. The pop-up runs every Friday and Saturday from 5-11 p.m. through Sat., July 12.
Shorty’s
353 North Shore Dr., North Shore and 244 West Bridge St., West Homestead. shortysx.com
Shorty’s serves up “red, white, and boom” celebrations for July Fourth weekend. The adult arcade offers a barbecue spread from Fri., July 4-Sat., July 5, at both its Pittsburgh locations. Selections include baby back ribs, smoked brisket, pulled pork, and sides. Partiers enjoy DJs and live music all weekend long with outdoor areas to view fireworks. For Vanderpump Rules fans, DJ James Kennedy will play a set to close the weekend on Sat., July 5 at 9 p.m. at Shorty’s North Shore. Make a reservation online.
The Union Forge Vodka
Multiple locations. unionforgevodka.com
On Fri., July 4, Union Forge Vodka’s A Taste of Summer contest returns with a sweet new cocktail line-up. In partnership with the United States Bartenders’ Guild, the Philly-based vodka brand challenges bars and restaurants in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and South Jersey to create the best summer cocktail using Union Forge Vodka. The winner in each region will receive a cash prize and Union Forge trophy, with $1 from every specialty cocktail donated to the nonprofit Children of Restaurant Employees.
Pittsburghers can try cocktails at spots around the region and, through Mon., Sept. 1 and vote for their favorites. 1930 by Atria’s will feature a Grape Popsicle cocktail with Union Forge Vodka, grape juice, lemon, and ginger. Burgatory honors Pittsburgh hockey with a Black and Gold Penguins Passion made with vodka, lemon, passion fruit, vanilla, blackberries, and club soda. The Yard mixes up a Solstice Spritz, a vodka-spiked twist on the Prosecco cocktail with watermelon syrup, muddled cucumber, and lime juice. The Dog Penn embraces its pup theme with The Troubletini, named for the owner’s dog Trouble, combining Triple Sec, elderflower liqueur, mango puree, and lemon juice with Union Forge vodka. View the full list of participating bars and restaurants online.
Pittsburgh Caribbean Carnival
W. Ohio St., North Side.
The first annual Pittsburgh Caribbean Carnival brings food, music, and more to Allegheny Commons Park West. On Sat., July 5, the all-day festival invites guests to taste traditional Caribbean dishes, shop arts and crafts, and dance to steel drums and live performances while immersing themselves in “the rich heritage of the Caribbean.” General admission tickets cost $35 with a VIP option that includes food and drinks.
Community Cultures
5050 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield. communitycultures.com
Community Cultures celebrates beets and their ruby-colored family of plants (Amaranthaceae) with Beetsburgh. On Sat., July 5 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., stop by the Bloomfield Saturday Market for beet products and festivities. At 8 p.m., a Beetsburgh afterparty at The Original Pittsburgh Winery celebrates psychedelic-prog trio Fermented Beats and the release of their new EP Mycelial Roots.
Pittsburgh Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Week
Multiple locations. openroadbarpgh.com/pghnacocktailweek
Pittsburgh’s first annual Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Week is happening Mon., July 7- Sun., July 13, in celebration of Dry July. Organized by non-alcoholic bottle shop The Open Road, the event will feature local bars and restaurants showcasing their finest alcohol-free cocktails, from new mocktails to NA versions of classics.
Participating venues include Jackworth Ginger Beer, Bottlerocket Social Club, Con Alma, Esquina (formerly Round Corner) Cantina, Tina’s, Braddock Public House, and more. The week kicks off with a party at Two Frays Brewery on Mon., July 7 at 4 p.m., as part of the brewery’s Mod Monday series, which serves NA brews and TLC Libations. On Tue., July 8, enjoy infused drinks at Lawrenceville Hemp Co., or close out the week with all-day brunch at Mixtape on Sun., July 13. Follow the NA Cocktail Week event page for updates.
Cellars Speakeasy
2400 Smallman St., Strip District. cellarsspeakeasy.com
A beachy new pop-up promises a “summer escape beneath the streets of Smallman.” Through Sat., Aug. 30, Cadence + Cellars Speakeasy transforms into The Cove, featuring tiki-inspired cocktails, new “seafaring” food, and island vibes on an outdoor patio. The Cove also hosts weekly Love Island watch parties on Thursdays with food and drink specials. Follow Cellars Speakeasy’s Instagram and Facebook pages for “more mischief.”
La Gourmandine
116 Meyran Ave., Oakland. lagourmandinebakery.com
La Gourmandine announced the opening of its Oakland location on June 29 in the former Sree’s Foods space. The French bakery will offer its signature menu of popular desserts and patisserie, baked bread, breakfast danishes, and baguette sandwich lunch specials.
First announced last September, Oakland is La Gourmandine’s fifth location following shops in Lawrenceville, Mt. Lebanon, Downtown, and Hazelwood. La Gourmandine’s Oakland bakery is now open Mon.-Fri. from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. and Sat.-Sun. from 8:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.
Playa Bowls
200 Blue Spruce Way, Murrysville. playabowls.com
Murrysville got a tropical infusion with the opening of Playa Bowls on June 21. Billed as “the nation’s leading superfruit bowl shop,” the menu includes acai bowls, smoothies, pressed juices, and cold brew coffee. This is the store’s second location in the region following another shop in the Strip District Terminal, opened last August. Playa Bowls Murrysville is now open daily from 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. Follow their Instagram page for updates.
This article appears in Jun 25 – Jul 1, 2025.
