Level Up Bar
First it was Jingle Bar. Then came XO Bar and Clover Bar, followed by Bar of Thrones. Today, Pittsburgh’s chameleon bar opens their latest concept, Level Up.
The bar is a Nintendo-lovers' paradise. It’s themed after the legacies: Mario Kart, Mortal Kombat, N64, Donkey Kong, and more, with plans to host tournaments (better brush up on your Smash Bros skills) and other events. Proceeds from the bar will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh.
Stay up to date on the bar’s latest by following its Facebook page, Pop Up PGH.
Pittsburgh rock 'n’ soul guitarist Byron Nash has teamed up with Helltown Brewing for a sequel to their 2018 collaboration BLQ METAL, a West Coast-style IPA.
The brew was created for Fresh Fest, the nation’s first Black beer festival, held in Pittsburgh last year. The Mount Pleasant-based brewery plans to participate in the festival again this year, but is bringing back BLQ METAL with a few changes.
For BLQ METAL 2.0., brewers at Helltown have tweaked the original recipe and are updating all components of the brew, including the music and marketing. According to Helltown brewers, the beer is a standard IPA with toned-down bitterness. Four hops come together to give the beer a citrusy, earthy flavor.
BLQ METAL launches tonight at Federal Galley, with a live performance from Byron Nash. The team has a few other events planned over the summer. Keep up with the collaboration by following Byron Nash on social media.
Edchup
This week, Heinz announced a collaboration even more exciting than Kranch: Edchup.
Edchup is the product of a Heinz and Ed Sheeran partnership, released in time to celebrate National Ketchup Day on June 6 (Pittsburgh City Paper reached out to Sheeran for comment, but was told he is not doing interviews this year). The famous singer has had an obsession with Heinz for years, identifying it as his favorite condiment and even tattooing the logo on his arm.
The bottles, though decorated with an Ed Sheeran tomato lookalike, are filled with the same Heinz as always, but this didn’t stop it from selling out within a few days of the release. If you missed the limited edition ketchup, don’t worry. Heinz is already hinting at a restock. Follow its Instagram for updates.
Beverages2U
Thanks to Beverages2U, you never have to be without beer again.
The new delivery service offers alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for individual or subscription orders. This means you can replenish your brew stock every week (or month) without leaving the house.
Over 300 domestic, imported, and local craft brews are available for purchase, with no purchase limit on cases. The service also offers soda, artisan water, kombucha, and energy drinks.
To order, visit beverages2u.com.
Superior Motors
On June 23, Superior Motors is hosting the next dinner in its 2019 series, Uncooked & Uncorked.
The series, which started in late 2018, brought Pittsburghers an ice cream dinner in collaboration with Sam Mason; a Chinese New Year celebration with Chef Simone Tong; and a Maggie’s Farm Rum feast.
The next concept pairs raw fish with sparkling beverages. Superior Motors head chef, Kevin Sousa, is designing a menu that will feature items like scallop tiradito, a Peruvian plate influenced by the country’s Japanese immigrants. The six-course meal will be paired with sparkling beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
Reservations for Uncooked & Uncorked are available on exploretock.com. There will be two seatings, at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Scratch F&B and Hello Neighbor
Scratch Food and Beverage is partnering with Hello Neighbor to host a summer dinner series, Scratch + Hello Neighbor Community Dinners.
The series kicks off on Wed., June 19, on the eve of World Refugee Day. Each dinner will benefit Hello Neighbor, as well as raise awareness for the organization and help city refugees form connections to their community.
Scratch’s executive chef, Chris O’Brien, will partner with a home cook from the Hello Neighbor program to prepare three courses based on traditions from the guest cook’s home country. For the first dinner, O’Brien is teaming up with Hello Neighbor program participant Alya to prepare a menu of traditional Syrian food.
Reserve a spot for the dinner at eventbrite.com.
Pizza Fest
Pittsburgh pizza pros are coming together for one, cheesy fest. PizzaFest, hosted by The Pennsylvania Market, is a celebration of the city’s artisan pizzerias.
The list of pizzaiolos includes Anthony Ambeliotis of Mediterra Bakehouse, Dave Anoia of Pizzeria Davide, Chris Bartko of Gabagool Pizzeria, Neil Blazin of Driftwood Oven, Kevin Konn and Justin Balla of Romulus Pizza al Taglio, Michael Mercurio of Mercurio’s Pizza and Gelato, and Pete Tolman of Iron Born Pizza.
Each pie master will serve up a signature pizza, including New York style, Detroit style, and Neapolitan.
Arsenal Cider and Ole Smoky Whiskey will be available, along with food demonstrations, pizza trivia, live music, and specialized pizza vendors. Tickets to PizzaFest are available at eventbrite.com.
