One Sunday, a friend posed a seemingly simple question on Instagram: “Where can I get a martini tomorrow?” This question becomes more complex when you consider that many bars in Pittsburgh are closed on Mondays (and often Tuesdays). This is to give staff some much-needed recovery time after the weekend. But it does put patrons in a bind if they need a Negroni or two after a long, hard Monday of sending emails and sorting spreadsheets.
To answer my friend’s question, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite cocktail bars that are open on Mondays. My narrow criteria for a “cocktail bar” include bars with prominent classic or craft cocktail menus, and exclude breweries, most dives, and restaurants more focused on food than drink.
Acacia
2108 E. Carson St., South Side. acaciacocktails.com
Hours: 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
Open Tuesday: Yes
Speakeasy-style bars have become quite au courant (no complaints here), but Acacia has been at it longer than most. Pop into this almost-hidden South Side spot for moody Prohibition vibes and wildly inventive libations.
Bar Botanico
4325 Butler St., Lawrenceville. barbotanico.com
Hours: 5 p.m.-11 p.m.
Open Tuesday: No
The effortlessly cool Bar Botanico demands wearing your chicest fit. Order the White Whale, one of the most unique martini variations I’ve tried, or get a Bartender’s Choice tailored to your drink preferences.
The Lobby at Field Day
3706 Butler St., Lawrenceville. fieldday.life
Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m., bar hours begin at 4 p.m.
Open Tuesday: Yes
This bright, unassuming bar on the first floor of a coworking space may not be your new late-night spot, but it’s perfect for pre-dinner drinks and snacks. There’s plenty of room to park your laptop, too, should your boss be nonchalant about the “5” in your 9-to-5.
Grapperia
3801 Butler St., Lawrenceville. grapperiapgh.com
Hours: 5-10 p.m.
Open Tuesday: Yes
Grapperia, my favorite cocktail bar, offers an extensive selection of grappa and amari, some of which they mix into house cocktails. It even has a few beers on draft if you’re into that sort of thing.
Kelly’s Bar and Lounge
6012 Centre Ave., East Liberty. kellysbarlounge.com
Hours: 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
Open Tuesday: Yes
Instantly recognizable thanks to its antique neon sign, Kelly’s has been in operation since the 1940s. Join the ranks of veteran Pittsburgh drink enthusiasts and visit this cozy, unpretentious bar for its excellent list of classic cocktails.
The Oak Room Pub
5105 Fifth Ave., Oakland. mansionsonfifth.com/oak-room-pub
Hours: 4-11 p.m.
Open Tuesday: Yes
The lobby of the elegant Mansions on Fifth Hotel features The Oak Room Pub, maybe the best-kept secret on this list. Though once owned by a turn-of-the-century industrialist, the bar’s specialty cocktail prices are comparable to other bars on this list. Drink the rich.
Poetry Lounge
313 North Ave., Millvale. poetrymillvale.com
Hours: 3 p.m.-2 a.m.
Open Tuesday: Yes
Open Tuesday: Yes
Named Best New Bar in the Pittsburgh City Paper’s 2024 Reader’s Poll, the Poetry Lounge is as much a bar as a venue for Pittsburgh literary and musical culture. Monday nights bring karaoke, in case you have a hankering to down a few Mai Tais and do your best Christina Aguilera impression.
Tina’s
4114 Main St., Bloomfield. tinaspgh.com
Hours: 4 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Open Tuesday: Yes
Tina’s might be the best first-date spot on this list, with its eclectic decor, beautiful lighting, and impressive drink menu that includes seven classic cocktails at $7 each, which is helpful when that first date falls on the 14th or 30th. Don’t forget to hit the bathroom to take a #tinasselfie.
This article appears in Apr 9-15, 2025.
