![With so many bars, pubs, taverns and clubs on Pittsburgh’s Southside it can be easy to overlook a new one. But The Blind Pig Tavern on the Carson Street is one not to be missed. “The Pig” is a neighborhood style bar right in the middle of Pittsburgh’s major nightlife district, offering a break from [...]](http://guymanningham.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/blind-pig-pittsburgh.jpg "Beer, pork & the end of Prohibition")
With so many bars, pubs, taverns and clubs on Pittsburgh’s Southside it can be easy to overlook a new one. But The Blind Pig Tavern on the Carson Street is one not to be missed. “The Pig” is a neighborhood style bar right in the middle of Pittsburgh’s major nightlife district, offering a break from the insanity of the your Friday or Saturday nights as well as a fun inviting atmosphere seven days a week.
“A Blind Pig is a slang term for a speakeasy from Prohibition.”
Opened in summer of 2011 by Ryan Steen, a former manager with Bar Louie, it is fast becoming a favorite of Southside locals. “It took me about a year and a half to get funding and execute the idea,” said Steen. “I had the idea for a while and was finally in position to make it happen.”
The first question most newcomers have when entering the bar is, “Where did the name come from?”
“A Blind Pig is a slang term for a speakeasy from Prohibition,” according to Steen. “I got the idea while watching a special on Prohibition that was on the History Channel. As soon as I heard the term I thought ‘that’s the name of my bar.”
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The atmosphere invokes a certain Prohibition theme as well. The walls are adorned with the text from the 18th amendment, prohibiting the sale, transportation or manufacturing of intoxicating substances. It helps to give the bar a unique identity of its own as well as the biggest conversation piece in the bar.
Another unique piece of decoration is a pre-Prohibition liquor license for the same building. Décor like that is not something you are likely to find in the local Goodwill. “It was an opening gift from a friend of mine. He came across it and I thought I have to hang this here.”
Great beers and food are what really makes The Blind Pig a must stop destination. For the tamer, beers like Miller Lite and Yuengling are usually available in draft as well as six rotating craft beers from places like Penn Brewery, Atwater and Sierra Nevada. A wide selection of import, craft and domestic are available in bottle as well. In the food area, a unique combination of bar food and pizza with gourmet flair provide a change from the normal “pub grub” customers come to expect when going out.
When asked about his favorites, “Anything with pork,” laughed Ryan. “Our most popular is the Honey Bacon Pizza.” Other tasty fair available are Pulled Pork Nachos, Lobster Rolls and Baked Wings.
To round out the reasons to visit the Pig, Ryan has different events going on throughout the week. Tuesday is open mic night for local musicians and comedians and Wednesday is Karaoke with DJ Tanner. Bands will also be booked for Friday and Saturday Nights.
Good food, drinks and plenty of fun are enough for anyone to check out this new gem of Pittsburgh. Whether you are stopping by on a night out, singing karaoke or relaxing with their “all day happy hour” on Sunday, The Blind Pig should definitely be a scheduled stop.
For more info, visit their page on Facebook.
