Whether for the football or the commercials, Super Bowl Sunday — Feb. 3 this year — looms large on the American cultural landscape.
Looking for ways to enjoy America’s largest secular holiday? Hoodline crunched the numbers, using both Yelp data and our own secret playbook to produce a ranked list of the best sports bars and wing spots to make your Super Bowl celebration a success — no home-team victory required.
Televisions all around town will likely be tuned to the big game, but a few local sports bars represent Pittsburgh’s best. Here's where to snag a seat come game day.
1. Hough's
Topping the list is Hough's. Located at 563 Greenfield Ave., it's the highest rated sports bar in Pittsburgh, boasting four stars out of 183 reviews on Yelp.
This family-owned tap room and brew pub is stocked with multiple televisions and 48 beers on tap. It also serves comfort food, including wings, burgers and mozzarella sticks. (Here's the entire menu.)
2. Bulldog Pub
Next up is Morningside's Bulldog Pub, situated at 1818 Morningside Ave. With 4.5 stars out of 56 reviews on Yelp, the neighborhood pub has proven to be a local favorite.
Bulldog Pub offers house cocktails and a large local beer selection, including more than 10 seasonal brews on tap. On the menu, you'll find pizza, burgers and sandwiches all made from scratch. (See the full menu here.)
3. The Modern Cafe
Allegheny West's The Modern Cafe, located at 862 Western Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the sports bar and pub four stars out of 65 reviews.
This spot has been serving beer and spirits on the Northside since 1933. There are TVs on every wall, so you won't miss a second of the big game. At the bar, look for 12 beers on tap, and from the kitchen, try the Loaded Nachos, with sour cream, salsa, chopped onions, diced tomatoes, black olives, jalapeños and melted cheddar cheese. (Check out the full menu here.)
Nothing says Super Bowl Sunday like a mess of chicken wings with your choice of dipping sauce, and Pittsburgh has some favorite wing spots to satisfy your cravings.
1. Pastoli's Pizza, Pasta & Paisans
Topping the list is Pastoli's Pizza, Pasta & Paisans. Located at 1900 Murray Ave. in Squirrel Hill South, the Italian restaurant is the highest rated chicken wing purveyor in Pittsburgh, boasting 4.5 stars out of 95 reviews on Yelp.
Pastoli's offers sets of six or 12 wings and a wide variety of dipping sauces, including Buffalo garlic parmesan, mango habanero and the Wet Cajun. (Here's the entire menu.)
2. Bigham Tavern
Next up is Mount Washington's Bigham Tavern, situated at 321 Bigham St. With four stars out of 255 reviews on Yelp, the pub and breakfast spot has proven to be a local favorite.
You can get six, 12 , 24 or 50 bone-in wings, or order the boneless variety by the half pound. The wings come in mild, medium and hot, with a minimum of nine flavors to choose from under each category — like the mild General Tso's and the hot Scorched Earth. Every order comes with celery, carrots and either ranch or blue cheese dressing. (Take a look at the menu here.)
3. Chick'n Bubbly
Oakland's Chick'n Bubbly, located at 117 Oakland Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the Korean spot four stars out of 134 reviews.
Orders here come in batches of five, 10, 20 or 30. Choose the sweet and spicy or soy garlic dipping sauce for dipping, and if you need more spice, just ask. (The entire menu can be found here.)
