The lights are off at Kingfly Spirits. The Smallman Street distillery and event space in Pittsburgh’s Strip District has shut its doors, halting public access, on-site drink service and bottle sales effective immediately. The family-owned business, which opened in 2019, had grown into a go-to spot for weddings, jazz nights and film-related events.
Company announcement and immediate effects
The announcement stated that the business “will no longer conduct bottle sales, serve drinks or grant public access to the building,” as reported by The Pittsburgh Reporter. The outlet noted that the closure news appeared on the company’s social channels and that the Kingfly team used the post to thank patrons, collaborators and supporters.
From distillery to neighborhood hub
Kingfly opened in early 2019 as a family-owned craft distillery, tasting bar and events venue at 2613 Smallman Street, according to Kingfly Spirits. The Strip District spot quickly leaned into live music and community programming, and its early jazz nights were among the first events to put the venue on the neighborhood’s nightlife map, according to Hoodline.
Historic building and programming
The distillery operated out of a restored carriage house dating back to 1907, a roughly 10,000-square-foot space that was overhauled by an architecture firm for Kingfly’s use. The Pittsburgh Reporter noted that the venue went on to host nonprofit fundraisers, corporate functions, networking meetups, film-related gatherings and regular jazz, salsa and Cuban dance nights, cementing its status as a Strip District fixture.
What patrons and bookers should do
The company’s statement did not spell out what comes next for staff, remaining inventory or the future of the building, and it did not include details about how existing event bookings will be handled. Clients with reservations or questions are being directed to the business’s website for updates; the contact section at Kingfly Spirits currently lists a venue rental inquiry form and a phone number for follow-up.
