PITTSBURGH, PA (PTTP)- With the Pittsburgh Pirates home opener at PNC Park on Friday, April 3, versus the Baltimore Orioles, and the National Football League (NFL) Draft coming to town April 23-25, Pittsburgh is expecting well over 500,000 visitors, according to many estimates. Already a hub for both families and late-night socializing, the North Shore is looking to capitalize on the crowds with a wide variety of food and beverage options, including one opening just in time for the rush.
The North Shore has a long history of Pirates gameday crowds, with many bars and restaurants opening earlier to give both ticket holders and those enjoying the game outside the stadium a multitude of options. With the first pitch scheduled for 4:12 pm, and what is popularly known as the “412 Take Over,” a play on the area code around Pittsburgh, crowds will be in the area early to celebrate the beginning of the baseball season and the nice weather. There are many well-known spots to enjoy the game where locals and out-of-town guests can gather, all within walking distance of beautiful PNC Park.
One local favorite is “Tom’s Watch Bar” with its 80+ TV screens and over 100 types of beers and specialty cocktails. Known for its wall-to-wall TVs and very home team-oriented crowd, Pirates fans do not need tickets or reservations to get into the party, but it’s recommended to arrive early.
Mike’s Beer Bar teams up with its neighbor, North Shore Tavern, for a truly special home team crowd right on Federal Street, steps away from the stadium. Mike’s Beer Bar is decorated year-round for Pirates fans with memorabilia and Pirates gear lining the walls. It also has over 500 types of beer and a special “steak on a stone” that will have any beer and steak lover salivating over.
The newest addition opens on Thursday, April 2, right in time for the festivities, and aims to create its own niche in the already bustling North Shore. Led by Herky Pollock, owner of the Legacy Hospitality Partners, The Plaza at North Shore aims to be the “crown jewel of the North Shore.” Conveniently located at the corner of Mazeroski Way and General Robinson Street, directly across from the iconic PNC Park, The Plaza at North Shore will be a truly multi-purpose location. Already slated for a series of major concerts, including Nelly and 2 Chainz, timed with the NFL Draft in town, it will also feature two on-site restaurants with a wide variety of food and beverage options. SugarBird, also opening April 2, will have everything from fried chicken to donuts and ice cream, along with a full bar. This fall, the Highball Social Club will open as well, bringing in what is described as an “experiential bar.” Sports fans will also be able to enjoy its 40-foot LED screen and its over 30,000-square-foot outdoor plaza. When asked about his vision for the location, Herky said he wanted it to be something truly “generational” and a centerpiece of both the North Shore and greater Pittsburgh’s social scene.