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Best Bars Near PNC Park To Take In Opening Day

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Let's be honest - there's nothing more American than an ice-cold draft during a home baseball game, but what if those drafts come with an outrageous price tag? Never fear, season Pirate ticketholder, because your days of paying the mortgage equivalent for an I.C. Light are over. Check out one of the fine establishments on this list that are directly adjacent to PNC Park, and walk your way to happier drinks for all during opening day.

Olive Or Twist
140 6th St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 255-0524
www.olive-twist.com

Voted best restaurant for cocktails by Pittsburgh Magazine three years running, Olive or Twist is a North Shore staple. With daily specials, happy hours M-F from 4-6 p.m., and live music every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, why go anywhere else? This hip ultra lounge is the best place to sit and enjoy time with friends before or after any Pirates game, and the best part is that bar patrons can easily access PNC Park by mere footsteps away.

Rivertowne North Shore
337 N Shore Dr.
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
(412) 322-5000
www.myrivertowne.com

If you're in the market for a frosty cold beer, look no further than the OG of drafthouses, Rivertowne. With six core Rivertowne varieties (brewed right here in Export): Babbling Blonde, Maxwell's Scottish Ale, RT Lager, Old Wylie's IPA, Hala Kahiki and Grateful White, you may just forget that Rivertowne also boasts Miller Lite and Guinesss on draft, as well as a consistent variety of other craft selections. For a pre-game bite, the North Shore location is the perfect place to fill your growling tummy with a variety of crowd-pleasing menu items.

Meat And Potatoes
649 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 325-7007
www.meatandpotatoespgh.com

Take a brisk walk across the Clemente bridge and you'll be deposited right in front of Meat & Potatoes, Pittsburgh's first, and best, gastropub. With a staggering eight-section libation menu that's bursting full of inspiration, and interesting concoctions, you'll go for the spirits, and stay for the comfort food. Chef Richard, the mastermind behind this wildly popular establishment, sought to create a restaurant that the experienced chef could go to after work to take a load off and enjoy staple, simple comfort food. Pro tip: While not on the menu, be sure to order the Old Fashioned - sweet - with a finger or two of the bar's aged 23 year old rum. Exquisite.

Related:  Best Steelers Bars in Pittsburgh

James St. Gastropub And Speakeasy
422 Foreland St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
(412) 904-3335
www.jamesstreetgastropub.com

One of the most prolific establishments in Pittsburgh's historic Deutschtown, James Street Gastropub and Speakeasy is best known for its live jazz nights, craft beers, and close proximity to PNC Park. If you're a beer lover, this is the place for you, as James' beer list features local breweries, a wide array of craft beer, and tried and true domestic favorites. Before the game, head down to the Speakeasy to enjoy your favorite cocktail, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy live, local jazz, blues and acoustic artists.

Bar Marco
2216 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 471-1900
www.barmarcopgh.com

In 2014, Bar Marco was named one of the Top 50 Best New Restaurants by Bon Appetit Magazine, and were recently added to Thrillist's Top 33 Cocktails Bars in the USA. These accolades are quite impressive, given the recent addition of Bar Marco to Pittsburgh's food scene. The bar's cocktail and wine list is not for the faint of heart, though - you'll be lucky to find an old favorite or two amongst the establishment's repertoire of fun, unusual and funky blends. If you're in the market for a quick stop before or after the game, with a minimalist feel, and simple bites, this is the watering hole for you.

Related: Best Places To Eat Before The Game In Pittsburgh

Nikki Tiani-Moroney is a full time mum of two boys, wife of a professional poker player/photographer/amateur pencil-sharpening competitor and writer from Pittsburgh, PA. When she isn't studiously neglecting her housework in favor of a good book, she's out simultaneously fighting crime and picking up sidewalk litter while savoring an occasional cigarette. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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