The Backstage Bar

They need to post on their website that you have to show proof of vaccination. We arrived for a jazz performance and had to leave as we didn't have proof of vaccination on us :(

I may have accidentally gotten my entire family drunk by bringing them them here. I came across this place while looking for venues with live music. We arrived here around 6pm on a Saturday, and it was quite full. Don't count on being able to grab a table or even a seat at the bar.They have a respectable cocktail list and a pretty decent wine selection. Two of our party elected to get margaritas, which were served in giant pint-sized glasses and were quite POTENT. Good value per cost ($9)No one was performing for the first 20 minutes when we arrived -- apparently the performers were taking a break. When they finally started up again we caught 2 songs before we had leave. I thought the performers were good but not particularly memorable.Nice spot for a drink, but don't set you expectations too high

I've visited Backstage Bar several times over the years for shows and events. I had a great time at the beer-tasting event they hosted. The staff has been friendly and the prices are on par with other theaters (expensive, but that's on par).Shows have been hit or miss. I've really liked a few and a few haven't been great. But either way, a night out in a decent theater... I'll take it. There were a few hosted events that took place there as well, and that was a great location to have the mingling and then go into the space for the event. Certainly something to consider if planning a large event.

What a discovery! Now being that it was a discovery, I was not aware of the entertainment or anything about what this place had. Next time I come back, and see a show, I will update my review. We stumbled upon this fine place while trying to find a place to eat before a show at the Benedum on a Friday evening. They had outdoor seating, that required you to go in and order from the bar for food and drink. The indoor seating is what we chose. It was self seating and we still ordered from the bar, but more convenient as our table was right next to the bar. There was a gentleman playing acoustic guitar, very pleasant. We ordered our drinks, I ordered some fancy special drink with whiskey, not a usual on the menu, but was very good! I can't remember what it was called, but will guess on saying it was the Dutch Queen? I also ordered the side size Caesar salad and a personal pizza with roasted red pepper. Now let me tell you about this side salad I ordered. It had to be the FIRST time I had ever ordered this salad with actual anchovies in it! I about died when I saw it, but wow was it good! The pizza was also very good! The crust was soft and fluffy. The sauce was a good sweet. The cheese was not shy! The service was also very quick and was served to the table. The bartender that ran our food was also very nice. I think she was new and training, but she was doing a great job. I will be returning! And looking forward to making it to a show!

The Backstage Bar is my favorite bar in the city. I love to come here before or after seeing shows downtown. The drinks are good, the food is good (their menu is now presented by Meat & Potatoes. Nom!), and the staff is delightful. I love to come here during off days when it's slow to allow more time to chat with the bartenders, they are quippy and sassy! But even when it's super busy because of something exciting going on in the cultural district, the service is still pretty quick and they can handle a rush. They have a nice selection of wine, which I appreciate, and they offer about eight different draft selections. Their specialty cocktails change with whatever show is going on at the Cabaret Theater, so there is always a nice variety when you go back. Another great thing about their drinks is that lot of their stuff is handcrafted, like house infused liquors and homemade simple syrups. With such a variety, the staff is always very helpful in helping you pick out the right drink for you!I was just here this week with my boyfriend before seeing a show at Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre and had the best time. We had some wine, Justin had a beer (Abita Grapefruit IPA. Grapefruit, yuck! IPA, yuck!) , and I tried one of their specialty cocktails for their show "Judge Jackie Justice." We also shared their House-made rosemary + sea salt chips with their own french onion dip and a margherita pizza. The chips were amazing and the pizza was great, although I didn't care for the extra large pieces of basil. The atmosphere is great. They feature art from local artists along the main wall, the lighting is nice (it's dim, but without being so dark that you can't see the person you're talking to. I'm looking at you MadMex Oakland!), and sometimes they feature live music. If you find yourself downtown with some time to kill or you're looking for a good place for pre or post show food and drinks, give The Backstage Bar a try. You won't regret it!

This bar is super convienent if you are attending or performing at an event at the Benedum Center. The drinks are pricey considering the alcohol content is practically non-existent usually. But this bar is great because it's convenient! There isn't a whole lot going on downtown at night, and this bar is consistently clean.They have salsa dancing and some other random events from time to time as well. The atmosphere is cool and laid back. It's a fine place to stop at if you're in the area and want a drink.I THINK it's non-smoking. At minimum, no one has ever been smoking in there when I've gone in. So score!!

Absolutely loved the bar itself. Such a fun, relaxed vibe - outdoor seating in the Katz plaza is awesome! We live downtown, and this really is the very best place to sit outside in the city. Our bartender, Brian, was as good as it gets. Great drinks, spot-on recommendations, and such a blast to hang it with! The only downside, and it's a big one, is a decision the manager chose to make. We have a small, adorable dog who kept looking for a little water (it was warm tonight)! Brian came out to check on us, saw our sweet puppy sitting underneath the table, and asked if he wanted a little bowl of water. Seriously, how cool is that? Unfortunately, the bar was about to close, and the manager on duty chose to prioritize shutting down the bar. Feels like a pretty simple gesture, but I guess closing and going home was more important. Anyhow, we loved this place because we could sit outside with the dog. Starting to realize that management might be a bit less pet-friendly than we thought...disappointment.

My H and I stopped at the Backstage bar after seeing a show at the CLO and before reservations at M&P for a drink or two. I don't have a strong opinion on the place. I had a few Troegs IPA's and the H had a Miller Lite. I guess if I had to say anything I thought the place was a little expensive. A domestic draft over $6.00? Are we at the ball game? I wasn't a fan of the prices. Meh, what can you do it was so incredibly convenient to go there in between. We didn't even need to go outside because it's all connected, making the transition simple. The place is modern and clean, service was nice but a tad on the slow side. Not a big of deal in this situation. I would go back if I found myself again waiting for my reservations at M&P.

Oh how I do enjoy The Backstage Bar before or after a performance. They have so many selections for wine, cocktails, and beer; not to mention a delicious food menu. Reasonably priced for a spot in The Cultural District (it connects to the CLO theater). I have been here several times after going to CLO Cabaret, Heinz Hall, Benedum, etc and the service has always been great. This place can get really busy and it's the quality service that keeps me coming back. The staff are always attentive no matter how slow or busy they are.

Has anyone ever seen that episode of Portlandia where Andy Samberg plays a mixologist (or "bartender" however you look at it) and ends up quitting to move to California? My experience at The Backstage Bar was very close to that entire episode (YouTube it if you have to, it's a great sketch) and I mean that in the most endearing way possible. When we arrived, happy hour was going on. Sadly, there wasn't really anything that I wanted, so I had a hard cider. There were tons of signs on the wall about all of their signature cocktails, so I knew I had to try one. Some girl sitting there was having an orgasm at the drink that the bartender made her saying it was the best drink she ever had. I asked the bartender what he made for her that she was freaking out about and he just looked at me deadpan and said "I have no idea." At that moment, I knew he was going to be my favorite bartender ever.I asked for one of the drinks on the wall and he said "You don't want that one. It's not that good." I appreciated his honesty, because who wants to spend $7 on a sh*tty drink? He told me he could make me something better and he did. He made me some sort of pomegrante martini with juices and liquors that I can't recall. It was divine -- absolutely perfect. After the bar cleared out, we got to talking to Kevin and we told him we were from Chicago. We started talking about different things to do in Chicago, Lollapalooza and the music scene. He made me laugh all night and was such an expert on Pittsburgh history and culture. Seriously, he made me ashamed that I don't know just as much about my own city.In the episode of Portlandia, Carrie ends up following the bartender to California. This is exactly how I feel. I mean, how crazy would I be if I went back to Pittsburgh just to have Kevin make me a drink again? I don't know but don't think it hasn't crossed my mind at least once.