Many Well-Known Pittsburgh Restaurants Closed In 2018

PITTSBURGH, PA - Pittsburgh bid adieu to a number of well-known restaurants in 2018, several of which had been in business for decades. Among the notable local eateries that served their last meals:

• Houlihan's, Station Square

After 37 years in business at the popular retail, restaurant and office complex, Houlihan's shut its doors in January. The Bradford School took over the space.

• The Elbow Room, Shadyside

• Six Penn, Downtown

A mainstay of Cultural District dining for more than a decade. Six Penn, once described in The Wall Street Journal as a "fancy Downtown restaurant" closed in February.

• Avenue B, Shadyside

The cozy neighborhood bistro ended its eight-year run in February.

• Mitchell's, Downtown

The century-old business didn't close completely. But owner James Mitchell decided to expand his corporate catering service and convert the restaurant space into an expanded tavern area.

• Le Lyonnais, Downtown

The short-lived successor to the Sonoma Grille didn't last long. After its brief run, the space was sold in April to the AMPD Group, which operates several other restaurants including Ten Penny across the street on Penn Avenue. It’s expected to reopen in 2019 as new eatery.

• Tilted Kilt, North Shore

What it lacked in fine cuisine, it attempted to make up for with waitresses in short plaid skirts. The formula worked for seven years.

• Poros, Downtown

Greek is out and Italian is in at this massive space in PPG Place. The Greek-themed restaurant since has opened as Molinaro Ristorante.

• Jabo's Smoque House, Bloomfield

The successor to Del's, which occupied the Liberty Avenue space for decades, lasted just over a year.

• Peter's Pub, Oakland

A staple on the University of Pittsburgh campus for 44 years, the eatery is expected to reopen as the latest in Mario's, which already has taverns on the South Side and in Shadyside.

• Pallantia, Shadyside

The Mexican tapas restaurant on Ivy Street near Shadyside’s Walnut Street closed after a two-year run.

• Silky’s in Squirrel Hill and Silky’s Crow’s Nest in Sharpsburg.

After a three-decade run in Squirrel Hill, the original Silky’s and its shuffleboard table exited the scene to be replaced by the Warehouse, a bar with a less sports-oriented vibe. The sister establishment Crow’s Nest shut down in November, leaving Silky’s Pub in Bloomfield as the last tavern standing in the former Silky’s empire.

• Cafe Sam, Bloomfield

Another restaurant with a 30-year run, this Baum Boulevard staple closed its doors in July.

• Sharp Edge Beer Emporium, Friendship

The landmark Friendship tavern that was essential in ushering in the craft and import beer era in Pittsburgh closed after a 28-year-run. It will reopen early in 2019 as SYN Taqueria + Pizzeria.

• Red the Steakhouse, Downtown

If it had operated in the black instead of red, perhaps it would have lasted at least a year before abruptly closing.

• Rivertowne, North Shore

Several of Rivertowne Brewing Co.'s restaurants survived the company’s bankruptcy. This one did not.

Image via Google Maps.

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