Shorty's Pints X Pins: New North Shore Venue Debuting With Flair

PITTSBURGH, PA — Don't call it a restaurant. Don't call it a bar. Call it a "retrotainment venue."

That's the theme of Shorty's Pins X Pints, a North Shore establishment offering food and drink, but also a dazzling array of indoor and outdoor entertainment options. Shorty's, located in the former Tilted Kilt space on North Shore Drive between Heinz Field and PNC Park, opens on Monday.

"Shorty's" is Pittsburgh slang for the small pins used in duckpin bowling, which the new venue prvovides - as well as vintage and contemporary video and pinball games, fire pits, a Mexican-focused menu, life-size Jenga games, a modern Kennywood-type photo machine, shuffleboard and foosball tables, two bars, a lounge area, an outdoor kitchen and more.

"I think we've already learned we can be a destination attraction," Shorty's CEO Craig Winning said at a media preview event on Wednesday. The venue already has booked several large parties, event sales manager Aliza Rutledge said.

Shorty's chef likely is the only one in Pittsburgh possessing a law degree from the University of Notre Dame. George Adelo, who formerly operated Guapo in the Federal Galley, pledges an array of authentic fare from his native New Mexico.

The taco selection includes cola pork carnitas, roast chicken tinga, smoked beef barbacoa and brussels sprouts and sweet potato.

The mixed drink selection includes La Flama Blanca, a margarita made with Cuervo Gold, coconut syrup, lime and cholula sweet haberno. There also are 32 taps at each bar, with an emphasis placed on Pittsburgh-based beers, mixed drinks and wine. A non-alcoholic beverage selection also is available.

A second Shorty's is scheduled to open in the spring at The Waterfront. Across from Burgatory in the former Bar Louie space, that Shorty's also will have a selection of games but is expected to concentrate more on dining than the North Shore locale.

Be the first to know what's happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you'll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe.