Restaurants & Bars
These Pittsburgh Restaurants And Bars Closed For Good In 2020
This year saw a number of legendary Pittsburgh dining and drinking establishments close their doors forever.
PITTSBURGH, PA — Some went under because of the several financial repercussions of the coronavirus outbreak. Others simply had reached the end of their lifespan. But for a myriad of reasons, many Pittsburgh restaurants, many with decades of tradition, shut their doors for good in 2020.
Here's a look at some of the bars and eateries around town that went out of business:
Don't despair, Slice fans. The original Slice remains in Beechview and there also are locations in Beechview and in the East End. Slice also is teasing it will debut a new location in 2021.
Find out what's happening in Pittsburghfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
After 15 year of holding DJ dance parties, art events, spoken word, fundraisers, variety shows, screenings, and other community-oriented activities, this Penn Avenue bar-of-all-trades closed its doors.
Well-known Pittsburgh restaurateur Richard DeShantz retired this restaurant on Sixht Street in the Cultural District shortly after debuting a new eatery, Coop De Ville, on Smallman Street in the Strip District.
Find out what's happening in Pittsburghfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
After a decade of serving good eats and quality beer, this Penn Avenue mainstay closed in June.
This restaurant had a well-deserved reputation for cuisine that included American Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Appalachian regions, as well as its raw bar. The coronavirus outbreak didn't care about that.
- NOLA On The Square, Downtown
This Cajun cuisine-themed restaurant survived a devastating fire several years ago, but could not survive the pandemic.
The last pie came out of the oven in July.
After a decade on Shiloh Street near the Monongahela Incline, the grill was extinguished.
- Spoon, East Liberty
The combination of the coronavirus outbreak and an expiring lease prompted the plug to be pulled on this popular eatery.
Considering its distance from the heart of neighborhood's business district at the intersection of Forbes and Murray avenues, the fact that this Cantonese restaurant lasted 14 years on lower Murray Avenue is impressive.
Known for its extensive variety of meats, this Rodi Plaza ceased operations after a 20-year run.
This new-American bistro fell victim to the coronavirus outbreak.
After a 29-year run on Smithfield Street, the Greek restaurant known for its gyros and chicken salad shut its doors.
The popular bar known for hosting comedy and music events, shut down in October, a month after the sudden death of tavern owner Jeff Holt, 46. Hambone's Facebook page said at the time that the bar faced insurmountable debt and the building would be put up for Sheriff's Sale.
Known for its legendary fries, the "Dirty O" on Forbes Avenue closed suddenly in April after 60 years. No reason was given by its owners. Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks and a Mt. Lebanon native, negotiated to buy the O and reopen it, but never reached a deal. The space currently is being renovated and will house two new eateries opening in 2021.
After barely a year of operation, this unique venue - which featured a brewery, bowling alley and live music performances - went out of business. Owner David Rodriguez said he closed because he and his family were moving to Chicago; the bar remains on the market.
A staple on Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh's Little Italy for 60 years, Alexander's went under in May. Owner Alex Colaizzi said in interviews that he was forced to close after not being able to obtain a Paycheck Protection Program loan.
The cozy coffee shop and espresso bar closed in February after a nearly nine-year run.
The popular tavern, which hosted live music for 20 years, was going to close in August as owner Susan Coe scouted the East End for a new location. But Coe shuttered the bar permanently in April, blaming COVID-19.
Ron Molinaro and partner Bob Wolfinger closed their three Downtown eateries in January for what the general manager of one of the restaurants termed "financial reasons."
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
