Best Bars To Watch Thursday Night Football in Pittsburgh
Football season is upon us yet again, and this season will be no different than any other. Steelers' fans are the most loyal football fans in the history of sports, and Pittsburgh's local bars cater to that. Drink specials, half-off appetizers and glorious HD TVs await your Thursday Night Football routine if you choose from one of the excellent bars on this list.
Bulldog Pub
1818 Morningside Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 404-2775
www.facebook.com/BulldogPubPGH
Reasonable prices, eclectic food not ordinarily found in a bar and in close proximity to Pittsburgh, it sounds like Bulldog Pub has everything you need to get pumped up for Thursday Night Football this season. During summer and through part of the fall, the Pub also keeps its garage door open to let in air, sunshine and friendly banter of sidewalk passersby. Bulldog also offers cider on tap, which is an unusual find in the 'Burg.
Bigham Tavern
321 Bigham St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15211
(412) 431-9313
www.bighamtavern.com
For a bar's tagline to read, "Go Bingham or Go Home," you know you're in the right place. Everything at Bigham is big, so whether you're there for a Steelers showdown, or just there to munch, you're sure to catch every second of the game and leave with a satisfied belly. Bigham's charm lies in its old-world style and modern technology; seven flat-screen TVs don't lie, so prepare to make your own elbow room, as this place gets packed during the game. Bigham was also named "Best Wings" in Pittsburgh, so ditch your old chain restaurant frozen chickies and head over to one of the friendliest, rowdy sports bars around to indulge and enjoy your football camaraderie.
Gooski's
3117 Brereton St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 681-1658
A lively crowd, ridiculously cheap drinks and bar food sounds like any other sports dive in Pittsburgh, but this particular joint has the cleanest restrooms (exactly what you're looking for in a Thursday Night Football hangout, huh?) around. The homemade pierogies and wings flow freely, and once the game is over, the ordinarily rambunctious crowd turns a little softer, turning on the excellent jukebox selection and turning down the decibel on their cheering. This neighborhood gem in Polish Hill has been a Pittsburgh tradition for many years; make it your new haunt and enjoy this year's Steelers season.
Winghart's Burger & Whiskey Bar
5 Market Square
Pittsburgh, PA 15122
(412) 434-5600
winghartburgers.com
The best pretentious menu (see for yourself: a burger with brie, caramelized onions, bacon, arugula and white truffle aioli is delicious, sure, but a little highbrow for a bar) with the right amount of dive-iness makes Winghart's one of the best football-watching destinations in all of Pittsburgh. Also known for its remarkable whiskey selection (the whiskey mint lemonade is killer) and unusual takes on comfort foods, Winghart's is just what the doctor ordered for the start of football season. Fortunately, the establishment has five locations, so if you can't make it to Market Square, check out Winghart's II in Monroeville Mall.
Nadine's
19 S. 27th St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
(412) 481-1793
www.nadinesbar.com
Nadine's may not boast as many glorious HD TVs as the other recommendations on this list, nor does it have fancy condiments on its entrees. Nadine's, at best, is a simple watering hole with an outstanding Sunday brunch. The yinzers that pack this place during Steelers games are some of the friendliest folks in the city and will high five you as soon as someone scores a touchdown, whether they be a friend or stranger. Nadine's has been around for ages and it shows in the warm atmosphere and wonderfully attentive staff.
Related: Best Sports Bars With The Best TVs
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.
