Pittsburgh is a Barbie World

Pittsburgh has more Barbie glam than her Dream House

It’s the summer of Barbie and there’s not shortage of ways you can take in Barbiecore – or the legend’s favorite color – in Pittsburgh.

Whether it’s a Barbie-themed happy hour at a local bar or a pile of pink candy to take to the movie, we’ve rounded up the many ways you can celebrate the iconic doll.

Barbie-autifully Themed Cocktails | Shorty's Tap x Taco 🍓

For two days only (July 20-21), Shorty's Tap x Taco in the Waterfront is serving up three sparkly concoctions to sip before you head to the gigantic movie theatre across the street to see the film. Between the Be Like Barbie's pink glitter, Tajin-rimmed Malibu Dream House and cherry vodka-forward Let's Go Party, these are the perfect accessories with your outfit and movie tickets.

Barbie Brunch | Coughlin’s Law 💕

Spend a Saturday basking in Barbie and tasty cocktails at Coughlin’s Law in Mt. Washington for Barbie Brunch on July 22. You can sip on drinks called Barbie’s Dreamhouse and Malibu Barbie, take photos at their Barbie photo station and shop a pop-up boutique called Whimsical Wardrobe. The first 25 people who show up will also get a Barbie swag bag – one of which will have an AMC gift card to go see the movie in the theater.

Barbie Beach Party | Bottlerocket Social Hall 🌸

Live the live of Malibu Barbie and party to summer jams, snap pics in a Barbie photo booth and dress up as your favorite Barbie at Bottlerocket Social Hall’s Barbie Beach Party on July 29 at 10 p.m. They’ll be giving out prizes for the best Barbies and Kens!

See Pittsburgh’s Pink Gemstones 🍥

It’s no secret that Barbie loves sparkle, so the Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History is a perfect spot for any fan. Take in pink stunners like red beryl and garnet as you peruse the museum’s approximately 500 pieces of beautifully made jewelry.

Rollerblade in Style (and neon?)

One of the first peeks into the Barbie movie was footage of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling rollerblading along the beach as Barbie and Ken. What better way to live your best Barbie summer than to rollerblade along the Monongahela River on the Southside Riverfront Trail? The flat, paved path and beautiful views make it a perfect spot to roll along. Bonus points if you find a neon fit for your ride!

If you need to brush up on your blading or grab a new pair, head to the Neville Roller Drome for excellent service at their Yinz Skate Pro Shop, then test out your new wheels at family, artistic and adult skate sessions throughout the week.

Architects of Air: Daedalum 🎀

This immersive experience that just opened in Pittsburgh will make you feel like you’re basking in Barbie’s glow as you explore its pink corridors. Located in The Cultural District’s Backyard at 8th & Penn, Architects of Air: Daedalum consists of a maze of inflated domes, each lit up with different colors and patterns, but Barbie lovers will especially love the pink-hued dome.

Credit |
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

Visit the Pink House 🏩

Just outside of the city in Finleyville is an adorable pink house, which is the home of Pink House Chocolates. The exterior if perfect for a Barbie-inspired selfie, but inside you can stock up on delicious chocolate treats, like salted caramels and cherry cordials.

Stock up on Barbie-inspired Candy 🍭

Grandpa Joe’s in the Strip District is filled with specialty and bulk candy, as well as retro kitsch. Fill up a bag with pink sweets like cherry buttons, sour watermelon rings and ice cream cone gummies for a Barbie-inspired snack while watching the movie.

The Warhol Connection 💗

Everybody's plastic -- but I love plastic. I want to be plastic.
Andy Warhol

While this Andy Warhol quote was specifically discussing why he loved Hollywood, it could also be fitting for our mass produced, plastic heroine. Warhol himself used the glamour and everlasting beauty of Barbie to create Barbie, Portrait of BillyBoy* in 1986, one of his final works before his death. Warhol unveiled a similar silkscreen with a red background for Mattel that same year.

Did you know? Pittsburgh native Andy Warhol and his work are featured in three Barbie designs - a 60s-inspired Barbie with a Soup Can 1 emblazoned outfit, a pink fur-clad Barbie with a dress inspired by the Barbie portrait and a Warhol-approved look Barbie of vinyl moto jacket and platinum shag, complete with art accessories.

P.S. Visiting The Andy Warhol Museum? Their gift shop has several Barbies available!

Barbie Pink Photo Ops 🌷

Are you all dressed up in your Barbiecore best and in search of the perfect pink backdrop? We took the Barbie Jeep up and down the city to find some of the most vibrant fushcias, hot pinks and magentas to make your fit POP.

Whether it's the orchids or the bright pink Kinky Boots and neon Strike a Pose Wall from the summer exhibit, Phipps Conservatory should be high on your list. There's something pink in nearly every room! Look up at the Children's Museum art studio and you'll see More Light by Dick Esterle, a cascade of pink ribbons lightly swaying up to the majestic ceiling.

Flowers Meet Fashion: Inspired by Billy Porter at Phipps

Outdoors, you can find more pink hues. From the geometrical shapes of the steps leading up to The Terminal in the Strip to the towering Love in the Clouds mural in Allentown and swirls of colors along Rainbow Way, there's plenty of options to get that sharable shot.

Pink food also makes for a great accessory to complete your glam look. Millie's signature pink buildings and food truck serve up strawberry sorbet, pink lavender and pink bubblegum in a pink-striped cup. Or snag a Milkshake Factory strawberry classic milkshake or a lavender macaron at Gaby et Jules for pink perfection.

Bonus Stop: For the Oppenheimer Fans ☢️

If you're on the other side of the Barbenheimer war, or planning on seeing both, I have a stop for you, too! The Westinghouse Atom Smasher, built in Pittsburgh in the 1930s, was one of the earliest particle accelerators used to conduct nuclear research. Although no longer in operation, the remains of the bulb-shaped structure survive and can still be seen and photographed, and this unique stop remains a top Odd Pittsburgh stop.

Visitor Tip: The Atom Smasher is behind a chain-link fence and on private property, so snag your photos from the road and do not trespass.

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Sarah K.

Author

Sarah K.

Digital Marketing Manager, VisitPITTSBURGH

Sarah is a former journalist who loves all things Pittsburgh, dogs and pizza. She spends her free time devouring TikTok and letting people know Pittsburgh's West End is the Best End (I mean, it's got Better Maid donuts and Antney's Ice Cream!)

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