Welcome to Pittsburgh! What do you want to do first? Not sure yet? Well what about plans for tomorrow?
…Well you still have time to decide… Where are you staying? You haven't booked a hotel yet?!?!
Highlighting the diverse ownership of the Pittsburgh craft beverage scene
In Pittsburgh, diversity isn't just a buzzword people put on their website. Throughout our craft beverage scene, a diverse group of owners not only represent a wide variety of minorities and cultures, they also aren't afraid to be outspoken leaders in that space.
From breweries to cafes, bars and distilleries, here are just a few examples of the Burgh's welcoming craft beverage scene.
BEER
Necromancer Brewing
In an industry dominated by cis white men, Necromancer Brewing is constantly making waves and bucking trends. Co-owned by women and LGBTQ staff, inclusion remains at the forefront of the brewery's mission statement, with Pride events, drag shows and a newly-created Queer Beer Club on the calendar throughout the year.
The beer at Necromancer is as delicious as it is unique. Like it's D&D counterpart, Necromancer brings back the dead in the form of long-forgotten beer styles expertly revived and reimagined by head brewer Lauren Hughes (named a top brewer to watch in 2023).
America's first Black craft beer festival happened right here in Pittsburgh in 2018! Continuing on today as Barrel & Flow Fest, this Only in Pittsburgh festival now takes over the city each August and has already been recognized as a 2x top beer festival in the country by USA Today readers.
Craft beer fans flock to this inclusive beer festival for exclusive collaborations (many that can only be found that day) that celebrate Black breweries and local businesses while the unique venue is brought to life with live art demonstrations, music and a craft market.
SPIRITS
Noire Expedition
Newly opened in Pittsburgh, Black-owned Noire Expedition hopes to tell the story of Slavery and perseverance across generations through locally made spirits.
This goal is literally printed onto every bottle of Noire Expedition American Gin, a floral and citrus forward gin that is already being stocked in bars across the Burgh.
Black woman-owned TLC Libations is also new to the Pittsburgh craft beverage scene focusing on unique bottled cocktails brewed with locally sourced ingredients.
TLC Libations' signature pre-mixed cocktails can be enjoyed by the bottle, keg or by appointment at their OASIS Taproom in East Liberty.
There's gay bars and then there's Harold's Haunt, a self-identifying They-Bar run by queer witches in the Millvale neighborhood.
Great programming each month makes this a truly inclusive space including their popular Witchy Wednesday's rituals, Gaymer Nights, book bazaars and even pre-gaming before Enjoy Wrestling, a Pittsburgh pro-wrestling company that predominantly features minority wrestlers.
De Pan Y Queso Bocadillos Bar
If Tom Hanks stops by and loves the place, you know you're doing something right. De Pan Y Queso Bocadillos Bar is woman-owned cocktail bar with a menu ranging the globe, but all sourced with local ingredients.
Owner Tzveti Gintcheva is a native Bulgarian and has worked in kitchens throughout Europe and the U.S. before making Bocadillos her home. In addition to the delectable drinks, head here in the summer for pig roasts outside accompanied by one of the best views of Pittsburgh.
SHAKES
Milkshake Factory
How sweet it is when even the best shakes in town have a message of inclusion to go along with it! Ask any native and the Milkshake Factory is a go-to for high-quality, inventive milkshakes that make you crave them even in the winter months.
This LGBTQ-owned family business is a constant fixture at Pride events throughout the city, marches in the Pride parade and even sets up their signature shakes at the Penguins Pride night.
With four locations in Pittsburgh in just a few short years, Adda Coffee & Tea House has quickly become a fixture of great coffee but also a welcoming atmosphere in multiple neighborhoods.
AAPI-owned by Bangladesh native Sukanta Nag, Adda partners heavily with local businesses to feature their products in store and supports a robust group of non-profit partners to help give back to the city.
You can taste the care and effort put into every sip at Griff's Grounds in Penn Hills. Black woman-owned, Griff's staff hand makes the tea bags here, and your coffee beans aren't ground until you order.
This location is also a vibrant hub where the community is welcome and a large space to meet is available to rent. Political candidates are often invited to the shop each election season to help the community learn more about who they're voting for.
BUBBLE TEA & BOBA
Fuku Tea
While once a specialty drink hard to find anywhere in the States, bubble tea has exploded onto the national scene in the last few years. Bubble tea shops have opened throughout the Squirrel Hill and Oakland neighborhoods, with AAPI-owned Fuku Tea a favorite among college students and the Asian populations of those regions.
With a diverse ownership group comprised of Latinx, Black and AAPI individuals, 1:11 Juice Bar has made an immediate impact in the city, already opening a second location since business began in April 2022.
Organic, cold-pressed juices and smoothies are the star here, but their scratch-made soups, sandwiches and breakfast items also get rave reviews.
Not only do our craft beverage makers represent a diverse group of owners, there are more organizations that exist to help marginalized or underprivileged groups into the job market.
Take Brother Andre's Cafe, located in a church basement right next to PPG Paints Arena. The coffee and baked goods here support the mission of providing employment opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), giving individuals with IDD vital access to workforce training and helping them find gainful employment.
It's right in the name at CARES CommuniTEA Cafe. Located in the Hill District, this cafe aims to be a pillar of the community through entrepreneurship and providing essential workforce training for adults and youth.
The businesses featured here are just a small sample of the diverse ownership of craft beverage makers throughout Pittsburgh. You'll find tons of our breweries having inclusive events, distilleries supporting Black music festivals and Pride, and so much more as you explore the city.
See all of the ways we're making a diversity statement in our craft beverage scene on your next visit.
