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    Cafe Nikos

    4.2 (22 reviews)
    InexpensiveBars
    Closed 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

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    Outside Niko's on a Wednesday karaoke night.
    Jenn T.

    I have a weird, maybe-unhealthy love affair with Niko's. #1: the food is awesome, even if it's bad for you. They're one of only two places in the city that I know of who serve hot balls (that's spicy fried cheese balls, to those who are unfamiliar). Their salads are awesome, fries are great, and they accommodate silly requests like, 'can I have that chicken sandwich without a bun and just covered in cheese please.' Love their chef. #2: drinks are pretty reasonable. I've only been here on Wednesdays (and one overly-dramatic, post-Steeler-loss Sunday that involved some bar fights and an early end to karaoke), and I know Jimmy gets a little feisty when we karaoke singers do a song that's a little loud for him, but I love him anyway. #3: karaoke on Wednesday nights. Same DJ as the one I rave about at St. James (spoiler alert: he's the best karaoke DJ this karaoke-junkie has ever had the pleasure singing with). The crowd is what makes Niko's so weird yet awesome. On any given karaoke night, there will be a mix of nerds (that's us), bros, middle-aged dudes, Steelworkers, Duquesne girls, punk kids, and weird old men (so, kind of think of what SNL's Stefon would say about the crowd at a karaoke bar, except turn down the freaky and turn up the Yinzer). And on most karaoke nights, that mix somehow works. I can't say I've ever been in a bar other than Niko's where someone busted out Billy Ocean's "Caribbean Queen" and everyone started dancing and singing along together. The crowd is generally really supportive of the karaoke singers, some nights in a way that makes you feel kind of like a Mt. Washington rock star. The cons: it IS cash only (but there's a PNC just down the block, and the prices are so cheap that you don't need to take out a ton of money anyway), and it is smoking. And occasionally, some of the old dudes at the bar say a few inappropriate things at you. All that said though, Niko's has kind of sort of somehow weaseled its way into my top spot for local karaoke bars, and it's now one of my favorite places to spend a Wednesday night in the 'Burgh.

    40 cent wing night- Mondays
    Zoe O.

    A very classic dive bar! They have cheap food, great drink specials, nice bartenders and smoking is allowed. I went on a Monday night for the 40 cent wings and Yeungling draft special. I ordered a dozen wings- they were good and came out relatively quickly. Nikos is exactly what you expect from a local dive and I respect it. My biggest complaint is that's it's cash only, there's an ATM on site so it's really not the biggest deal on the world.

    a drink with a straw in a tall glass

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    3 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    One of my all time favorite bars! Good food, nice bartenders, always a lot of fun. I need to write 2 more characters lol.

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    13 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Bar is pretty dirty and the crowd is not Pittsburgh's finest. Red beards or the summit is a way better value.

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    9 years ago

    Good bar food, cheaper drinks, CASH ONLY. 2 bars, pool tables, darts, smoking inside and cig machine in house. Juke box as well!

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    10 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Love this bar. Bartenders are always outgoing and friendly. Cheap drinks and love that I can play pool and shoot darts.

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    Review Highlights - Cafe Nikos

    Overall, Niko's is one of our "Cheers" bars for a reason!

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    Space Bar - MoonChata - Cantaloupe Infused Reposado Zumbador, Cantaloupe Juice, Lime, Vanilla Tamarind, Horchata Foam

    Space Bar

    (77 reviews)

    $$

    Downtown

    If you're looking for something fun and totally different in Pittsburgh, you have to check out…read moreSpace Bar. Such a unique spot. The whole space-themed concept makes it feel like an experience, not just a night out. The vibes are fun, a little quirky, and perfect if you want something outside the usual bar scene. The drinks are delicious, creative, and honestly just as cool to look at as they are to drink. Definitely one of those places I'd go back to again. If you're in Pittsburgh and want something memorable, this is it.

    We I finally made it here after trying to go for a while and just letting time get away from us. We…read moremade reservations for two and went on a Friday night. When we walked in, the host greeted us right away, asked for our name, and seated us pretty quickly. There were actually a good amount of open seats, so I am not sure reservations were completely necessary, but it was still nice to have one. I honestly expected the inside to feel more extravagant and space themed, almost like an outer space vibe with more visual elements and atmosphere. I was hoping for something more immersive and futuristic. It was still cool overall, just not quite as visually dramatic as I imagined. We ordered an espresso martini and the Kiwi Nova. I really enjoyed my drink, especially after talking with the host who explained that they use scientific processes for their cocktails along with fresh purées and fresh ingredients. That is something I really appreciate because I am not a fan of drinks made with a lot of simple syrup or fake additives. He loved his espresso martini and said it was one of the best he has had. My drink was definitely on the sweeter side and I feel like too much of it might lead to a hangover, but it was still really good. Our server was attentive at first, but later on we ended up waiting a while to order another round. After sitting for a bit, we decided to order through the hostess instead and she got us taken care of right away. Overall, it was a cool experience mainly for the drinks. The cocktails were definitely the highlight. Service was okay, and I am not sure if we will return, but I am glad we finally got to check it out.

    Lefty's - Outside vibe!

    Lefty's

    (75 reviews)

    $

    North Side

    One of the most authentic old school Pittsburgh natives and Steelers bars on the strip! The drinks…read moreare cheap, strong....and the bar is full of good vibes and great people. Not to mention, they offer semi-strong long islands for $4 all day, It's sort of a premixed concoction that's just okay in my opinion. Nothing to rave about...but enough to lure you in for price and continue to get you in for more libation. lol Lefty's is a nice and fun hangout spot for friends for sure.and a great way to get into the mix of Pittsburgh natives (people from the surrounding area). The bar is a pretty narrow space and gets packed pretty quickly, but it is a great space to watch sports and chat with people. There is not a lot of seating space as the space is relatively small, but it is still comfortable while standing. Although crowded, the bartenders are quick and efficient with drink orders. If only they sold food, this spot would be perfect. However, there are several shops and restaurants along the strip to grab a bite to eat. In all, cool little dive bar in the heart of the Strip District of Pittsburgh. Also a great vibe and place to meet up with friends for a few drinks or a pit stop while site seeing the downtown area. Stop by, get in and fit into the vibe of this place. It's fun and good times.

    Found this place during the NFL draft! Dive bar, good drinks and very economical. Service is cool…read more After a certain time they card and do a safety check. Thursday was a mixed crowd, good music, and you can order food near by and bring it in. Friday evening, came the regulars. Which means those who don't prefer out of towners. So I'm good on Lefty's on Friday night. I need good energy around me always. TV's with the games, upstairs and downstairs seating area. Small patio. If you go, go early, when the old heads are there.

    Tom's Watch Bar - Lots of TVs!

    Tom's Watch Bar

    (195 reviews)

    $$

    North Side

    i love this place so much, amazing food, people, and service. this is awesome…read morethanks !!!!

    Party of 4 adults . Food was good, I really enjoyed the French dip. Our server was nice. We waited…read moreabout an hour and the bartenders were friendly during the wait. We asked for first available seating, aware this could mean outdoors in 20 degree weather, but it was Steelers night and we were bundled so let's go! We had seen some tables on the side that looked cold, but still cute. Well lit. Unfortunately, we were seated at a table at the very back of the outdoors where it was dark - no lighting at all, tvs were off, no music, no chairs at the table at first, staff constantly smoking and vaping and cussing and talking on their phones right by our table - it was miserable. There were multiple indoor tables available so I'm not sure why we got this one. People who came after us were seated at so much nicer tables, it made me sad. I should have said something, but as an older white woman I'm worried about being seen as a "Karen". Then the bill had a service charge on it, it's all on the screen so I didn't have time to study it, but wondered after what that charge was, idk, I feel they should have discounted our bill for the terrible table. The waitress noted that she always feels so bad for people seated at this table. Edit - I've come back to lower my review a star. It was really unacceptable. I challenge management to spend over an hour at that table in 20 degree darkness and see what it's like. Edit again to say: maybe I am a Karen, because what was that service charge? Why don't they hand you a receipt? Was it added gratuity that I added another 20% to?? I need a manager!! Luckily the night ended with the Steelers beating the Ravens and going to the playoffs!! So it didn't ruin our night!!

    Southern Tier Brewery Pittsburgh - Heirloom BLT

    Southern Tier Brewery Pittsburgh

    (687 reviews)

    $$

    North Side

    As a sour beer lover, they have so many choices here. Be very careful, because so many of these are…read more6% plus. Ask me how I know. We go here for happy hours at work and it's a great vibe. Especially when it's nice outside, you can't beat it. They have a great selection of beers, a decent selection of food and there's games outside five out of five.

    i LOVE southern tier and eat here regularly. i think their steel city burger is the best burger in…read morepittsburgh. recently, we ordered fried pickles & a steel city burger. our same order we get every time. we waited about 30 mins and a worker brought out loaded fries and a regular, plain cheeseburger to us. we said "sorry wrong table." i watched her go back to the kitchen and set it down on the counter. 10 mins later, a different server picked up the same order of a plain burger & loaded fries and tried to give it to us. we said sorry but, again, we ordered a steel city burger and fried pickles. Our actual waiter comes by 5 mins later and says "yall still waiting on your food?" and im like.... yeah we ordered fried pickles and a steel city burger. he comes back out with the SAME BURGER that's been passed to us 2 other times and tries to give it to us. I say for a 4th time now that we ordered the steel city burger. instead of apologizing and correcting our order, he said he "didn't hear us say that." So I just said whatever and reluctantly took the plain burger. Now it's been like 35 mins and the burger is cold. we also never got out pickles. i just took the check and we left. $15 for a cold burger that i didn't even order.

    Cafe Nikos - bars - Updated May 2026

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