Absolutely amazing experience from start to finish. I made reservations for 2 online, with seating preferences to be closer to the stage, and they delivered! The host was very personable, funny and made sure we had a great seat for dinner. The energy of this place is so intimate and relaxing. There's fuchsia neon lights up against forest green velvet walls, and every decorative detail is curated perfectly. The food here changes frequently and seasonally from what I could see on the menu. We ordered a crispy potato appetizer and Jamaican beef patty appetizer to start. Both were incredible. The potatoes and curry sauce paired perfectly with the raw onions and green apple. The Jamaican beef patty had some kick to it with a sweet tomato salsa roja on top. For entrees, we ordered the Trinidadian chicken curry and jerk chicken dishes. Everything at this place has beautiful balance. There's sweetness, freshness, crunch, salt, heat, etc. Every flavor goes together and just works. The chicken curry was very rich with the coconut milk. The jerk chicken had a beautiful smoky flavor and a TON of heat! The avocado and cucumber raita cooled it down and accompanied it well. For dessert, we had a vegan salted pretzel chocolate cheesecake. It was good, but not as great as everything else we had. In comparison, we just felt that it lacked flavor and was very heavy on the chocolate and not much else. Pairs well with an espresso. The service here was great across the board from arrival to departure. There are a ton of staff floating around making sure every table is set up and attended to seamlessly. We never felt like we were missing a thing or waiting for anything. I would highly recommend this place for anyone who's a jazz enthusiast or just looking for a good night out. The live music was the perfect pairing for our experience and just made it the cherry on top. 100/10 time and we will be back!! read more

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Con Alma is a premier jazz lounge located in The Roosevelt Building in the Cultural District of downtown Pittsburgh. Originally located in Shadyside, this downtown location was its second. However, the downtown location is the only one that remains. Live music Thursday-Sunday features the region's most prolific jazz musicians as well as touring jazz musicians. The menus included sophisticated food and drink offerings. The interior design is an elevated jazz lounge inspired by the days of old. It's sexy, romantic, and eclectic. read more

Stumbled across this cute little jazz bar walking around town. I loved the music and the ambiance. The jazz band played really well and I enjoyed the music. We got the ropa vieja and lechon. Both dishes were very good and bursting with flavor. I think I enjoyed the ropa vieja a little more :) Our water cup had someone's lipstick on it, but the waitress was quick to replace it. Overall a great experience! read more

Con Alma - Ropa Vieja - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I've been to con Alma a few times, surprised I haven't written a review. This is a cozy, packed, jazz bar/restaurant in the theater district of downtown pittsburgh. The most recent time we came we sat in the bar area, very casual sofa seating. There were 9 of us. Enjoyed the happy hour specials. My cocktail, a mojito was good, not spectacular. The food, on every visit has been wonderful. Last night the ham and cheese croquet were soooooooo good. Light crispy fried coating with creamy cheese and ham filling. I wanted to order more, but had to try other things. The music can be loud, so just be prepared. read more

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My husband planned a full day of surprises for my Christmas present this year, and this was one of our last stops. I absolutely loved my experience at Con Alma! We were greeted with excitement and the food, service, and music were all amazing! read more

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It's unfortunate to say this, but I will not be returning to Con Alma. A consistent spot to catch up with friends, I had the worst service and treatment I have ever received from a Pittsburgh establishment. My younger sibling and his friends were in town to visit. I decided to take them out to treat them for their visit. Booked a reservation, as always recommended, and for a Sunday they were busy! My sibling and his friends got there before me. I told them to grab our table first and I'd be there soon. When I arrived, we were seated at the worst seat in the house. Literally ZERO view of the stage from any of our seats and this was in the dining room (as seen in the picture). For the $10 music charge per person, it was ridiculous I couldn't even see the stage after booking a reservation in the main dining room! I felt so bad for my brother - he is such a massive jazz fan and it was such a bummer to not even see the musicians in front of us. Our service was terrible. Our server, Mara, served my brother and his friends before I got there. They had ordered appetizers and they arrived around 25-30 mins after being seated. The food is always delicious here and the tartare and octopus were amazing. After finishing our apps, we were not checked on until I happened to catch our waitress as she was passing by and I asked her if we could move to the empty 8 top table next to us even just for a little to get a glimpse of the band. She said she would ask about it and didn't return for an entire hour. Within that hour, I waved her down to ask about the table and she kept repeating she had to ask someone. In addition, it also took us one hour just to get 1 Diet Coke! Canned! I completely get when it's busy it could be hard to checked upon but it was really upsetting to see our server check on the table in front us every couple of minutes. Literally checked on any of the surrounding tables around us multiple times before I waved her attention down again. I was never given my own water cup until my meal was almost over (over an hour and a half later) after requesting multiple times. Never got a utensil set the entire meal and used my friends. By the time she came around to get our entrees, the place was about to close in 30 minutes and I figured it would probably take 2hrs to get our food at this point. I don't think anyone else had this issue this night. I understand one off times could happen but personally I had never been disregarded by a server like that with zero apology when I brought up how we have been waiting for a while. It was the treatment of my party and I when we kindly asked for updates and service that I felt bad for inconveniencing my own server. We did eventually after MUCH wait, move to that 8 top but the set was about to end. I've had great experiences here before and I'd recommend either go with a 2 person max party, book right when the band starts, and order apps. read more

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Drinks were really good and the ambiance was on point. I just wasn't a fan of the food, but the vibe and cocktails definitely made it worth trying. I'd come back for the drinks and atmosphere alone. read more

Con Alma - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Truly a unique place! The ambiance is relaxed and vibrant at the same time. The food is delicious!! read more

Con Alma - Mushroom - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Being in the heart of the Cultural District, surrounded by endless competition, they offer something genuinely rare in Pittsburgh: an intimate music experience paired with thoughtful, quality food and beverages. The concept is special, and the live music alone makes it unlike anywhere else downtown. I've been here a handful of times, each time hoping to have an experience worthy of a solid review. Unfortunately, each visit has felt increasingly underwhelming. Despite the size of the space, especially at the bar, we've repeatedly felt ignored by both bar and table staff for stretches that didn't match the level of business at the time. The lack of warmth, attentiveness, and passion is hard to overlook, especially in a venue built on atmosphere and experience. The food is good. The performances are a big draw, but service is part of the experience and right now, it's undermining everything else. Seeing fundraising requests placed at every seat while simultaneously receiving blatant unfriendly service, unintentionally reinforces the challenges they're facing. I want Con Alma to thrive! Pittsburgh NEEDS spaces like this. However, meaningful improvement all around, but especially in hospitality will be essential to making this incredible concept a consistently worthwhile experience. read more

I'm such a fan of Con Alma, the vibe can't be beat and is truly unique for Pittsburgh!! The intimate, cozy setting is perfect to enjoy your drink of choice and listen to live local jazz, which is available every evening. The food is great and the menu inspiration seems to change often. A couple notes - make a reservation in advance and heads up that a $10 per person live music charge is added to your bill (it's worth it!) read more

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The cool vibe and nice staff are the good features. The items on the menu - unique. We had a watermelon salad that looked promising and was mediocre. Food was ok and here's where it could get to 2 stars. Overpriced and nothing to rave about. Shrimp wasn't cooked. They checked and said "it's safe" and then "I tried to talk to the manager but she's busy." The waiter did his best to accommodate. read more

We really liked stopping into this spot before a show downtown. The drinks are AMAZING. The bartenders are great and very talented. Jazz was super cool and we can't wait to go back and try the food. read more

Con Alma - Amaretto sour - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Visited Con Alma on a Friday night for the first time. We had a reservation for six and we were seated immediately at 6 and the music was starting at 7. The retro vibe in the inside of this Jazz Bar was pretty cool. The ever changing menu was unique. The watermelon sangrita was different with the agave alcohol being very strong. The Makhani Mac & Cheese was supposed to have Gouda cheese but I could not taste it at all. We ordered 2 servings and it was a total miss. You cannot call it Mac & Cheese without any cheese. Chicken Wings were very good and with some spice they were a highlight. Crab Cakes have a great little spice kick and I would order them again. Vegetable Momos came out cold which was a surprise but the dumplings were tasty. Tandoori Fish Tacos were OK and not sure I would get them again. In the future I would eat before coming and then come here for the drinks and music. I also mentioned my concern about the Mac & Cheese and the server never sent anyone by to discuss. "FIMP" Food is My Passion read more

Just went there last night with hubs & some friends. It was good. We had reservations for 6pm on a night with live jazz. The place was pretty packed, so the rez seemed like a good idea. The music started at 7pm, so it was good to get in and get our drinks and dinner ordered before the show started. One of the owners played in the band (nice synergy!). They were pretty good. The vibe of the place is quite "dark night club meets cool bar." Our cocktails were good - a friend & I had a Lush Life which reminded me of a fancier margarita (it has cachaca, cardamom, black pepper, vanilla, & lime); another got a banana daiquiri (not the slurpy/frozen type); and my hubs got a nice petite Syrah (from the 'by the glass' menu). Our apps were good - the salmon agridulce (sashimi w/ passionfruit sauce), which was nicely done and made even tastier by the overwhelming mushroom app. Japanese mushrooms w/ a yuzu kosho sauce spicy pickled peppers --- yowza, the salty, spicy flavors. The standout entree was the jerk chicken. Tender, flavorful, and HUGE -- don't miss this one! It wasn't spicy. The Rasta pasta on the specials menu was just ok. The other really good dish was the chicken curry from the specials list. YUM and creative. The Ropa Vieja was quite good -- short ribs over a bowl packed with rice, beans, plantains, olives, capers and more. A lot going on there. We were too stuffed for dessert and tired of the octave of the music, so we headed out. But we'd try this place again. read more

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This place was perfect for date night or dinner before a show. Not necessarily a place I'd go if I want to real converse with friends bc the music starts at 7 but happy hour would be a great time to catch up then stay for the live jazz. The menu is rotational and at this time it's Indian infused. I got the dumplings and amchar ranch salad-- both were amazing. I tried a new red from Spain, bobal I believe. And our waitress Molly was attentive and friendly and made the whole experience better. read more

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Came here to watch a jazz set on a Sunday night. It was very lively. The interior was warm and inviting with a lot of mood lighting. The tables were arranged around the stage and it was easy to see everything. The show was fantastic. The food was just as good. Absolutely fantastic. They had an Indian soul food menu and the dishes were smart and full of flavor. I think i had the best fried chicken sandwhich Iv'e had in my life. On the negative side: The service was rather slow, it was crowded and it didn't seeem like they could keep up. We got our food before our drinks came which was a bit disappointing. But it didn't bother the meal as the food and entertainment made up for it. read more

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I didn't come here for the food. I came for the jazz and the music. It was absolutely stellar. I met a lot of cool people and was just vibing with the band while enjoying the amazing cocktails. This place is for the musical ones. I hope it never closes. My godfather recommended this place and he's a jazz artist and drummer. He was 100% right! read more

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This place has a super nice vibe about it from the live jazz music to the delicious food. The servers were very busy but stayed alert to our needs. There's outdoor seating and a lounge area. read more

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My husband loves jazz music so I surprised him with a visit to Con Alma for our anniversary. We had reservations for 6:30pm and music started at 7pm. We went on a Friday and it was decently busy. It was $15 charge for the musicians which was reasonable. The drinks were very creative and good. The atmosphere was very cool lounge vibes--perfect for a date night. Our waiter was friendly and didn't bother us too much (which is appreciated when we are trying to listen to the music). The jazz band was wonderful and each member was very talented. It was definitely an older crowd but there were quite a few younger couples and groups which was nice to see. The appetizers were great! We had the arancini and golden beats. For larger plates, we ordered the gnocchi and pork belly and the mushroom pizza. The pizza was good and the gnocchi was ok. There was too much oil on the gnocchi and felt greasy. The flavor was good and they were very pillowy. Pork belly was cooked well and the flavor profile was nice. Overall had a great experience and would definitely come back --probably just for drinks and apps though! read more

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Came here for my birthday dinner and it did not disappoint. I've always wanted to visit as I just love the vibes here We made a reservation and glad we did as the place was packed. We had nice weather that day and sat on the outside area. We arrived just in time for the live music set that started. Our servers were amazing plus the food was nice. read more

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This was a 10/10 experience. Everything we ate was INSANELY delicious. We literally just kept ordering appetizer after appetizer. Our waitress was so nice and helpful, and the band was so fun! I absolutely loved the vibe of this place and am honestly so excited that there is something like this in Pittsburgh. Now I know! The best thing I ate was the ceviche oyster. I've had SO many oysters from very nice restaurants, but this one at Con Alma might have been the best ever. If it's on the menu that night, it's a MUST order. I'm seriously so excited to go back here and introduce some more people to it. read more

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This is one of my favorite restaurants in Pittsburgh. First off, they always have amazing jazz music. Every time I go, I hear a different band and I always have a good time. They do a great job showing how much musical talent we have in Pittsburgh and I don't think there has been a band that I didn't like. Second, they have amazing food and one of the best vegan menus in the city. I had the vegan jerk platter last time I was there, and it was bursting with flavor. I'm also a big fan of the maduros, so make sure you check them out if you stop in. But if you are not a vegan or vegetarian, they still have great options. Lastly, I love their drink menu.  They have so many creative cocktails and I always like to try something different when I go. Con Alma is a true gem in this city and I would recommend this place to anyone who likes good food and jazz music. read more

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Is there a better place in Pittsburgh to hear live Jazz? I think not. You'll find local talent as well as national and international traveling acts at this, the premiere Jazz bar and restaurant in city. They've got a super talented bar staff that is always creating some fantastic cocktail creations. And the food tends to be from around the world and full of flavor. And they always have a nice selection of both vegan and Gluten free dishes. read more

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Jazz bar located downtown, right on Penn Avenue. Lively jazz bar with live performances every day! They serve delicious cocktails and plant-based small plates. Their menu is inventive and creative from around the world. Their cocktails are carefully curated, and they have a lovely wine list. Tried an old fashion and Moon and Tonic. Old fashion was rich and smooth and the Moon and Tonic was coffee rum, espresso cardamom syrup and tonic- great combination. Loved enjoying a great cocktail while listening to live jazz! read more

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Date night at the Benedum with the hubby so we decided to stop here for a beverage and bite to eat considering it's close location to the Center. So happy we did! Small bar but we got lucky with two open seats, still a great view of the jazz playing on stage. Bartenders seemed very nice, but also very busy ! I ordered a brut Chardonnay and my husband a silver tequilla - decent pours. My husband ordered the SWEET POTATO POUTINE which was a little overwhelming with the amount of gravy but still delicious. I ordered some kind of tuna dish - very pleased! (Photos) We stopped back after the concert where they were doing last call shortly but still held great service while pouring us our last round of drinks. We will be back read more

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A live jazz spot in downtown that's hard to beat! The service was absolutely wonderful and the band was fantastic. There are so many cocktail options, including NA wine! The flavors for dinner were wonderful. It was filling but not overwhelming, and the food came out so fast! read more

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This is such a cute place for drinks!! It was my first time going to a jazz bar and I was thoroughly impressed. The live music was so good, and the performers had amazing energy. The whole place was really lively and overall a really fun vibe. It's really loud with the live music in the background so it's not an ideal place to have conversation -- it's more of a drink and dance type vibe. We ordered food for dinner too but the food wasn't that memorable -- we loved the drinks though. I'd probably skip the food and just get drinks next time! Even though the place is a bit hectic with the music and the amount of people, the service was still excellent and not too slow! Would highly recommend for a unique night out! read more

Con Alma - drinks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This restaurant is very interesting. . . in a good way! The kimchi fried rice with chicken was delicious with complex flavors. The chicken and waffle was very different and also delicious. All of the food was fresh and thoughtfully created. This was easily the best restaurant close to the convention center. They also had a great wine selection that I absolutely enjoyed. The hostess and waiter were really nice. This place is definitely a must try. read more

Con Alma - Chicken and waffle - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Really cool vibe, if coming 100% come on a live music night to make it worth it. Drinks are strong, some hit some are misses but to each their own (drinks/meals are pricey tho imo). If you know what drinks you like, I'm sure this bar can do you good. The jazz is great, the vibe is smooth, rly cool place to relax and chat at if this is your vibe. Def rec at least going once. read more

Con Alma - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Great place love it here staff is amazing vibe is cool music is the best jazz walking distance from my pad love coming here Slick read more

Con Alma - Amazing Irish coffee - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Some of the best food I've had. I love the rotating menu and there's never a bad dish. I love the live music and the vibe. I come with my friend all the time. read more

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Excellent! The atmosphere is so relaxing and I really enjoyed the live music. Food was delicious and our waitress was super helpful. Would go back in a heartbeat! read more

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What an amazing evening! Con Alma has a great atmosphere, excellent staff, and the best music. Round it out with good cocktails and a simple, yet delicious, dinner menu and they have the recipe for a great night out. As a solo traveler I was able to appreciate the music even more because no chit chat was necessary. read more

Con Alma - Stage - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Con Alma is difficult to review. We went looking for an attractive dinner place, since much of the Penn Avenue restaurant scene has deteriorated. Our experience was very good, but due to the live jazz, not the food. The greeting and service were fine. We had good martinis, and the chicken schwarma (decent) and shrimp skewers (pretty good). The wine list was a disappointment, featuring a lot of unusual, creative foreign bottles, but lacking mainstream California choices. There were no American Chardonnays priced below about $100. The live music was an attraction, but the restaurant experience needs some work. read more

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Brilliantly flavorful food, solid cocktails and wine, vibrant jazz, and attentive service. Absolutely love this jawn.

I went here for dinner with my friend at 6 p.m. before the DVE comedy fest and it was so much fun! We opted to sit at the bar even though we had a reservation. The bar has such a great view of the stage and it is not too loud so you can chat easily. Our bar manager, Hanna, was the best. She made great food recommendations and was very attentive to our needs. For cocktails, I ordered the Backstage Sally and Blue in Green. I loved the Backstage Sally although it is very citrusy so look out of you get heart burn easily. The fried green tomatoes are unbelievable. My friend had the hot chicken with shoestring fries and jalapeño cornbread. I had the veggie tacos. Seriously, everything was DELICIOUS. I highly recommend! read more

Con Alma - Hot chicken - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Con Alma is genuinely such a delight! This jazz club has been on my list for ages, and it did not disappoint at all. We made a reservation, which I recommend you do a few days prior as the inside was packed, and there was a small line (even for those with reservations). Seating only took a few minutes, and I suggest you snag a seat in the inside lounge. The seats all face towards the stage, and it is so much fun watching the jazz band perform. The low lighting also made for a classy atmosphere. The servers were very sweet and had a good sense of what was popular on the menu. Our waiter pointed out that the Nashville hot chicken ($25) was very spicy, and I do agree in case anyone reading this is spice intolerant! The food was delicious, though a bit pricey. I ended up sharing the chicken with my friend, and I think that splitting an entree between two was a good idea considering the large portions. My cocktail ($13) was also so good (and a bit strong!). I will note that there is a $20 cover added to your bill (per party, not per person), which I assume is for the cost of watching the show. However, this does not bother me since it is a small price to pay for a unique jazz performance! read more

Con Alma - Stage - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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A local friend recommended that we come here for the jazz and the food. What a fun experience. Mara our waitress and Susie the hostess were great, and the jazz was a lot of fun (a quartet of older guys who played great). We had the Baba and Hummus and the Stonefruit Salad, along with a couple of drinks while listening to the jazz. Both were very good and the portions were very large. If you're looking for a fun place for dinner and music, this is your place. read more

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Con Alma for the win again! Please note this place has live music, if you are planning on a conversational dinner or drink, when making reservation ask to be outside or in the back. Live music is always incredible here! Tonight did not disappoint! Drinks were amazing and there were plenty to choose from. Serving staff was great with allergies and recommendations on drinks and food. Ordered a few small plates (only 1 GF option) and they were so large we didn't order anything else. These small plates would be great to share with a large party. Had the vegetable platter, it was the only gluten free small plate they had, it did not disappoint, even non gf company loved it. Because I have some dietary restrictions I think next time I will try out there Ellsworth location, as they have more options there. read more

Con Alma - Watermelon Sangrita - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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What a cool spot! A friend and I came here before a show on a whim one Saturday night. We sat in the bar area which is seat yourself. We sat on these beautiful celebrate couches/chairs. We came just for drinks and appetizers. They did not disappoint! The atmosphere takes the cake though - they have live jazz music, cool light and beautiful decor. I will definitely be back for dinner soon! read more

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