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Esquina Cantina

3.5 (555 reviews)
ModerateMexican, Bars
Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
Updated 1 month ago

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ESQUINA CANTINA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Loud
Hipster
Good for groups
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - Esquina Cantina

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Isabel L.

Highly recommend their happy hour, especially on Taco Tuesday! $5 tacos at the front bar, $10 tacos (2) sitting anywhere else. $6 house marg, $8 other margs, and there's another deal I'm forgetting. I do wish they made the happy hours more apparently since I had to wait until my visit to see all the specific details with prices. The carnitas tacos were so tender and delicious. Sitting on their patio is so nice during the summer!!

Nicole J.

Another great night on the patio catching up with friends. We enjoyed some happy hour margaritas and then some food menu items. The salad with shrimp was a secret gem on the menu. It was a massive portion. The service was super friendly and I can't wait for my next visit.

Ensalada
Lindsey M.

Always a great place to catch up with friends or for a local date night! The staff is very efficient and friendly. I love the back patio, margs on a patio is the best combination. I got the salad last night and it was delicious, but the shrimp I added was a bit tough. The tacos, guac, queso, salsa, and rice & beans are always a hit with me and everyone I bring!

Margaritas
Samantha R.

Another amazing meal at Esquina! The birria tacos are always delicious - crispy, melty and full of flavor. The side of sauce and consommé are a great addition. Happy hour means $6 (as opposed to $10) house margaritas that are some of the best in town and $2 off their other cocktails. The cocktail I had today was bubbly, fruity but also earthy. So good!

Tyler P.

Fantastic cocktails. The patio is the perfect place to start or end an evening out in Lawrenceville. Service is prompt and the bartenders are super friendly.

Outdoor Bar
Sarah K.

The name has been updated but the vibe remains the same! We went for drinks and the staff is always so helpful. We love sitting on the patio out back!

Tacos
Michael S.

Tacos are very very average and overpriced. Don't much filling, not seasoned the best and the shells were dry. In the hipster Lawrenceville scene they can def get away with this and people think it's fine Our waitress wasn't very attentive to us and she forgot our diet pops Def won't be returning and can assure you there are quite a few better spots in Pittsburgh for tacos

Pollo Asado
Michelle Z.

Great tacos and vibes! Went here with a few friends for dinner and we enjoyed it a lot. First of all, the plating is adorable. I'm obsessed with the color scheme of the plates -- the pink is so cute! The food was honestly pretty good for Pittsburgh Mexican food. We got queso to share and each got two tacos. The chicken tacos were really flavorful and topped with fresh ingredients. The vibe and decor inside is really hip and trendy, and feels kinda like a bar. I don't remember having any complaints about the service. Would definitely come back and would recommend if you're looking for a place for a casual dinner but in a really chill vibey environment!

Danielle M.

this was my first time at round corner cantina and it was a really cool atmosphere and vibe! there are "4" sections of the restaurant and it still isn't that big. You enter to bar seating, then a small oasis of dining tables then an outdoor space with heaters and then an outdoor chalet which is where we ended up. My only complaint was the aggression of the bartender at first when we sat at a high top but they were for a reservation (how would we have know when the hostess said you can go to the chalet!) after that, all was fine when we grabbed seats at the bar! We ordered the tres aperitizos which was salsa, guac and queso. The salsa gave off a tomato soup taste and was really good. The queso was filled with onion, jalapeño and mushroom - yum! And the guac was guac! I ordered the pollo asado tacos - they were filled with grilled chicken and delicious! They do take reservations for the indoor small dining space and outdoor chalet! The location is in Lawrenceville so you def have to give yourself time to find street parking if you aren't ubering etc!

Halie G.

Mexican restaurant located in Lawrenceville, right on Butler Street.  Round Corner Cantina is evolving into Esquina Cantina, located on the corner, in an old hotel building- Round Corner Hotel & Bar.  Walk into their amazing bar space with barstool seats ad high top tables.  Amazing drinks and incredible tequila selection.  Indoor guest seating is available throughout, and the back patio is gorgeous and such a vibe!  Within the Patio are tables and cabanas which are cute and perfect for a smaller intimate group.  Their food is incredibly carefully selected with handmade items.  Tried the arroz con macha and added chicken- super flavorful and delicious.  Friendly and attentive wait staff!  Great spot for a girls dinner!

Carne asada, carnitas, calamar
Gloria W.

The outdoor patio is lovely, and the tacos are great! Came in with two friends for dinner on a weekday evening and were able to be seated immediately at the outdoor patio. The decor was so charming and perfect for a summer day. We ordered chips and guac (note: the guacamole is market price), calamar, carne asada, and carnitas tacos. I thought the squid ink tortillas were so creative, and the calamar was delicious. There was a lot of depth in flavor, and I would consider this one of my favorite Mexican taco places in Pittsburgh. My friends also wanted to add their own thoughts on their orders: In the carne asada tacos, the grilled steak and cool cheese came together in perfect union, bringing to mind the complex meeting of land and sea. As Melville writes, "Consider all this; and then turn to this green, gentle, and most docile earth; consider them both, the sea and the land; and do you not find a strange analogy to something in yourself?" the carnitas tacos were yummy but dripped a lot and were a little bit dry at the same time. but overall they were pretty good. also i like that the onions were on the side because not everyone wants stinky breath (unlike me) Overall, I think this is a lively stop for a summer outing.

Al Pastor Tacos Dorados-
Sarah G.

We SO wanted to like this place- while everything looked fantastic, it all seriously lacked flavor. On a good note- LOVED the margarita. Started with the queso fundido which literally tasted like straight butter? No spice, no flavor, no cilantro, no nothing. Another good note- the chips were great! Now for the mains... the carne asada tacos were cold and tasted like they were 3 weeks old. No flavor. The birria were a bit better, definitely lacked in seasoning and flavor. Then the al pastor, which were fine. The meat was questionable to me and again flavorless. Price and quality do not align at all here. The restaurant itself was confusing? You have to walk through the whole place to get to the hostess. We sat on the patio which was cute and has a full bar outside, but it was a little cramped. Service was ehh, to me it matched the food. Overall, come for happy hour drinks and chips, don't stay for a meal. Final ranking: 1. Birria tacos 2. Al pastor.... 9. Carne asada... 32. Queso fundido

Entrance
Morgan B.

The decor is nice and inviting, original early tile mosaic style floor. We came on a Tuesday evening, and the bartender, though I didn't get their name, was great. I had the chorizo quesadilla. It was good, but the chorizo needed drained. Either way, it was still very tasty, and nothing a few napkins couldn't fix. Happy hour was till 6, and house margaritas were $6. The house sauce on the side was also amazing. Would definitely stop again, but it is overpriced.

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1 year ago

Ensenada was very good. I had it with chicken and shrimp. I would differently get it again. Two thumbs up.

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10 months ago

LOVE this place :) my wife and I love come here about once a week! Amazing drinks, delicious food, and welcoming environment!

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Ask the Community - Esquina Cantina

I heard this restaurant is gluten free, is that true?

They are! I was last in summer 2023 with my Gluten-free friend, and our waiter said everything in the restaurant is 100% Gluten-free. they only use corn tortillas etc.

Do they have gluten free options? Corn tortilla instead of flour?

Yes they do

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

Space Bar

4.7(77 reviews)
2.7 miDowntown
$$
Locally owned & operated
LGBTQ friendly

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.

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Space Bar - The Starlight

The Starlight

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The Aztec Portal - a riff on a Mezcal Old Fashioned

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Lefty's - Outside vibe!

Lefty's

4.0(75 reviews)
2.9 miNorth 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.

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Unspeakable - Entrance to the bar!

Unspeakable

5.0(20 reviews)
0.3 miLawrenceville

We've been here 4+ times now. Unspeakable has such an incredible vibe--cozy, intimate, and dimly…read morelit in a way that feels perfect for a date night or catching up with a close friend. The atmosphere alone is worth a visit. The drinks are definitely crafted with care and have a lot of complexity, but with only two bartenders working, it took quite a while to get ours. Not the place to go if you want quick service or are grabbing a drink before another event. My biggest downside is the price point--most cocktails are around $17. They're good, but at that price I can really only justify having one. Note: They do not have food, just snacks like peanuts. Overall, amazing ambiance and well-made drinks, just expect slower service and a higher bill.

This is my new favorite cocktail bar in Pittsburgh. Every single drink I've had here has been…read morefantastic. I've been twice so far, I've tried six different drinks. Very impressed by their craftsmanship and experimental flavors. There's not many places in this area that even attempt to do that. I love the speakeasy vibe. Super cool entrance and fun comfortable lounge upstairs. It's a fantastic place to go as an intimate group. But it's kind of small to take a group of more than 4 friends. Cocktails were made surprisingly quick even on a busy night. Everything is just really great about this place. Except for maybe the price lol but at least you're getting what you pay for in a good way

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Unspeakable - Upstairs fireplace

Upstairs fireplace

Unspeakable - Violet desert

Violet desert

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Gooski's

4.3(109 reviews)
0.7 miPolish Hill
$

There shouldn't even be reviews for a place like Gooski's. It's a Pittsburgh institution. By far my…read morefavorite bar, and the standard by which I measure every dive joint. It's been a while that I've moved out of Pittsburgh; I've found other bars that I like, but nothing has quite replaced Gooski's in my heart. I make a point to pay my respects every time I return here. Hardly anything has changed on the interior in the last 30 years. And I hope it never does. It's dark, it's grimy, it's smoky, it's quintessentially Pittsburgh. Crowd has always been an effervescent mix of ages and walks of life. The beer selection is wide and affordable. And the food is just right for intoxicated palates.

Every city has a famous dive bar and while I'm not sure if Gooski's is Pittsburgh's divey…read morerepresentative, but if it's not, it should be. What a damn good bar! First, I wish I would have bought a Gooski's shirt. I have no idea if they had them when I visited but I totally forgot to check when I was there. It feels like the kind of place that if you're wearing this shirt in your hometown a Pittsburgh native would stop you on the street to tell you, "Gooski's is legendary." I wish I was there for the cheap ass drinks and edgy vibe when a band was playing as I love a punk rock vibe, but I think I was there too early in the day for that. The staff was cool, the drinks were exactly what you'd expect, and it's the kind of place that I'd spend way too much time in if I lived in Pittsburgh.

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Gooski's - Inside

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Esquina Cantina - mexican - Updated May 2026

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