Ordered a burger that came to take undercooked although it was a premade Patty. I broke off a corner to bite the piece hanging outside the bun, and immediately had to sit it out due to the raw, freezer burned taste of it. When the server took it away, she came back and said the policy is not to exchange it refund any food. I explained how I would not pay for inedible food and could get something to replace it. The server went to get the manger, who proceeded to tell me the but was not under cooked. We asked did she taste it? She did no she's did thousands and they are all cooked perfectly!!! She then stated she would not replace or refund the burger; however the ENTIRE burger went to the back never to be seen again. I am the states away from home and would warn anyone visiting Pittsburgh to steer clear of Hemingway's read more

This place was not nearly as gross as I anticipated. In the middle of Oakland, rusty sign... I mean the place screams undergrad. No thank you. I was persuaded to go here one Friday (after the semester was over) for happy hour, and had a good time. I mean, yes, you can buy pitchers of shots here, but you can also get Sam Adams in the 16oz super nice Sam Adams glass for $7 and keep the glass. It's pretty big inside, wasn't crowded or smokey, and the food was not that bad for bar food. I had a chicken, bacon, avocado wrap, and it was tasty. Friends had burgers, and they cleaned their plates. Hemingway's, you went from hideous undergrad hangout in my mind to an establishment I would patronize! read more

Pretty standard college bar. We didn't order food and decided to just get boozy off of the shot pitchers. Our waitress hooked it up with some extra gummy worms! I can't remember which shot pitchers we ordered-- I think my favorite pitcher had "zoo" in the title? and my least favorite was the miley cyrus. read more

Pitt friend brought me here after experiencing Primanti's for yet another PGH experience - the Hem's shot pitchers! I went with Oakland Zoo -- Bacardi dragonberry, banana, OJ and Sprite with the gummy worms on top and it was pretty good. Sugary of course, but that comes with the territory. Best part is it was only $7. Didn't have any food so can't speak to that, but would certainly come back if I returned to Pittsburgh. read more

Happy hour and draft specials are how I keep track of the days of the week. The staff is great, affordable for broke students, and discounted menu for greasy drunk food is clutch. Thee Pitt college bar. read more

I have a real soft spot for Hem's. Even though they changed the special from half price to $5 (admittedly a marginal change in most cases, but still) the food deals offered from 11-noon and 2-4 are a great bargain. The food is always better than I expect. The spinach and artichoke dip is the best I've ever had, with fresh fried pita wedges, and the Buffalo chicken wrap, while perhaps not "extreme" as the menu claims, is great. I also enjoy their daily $2.50 draft specials. Recently they've offered Southern Tier Live on Wednesdays, and a good Raging Dog blood orange IPA on Saturdays. You really can't beat a 7% draft for $2.50. The service is very hit or miss. If your bartender is chatting up someone at the bar, you can be waiting a loooooong time for a refill, or your check. But for the prices and the generally good food and drink, it's worth the risk. read more

Went here for a quick drink and food. My friend got the chicken wrap and tator tots and they were pretty tasty. They have a good beer selection, but I don't like beer so I tried the pitcher of Fuzzy Navel. In this case, the drink was wayyy too sweet, but I can't complain too much since it was only $5. I liked the little gummy worm surprise at the bottom (though it probably contributed to making the drink even sweeter). I'd get it again if there were more people to share the pitcher with, since it's too sweet to just share among two people. We then decided to get something to counteract the sweetness and ended up taking shots of whiskey. Yup, a great idea... but that's another story. read more

I absolutely adore Hemingway's! If you want a cheap meal in a college bar that's bursting at the seams with fond memories, then this is your place. It can get noisy and crowded later on weeknights and on the weekends, but the staff are all very skilled at working with a high noise level and everyone I've encountered has been really chill. My boyfriend first took me here for late night half price food (9:00pm-mightnight and also available during the lunch hour) right after we began dating, and we've been back at least ten times together since. That's a lot considering the amount of new restaurants we like to try. It was one of his regular spots in college, and I can definitely see why. I love the wood paneled booths and walls and all the framed photos of friends having an epic time here over the years. You can tell it's a well-loved establishment. The food is also fairly decent for a college bar, and at half price time it's a steal. Additionally they offer cheap pitchers of cocktails/beer/shots and a different $2.50 draft beer special every evening, so you can easily have dinner and a drink for under $10 with a tip. Overall Hem's is a solid late-night place if you aren't allergic to undergrads or loud music, and in the winter the cozy atmosphere makes it especially appealing. read more

Very cheap, cool college type bar with an attractive, young crowd..just don't plan on going there during there big nights if you aren't willing to drink like you're in college. I watched the waitresses tell an older couple they were drunk and should leave just because they weren't buying enough booze. They were more sober than the Utah St debate team. That wasn't particularly cool but the bar is what it is.. read more

I love it here. As a former student at Pitt I always make sure I come back when I'm on campus. Their half-off food is a great deal. It's a great college bar. There's almost always a drink special and it's pretty cheap. Get the spinach dip! read more

Came here of Friday night. They have really cheap drinks!! We got the shot pitchers (I thought that it was for only one but apparently you share). It came with gummi worms on top. There were tables were you can sit and just enjoy the night. The crowd seems to be for college students but I enjoyed it. read more

Wednesday nights at Hem's were my favorite tradition as a Pitt undergraduate student. $2 Blue Moon special. An order of Pita Chips. Karaoke. read more

Loads of people love this place because of the "half-off" menu. I can tell you, half-price is what you *should* pay for the quality of the food. Normally, their burgers are around $9, but they are not worth that price, even with the delicious fries. The beers are overpriced for the kind of bar it is (re: college bro bar). This place is loud as hell. I don't really understand why. If their was a dance area, sure, blast away. But there isn't, at least not in the main area where everyone is drinking. Their beer selection isn't too bad. They have most large brewery beers as well as quite a few crafts. Like I said though, the prices aren't great. There are bros, everywhere. You can't avoid them, as it's always packed full. Most people seem to have been drunk before they get there, so you will have to deal with drunk sorority girls as well as beer-blasting bros. My advice? Unless you're into the freshmen/sophomore college scene, find another bar. read more

I stopped in a little after 11 on a Monday for the half-off menu (which is offered from 11 to 12 and 2 to 4 on weekdays, and from 9 to 11 every day). Probably because of the time, most people were there eating lunch, and the atmosphere was more like that of a restaurant. But the decorations were a constant reminder that Hemingway's is, in fact, a bar. And although it was early, the place was pretty busy by the time I left. The staff were very nice, and my server was very attentive. I didn't have to wait for anything, even when all her tables were filled. She seemed to devote the same attention to her other tables as well. I ordered the spinach and artichoke dip (which I've never eaten before) because I'd heard so many good things about it. From pictures, I could tell it was some sort of cheesy dip, but Hem's exceeded my expectations. The fried pita bread also helped a lot. The dip itself was perfectly cheesy and so creamy, with tender chunks of artichoke that still had some bite to them. There were also bits of red--hot peppers, perhaps? The dish had a spicy kick that, for me, was tolerable (meaning it'd probably be unnoticeable for most people), and it was served piping hot. This combination forced me to slow down and enjoy every bite. The pita chips were crispy but not fried all the way through, which I loved! Though one downside was the greasy taste, it was easily remedied with an extra scoop of dip. And for me, there was a perfect ratio of chips to dip. (Then again, I was the only one eating it, so double dipping was absolutely acceptable.) With the half-price deal, a charge of $1 is added if you don't order alcohol. I paid less than six dollars plus tip for a yummy, filling meal. I'll definitely be back to try some other things from their menu. read more

Hemingway's Cafe - Dive Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I'm giving this place 3 stars simply because I'm not a big fan of the physical environment. I feel it's a bit grungy, but most bars in downtown Oakland fit the same mold. What saves this place is the specials/how cheap things are here. The food is also surprisingly good. If you're already in the area, then it's a cool place to stop, grab a bit to eat, and watch whatever game is on at the time. read more

Special place in my heart for college nights with pals. Definitely my favorite dive in Pittsburgh, and they have great happy hour specials on food and drinks. Fun shot pitchers and a decent beer selection too. Trivia night on Tuesdays is always fun! read more

Recently ate at Hemingway's for lunch. If you get there before 1145am you can order from the 1/2 off menu. Most burgers, salads, wraps, sandwiches are on the 1/2 menu. Ended up going for the buffalo chicken wrap which wasn't bad. A bit scarce on the chicken (seemed to take a chicken strip and cut in half) but the taste was good. We ordered the humus as an app which was really good. All in all it was a cheap lunch, I would go back read more

Absolutely love this place! Near Carnegie Mellon and awesome half offs. In love with Karaoke nights on Wednesdays.

Great beer specials but it's always over crowded and very noisy. It would be an awesome place if they could somehow do better crowd control. Pretty sure the fire marshal wouldn't be thrilled to see the sea of humanity within. read more

Cute dive bar, with over 40 tap beers. Our bartender, Maya, was awesome!! She Recommended a couple local beers that my husband and I both liked...and gave us some interesting Pittsburg background. read more

This is the college bar! Cheap drinks, check. Good food, check, fun cocktails, done. Best college bar in town, great atmosphere and fantasist staff read more

The spinach and avocado grilled cheese that i got was pretty yummy. The service was warm. The price was reasonable. However, their cleaning detergent smelled awfully strong and it destroyed my appetite. read more

Super nice staff (especially for a college bar!) And the food is really inexpensive and they have a great selection on drinks. Very pleased. read more

Pitt student. This is the best place to eat on campus. Bartenders are all really nice, and over my year and a half of living in Oakland over the age of 21, Lindsey came to know my order. Pretty good for only going three or four times a month! Lots of beers on tap, mostly IPA's and Lagers. I would like some more wheat beers or wit-beers. The $2.50 pints change every day, but at the moment they are only IPAs on that deal special, kinda sucks if you hate IPAs. Can't beat the $8 Blue Moon pitchers though. The shot pitchers are really sweet, but they're fun. I can't do that much sugar, but my friends all love them and the gummy worms that come with them. They come with "shot glasses", but people usually just ask for a straw. I love the $4 whiskey gingers! I'm not gonna find another bar this well priced. The food is great! Spinach and Artichoke dip is my favorite appetizer and I usually order it for a meal. Other times, I order the buffalo chicken wrap, I think its called the Extreme Wrap or something, and its always amazing. These sweet potato fries are my weakness.There's $5 food menu times and the menu is so extensive on that I can't think of what's excluded. read more

Loud, greasy food, drunk college students, and exactly the experience that a bar sitting under a university building should be.

Hemingway's is a great place, and was visited at least once a week once I turned 21. I never had a bad meal there. My favorite was the Chicken Caesar Wrap. It was a great place to go anytime, whether before or after class (but after class was a great time to unwind there). One of the saddest things when leaving Pitt was leaving this place behind. I live in a small town in rural Virginia now and wish there was a place anything close to the greatness of Hemingway's. read more

Great place to go before Pitt basketball game. Great bar food and prices.

Generally come here with some friends to drown our sorrows in beer after exams. It's a typical college bar but they do have really great specials on beer and food. If you want a artery-clogging taste of Pittsburgh, get the pierogi grilled cheese. It's worth the calories. read more

Hemingway's is a great college bar on Pitt's campus. During my time in college, I spent many nights here drinking the $5 beer pitchers and $6 dollar shot pitches. It was a great environment with great staff. They also have a great cheap food menu. The normal happy hour and late night happy hour menus are unbeatable. Definitely swing by this bar for a good beer, good food, and great friends! For a college bar, the seasonal beer selection is quite impressive as well. In the fall, there is a great selection of pumpkin beers, including my personal favorite Southern Tier Pumking. read more

The food is average- not amazing, however, they have the best drinks in Oakland by far! The gummy bear shot pitcher and all of their shot pitchers for that matter are amazing! read more

I went here shortly after my 21st birthday because I'd been hearing for years how fun it is on Thursday nights, and how much I should try the shot pitcher special. At no fault to the restaurant, I was under the impression that the shot pitchers would be $4 on special, and were in fact $8. Like I said, my misunderstanding. This would be fine, if the pitchers were actually enjoyable in any way whatsoever. Sweet to the point I couldn't even finish it--I can't even say with certainty that there was more than 1 shot of liquor to about a liter of liquid. Will never order again. Drinks are a personal preference, however so that isn't the purpose for a 2 star review. I had an absolutely awful experience with the waitstaff. As my boyfriend and I were waiting for a table on an incredibly crowded Thursday night, a waitress came up behind us and screamed "YOU GUYS SERIOUSLY NEED TO MOVE SO I CAN GET THROUGH" instead of asking calmly for us to move, which we would have happily obliged. I've waitresses for years at my family's bar and would never dream of treating customers like that. She then proceeded to blast by us and shoot us looks for the rest of the night. Three stars lost for price, quality, and service. 2 stars remaining for the atmosphere and the fact that they serve a full menu. May have to try it again during the day when I can sit down and relax enough to reread the drink menu and when waitstaff isn't so testy. read more

This is my #1 hangout and bar. They have great drink specials, especially for in Pittsburgh. The $3 Liney's lemon berry pitchers this fall were great - and they always have pitchers of Yuengling as a special. It's a college bar, so take heed. read more

This place is close to my office on campus, so I find myself there once a week or so when I'm forced to work late. The food is good, but I don't go out of my way to eat here. They have a few happy hours that give half-off food prices, and there is a $2 beer special every day. I guess I'd give the food 3 Stars, but the bar is a definite 4 Star. It tends to get overrun by college students after 9pm, which makes it awfully loud, but they have plenty of tables and room to move away from the noise. I have to commend the staff- I would expect them to be bad with all of the college students being loud and, well... college kids at a bar... but I have yet to experience poor service. They keep their cool and provide good service regardless of the crowd. The bouncers keep things in order, and I always appreciate a bar that works hard to ID everyone at the door. read more

Cheap, cheap, cheap. In a good way! Inexpensive food, inexpensive drinks, none of which will leave an unpleasant feeling in your stomach. My only problem with this place is the service... I'm in the service industry and if I treated my customers the way our waitress treated us, I would have been FIRED years ago! Particularly a women who I believe said she was a manager. I'm not sure why a manager would be waiting tables, but the attitude put a damper on a casual evening out. Leave the 'tude at home, you're at work. read more

i would give this restaurant/bar negative stars if i could. The price of their beer reflects the cheap quality of their service. i came here with a large, racially diverse party and we all sat in the back room. Everything was fine, until staff told us that one member of our party had to leave because their ID wasn't valid (despite them having an international driver's license and passport copy). We asked why we needed to go and were met with more staff hostility and were asked to leave or else the police would be called. Staff physically tried to bar one of our party members from leaving when they thought we didn't pay (she gave the waitress a $10 tip on top of her bill...). This was the worst and most derogatory restaurant experience i have ever had. If you have any semblance of self-respect, you won't come here. Also, i feel incredibly sorry for the toxic work environment that waitstaff have to deal with. It's crazy. If you want to avoid being harassed, go to Thirsty Scholar a couple blocks away. They're much kinder there. read more

Came here on a Thursday evening. Sat in the back. First thought: When was the last time the carpet was cleaned in here?! Carpet, in a bar, even in the dining room...questionable. However, I digress, service was slow, understandable it was crowded. I must say, $3.75 for a Long Island shot pitcher was a good deal. Didn't appreciate the miller lite representatives hounding me to tweet at them. Food came pretty quickly but fries were COLD! Good bar should = good greasy fries, in my opinion. I'll begrudgingly return for their shot pitcher specials which I unfailingly regret in the morning. Could be almost on par with Peters Pub if they had better bouncers. read more

No better bar in Oakland than this place. Between half off food at various times of the day, regular drink specials, shot pitchers and an over all amazing atmosphere this place is amazing. Without a doubt the best bar on this campus read more

Coming from a family of Pitt grads, Hem's will always have a place in my heart. This was a go-to for (likely ill-advised) late Wednesdays starting with those infamous shot pitchers and ending with a $5 pizza picked up on the way home and eaten happily on a friend's porch, pre-night class grilled cheeses (seriously, so delicious) during senior year of college, and a frequent stop on birthday nights out on the town. I've had the opportunity to go back twice now in my 5th (...ergh) year out of college: once, solo, to linger over a beer (I believe a not-too-shabby IPA that was on draft) following a Drue Heinz lecture on an unseasonably warm December night, which made for a beautiful evening of people watching as the hazy Christmas lights above the bar twinkled, as well as a milestone celebration with a dear friend and former college roommate on a "throwback Thursday" (ugh, that makes me sound old) which did involve a shot pitcher (or two). I think Hem's still hosts poetry on summer weeknights here and there, which was another highlight of Oakland summers in between semesters. Hem's is definitely the site of more than a few of my favorite Pitt memories. read more

This place was definitely a dive and a half -- seat cushions were torn up, bathroom was cramped and old, the atmosphere dripped with dinginess -- but if you're cool with all of that, it's a great place. They had a decent beer selection including all of the typical domestics and several craft beers. While I didn't eat there, someone at the table next to me ordered a platter of pierogis that looked and smelled awesome. I was there in the later afternoon on a Saturday and was surprised about just how packed it was in there. People were literally lined up and waiting to to get a seat and standing room was almost non-existent by that point as well. It was extremely loud in there so this isn't a great place for a quiet, intimate conversation, but if you'd like to shout at someone for several hours one evening, Hemingway's is your place! Seems like a place with a high potential for fun, hijinx and revelry! read more

Hemingway's is good at what it intends to do: get college students drunk. The drink selection is pretty terrible unless you like discount shots, with no top-shelf liquor and mediocre-at-best draft choices. I never went here much as an undergrad, and I only go now before 9pm and only for the exceptional grilled cheeses--they have a great variety and all are made with thick Italian bread. If you work in Oakland, you can't beat a delicious non-chain-restaurant sandwich for $5.99-7.99. read more