Didn't order food, only drinks. They were over priced and the server was neither attentive nor seemingly sane.

Great food and drink specials! Essential Oakland bar! Food: 5, Drinks: 4, Value: 5, Service: 3 This is a typical "undergrad bar," and can be crowded and dingy sometimes. But it is a staple dive bar in Oakland! If you don't want noise or crowds, it is best to avoid the weekend nights (they usually have a DJ playing and the bar is much more crowded). Luckily they have lunch time happy hours for those of us who are averse to noise and crowds. They always have drink specials (usually one beer is $2.75 and they do pitcher specials each day). Their pitchers are mixed drinks on steroids and are literally a pitcher sized well drink with gummy worms. I would say one pitcher is the equivalent of 3 drinks. They also have great food here with lots of happy hour specials multiple times a day! The prices have gone up slowly over the years and I think their happy hour price is now $5.50 and includes mostly everything on the menu. I've tried a decent chunk of their menu. Their spinach artichoke dip is great and is served with freshly fried pita triangles. Their pulled pork fries are great and served with a pretty generous portion of pulled pork. The burgers and grilled cheese are good, but nothing special and come with a side of fries. The cardiac sticks are not worth getting (there is only about 6 cheese sticks for the $5.50 price). Overall, if your expectations are a dive bar/college bar vibe with great drink and food quality/prices, this is the place to be! It's been 8 years and this is still my favorite bar in Oakland. read more

Hemingway's Cafe - Taylor Swift Drink PItcher - Dive Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Their buffalo chicken dip is fireeeeeee. Also you can't beat the daily 5.5$ pitcher... great little bar with lots of loyal customers.

How is it I have never reviewed this local institution? I have spent enough time at Hemingway's to have done so. Oh well better late than never. It's a popular place and it always has been so there are times when it is filled with people and they are flat out busy. But service is never a let down, no matter how busy they get. My boyfriend always gets the wings, I like the salads and apps. The nachos are good too. Prices=cheap and affordable. read more

Hem's is almost every 21+ college kid's go-to hangout spot, and deservedly so. Their deals are unbeatable. You have to be careful with what you order though because not everything is excellent. The Long Island shot pitcher is Thursday's special ($4 after 10:00 PM) and brings in massive Thursday night crowds. It's definitely worth it. The jack honey pitcher is also pretty good. Some of the other shot pitchers are too sweet. Most of the food menu is $5.50 from 9 PM-12 AM. The tortellini big plate and the spinach artichoke dip are my personal favorites. Both are super creamy and delicious. The portion sizes are generous. For a late night hangout, you can't get better than Hems. If you go on a Thursday night while school is in session, expect huge crowds after 9, but on most other weeknights the atmosphere is a bit more relaxed. read more

Hemingway's Cafe - Tortellini and shot pitcher - Dive Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Great college bar. The $5 pitcher of the day is always a good deal. The pardi claw is good too as it includes a free wristband. Trivia nights are fun here too during the weekdays. Definitely a place to stop by to on a Thursday night out on the town in Oakland. read more

Hemingway's Cafe - Pardi claw and Olivia rodrigo pitcher - Dive Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Love this place especially for trivia night. Good food and drinks, and there's always some kind of drink special read more

Hemingway's Cafe - Chicken Caesar wrap, fries, pierogies - Dive Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This place got me really drunk tonight with their great selection on beers, sours, and ciders! Plus the pitcher of shots!! Oh my! Hope the uphill walk back to my hotel tilts downhill soon! Food is good too! read more

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I was talked into trying this as THE bar in Oakland. I liked the decor a lot, very cozy feeling. The bar gets crowded early and quick so you're a little squished if you choose bar top. It was a beautiful day outside and they turned off the lights which bothered me a bit. I don't want to drink in the dark at 5pm. Music was fun and not so loud that you couldn't hear yourself think. Drinks were good and strong, tons of choices on the menu. Bartenders were personable and quick which I appreciate. Prices are a little much during non-Happy Hour Times but still reasonable. I would return but maybe later in the evening where it doesn't feel as odd sitting in the dark. read more

Trivia nights are the place to be, the buckets are cheap and the people are good company.

I don't know where to begin with Hem's. It's a small bar on Forbes that if you weren't looking for it, you easily could miss it. But that's what makes it so great. On the inside, it's narrow and long so when it's packed, it's kind of hard to move around and walk through the crowd. In the back they have a more open area with a few tables but I have to say that this area is my least favorite spot in the bar. It reminds me of a church hall that you would throw a raffle party in or something. I always gravitate to the front area and when I'm there, I have a great time. Hem's is most certainly known for their shot pitchers and half off food. Both live up to that hype in my opinion. On certain nights, they do half off a particular shot pitcher from 10-12. The best and the most popular is the Thursday Long Island Pitcher night. I mean, who doesn't love LIT for under $4? In addition to the pitchers, they have great deals on beer and a wide variety of craft beers to chose from. The food is another story. They have a pretty extensive menu that expands beyond typical bar food. They have pastas, sandwiches, salads, burgers, wraps, and a variety of appetizers. I always get a wrap or a burger. My favorite being the Baja burger but swapped with a veggie burger. It is to die for. I also always get their mashed potatoes for a side. The mashed potatoes are their best kept secret because they are AMAZING. The best time to go is when they do their $5.50 menu. It's from 11-12, 2-4, and 9-12. I think that's when it's most worth it just because some of the portions are a little small for costing $9+. Hem's is an Oakland classic and I will always love it. read more

Hemingway's Cafe - Baja burger with mashed potatoes and a Jack Honey pitcher. - Dive Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

One of Pitt's college bars that never disappoints in the food scene. All of their apps are so good if you're in the need for tasty but cheesy and unhealthy snacks. Trivia tuesdays are also a good time and most apps are half off with drink specials! My all time favorite is the spinach and artichoke dip. The artichokes not overwhelming in the dip flavor but the chunks are perfectly flavorful with a tad of spice! the pita chips are probably the best part! Crispy and fried yet thick enough for it to be filling. Cardiac sticks are dressed with a nice tangy buffalo sauce. read more

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

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I love Hem's! Definitely my favorite bar in Oakland by far, both for the food and the drinks. Granted it is a college dive bar in the heart of Pitt's campus, so for all of you who are post-grads, know that it does get crowded with college students during the fall and spring semesters. Throughout the day there is usually a mix of students older adults in the space because of their multiple happy-hour times (with a $5 food menu!!). On Thursday/Friday/Saturday nights, the crowd is usually mostly students because the DJ starts playing music at 11pm. If you don't have friends reserving a table already, it's hard to get a table during the weekend night hours! One thing to keep in mind when coming here if you are celebrating your 21st - they don't let you in the morning you turn 21 at midnight (aka at 12:01 am). You have to wait until the night of your birthday to get in to Hem's. The food is great! They have great buffalo chicken dip and fries, which are both my go-to. As for their drinks, us college students go for their shot-pitchers (half-off long island shot pitchers on Thursdays 10-midnight, half-off captain and coke shot pitchers on Fridays 10-midnight!) or their beer pitchers. They have a large selection of shot pitchers on their menu, and the shot pitcher can either be split with someone or for one person! Many of their pitchers come with gummy worms in the drink, which is always a plus. The bouncers are strict with underagers, but they are also attentive to the crowd at Hem's. My friends and I have had a couple instances involving some creepy patrons, but the bouncers always made sure we were okay and took care of the situation, so shout out to you guys! Every time I've been to Hem's, I've always had an awesome time! read more

Hemingway's Cafe - Long island shot pitcher with gummy worms! - Dive Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

My boyfriend and I come to Hems at any time of the day, at least 3 times a week! Cheap yet yummy American college food with a lot of happy hour times during the day, plus who doesn't love the shot pitchers? Favorite shot pitchers are Cathy on Acid, Mother of Dragons, the NEW White Walker ( love how the staff is also a huge Game of Thrones fan), and the mason jar cocktails are mouthwatering too! My favorite memories as a Pitt student have taken place at Hems. You can go in at 1 pm or 1 am and still have a great time there. Thank you Hems!!! read more

Ah, Hemingway's. The holy grail for Pitt Litchfield Towers freshman. Every weekend, countless Towers residents walk past the tempting allure of Hem's bumping music and sidewalk vomit on their way to a fruitless, South Oakland party search. Built into the structure of the University's iconic residence halls, Hem's is a awesome spot for several reasons. During the day, Hem's is a great place to grab a drink and a bite to eat. The menu is pretty extensive, and "Tot-Cho's" (tater-tot nachos) are (in)famous member of trans fat culture. Throughout the day, $5 meal deals cover about 72% of the menu. There is a daytime slot and a nighttime slot. Beware, a $1 "drink charge" is a applied if you don't buy one yourself. Hem's can be a wild place on weekends. It combines everything that makes a good college bar. A DJ to dance to, drink deals each night, and plenty of corners to hunker into if you need to have a serious talk with some friends. From about 9PM-midnight (check me on that), Hems offers a $4 shot pitcher. It's essentially mixed drink in a giant water pitcher. Each night is a different "special" and each are effective in reducing braincells as desired. Drink choices are extensive, and I've barely scraped the surface of the beers they offer. You're bound to run into people you know at Hem's, as it is the bar of choice for many of those involved on campus. Hemingway's is a staple of the Oakland and Pitt experience. The diversity of experiences and awesome memories I've formed with my friends will have us returning to the bar as creepy 30-somethings, trying to relive moments our collegiate pasts. read more

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The half off for early lunch and at late night is really worth it, but I'm not sure I would come at other times. I usually prefer the early lunch because the late night can get really crowded, but sometimes that's half the fun. The beer here, and alcohol here in general, is really really cheap. There's always some kind of special for $1 or $2. It's also awesome that they have shots called "Taylor Swift" and "Miley Cyrus." I've tried a few of their pasta dishes,and have always been unimpressed. Their burgers and fries, however, are very delicious, and at half-off run at only $4 to fill you up! My friend insists that yelp needs to have more subcategories for bars, and classifies this as a college bar, not a dive bar. I guess it's true, probably 98% of their customers are college students from around Pittsburgh, and probably 80% of them are Pitt students. read more

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

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Horrible service with the worst the apple martini I have ever had. The waitress/manger (she said she is the manger) was really rude and didn't come back to us at all . The so-called Saturday night Mother of Dragon drink tasteful taste like pink lemonade with ice. My friend ordered something due to lack of clear instructions and our waitress was yelling at her for not "asking any questions ". Good place if you wanna hangout with a friend (also because we didn't order any food, the waitress/manager was giving us a look all the time .) but can hardly call a bar. read more

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

I've regularly been attending Hem's since I turned 21 as I enjoy the cheap shot pitchers. However, I don't think that I'll be coming back after my experience tonight. My friends and I (all of drinking age) had been enjoying our time there for almost 2 hours until the bouncer suddenly decided my friend's ID was fake (mind you, this was almost 2 hours after he had checked her ID). Even though all of us had finished our pitchers, the short, curly haired bouncer decided he didn't want us there anymore. Her REAL ID was deemed fake because her ID numbers weren't "left enough". Have you ever heard of such insanity?? I don't think I will be back. EXTREMELY disappointed in how this was handled. read more

I love Hemingway's, in my opinion as a pitt student, it's the best college bar on campus. It's the perfect place to grab drinks before a night out or play trivia with friends. It does get very busy for trivia on Wednesday and Thursday nights so I'd recommend getting there early to get a seat, especially in large groups. There's also a lot of non college people who come visit. My favorite food is the tot-chos, it's a greasy favorite of mine. read more

Hem's is your typical local bar for the Oakland Area. During the day, you can find lots of university affiliates dining here, and during the evening/night, you can find lots of students. I like Hem's, because it's good cheap food. I normally frequent here during $5 Hem's lunch. Usually, the waiter/waitress will allow you order up to 12:05pm even though it technically ends at noon. There's a large room in the back which is great for groups so this is especially convenient. You may be surprised, but they have a really delicious summer strawberry salad. I believe another review referenced this, but Hem's is like a rite of passage where students who turn 21 get their horns. read more

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I got this grilled cheese and it is so good!! It had bbq pulled pork, mac and cheese, and more cheese on top. there are a lot of side options too. It definitely hit the spot for food you want with drinking. I got three 12oz southern tier IPA and all three cost $7 like WHAT A DEAL. definitely crowded with college kids but they had trivia last night (Wednesday). shot pitchers have a special each night of the week where they're $4 or $5 between 10-12. the service isn't great i think they need more servers to help out with the food orders. our waitress was really nice. read more

Hemingway's Cafe - Smoke house grilled cheese - Dive Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

A college dive bar that's cheap and delicious, yaaas. (I hope you can singalong to Sweet Caroline.) Their menu has plenty of choices and it's a late night food spot that doesn't leave me feeling greasy! I do wish that their wings had the late night discount but I guess I'll have to go to Mad Mex or Fuel and Fuddle for that. **If you don't order a drink, they will charge you a dollar.** I went for a gin and tonic because they had $2 well drinks after 10 that night. There are tons of other specials here, and I would refer to their website for specifics. The service here is always pretty fast, even when they're busy. HAWAIIAN BURGER ($5 late night): I don't remember if that was what it was called, but it had a slice of pineapple and that was my best guess. I enjoy a good burger sometimes, and this satisfied my craving. 4 ALARM CHICKEN PASTA ($5 late night): WHAT. THIS IS MY NEW GO-TO MEAL HERE. It isn't too spicy, but has a nice kick to it. The portion size is just enough for me, and for $5 at their late night happy hour I'm not complaining. The chicken does look like tofu though.. but I ate it all anyways. Ay dios mio, muy delicioso. SHOT PITCHERS: I would advise coming with a group of friends and sharing a few. Not too strong, but usually very sweet. They also come with gummy worms or pop rock candy. The Pathfinder and Gummi Bear are the two I've tried and liked so far. I would say Hems has the best bar food on Pitt campus and a well deserved 5 stars for their service, food, drinks, and atmosphere. read more

Hemingway's Cafe - 4 alarm pasta, MY FAVE - Dive Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Are you even a Pitt student if you haven't been to Hemingway's? Cheap beer that you can order by the glass or pitcher and decent bar food- you can't go wrong. I usually order the buffalo chicken wrap with tots (highly recommend) but most recently we just ordered some appetizers. The spinach dip was quite good. This is a great spot for lunch or a late night meal, as they have food specials during those times. It's also a place I visited for happy hour many times. It's a classic college bar, but it's awesome. read more

I'm surprised I've never written a review for here. I go there semi frequently. It's conveniently located near my work, so I go for lunch sometimes with coworkers, or sometimes after work for happy hour. It's a college bar. It can get crowded and loud. There's nothing special about the drinks. They're not fancy cocktails, but sometimes it's good to just grab a rum and coke or a beer somewhere. This place is great for that. There tends to be a mix of all ages early on since a lot of university and hospital employees go for happy hours. It's louder and not really my type of place later on when the college kids really start taking over, but if you go earlier in the day, it's fine. They have $5 food specials for lunch, mid afternoon and again late night, so lots of opportunities to score some cheap food. I like their wraps a lot, and really love the spinach artichoke dip. It's some of the best dip I've had. It's not worth going out of your way for, but Hemingways is great if you're in the area and need to grab a quite bite or drink. read more

Hemingway's Cafe - Love the spinach artichoke dip here. The wings are nice and crispy with Hems sauce. - Dive Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I'm an advocate of a great dive bar. I actually like going to dive bars because it is more entertaining and more of a laid back atmosphere. I enjoy that type of setting in a bar. But you will not find that here. I wish they had a subgroup on Yelp that says "college bar" or something of the like. Because that is what this truly is. A college bar. This isn't my first visit to Hemingway's but it will probably be my last (for the bar experience at least). I have eaten here before, and from what I remember they have a great turkey burger, but I am focusing on the bar experience for this review. The best way to experience this place is probably by coming here when there are no students in the area, that or don't come at all. Tons of college kids everywhere with their "I know better" attitude (I can say that, I use to be one myself). Which made for an uncomfortable experience for me. I did my time in college and I don't like the vibe of a place like this anymore. Oh how it feels to grow up. Let's break it down some, besides this being your typical college bar they don't vary much on what is offered in regards to libations. Limited beer selection and it appears that a majority of the liquor available is not top shelf. Every beer I asked for they didn't have, on tap or bottled. After my third try at getting a beer, I gave up. No thank you to the gimmicky picture drinks you have either. If I wanted to be hyper and drunk at the same time I wouldn't be here to do that. I have no idea what the appeal of gummy worms in drinks is. As far as the bartenders, rude. If you see me struggling to see what you have available and shooting down every single beer I have selected, how about you either give me a list or tell me what you do have. I don't need no shade thrown my way unless you want me to overwork my bitch look in your direction. It's not my fault you are behind the bar with people yelling at you. read more

Been here twice ever, both during the summer season when school was out. Was still fairly busy, but apparently not the same traffic as normal Not sure if this is a Pittsburgh thing in general or just here, but $5 pitchers of bud light all day every day Also, there are three sessions of happy hour daily Cheap drinks and three daily happy hours? Yes please read more

I came to the city for the first time for one day, started walkingbaround the hotel, then found this bar. I had really great experience, the service was really good and the food as well with very reasonable prices. read more

This is THE official bar of The University of Pittsburgh. Don't come at me arguing for Peter's Pub, Garage Door, Pittsburgh Cafe, Uncle Jimmy's, etc. You are wrong. And yes, I'm aware some of those places no longer currently exist. Hemmingway's will outlast them all anyways. If you go there, it will probably be crowded, and almost no patrons will be over the age of 25. Much of their menu is either greasy and/or fried, but if you are there during one of their (many) food special window times, it will be cheap(er). One aspect that has evolved is their beer selection. Namely, it's substantially better than you'd expect for the area. Flights are available. They also have a diverse selection of shot pitchers. The alcohol content of them is questionable, but if you're drinking something neon-colored with a group of people, it's more about having fun and socializing anyways. During the daytime I'm sure people will stop in for a sandwich and a beer, but once the sun goes down the ambience is that of a college house party. They know they have to appeal to modern college kids who can access ride-sharing with a push of a button and aren't just stranded in Oakland anymore. They do this with a diverse menu full of comfort food and cheap drinks, and it works. Weeknights have occasional bar trivia. Weekends usually have a DJ. If Pitt is in session, Hemmingway's is packed. I'm in my 30's now and I rarely go there anymore, unless it's before a Pitt basketball game, which is well within walking distance. When I do go though, it reminds me of college and my early 20's, when I was there far more often than I'd like to admit. This is a cheap college bar, and if you look at it through that lens, it's one of the best. If I were basing this review solely on emotion and nostalgia, it's an automatic five stars from me. For someone who doesn't have the same connection but is willing to brave the undergrads, expect a four star experience for beer selection and pricing. read more

I love Hems!!! The Olivia Rodrigo pitcher is my favorite, but it's always fun to try new ones (partially just for the names hehe). The atmosphere in here is so fun, they have trivia and karaoke and the food is good too, I've honestly never had a bad time! I'll be back asap read more

Hemingway's Cafe - Olivia Rodrigo Pitcher (the candy can vary!) - Dive Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

As a student in Pittsburgh, it seems that Hemingway's is a rite of passage. To mark the end of my first semester of graduate school, my friend and I came here for some lunch time day drinking after an 8 AM final. There were quite a few other students in there, mostly undergrads with a head start. It was not terribly crowded but very loud. Hemingway's has MULTIPLE happy hours. Yes. Lunch time from 11 AM to 12 PM happens to be a happy hour with half priced sandwiches! What?!?! Instantly impressed. Here are some food thoughts: Jolly Rancher Shot Pitcher ($7)- This had a quite a few shots within it, and I split it with my friend. It was green apple flavored, but honestly, it was mostly sugar and not much alcohol. I couldn't even feel the alcohol afterwards. But the gummy worms in the pitcher were awesome. Buffalo Chicken Wrap (Normally $8.99, $4.50 at happy hour)- The wrap was delicious. Not too spicy, just right! Probably one of the best versions of this wrap I've ever had. I made the mistake, though, of opting for coleslaw over the french fries. Bad decision. Get the french fries!!! They are seasoned and perfection!!! Massive case of buyer's remorse. The coleslaw was pretty boring. Get the french fries. Trust me. My friend ordered a burger, and it was massive. At the same price as my wrap, I was totally jealous. The burger looked and smelled amazing, and I plan to get one when I come back. Service isn't particularly fast, but most people are there to just hang out, so it is cool. The service was very friendly and good, though. The only odd thing is that if you do NOT order a drink, there is a $1 up-charge. read more

Hemingway's Cafe - Spicy Buffalo Chicken Wrap... 1/2 price 11 Am to 12 Pm ... Normally $8.99, and some remnants of our jolly rancher shots. - Dive Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I can't stop raving about this place ever! I originally gave Hemingway's a four star rating due to the fact that the place is extremely cramped with college kids. However, after my experience last night I am gladly updating to five stars! I've only ever visited Hemingway's during school season so naturally it's flooded with the college crowd. Last night, my boyfriend and I decided to grab some cheap eats and drinks before heading out to a club for the night. Coming here in the summer is sooo much better. There still is a decent crowd, but it's much more calm and you don't have to scream like crazy for the person across from you to hear what you're saying. The food was amazing (as usual)! We ordered nachos as an appetizer. They were doused in spicy cheese, olives, peppers, salsa and sour cream. I had the "ABC Wrap," which was a delicious wrap stuffed with avocado, bacon and chicken. My boyfriend had the Rachel and loved it! I'm not a fan of 1000 island dressing, but even after taking a bite I was in love! We also ordered a pitcher of Miller Light because it's only $5 24/7! The drinks and food came to only $19 because we were there during one of their three happy hours throughout the day. Most food is half off and you can find some awesome drink specials! You can't get any better! read more

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This bar surprised me, I expected a typical dive bar in a college town, but they have an extensive drink menu including a variety of beers, mason jar cocktails, and shot pitchers. They also have a good food menu, including a half off late night section. We tried the Kentucky bourbon and Blueberry Cobbler beers and sweet potato fries and cardiac stix, which were fried breaded provolone sticks with buffalo sauce. The Blueberry Cobbler had a nice, natural blueberry taste and aroma and wasn't too sweet or heavy, though it was 8% alcohol. I was here on a Friday night and there was also an awesome dj that did a good mix of older classics and top 40s. The only downside was the music was way too loud and there was no dance floor. read more

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

the rum and coke pitcher is not only watered down, but half of it is ice, and they put gummy worms in it. i suspect all of the beverages here are like this but i did not give them the chance. read more

We had a couple hours to kill after a wedding. We stumbled across this place. I'm glad we did. Good well drinks at a fair price. The service was very professional read more

One of my favorite college bars in Oakland. Yes, it gets a little too loud for conversation, but that's part of the fun I guess. Their spinach artichoke dip is amazing! Also awesome half off deals on food later at night. Btw, $5 fuzzy navel shot pitchers filled with gummy worms every Friday night!!!! read more

Ordered mac and cheese and moved to a different section to accommodate space for another friend. I went to move to a different section and brought the plates/drinks with me. I couldnt carry it all with one trip, but when I went back not even a minute later to grab the rest of the mac and cheese it was already taken away. I told my waiter the situation expecting to get some money taken off for losing half my meal, or at least a replacement meal but he said he wasn't the one who moved it so it wasn't his responsibility. A little disappointed because Hem's is usually a great place, but they're not very accommodating with these situations. I hated paying for a full meal when I didn't even get to eat it. Working customer service myself, I was polite about the situation and still tipped fully, but I didn't expect this reaction. read more

Went with a group of six and were told there were no tables for our size group. We left a name and number and walked across the street to sit and to be in eyesight of the restaurant. Not even 5 minutes later, a group of eight men walked in and were seated immediately. We never got a call. The men? All white. My group? 2/3 POC. I'm not saying this had anything to due with race, but something was up. read more

It's been awhile since I've been here, but I doubt much has changed. Hem's is one of the main watering holes for Pitt students, given its convenient location adjacent to many dorms. It's pretty much your typical college-oriented dive bar, and is as loud and divey as you'd expect of this type of establishment. The highlight of my visit during the evening hours was the $5 pitchers of sweet alcoholic drinks with candy--though be careful, because these types of drinks will get you drunk in no time, esp. if you're not a big drinker, like me! One lesser-known aspect of Hem's is that it's open for lunch hour. I came here with my labmates during lunchtime about a year ago, and my sandwich, the Alabama Slammer, was actually surprisingly decent (I had low expectations for the food here). Given that few people think of coming to Hem's during the off hour of lunch, it wasn't crowded at all, and service wasn't half-bad. If you're looking for an off-the-beaten path place to have a casual sit-down lunch in Oakland, I'd recommend it! 3.5 stars. read more

During my grad school days Hemingway's Cafe was a staple. My friends loved ordering the quirky 'buckets of shots' with names like, Lady GaGa and Taylor Swift. As someone over 30 I couldn't in good conscious order a pitcher of shots (without becoming ill from the insane amount of sugar and alcohol) but no worries, because "Hems" always has a great selection of beer on draft. The grad school crew favorite was the pita chips and artichoke dip. Rich, creamy and full of fat. And delicious. The I-Need-To-Eat-Healthy version of myself loves the selection of wraps, with the hot honey wrap taking center stage. Instead of fries I always opt for mashed potatoes. The wait staff here is great and have worked there for many years. They're friendly and go out of their way to make sure you're enjoying yourself and that your glass is never empty. The atmosphere is pure college. Small booths and crowded throughways. So turn your nose down and enjoy it for what it is - a great college bar and restaurant. read more

A staple on Pitt's campus. Every college student grows to have an affection for Hems. Their $5 menu from 9-12 pm is amazing. Pretty much everything on the menu is $5. They have a variety of appetizers, sandwiches, wraps, pastas, and salads. I am a fan of the spinach artichoke dip as their pita is delicious. The pita is fried, so it is nice and crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside. Their clogged fries are nice to munch on as well. Their buffalo chicken dip is also super creamy and yummy. They are also know for their shot pitchers! Everyday there is different shot pitcher for $5. They have a wide variety of different flavors. A fun place to grab some food and drinks right on Forbes avenue. read more