Do you like to smoke? To you like to play pool? Do you like good music selection? Do you like GIANT ass mugs of beer on the dirt cheap? HUZZAH! Have I got the place for you. Everything about this bar feels like narnia to me. The string lights, the cheap big ass beers, the great drink specials, the cool jukebox, the pool table, the low key atmosphere. The staff is typical pittsburgh bartender staff. They're not overly interested in you or what you have to say. They aren't rude. They're just aloof. I LOVE THAT. The crowd is mixed with older yinzer types, young hipsters/scenesters, and college folk. It's laid back. They play sports on their TV if that's your thing, it's not mine. It IS cash only. So keep that in mind. Your dollar goes a lot further here than anywhere else, bonus: it's right up the block from Arsenal Cider House.... read more

Great dive! Love a dive bar and this spot is always great. I love their big giant beer glasses that are perfectly frosty- always the perfect beer- great prices too. Tons of pool tables- the people who play pool here are always really good. This is a smoking bar so if you don't like that, maybe skip - I personally don't mind at all and love the vibes and atmosphere. Service is good- Shay is a great bartender read more

Take A Break Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - McKeesRocks, Pennsylvania

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Very weird people here. Accused my boyfriend of being someone else and kicked us out! I couldn't believe it because we have only been there 2 other times and we have always been respectful. Accused him of spray painting a bathroom and running out?? Like we seriously had no idea what was going on but they need to make sure they know who tf they are talking about before they start kicking people out. Weirdest thing that has ever happened to us for sure. read more

Nice dive bar, cool configuration of the bar. Pool tables, cigarette vending machine. However we came in on a Sunday night and the bartender obviously didn't want business or maybe our business? It was a weird interaction every time we ordered and got weird looks quite a few times. You don't come across a bartender who doesn't want to make money or has something up his a** too often. read more

A welcome respite from several Lawrenceville scene bars, Take A Break has great drink prices and tasty large cheese filled pretzels. Skip the Pizza. There's also two decent pool tables, and free darts--if you don't mind throwing between the perilous gap in a row of gamblaholics and their electronic slot machines (for entertainment only, of course). While perhaps not enjoying iconic Pittsburgh dive status, the relatively unknown Take A Break has recently gained more and more notoriety in the last few years among the neighborhood, and in our hearts, as a mix of locals and 20somethings alike attempt to comply with this oddly named bar's imperative. read more

Take A Break Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - McKeesRocks, Pennsylvania

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Cheap drinks! Daily drink specials that help a girl on a budget stretch her dollar. Mixed crowd-young and old. Occasional hipster sighting (thank goodness they've not found this place to be ironic yet). Lots of fun. read more

Owner is dismissive of customers Covid-19 concerns Durning a spike in the pandemic, even going so far as to ask one customer who raised concerns to never step foot in his restaurant again. read more

Take a Break (or TAB, as I've started campaigning for it to be called) is one of the few sketchy-as-all-hell bars in Lawrenceville that I don't enjoy. Let's start with how freaking hot it is in there. The place is kept at a sub-tropical level that's uncomfortable for anyone under the age of 78 (coincidentally, the temperature I believe the thermostat to be set at) AND they allow smoking inside. Now, smoking indoors is one thing, and keeping your bar hot as blazes is another, but doing them together?! Oof. When the inconvenient truth that is global climate change catches up with us, the entire world is going to feel like the inside of TAB: a smoky, humid nightmare. TAB boasts a truly bizarre mix of people, even for a Pittsburgh dive, and on any given night you'll see local hipsters, elderly drunks, businessmen that look like they're in the mafia and a sprinkling of yuppies kicking back $3 whiskey and cokes and $1 PBRs. The bartenders are slow, slow, slow, even when the bar is dead, dead, dead; however, they do have sweet pool tables and darts. read more

Nice little dive. As everyone else has mentioned, the drinks are cheap and the pool tables are great. The place generally avoids the huge bar crowds that other places nearby tend to get, but it does get pretty full on weekends. I've never had a problem with any of the bartenders or patrons of this place. Everybody seems friendly every time I'm there. If you're there during a football game, expect it to be loud, the bar is usually packed with old-timers cheering on (or cursing) the game. On a few occasions, during some big football games, the owner showed up with a stack of pizzas for everybody to share, which was awesome. If you're there on a Friday or Saturday night, you may have a hard time getting a go at the pool tables. The two tables are usually packed with groups of weekend regulars playing all night. It tends to get a little crowded and noisy around the tables. The place allows smoking, but it doesn't really bother me. Their two large "smoke eater" vent machines seem to keep the air clean and moving. As a nonsmoker, I have no problems with the smoke level at Take A Break. The bar itself is kind of small, and beer selection the same, but if you're just going for some cheap drinks and a few rounds of pool, then this is a good place to go. read more

I've passed Take a Break everyday on my commute, and I'm glad I finally took a walk over to it last night in the unseasonably warm weather. I have to say, I was surprised with what I found. Take a Break has great character with a fair share of pros and cons. The pros: This place has massive mugs for beers on draft. I ordered a Blue Moon, and went with the large which is LARGE MUG. It was comically big and I'm glad I walked over. Did I mention it was under $5? When the weather is nice, the doors are kept open and there as a great breeze going through the bar. The space is surprisingly large, I had no problem sitting and watching a few games of pool. The place is decked out in Steelers curtains and was in full Halloween mode with cobwebs (assuming they were fake). I'm told the place can get a bit crowded on the weekend, but like I said, it's pretty big in there. The cons: Like most of the best dives in Pittsburgh, you can still smoke inside. I imagine this can get painful on a smokey night for an asthmatic like me. You will come out of here reeking of cigarette smoke. Also, they don't have much variety on tap--but that's coming from a self-proclaimed beer snob. In terms of the dives around Pittsburgh, I find this one pretty approachable. I'm sure I'll be back again. read more

Take a break, is the best pool hall in Lawrenceville. The beer is cheap. The pool tables play true, and the jukebox is on par. All in all this is a top notch bar that cant be beat. If you're in the area, then I would definitely check it out. read more

I don't come on Saturdays often, but the bartender Scott is certainly the rudest, and shadiest bartender I've ever encountered.

Take A Break is my favorite dive in Pittsburgh. I am lucky enough to live within walking distance to this gem and it never lets me down. They have huge mug beers at a great price and it draws a nice mixed crowd. Also a great bonus is that they lady's room is really nice. Always a plus for any establishment. read more

Definitely the kind of bar that I enjoy. No pretension, cheap drinks, pool for a dollar, kitschy decorations. I'm in! I had a great time here the other night when my friend and I stopped in PGH on our way back to Chicago. Great times were had. Photos were taken. read more

My favorite bar in Pittsburgh. Cheap drinks, great bartenders, warm atmosphere and good pool tables. But if you're bothered by cigarette smoke you should probably steer clear. read more

$4 huuuge blue moon drafts. Everyone is way too serious about their pool game. Doesn't take cards. Smoker friendly. Definitely a dive bar. They put tape over the outlets so you can't charge your phones. Don't give out your number or take someone home from here. read more

I don't care what anyone says about the chicken parm. Excellent draft selection. The bathroom is always well stocked which is nice. If this were a review I'd give it five stars no problem. read more

I love this bar! Cheap drinks and the pool area is great. Good atmosphere and although you can smoke inside, it doesn't really get filled with smoke like other bars. Definitely a bar to frequent. read more

This is a great dive right in Lawrenceville with a bunch of character. Yes, the pros are as everyone else has already mentioned: usually a great neighborhood blue collar crowd, cheap mug drinks, and a laid back vibe. It was actually really surprising to me how large the bar is inside the first time I walked in. The people usually vary, and Fridays and Saturdays can be pretty busy with long lines for the pool table. Overall though, I usually have a good time. read more

Great local hangout spot! Two pool tables, cheap drinks, but usually pretty smokey. Saturdays are 3$ 23oz yuenglings all night, I mean really, how can you go wrong with that? Three different sitting areas so there's always a spot. Plus who doesn't love taking breaks? read more

Good beer, nice darts, easy to talk with a small group of friends, ample street parking.

This bar is in no way a dive. Great steeler game big screen Sundays, awesome atmosphere, super clean bathrooms is a plus, jukebox and pool tables always available and fair game, drinks are cheap and given by beautiful friendly bartenders (just tip and dont be an asshole) and the pizzas and pretzels are a good way to kick the buzz to drive home. Five stars easily! I love t.a.b. read more

I love this bar. It's so casual and low-key and everyone is welcome and made to feel like you're at home. The only issue I have with it is their bartender named Scott who works on the weekends. He's kind of a dick and I don't like him. All the other bartenders are awesome and make me feel very welcome and I love my time here. read more

And on the 9th day, God said LET THEM DRINK BEER. And thus, Take a Break bar has riseth from the Earth. And Man drank beer. Jesus Christ himself was sick of the Hipster $20 glass of whiskey scene when he drunkenly stumbled into Take a Break. And on that day, Jesus found love; love for all that is holy in the world, that true holy water comes in a $2 tall mug special, and that Take a Break is a testament to all that is right and holy in this world. Do yourself a favor, when life gets tough and you need a place of worship, it may be time to take a break. The greatest bar on earth. read more