Wonderful atmospheric, speakeasy-esque bar on the South Side that is nothing like the rest of the South Side. It's sophisticated, laidback and outstanding. Been here quite a few times and always impressed and satisfied. Drinks are creative and the menu is ever-changing. They employ local ingredients where possible and excellent, well-regarded spirits at all times. The drinks are perfectly balanced and not the saccharine mixer-prepared drinks of others. It has a wonderful clientele that is not pretentious, is fun but nice and quiet. It's the kind of bar that plays good retro jazz music and allows people to actually enjoy their company without being drowned out by loud music or debauchery. In addition, the bartenders are the best - they are knowledgeable and can create a unique drink to your tastes. For one of our companions, they prepared a fantastic non-alcoholic drink. This is one of the true gems of Pittsburgh and great place to take good friends to have a good drink. read more

Cool new cocktail lounge in the Southside. The space is old school speakeasy. But my compliments go to the mixologist. I got a special which was this bourbon concoction with spicy paprika. It was unreal. SO GOOD. I cannot wait to return and have that cocktail again. read more

Excellent drinks and atmosphere. It's one of those places you hope doesn't get discovered by the masses...

Very interesting cocktails. Servers and staff were very knowledgeable. Very different vibe from the rest of southside. Don't let the outside decor fool you , very inviting and intimate inside. read more

Great atmosphere and amazing drinks! The only way it could be better is if the back room became cigar-friendly once the work is complete. Then I wouldn't go anywhere else, ever! read more

I went here last weekend to meet up with some old college buddies for drinks. I had a hard time finding the place since there is almost no signage and the windows are boarded up. I couldn't help but keep thinking of the episode of Always Sunny when they go to the gin bar! Haha this place is just like that! I just move to Pittsburgh from Los Angeles and found this place to be way over prices for Pittsburgh. The prices were the same as in Hollywood! With all that being said, I had a great time. The service was very good and they had a good selection of whiskey and bourbon. The place also draws a much better crowd of people than any of the surrounding bars. I will come back but I will think twice about ordering that last extra $20 glass. read more

Wonderful Drinks and Great Bartender - Manager: Meh I wish I could remember the bartender's name because he was super-nice. There were five of us but only four spots at the bar. He went to the other room and grabbed an extra stool for one of us to sit at the end of the bar. The manager, on the other hand... what a tool! He came along a few minutes later and said (and not in a polite way), "You can't sit there. You're in the way." We explained that the bartender had seated us there and he grudgingly let us stay, as long as we scrunched together and moved down the bar. The cocktails, while expensive were top-notch. You could tell that the bartender took great pride in his work and he was happy to explain to us in detail what he was doing and what was in the drinks. The manager continued to putter about in an apparent state of annoyance. I don't think he was still annoyed at us. He just seemed like an unhappy individual who wished he was doing something else... not the type of personality who should be managing a bar. Overall, I guess the drinks and the bartender outweighed the attitude of the manager, but if I ever go back and he's there again (the manager) I doubt if I'll even stay. read more

We were there on a Tuesday evening. The room was fairly full; the drinks were AOK for the money....both bartenders seemed to be knowledgeable and friendly. The problem was the men's room. It was very dirty; the urinal was covered with a garbage bag and the paper towel dispenser was empty. This is inexcusable for an upscale establishment. I won't go back there again. read more

This place is the bees knees!! Very unique atmosphere for being in Pittsburgh. The bar has a very cool 1930's speakeasy feel to it. The bartenders are very personable and make great drinks. The drinks are a little bit expensive but you get what you pay for with great quality. The outside is easy to miss with boarded up windows and an old wooden door on the front but that adds to the speakeasy feel to the bar. I will definitely be stopping back. read more

Really terrific mixed drinks. Jazz playing. Knowledgeable bartenders. 2nd best negroni I've ever had (best was in Rochester NY at The Revelry.) read more

Uber classy and skillful cocktail bar. It's easy to miss because there is no advertising just a normal looking door with a tiny sign. It's as if they are trying to keep the place a secret. Once inside you are transported back sixty years into the feel of a prohibition speakeasy except this time it's filled with fashionable 20 something sipping on cocktails . They make the cocktails quickly despite the crowd. I told my bartender I wanted a cocktail with egg white but not a Ramos Gin Fizz and without any further conversation he got to work serving an excellent drink. read more

Favorite Bar in the Southside. Can get a little crowded at times for being such a small bar. The cocktails are a little pricey but they are made perfectly. read more

As my friends and I walked donw Carson, we heard some great music, but weren't sure where it was coming from. We opened this simple door and looked into a little slice of heaven. We were on our way to another spot so made plans to visit the next night. I'm glad we did. It a small cocktail bar, simply and elegantly furnished. The staff is great. Very knowledgeable of all of their extensive menu of whiskey's and other liquors. We sampled a few things but I was drawn to the Talisker Storm, which was rich, smoky and very delicious. I even had my first Moscow Mule. I'm a ginger fan and it was delicious. We enjoyed the music they played. A live group played the night before. With all of the choices on their drink menu it would be hard to try all those things I've always wanted to try, without visiting every night for 2 months. If you want a wonderful relaxed evening, this is the spot. A perfect place for a couple to have a romantic after dinner evening. read more

Acacia has the most original and best tasting cocktails in Pittsburgh. The first time I went in there, I ordered a drink off the menu, but the second time I was undecided. The bartender asked me what I liked and several minutes late she came back with a drink that was awesome. This place has never been crowded and the staff has always been helpful and friendly. There's no tv or loud music, so this is a great place to hang out with some friends. The booth seating is not so comfortable, so if there are stools at the bar, sit there instead. Looking forward to stopping in again soon. read more

Great place for cocktails. They have a very extensive selection of spirits and know which ones to use to bring out the best in a cocktail. April, our waitress was very knowledgeable about the numerous cocktails they can prepare. Excellent ice (large cubes, balls) that match the drink and the glass. My only complaint is that it is too damn loud. This is a problem with most bars and restaurants now; they are all hard surfaces and sound just bounces around. read more

Hesitant to give this place 5 stars because I love it so much that I want it all to myself haha... But seriously, such a gem! Went here for the first time a few weeks ago, and I love the atmosphere. It was the perfect amount of crowded that it was really fun, without having to wait 30 minutes at the bar for a drink. Definitely my new favorite place in Southside. Such a cool idea! Don't ever change! read more

great place, as everyone else says here...speakeasy theme is seen throughout the entire bar. Great cocktails.

Best cocktail place in town. I didn't want anything from the menu but something fruity and not too sweet. The guy attending our tables figured out what to bring me. It was delicious! I ended up having a second drink. While service in general was slow, they managed to deal with our group of 20 people on a Friday night. We had a great time. One advice: drinks can be strong and unusual. If you are unsure of what to have, better ask a bartender or a waiter for suggestions. read more

Acacia is a must if you are in Southside! It is a prohibition/speakeasy type bar, with "boarded up" windows. It's very funky and cool. Knowledgeable bartenders, very friendly. The menu features these crazy craft cocktails that you would never think of! They are all very very strong but so good and reasonably priced. I had the drink called Bar Milk when I was there last week, and it knocked me on my ass! Ha. It's super hot in here though, during summer months. I always leave sweaty. read more

This place is truly leading the growing craft beer and cocktail scene in Pittsburgh. With a knowledgable staff, cool atmosphere, great beers on tap, amazing large format bottle selection (a lot of them are aged), and a seemingly endless bourbon list; this is my go-to spot to grab a few drinks with friends. read more

Really cool place, atmosphere is genuine, dress unwritten code is moderate formal prohibition era. Only drawbacks are noise level and cocktail size... some are tiny for 10 bucks! Overall its a 5 star stop read more

I heard good things about this place previously and when I had an opportunity to throw my friend a bachelorette party I though this place would be PERFECT. It had the exact atmosphere to match our theme. I visited the first time to get additional information to rent their back room. I was told that the owner was not there and would be back in an hour. I left my information to be called back (according to the man behind the bar). I never received a call....OK not a big deal...owners are busy so I called a few days later. there was no answer. I waited until the next week and called again with no answer. I decided to go back in an try to speak with someone again. I was told the same thing...."manager isn't here and would be back in an hour". I'm not sure why with a place that small that the same man that was behind the bar couldn't give me information. I was told the owner would call me....and guess what...still no call. I actually have the feeling that they did not want my event there. May be an assumption on my part, but I have never had a business just not call or disregard my request for pricing EVER and I put on a lot of events. I wish I could say that I was able to rate them on their actual drinks and service but I wasn't even able to get that far. Very disappointed read more

Dark inside. Good booze. Knowledgable/skilled bartender. This would be a great bar anywhere, but it is an oasis in particular in the fratty South Side. Hand-tailored cocktails but beers too if you're too thirsty to wait. read more

My favorite place in pittsburgh. Awesome environment. One suggestion to the owners: cigars!

Great Bar, great people. Drinks are carefully made, well balanced and tasty. Not like the other bars, where some kid in suspenders and beard is talking about himself and cares more about how he looks than making a great drink read more

Incredible spot with excellent and knowledgable bartenders. We really enjoyed the Just Beet It and Milton's Mai Tai. Laid back, mature crowd, and tasty drinks. Large whiskey collection at good prices (compared to NYC or DC). read more

Acacia - Specialty drink menu (as of Thanksgiving weekend 2015) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Drinks are good but be mindful of the pricing. The seats, however are very uncomfortable. The soft butt cushion is saggy and at a weird angle causing your legs to fall asleep. However, the bartenders are friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. The atmosphere is very pleasant and I will be back. read more

Frontier saloon with amazing selection and great bartenders. You could walk past this place and not even notice it's open. The door is covered with old-time newspaper and the windows have old barn wood covers inside. Regardless, get yourself over to Acacia for some really great drinks. The former Z Lounge has been remodeled into a cozy early American type bar with lovely décor inside. On my most recent visit, it was a Monday night, so it was just me, my two friends and the bartender, Shane. This place has a really extensive list of bourbons and whiskeys, some of which I have never seen before (at least not in PA). Shane is very knowledgeable about his booze and will not steer you wrong when it comes to what to choose. The cocktails enjoyed by my friends were equally good, the key lime pie cocktail tasted just like a liquid key lime pie :) If you're a fan of drinks, be it bourbon, whiskey, or cocktails, this is the place for you. Don't pass up a chance to try some Old Forrester Birthday Bourbon - it's like bourbon candy. read more

This is hands down the best cocktail bar in Pittsburgh. I'm all for a trashy South Side night filled with cran vodkas and pathetic attempts at dancing once in awhile, but this bar is a refreshing change from that. It's a bit on the pricey side compared to other nearby bars, but for how delicious the cocktails are, it's absolutely worth it. It's easy to miss, but just open the wooden door where you hear voices. The bartenders are attentive and friendly ; I had a great conversation with one bartender who recommended me cool vegan places to go in Pittsburgh. read more

The single best drinks-only bar specializing in craft cocktails and high-end whiskeys I have ever been to. Why the best? I've been to fancier places. I've been to more expensive places. But I've never been to a cocktail bar that achieved the amazingly high level of quality these guys hit, with such a low level of pretension or attitude. They're friendly, they're cool, they're easygoing. They are glad you are there, which, amazingly, is more than I can say for most other places run along these lines. An important point raised by other reviewers is that this is NOT a standard "South Side bar", thank God. This is a bar for grown-ups. Not "people who think they know how to act like grown-ups". "Grown-ups". That's rare on the South Side, and VERY welcome. Come for the cocktails, which are awesome. Stay for the comfortable, warm, dark, speakeasy, private-club, convivial atmosphere, the great service, and what will be your first of (hopefully) many golden nights. P.S. It is true that they have no food service in-house at this time. But there are plenty of solid carry-out places on Carson, and the guys at Acacia don't mind if you carry in. read more

Possibly the best cocktail you will ever have in Pittsburgh. The bartenders are extremely knowledgeable. Don't like a drink on the list, tell them what you like and they will make you a custom concoction on the spot. My go to is a whiskey sour, made with a fresh egg. It's worth going in for the show, the bartenders will not disappoint. read more

A concealed amethyst! I have been frequenting the speak easy's in NYC for some time, and this one is right on par. My first request was for a Chicago and not only did he understand it, he added a fantastic turn of powdered sugar! Excellent drinks. Great feeling. If I lived here, it'd be my go to pub! read more

amazing drinks and talented bartenders. I love the quaint and cozy atmosphere too. It doesn't get too crowded for a Southside bar which is also a plus read more

This place has quickly turned into my favorite bar in Pittsburgh. Definitely not your typical south side bar. The bartenders are extremely knowledgeable about their drinks and you can be entertained just watching them make an impressively wide array of cocktails. Drinks are pricier than most bars but you definitely get what you pay for (I'd rather pay for one cocktail here than two $5 drinks at any other lousy south side bar. Give this place a shot! read more

This is a hidden speakeasy type joint. It's the type of place where everyone looks at you when you walk in and it is like you could hear the sound of a pin dropping. That aside, it is a romantic little spot for good conversation with friends or a date. However, it was all a little awkward and hipster-esque. Our waiter was very friendly and almost all 8 of our group agreed that the drinks were decent. This is a place that you go to for a true mixology experience. The drinks were unique and the whisky menu is vast. However, they refused to make an omission of an ingredient in a drink even though it was because of my food allergies. I understand that mixology is their art, but I am allergic to eggs and just wanted the Pisco drink on their menu without the egg whites. I was going to pay for the drink. It wasn't like I was asking them to give me their first born child. I ended up ordering a $10 drink I didn't really want and didn't finish it. We left after one beverage, to say the least. read more

Great service- bartender really knew his bourbon selection and the list included some highly sought after bottles. My husband was in bourbon heaven! read more

We randomly decided to go on a Thursday night. It was almost empty when we got there around 8:00 and filled up. I got one of the Three Amigos cocktails and a Dark & Stormy - both were done perfectly. The selection of liquor at the bar was also AWESOME - I don't personally drink straight up liquor much, but definitely was impressed by the whiskey / rye / scotch selections they had available. Bartenders were also very friendly - the vibe was casual and great for a group of friends to grab a drink and chat - also would come back for a date! :) read more

I like pretty much everything about this place. I was a fan of Embury before it went away, and Acacia fills the hole. If you are looking for a neighborhood yinzer bar this is *not* it. The drinks are pretty, tastes are right, and no shortage of alcohol in your drink like some other bars. If you're looking for a romantic atmosphere and modern speakeasy experience you will be quite pleased. The service is usually great, I've had bartenders that are super friendly and go out of their way to make me feel welcome, but I've also had a bartender that was kind of arrogant and snobby. I suppose you'll have that anywhere on Carson street though. During one visit around Christmas time I mentioned that I love Christmas music. At the end of the night the bartender went into the back and returned with a saxophone and played a Christmas song for me. That was pretty awesome. He got a huge tip! The only reason I didn't give 5 stars (in addition to the smug bartender) is that despite everything else the bathrooms are still pretty gross... Definitely can be improved to fit with the rest of the bar. read more

Wonderful! Great, thoughtful service, and exactly the vibe I was looking for after work. You can go alone or with friends! The Nori by Nature is amazing if you like ginger cocktails! read more

Love this place! Every trip we make to the southside starts here. Excellent cocktails & some of the best mixologists around. Nice selection of whiskey & their whiskey sour is the best. A real old fashioned speak easy feel. Definitely a hidden gem, a little hard to find if you don't know where it is...but let's keep it like that! read more