*This post was updated on August 1, 2022. It was originally published in April 2021.
Whether you want to imbibe on a spacious patio or snag a sidewalk table, here’s a list of breweries where you can sip in the sunshine. Hours are subject to change based on weather and Covid restrictions.
Acclamation Brewing, 555 b Wildwood Ave., Verona
Picnic tables are set up outside with a rotating lineup of food trucks to satisfy your hunger. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Trace Brewing, 4312 Main St., Bloomfield
Trace is the perfect spot to start with your morning coffee and end with a beer or cocktail. It’s a spot to take your laptop to WFH, or just relax in Trace’s beer garden, where you can peek inside the brewery’s koelschip room, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The coffee bar is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. You can also find food trucks lined up outside of Trace, as well as lists of events. Their social media pages will always keep you updated.
Two Frays Brewery, 5113 Penn Ave., Garfield
Located in the heart of Garfield, Two Frays is a fun-filled neighborhood brewery. With trivia nights, DJ sets, and being pet-friendly, you and your dogs will love the pairing of a Two Frays beer and the outdoor area. The brewery also welcomes outside food, and has QR codes of menus from walkable restaurants. The hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, 1 to 11:00 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Mastic Trail Brewing, 1044 Saxonburg Blvd., Glenshaw
This North Hills spot has Caribbean décor and patio seating overlooking Little Pine Creek. The food menu features tropical bites, including jerk chicken wings, tostones and shrimp tacos. Get away from it all from 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Enjoy Happy Hour 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
East End Brewing Company, 147 Julius St., Larimer
Enjoy a beer on East End’s spacious patio from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. In addition to suds, the brewery serves up pizza, breadsticks, soft pretzels and pickled veggies.
Lincoln Avenue Brewery, 538 Lincoln Ave., Bellevue
Sidewalk seating is available from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The brewery, the first beer maker on the scene since Bellevue lifted its long-time ban on alcohol, has appetizers, salads, sandwiches and eats for the kiddos.
Sly Fox Pittsburgh Taphouse, 300 Liberty Ave., Suite 100, Downtown, 46 S 4th St., South Side
Sly Fox Brewing Company, which is based on the other side of Pennsylvania, has a Downtown taphouse that serves casual fare such as pizza, pierogies and sandwiches. Play cornhole on the patio which is open 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Friday, and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.. Sly Fox also debuted a second location at The Highline at 44 S. 4th Street on the South Side. Enjoy a taste of the Highline from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Penn Brewery, 800 Vinial St., Troy Hill
The granddaddy of Pittsburgh craft breweries, Penn Brewery is open from 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, noon to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. In the outdoor biergarten, you’ll feel like you’re raising a stein at Oktoberfest in Deutschland. The kitchen dishes out traditional German fare, including Wienerschnitzel, Käsespätzle and Bratwurst and closes one hour before closing hours.
Altered Genius, 411 Merchant St., Ambridge
This Ambridge brewery has a drink or food menu option for just about anyone, including brunch. Try the buffalo mac ‘n’ cheese, you’ll thank us later. With trivia nights and live music, this is a must-stop for Ambridge. Enjoy the outdoor patio and seating from noon to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Cinderlands Warehouse, 2601 Smallman St., Strip District
The brewery’s second location has a patio overlooking the Strip and a full menu of gourmet grub. Hours are 11:30 to 10 p.m. Tuesday (tacos only), 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. You can catch a mixup of food on Sundays: brunch 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., snacks 2 to 3 p.m., and dinner 3 to 10 p.m.
The Leaning Cask Brewing Company, 850 Pittsburgh St., Springdale
The Springdale brewery, which names its beers after dogs, created The Courtyard at Leaning Cask last year, a four-tiered, 2,000-square-foot space. The calendar shows events and food trucks such as Just Roll’d Up, Alberta’s Pizza happening each week. You can also rent the outdoor space for your own event. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Hop Farm Brewing, 5601 Butler St., Lawrenceville
This Upper Lawrenceville brewery is urban farm brewing at its finest. Local ingredients are sourced to make the tasteful brews. There are 14 rotating taps in-house, and you can enjoy a meal outside on a picnic table, or in the additional seating in the warehouse connected to the taproom. The warehouse opens a large garage-like door, having the fresh air flow with perfect indoor/outdoor combo. Hours are 3 to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 3 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Allegheny City Brewing, 507 Foreland St., North Side
ACB’s got beer flowing and covered tables set up outside from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday, 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. 1 to 9 p.m. Different food trucks post up each day. You can also enjoy live music, yoga classes, and other events in their beer garten!
Mindful Brewing Company, 3759 Library Road, Castle Shannon and 1001 Washington Ave., Carnegie
Enjoy a spacious outdoor seating at the Castle Shannon location, which is open from 4 to 11 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Order from the full food menu, which features salads, fried chicken, pizza and lots more. The Carnegie location, Asadero by Mindful, specializes in tacos and also boasts a patio. Hours are 4 to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday.
Grist House Craft Brewery, 10 E Sherman St., Millvale
Grist caters to any kind of beer drinker with hops, sours and lights. Food trucks are always on rotation here, and you’ll find people with their beer and pups surrounding the outdoor area. Kind of sounds like a dream come true. Enjoy this Millvale treasure 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Inner Groove Brewing, 751 E. Railroad St., Verona
Tables are set up in the front and back of the building so you can get your outdoor drinkin’ groove on from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Bring your own eats or see what rolling restaurant has pulled up outside. The folks behind the bar will be spinning vinyl records to keep your toes tapping. They’ve also opened their second location in Allentown at 827 E Warrington Ave.
Spoonwood Brewing Company, 5981 Baptist Road, Bethel Park
A large back patio and cool brews await you from 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Spoonwood has an extensive menu featuring wood-fired pizzas, vegetarian options and house-smoked meats. There are specials on weekdays — Tuesday, for instance, is Boneless Wing Night — and Sunday focuses on brunch.
Coven Brewery, 4901 Butler St., Lawrenceville
Coven Brewery recently opened up in the location where Roundabout Brewery previously was. Coven welcomes food trucks with seating located on the side. During events, the side doors open and the street is closed for more seating and a stage. You’ll easily become a fan with their microbrews. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Acrospire Brewing Co., 1650 Butler Plank Road, Glenshaw
The nanobrewery, which is named after the shoot of a grain, barley or other cereal used in malting, has tables and chairs set up outside for Friday fun from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday sippin’ from 1 to 9 p.m.
Dancing Gnome Beer, 925 Main St., Sharpsburg
The taproom is still closed — and undergoing a major expansion — but the beer garden behind the building has seats available on a first-come, first-served basis from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. You’ll need a reservation if you want a fire pit.
Voodoo Brewery, 205 E. 9th Ave., Homestead
Kick back with your BFF on Voodoo’s dog-friendly patio from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday and noon to 8 p.m. Saturday. Soon Voodoo will unveil extended hours, a new kitchen and menu and tableside mobile ordering.
Dancing Gnome Beer, 925 Main St., Sharpsburg
The taproom underwent a major expansion last year, and there is outdoor seating all around the building. Seat are available on a first-come, first-served basis from 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 2 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. You’ll need a reservation if you want a fire pit.
Strange Roots Experimental Ales, 501 E. Ohio St., Millvale, and 4399 Gibsonia Rd., Gibsonia
The Gibsonia brewery operates from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Stop at the Millvale taproom from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Both sites offer limited menus right now, but the kitchens should be fully operational soon.
Hofbräuhaus Pittsburgh, 2705 S. Water St., South Side
Enjoy the German ambiance in the Biergarten from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. Different food menus cater to everyone, from carnivores and vegetarians to folks on a gluten-free diet and people with a sweet tooth.
Southern Tier Brewing Co., 316 North Shore Drive, North Shore
Before the next Pirates game, have a beer on the AstroTurf patio, which is open from 3 to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Every item on Southern Tier’s menu is made with beer and the site offers a game day menu when the Pirates or Steelers play, which allows them to dish out food faster.
Hop Farm Brewing, 5601 Butler St., Lawrenceville
Hop Farm has a few picnic tables out front, but owner Matt Gouwens says they’re close to opening the front of the warehouse and starting a long-awaited expansion project that’ll add a garden and outdoor seating on the roof. Hours are 3 to 10 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. There’s a full food menu via Provision PGH and plenty of four-packs to go.
Spring Hill, 1958 Varley St., Spring Hill
Get a brew with a view from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The building sits high on a hill and is itself is a sight to behold. The towering structure was constructed in 1900 and once held the Workingmen’s Beneficial Union, a community space for German immigrants. Chances are they’d like how the space has been repurposed.
Abjuration Brewing Co., 644 Broadway Ave., McKees Rocks
A couple of tables are set up in front of the renovated Parkway Theater, where the nanobrewery makes its inventive concoctions and then sells them from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Abjuration crew is working to secure dates for another pop-up beer garden at 10.7 Marina in Verona, so stay tuned!
BrewDog, 6144 Centre Ave., East Liberty
Lap up suds in East Liberty on BrewDog’s patio daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. BrewDog, which is a Scottish-based brand, opened its Pittsburgh location in 2020, just before the pandemic started. Tails are wagging to serve locals good beer and chow from an extensive menu of snacks, sides, sandwiches, wings, tacos, salads and bowls. Woof.
Truss Brewing Company, 42 Old Clairton Rd., Pleasant Hills
The to-go beer and bites establishment, which opened in December 2020, has a seating area out back where you can unwind with a wood-fired Neapolitan pizza and a beverage. There’s live music every Friday night and Saturday afternoon.
Eleventh Hour Brewing, 3711 Charlotte Street, Lawrenceville
Eleventh Hour provides beer and picnic tables, a rotating schedule of food trucks provides the grub. Be sure to check out the brewery’s Full Moon IPA series, with a new release every month.
Old Thunder Brewing, 340 Freeport Rd., Blawnox
Relax on the heated patio with a pint as you watch cars roll by on Freeport Road. While you’re there, check out the spacious taproom, which once served as a post office. It recently opened for in-person imbibing.
