Sam's Tavern In The Wall

Tavern In The Wall is a locally owned and operated bar and restaurant located in the Aspinwall community of the North Hills of Pittsburgh. It is everything you expect and needs in a neighborhood bar. You get the sense it is patronized by mostly locals and that their focus is catching up with friends. Yet, it was easy enough to feel quite welcome when I am clearly not a regular at this place.  

Living in Ross Township, I have now dropped into this place twice. Tavern In The Wall for me personally turns out to be a great halfway for each of us place to meet a beer buddy of mine who lives in the Point Breeze area of Pittsburgh. On each occasion we met, we had a great time and felt incredibly welcome. 

The decor and atmosphere are cozy, warm, and comforting as a great neighborhood bar should be. I liked the old-world wooden bar millwork. It gives a place a timeless charm that hearkens back to older decades. A key to a great bar to me is that connection with the rich history of the area and that is a sense I get in this place. On each occasion I went there seemed to be much older patrons that find this place comfortable too. The older crowd tended to the booth and table tops. The bar itself was filled with more younger folks. 

On the first occasion, I went here, I had to wait for my friend. A young couple sat down next to me. Their conversation was loud enough to hear they had met on a dating app and it was clear their conversation was a bit award at first. There were some news stories that we all commented on and in some ways, I was happy to serve as an ice breaker that got their conversation with each going much smother. I'll drink to that.  

What I drank was a fresh crisp Sam Adams Winter Lager draft. It was malty, warm, and refreshing. They have a variety of craft beers in bottles and I believe, but I can't remember perfectly that they also had one or two craft beers on tap. Otherwise, they offered your Pittsburgh staples of Miller Lite and Yuengling.  

Daily drink specials include Blue Moon Bottles at $350. Tavern In the Wall also has some colorful days of the week promos such as Tiki Tuesday, where you can get Corona bottles for $3 and Margs for $3.5. On Wine Down Wednesdays you get all house wines for $4. Check their website for the full list. 

Interesting cocktails include McCoys Hot Cider, $6, and a Salted Chocolate Carmel drink at the same price.  

I didn't eat either time I went, but the food looked great, and I plan to do so next time I visit. Offering a wide selection of pub fare, some notable menu items include "The Fish That Fed Pittsburgh" a half pound of beer battered fried haddock on a toasted kaiser roll.  Roasted Pot Roast is offered, which is comprised of slow-cooked beef served open-face with a rich homemade gravy. Interesting full plates include a Lamb Bolognese served with a rich tomato, wine, and garlic sauce and freshly toasted garlic bread. All full plates are served with either a cup of soup, a small garden, or a caesar salad. 

All in all, The Tavern In The Wall, is a quintessential neighborhood bar, perfect for meeting friends and maybe even Tinder dates. I'll be back for sure. 

Kitchen hours are 11 AM - 9 PM, Tuesday thru Saturday; Sunday until 4 PM. The bar closes at Midnight and on Mondays, the whole place is closed.