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PITTSBURGH HAS a lively theater scene. Here’s a roundup of companies and theaters in the area, with suggestions for nearby restaurants.
During the past 25 years, the nonprofit Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, has transformed a 14-block district in the city’s downtown into an arts and entertainment/residential neighborhood. The Cultural District includes restored historical theaters and new performance spaces, as well as parks and riverfront recreation areas. The theaters listed below are under the operation of the trust.
AUGUST WILSON CENTER FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE
980 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
412-471-6070
culturaldistrict.org/pages/awc
Named after the celebrated native-born playwright, the center presents performances celebrating the contributions of African Americans in Western Pennsylvania.
BENEDUM CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
237 Seventh Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
412-456-6666
trustarts.org/benedum
The 2,800-seat theater hosts performances of musical theater, dance and opera.
BRICOLAGE PRODUCTION COMPANY
937 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
412-471-0999
bricolagepgh
Experimental theater that emphasizes audience engagement.
BYHAM THEATER
101 Sixth Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
412-456-6666
culturaldistrict.org/venues/byham-theater
Once a famous vaudeville house, the Byham now offers musical theater performances as well as ballet and modern dance.
HEINZ HALL
600 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
412-456-6666
trustarts.org/pct_home/visit/facilities/heinz-hall
The 2,676-seat venue, home to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, also hosts Broadway shows.
PITTSBURGH PUBLIC THEATER AT THE O’REILLY THEATER
621 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
412-316-1600
ppt
The Pittsburgh Public Theater prides itself on producing new work. August Wilson’s “Jitney” received its professional premiere here.
PITTSBURGH PLAYWRIGHTS THEATRE COMPANY
937 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
pghplaywrights
Develops and showcases the works of local playwrights.
Restaurants nearby:
Seviche
930 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
seviche
For a pre-theater bite, this”New Latin” bistro specializes in its namesake, as well as small plates of pork ribs, salmon or mussels. Mojitos are a must.
Sonoma Grille
947 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
412-697-1336
thesonomagrille
Full-size main courses like guinea hen and double pork chops, plus shareables (mussels and scallops frites) and small plates (fresh fish crudo) in laid-back atmosphere meant to mimic a Napa winery courtyard. The same owners as Seviche.
Meat and Potatoes
649 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
412-325-7007
meatandpotatoespgh
The name says it all about this buzzy spot for elevated comfort food. Ribeye with bone marrow gratin, anyone? Post-theater dining an option— Meat & Potatoes is open until 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday and Friday and Saturday, until midnight.
BAREBONES PRODUCTIONS
5720 Friendship Avenue # 201
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206
412-298-4553
barebonesproductions
Encourages the growth of local theater artists through the production of challenging, entertaining and thought-provoking plays.
Restaurant nearby:
Whitfield (located in Ace Hotel)
120 S Whitfield Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
whitfieldpgh
As hip as any hipster place in NYC but without all the attitude. Steak is the star on the menu of this dining room with a neighborhood tavern-like feel, but vegetarians will also find dishes to appeal. Try the lobby bar for pre- or post-theater dining. The restaurant offers a 15% discount on meals with proof of purchase of a show ticket on performance nights.
CITY THEATRE
1300 Bingham Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15203
412-431-2489
citytheatrecompany
Located on the city’s South Side, the professional theater company specializes in productions of new plays and has commissioned new works by playwrights on the national scene.
Restaurants nearby:
The Urban Tap
1209 E. Carson Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15203
412-586-7499
theurbantap
The go-to destination for patrons, staff and artists for a beer and a snack before or after the show.
Dish Osteria Bar
128 S 17th Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15203
412-390-2012
dishosteria
The weekday happy hour here includes a $5 martini and small plates, including vitello tonnato and pan-roasted sea scallops with fennel and beets.
KELLY-STRAYHORN THEATER
5941 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206
412-363-3000
kelly-strayhorn
A destination for innovative works in theater and dance.
Restaurants nearby:
Soba
5847 Ellsworth Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232
412-362-5656
sobapa
If you need to make the curtain in short order and even if you don’t. Swanky Asian fusion eatery with food meant for sampling and sharing. Convivial bar with good people-watching. Korean barbecue ribs are outstanding.
Spoon
134 South Highland Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206
412-362-6001
spoonpgh
Eat the bar if you have a curtain to make. The 10-year-old restaurant, known for starting the city’s restaurant renaissance, features innovative main dishes, such as sunchoke ravioli and halibut with cauliflower-fennel puree.
NEW HAZLETT CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
6 Allegheny Square East
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212
412-320-4610
newhazletttheater
A venue for arts presenters, producers and artists. Prime Stage Theater, Pittsburgh Musical Theater and Community Supported Art Pittsburgh all perform here.
Restaurants nearby:
Pizzaiolo Primo
8 Market Square
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
412-575-5858
pizzaioloprimo
Right smack in the middle of bustling Market Square. Terrific Neapolitan pizza, hand-made sweet fennel sausage, fresh mozzarella and antipasto.
Vallozzi’s
220 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
412-394-3400
vallozzis
A buzzy mozzarella and Italian tapas bar in the front; a more formal dining experience in the back. Take your choice.
OFF THE WALL PRODUCTIONS at Carnegie Stage
25 W Main Street
Carnegie, Pennsylvania 15106
724-873-3576
insideoffthewall
Ambitious little art theater with an appetite for challenging plays
Restaurants nearby: rileyspourhouse, onethirtyoneeast
PICT CLASSIC THEATRE
Performs at Union Project:
801 North Negley Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206
412-561-6000
picttheatre
Think Sophocles, Shakespeare, David Mamet and local acting talent.
Restaurants nearby:
Park Bruges
5801 Bryant Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
412-661-3334
parkbruges
You can’t go wrong with the classic moules frites. The frites are twice cooked and served with roasted garlic Dijon mayonnaise.
Casbah
S. Highland St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206
412-661-5656
casbahpgh
Whether you choose the bar, the dining room or the year-round patio, the Mediterranean-inspired food (radicchio salad, gnocchi with rosemary and grilled fish) is first-rate. A light bite or a four-course meal.
Pittsburgh CLO (performs at the Cabaret at Theater Square)
655 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
412-456-6666
pittsburghclo
Pittsburgh CLO is a not-for-profit cultural organization dedicated to the preservation, creation and promotion of the American musical theater art form.
PITTSBURGH MUSICAL THEATER (performs at the Byham Theatre)
pittsburghmusicals
PMT is a non-profit organization committed to providing quality, affordable musical theater to the Pittsburgh region.
PITTSBURGH PLAYHOUSE
222 Craft Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
412-392-8000
pittsburghplayhouse
The performing arts center of Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts is home to The Rep, the professional theater company; and three student companies hosting musicals and dramas in three performance spaces.
Very casual.
Restaurants nearby:
Hello Bistro
3605 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
412-687-8787
hellobistro
Burgers, fries and an extensive salad selection are just a short walk away from the theater. Limited alcoholic drinks are also available.
Legume/Butterjoint
214 North Craig Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
412-621-2700
legumebistro
Locally sourced, seasonal American fare, including pork and pistachio paté and chickpea stew. The attached Butterjoint is a good spot for post-performance cocktails and light fare.
PRIME STAGE THEATER (performs at the New Hazlett Center)
Prime Stage’s mission is to entertain, educate and enrich families, students, and educators in the discovery of live theatre and literature.
QUANTUM THEATRE
218 North Highland Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206
412-362-1713
quantumtheatre
Known for its experimental productions in non-traditional performance spaces around the Pittsburgh area.
Restaurant(s) nearby: The company picks the neighborhood or building and then partners with nearby restaurants for special menus and discounts to theater patrons.
Love the theater overview/ directory. I would add something about the Pittsburgh Symphony. Currently the POPs have a great line up. My blog about trying new things you can read about the last show at https://cindymarie-emptynest-challenge.blogspot.com/2017/02/day-196-pittsburgh-symphony-pops.html