There have been a lot of great additions to Pittsburgh in the last few years, but there might be none cooler than Shore Thing.
Shore Thing is a small barge that’s docked during the warmer months of the year along the North Shore of Allegheny River between the Roberto Clemente Bridge and the Andy Warhol Bridge, near PNC Park. The space is run by Riverlife, with Brew Gentlemen, one of my favorite breweries in Pittsburgh, running the food and drink.
Given its incredibly unique setting and the fact that it’s run by such a great brewery, I was excited to finally have a chance to check it out early in its second season in June 2026.
Once I boarded Shore Thing via its floating dock, the first thing I noticed was the nice variety of seating spaces. There were covered picnic tables, standing tables, and even unique cargo nets where you can relax hammock-style just above the water (just make sure to empty your pockets first!).
It was also larger than I expected, meaning that you should be able to find a spot on all but the busiest times.
The bar and restaurant aboard Shore Thing is housed in a repurposed shipping container and offers a nice selection during operating hours. I was surprised that, given the setting, the prices weren’t really anymore than you’d expect to pay at a local brewery or restaurant.
As stated above, all of the beer is from Brew Gentleman, but they offer some of the city’s best beer, and they offer a nice mix of styles, so their should be something for everyone. For non-beer drinkers, there’s also a selection of cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks, and even coffee.
They also offer a selection of food including a few mains and snacks, as well as some unique hot dogs.
During my visit, I had a chance to try their City Dog, which features sauerkraut, caramelized onion, and curry powder. Definitely a unique dog, but also quite tasty.
In addition to the stunning and fun setting for eating and drinking in the heart of Pittsburgh (sunsets from here are sure to be fabulous), Shore Thing also offers a lot of events during operating hours.
And these aren’t just the typical live music that you often find at places. They also offer morning yoga on the water, game nights, a book club, and more. Of course, they also have a nice line up of music, too.
Overall, Shore Thing is definitely a great addition to the North Shore River Trail and is somewhere I know I’ll be back to as frequently as I can as it’s probably the most relaxing spot to grab a drink or a bite to eat in and around downtown Pittsburgh.
So, the next time you find yourself in the area around PNC Park, make sure to take some time to visit Shore Thing.
In 2026, Shore Thing is open Tuesday-Thursday from 3-10 pm, Friday and Saturday from 10 am – 10 pm, and Sundays from noon to 10 pm. The season runs from late May through mid-October. Note that they close more frequently for bad weather than most restaurants/bars because they are outside and on the water.
A full list of their menu and events can be found on their website.
Looking for more things to do nearby before or after a visit to Shore Thing? Check out the Andy Warhol Museum, tours of the Steelers’ stadium, and the Fort Pitt Museum.
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