Sharp Edge Bistro on Penn

Sharp Edge Bistro on PennSharp Edge Bistro on Penn
Sharp Edge Bistro on PennSharp Edge Bistro on Penn
Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

922 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222-3706
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.01
Reviews:
15
Ratings:
38
pDev:
12.97%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by mcewesr:
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Rated by mcewesr from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -0.2%

May 21, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.95 by slasich from Pennsylvania

May 16, 2020
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Reviewed by cratez from Canada (ON)

3.13/5  rDev -21.9%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3
What I had: Troegs Perpetual IPA (bottle), Verhaeghe Duchesse De Bourgogne (bottle), Chouffe Biere du Soleil (draught), Chicken Avocado Club Panini, Jambalaya, pinot grigio and Margherita Pizza for the Mrs.

What I liked: Cozy private booths, well-lit and attractive interior, clearly visible specials list, nice cosmopolitan crowd, excellent beer menu, tasty panini, beer to go.

What I disliked: Abysmal and rude service from our waiter who knew nothing about the beers on offer (had to keep asking the bartender for info) but still insisted on a 20% tip when we paid, long waits between drinks, pizza was just okay. Having to lecture our waiter on good manners was not fun.

Would I go back? Only if the server in question was no longer there.

Overall Rating: 62
Jan 29, 2020
 
Rated: 4.48 by jakemn91 from New Mexico

Feb 28, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by SaraRedd from Illinois

Feb 04, 2016
 
Rated: 4.57 by brother_rebus from Maine

Sep 17, 2015
 
Rated: 3.98 by Brown120 from Pennsylvania

Aug 15, 2015
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Reviewed by October from Pennsylvania

3.69/5  rDev -8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.25 | selection: 4 | food: 4
A nice place that never seems too crowd too much, this Sharp Edge seems to always have an extensive selection of Belgians and seasonals. Prices are fair, and wait staff is generally friendly, although we were given a hard time once about splitting the check. I would recommend.
Aug 07, 2015
 
Rated: 3.2 by JArt from Pennsylvania

Jul 23, 2015
 
Rated: 3.84 by epyon396 from Pennsylvania

Jul 04, 2015
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Reviewed by FreshButterbeer from Iowa

4.25/5  rDev +6%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.75
Deep selection, particularly Belgian and PA beer. Serves beer in appropriate glasses. A little pricy, but if you go during happy hour (4:30-6:30) all Belgians and crafts are half off. Makes it very affordable. Both times I've been we've had great service. Also do a fun "mystery beer" each night, for a gamble. Food is your average bar food, but let's be honest if you're on this website reading reviews you're going for the brews. Highly recommended.
Feb 07, 2015
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Rated by Uniobrew31 from Pennsylvania

4.44/5  rDev +10.7%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4
Great selection of Belgians. Any place that has Duvel, Piraat and occasionally Chimay white on tap deserves a repeat visit
Jan 13, 2015
 
Rated: 3.98 by greg4579 from Pennsylvania

Jan 11, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by McMatt7 from Pennsylvania

Oct 15, 2014
 
Rated: 2 by Dogleg from Pennsylvania

Sep 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3.64 by misternebbie from Pennsylvania

Aug 29, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Rhleocp from Pennsylvania

Aug 08, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by SmellsofMahagony from Texas

Jul 30, 2014
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Reviewed by Redrover from Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev +0.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.25
The Sharp Edge was located close to my hotel. Good reviews made it my first choice to try.

Located on bustling Penn Avenue, it is blessed with a good location.

As you enter, there is a lounge like area to your right. Walk past that area for the bar. There is an elevated center section and table to your left and all the way in back. The serpentine bar must sit about 30. The décor is kind of blasé. I like all the Belgian beer memorabilia, but the carpet and tables and chairs look like they could be from a Lubbys or other chain cafeteria.

Heavy Belgian influence for draft and bottle choices. Still they have a nice selection of PA locals on draft and a huge bottle list with selections from both sides of the pond. You will have no problem finding multiple options. Note that the beer prices are pretty steep, but the PA sections are well priced and they have a mystery craft for only $4.50 per glass. Most of the glassware is 10 to 12 oz. but they do serve some beers in standard pints.

Service was harried during happy hour, but was friendly and was trying hard to keep-up with the crowd. Speaking of crowds, it is popular and their customers appear to be beer and wine centric.

The food is very good. I enjoyed both appetizers and main entrees on my visits here. I like their take on wings and thought their pizzas were a notch above normal.

This place is well worth a stop on your visit to Pittsburgh.
Jul 23, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by rolltide from Pennsylvania

Jul 14, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by edmer68 from Pennsylvania

Jun 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by jhungryman from Pennsylvania

Jun 13, 2014
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Reviewed by DoubleSimcoe from Pennsylvania

3.86/5  rDev -3.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 4
The wife and I were staying at a nice hotel in downtown Pittsburgh and Sharp Edge was the closest beer joint around. Not a lot of places open past 11pm on a Saturday night in the downtown area!

Lots of taps at Sharp Edge, 35+ and mostly Belgian: Duvel, Over the Edge (a Sharp exclusive), Karmeliet, Grimbergen, Chouffe, Lindemans, Silly Sour, Maredsous... plus a lot of Pittsburgh/PA brews and some special taps for Pittsburgh Beer Week.

Pricey all around, no doubt- nine and ten bucks for a lot of the drafts, and crazy stuff like $22 for a 2014 World Wide Stout. They did have a special on the Over the Edge "Triple IPA" so we didn't walk out of the joint too poor...

The menu was not updated but the bartender was knowledgeable and nice. They have beer to go (a bunch of bottles as you enter to your left) and growlers. We didn't try the food.

They close promptly at midnight, which is kind of a bummer but believe it or not most beer joints around downtown close even earlier.

Great? Definitely not. But it works in a pinch. I would go back if I'm staying in the area.
May 28, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by DavidHume from Virginia

May 18, 2014
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Reviewed by GregA135 from Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
The food is excellent! I always try one of the burgers. They have different kinds of burgers like buffalo and elk. So far every burger I have had there has been amazing! The wings and appetizers are also good. A great/ vast selection of beer, but if you do go to Sharp Edge make sure you bring $$$. It can get expensive quick with the food and beer that you buy.
Mar 31, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by robgage from Pennsylvania

Feb 25, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by schiltron from Pennsylvania

Nov 16, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by dbauer78 from Pennsylvania

Oct 15, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by ejimhof from Pennsylvania

Oct 11, 2013
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Reviewed by Sludgeman from District of Columbia

4.4/5  rDev +9.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Visited mulitple times, but last on 1/9/13.

ATMOSPHERE
Nice open bar. Lots of taps. Seating for food. Not too dark. An inviting feel.

BEER
37 beers on tap based on the menu. Many more bottles - not all listed on the menu. Good selection of Belgians, American and other beers from around the globe. I had a Duck Rabbit Milk Stout and the Victory Hop Devil. The Belgian selection could be a little broader, with a few more saisons, farmhouses, sours.

SERVICE
Great! Near the end of the evening so it was not too busy, but I had just the right amount of attention from the bartender. Bartender knew about the beers. Its always nice to have that knowledge behind the bar.

FOOD
Have had a number of dishes here. I've been happy with all.
Jan 11, 2013
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Reviewed by RblWthACoz from Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +4.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
This is my favorite Sharp Edge. I like how clean it is, though not sterile. It's very spacious and feels very European. Lots of stuff to try here, just like the other Sharp Edge locations. I think what sets this location apart from the others is the setup and the decor. It's nice. I mean, it's really nice. If I worked in the immediate area, I'd be in here all of the time after work. Service is what I find as typical for Sharp Edge and most spots around Pittsburgh. You'll be told something that isn't entirely accurate and have to resist the temptation to nerd out and inform them that "such-and-such a brewery doesn't make a dubbel."
Jan 03, 2013
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Reviewed by WVbeergeek from West Virginia

4.22/5  rDev +5.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Stopped in during the lunch hour, didn't eat just enjoyed a few pints on the way to visit my sister out in Swissvale. Had a few beers that I had never seen on draft namingly Palm, the most boring and expensive Belgian I've ever had, steer clear of the Palm. Cuvee de Trolls while light slightly hoppy and super enjoyable. I didn't get the caged beer store between the front entrance and the restaurant/bar. Long bar lines the entire right side of the establishment except for a small lounge area with couches in the front of the house. A new brighter version of the Sharp Edge, less taps than I'm accustomed seeing in the original or the Creekhouse. I'm sure this is doing well in this location, but the drafts are really pricey. Come at happy hour from 4:30 to 6:30 M-F to make this more affordable. I'm sure the food is solid, but I tend to play it safe with the wide array of burgers ostrich, kobe beef, buffalo depending on what you're in the mood for. I now they focus on the Belgians but this place seemed to really lack in the micro department at least draft wise. There were still a solid number of bottled options, just being a craft beergeek give me more options. I loved the Full Pint TriPA, probably the best I've had from them. Did I mention bottle chillers galore, I saw at least three of these things that can chill your bottle to perfect temp in a few minutes.
May 20, 2011
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Reviewed by letsgopens from Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +13%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Not a bad downtown walk from Point Park University on Wood St to Penn Ave sits another of Sharpe Edge's locations in the greater Pgh area. The SE Bistro on Penn is an unassuming but attractive looking, upscale pub-style establishment. As you walk in you'll see a great deal of dark wood, natural light and plenty of seating. The long, charming, dark-wood bar sits the whole way along the right side of the front house displaying approximately 30 taps I'd guess. Behind the bar and near the entrance there are a number of bottles displayed on the walls. Attractive and classy yet unpretentious. Seems to be a low key and somewhat older lunch crowd consisting of local business folk.

Relaxing and low-key. Low music volume and respectful patrons make for a quite, relaxing lunch. I sat at the bar where a very friendly and professional young lady knew exactly how to pour the perfect challis of their Belgian IPA. Another gentleman behind the bar was more than knowledgeable about the beer, brewery that made it and specifications. It's immediately evident that the staff likes what they do and are very well trained/knowledge about their brew.

The majority of their drafts are quality Belgians and accompanied by a huge bottle list. The food menu is eclectic and includes some dishes for the indulgent as well as the health conscious mindset. Generally upscale pub food. I enjoyed a very nice salad with and excellent vinaigrette, poached pear and bleu cheese. I'm definitely eager to find out what the dinner and weekend crowds are like and try some more of the menu items.

My only issue is that it is definitely on the pricey side, which is to be expected judging from the location and number of expensive Belgian imports. Certainly an enjoyable experience and I will definitely be back considering its relatively close proximity to PPU.
Jan 05, 2011
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Reviewed by BigBry from Canada (AB)

4.36/5  rDev +8.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Had to come for a visit on our last trip to Pittsburgh, easy walking distance from the hotel.
Very nice atmosphere, open, friendly, clean. We migrated towards the bar finding a large table for the group. Our wait staff was happy to make suggestions off of the neat and organized beer menu. Large selection of draft and bottled beer, with a good range of styles, flavors and prices. Enough german lagers and pilsners for the 'not so adventerous type'. I had to try the house Belgian IPA and Brown Shugga (first time I had seen this on tap). No food this time but menu looked decent enough.
A nice discovery.
Dec 31, 2010
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Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

4.31/5  rDev +7.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
Transcribed from notes taken F, 23 July 2010.

Dahntahn Pixburgh, 'n' 'at! Well, now, ain't we upscale and hoity-toity these days? Right dahntahn in the heart of the Theatre District, you won't see the likes of the the gang I used to sit with just inside the door of the original Emporium.

Here, the door is a double-doored glass archway opening onto a long, wide vestibule, followed by another pair of glass doors that open onto the m.d.s in the centerline. The long, inverted question mark-shaped faux-marble topped bar began in the extended window over looking Penn Avenue and Garrison Place. The back bar had a mix of shelves for liquor and glassware interspersed with a few bottle coolers down below, a bunch of variegated glassware in the middle, and shelf after shelf of bottles on display above, along with a couple of HD flat-screen TVs.

Just aft of the bar was the main bank of the inventory, housed in a three-door, six-shelf cooler. I used to drool over bottles, but these days, it's all about CANs and draft for me, so the bottle array had less of an impact than it once might have. As with the other locations, the taps sat atop the bar and the Belgian taps never fail to impress.

A short wall bisected the space with high tables and chairs along said wall on the bar side. The kitchen was all of the way aft, also in the centerline. On the extreme right-facing side of the space, visible from outside and in the vestibule, was a glassed-in blonde wood cabinet filled with bottles of beer. Booth restaurant seating was in an elevated strip in the centerline. They had couches in the window on the bar side. Standard restaurant tables and chairs filled the right side of the space with the lavs along the right wall. A sweeping staircase in the center, all of the way aft, led to a private party room that was still in development during my visit.

Atmosphere: It was an upscale brightly-lit place for beer.

Beer: I had some of former Pittsburgher Aran Madden's Furthermore Knot Stock on-tap. It goes great with Leinie's Summer Shandy to make a lemon-pepper beer.
Dec 12, 2010
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Reviewed by IronCitySteve from Pennsylvania

4.36/5  rDev +8.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Stopped in before heading to dinner elsewhere.

As soon as you walk in, on the left is a 'cellar' of beer. The place is not extremely bright, but it is not overly dim either. Good 'mood' lighting. The place is an open space, with the bar, with ample seating on the right hand side.

There are over 30 beers on tap and ranging from Pittsburgh beers to Belgian Beer. They also have a very nicely stocked bottle selection. It would be difficult not to find a beer here to drink as it encompasses numerous countries and tons of different styles.

I enjoyed the set-up of the place. All the glassware is behind the bar in clear view.

The service was spot on, an attentive, friendly and knowledgable bartender.

We did not stick around for food.

If you are in downtown Pittsburgh, the craft beer spots are extremely rare, this is a must stop.
Nov 05, 2010
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Reviewed by terrapinfan88 from Virginia

3.93/5  rDev -2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 5
The place was a bit dark. The food was great. The selection was impressive. But our waitress was hard to find at times. I found it odd that the glass wear was so affordable and a bomber of terrapin was twenty dollars when its less than half that in VA and five or more dollars less at D's. I know beer in PA is a little more expensive but the sharp edge was a bit more than a place like D's Six pack. but overall I had a very good meal with very good beer. the selection was very good though didn't get to sit at the bar because I was with family but I look forward to doing that this year.
Sep 09, 2010
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Reviewed by goblue3509 from Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Very nice atmosphere, you walk in and there is seating on the left and a big bar on the right, about 20 seats with 5 trees of taps at the bar. We sat at the bar, our waiter was attenative but didn't make any suggestions, however, he was good overall. The beer list is very nice, lots of Belgium Beers and a lot of stuff you do not see around the area in bottles. Beers are broken down into countries for you. They even have some vintage beers which blew me away. The food was very good and the portion size was decent. The happy our specials are very good, half off belguim drafts and a dollar off everything else and some appetizers. The regular prices are a bit pricey on some of the beers, but for what you are walking into i would say its what you would expect.
Sep 08, 2010
Sharp Edge Bistro on Penn in Pittsburgh, PA
Place rating: 4.01 out of 5 with 38 ratings