Squirrel Hill Cafe, The

 

Ha! The effin' Squarrel Cage! This place is legendary, on Forbes just past Murray and opposite to the Squirrel Hill branch of the Kernegie Liberry. The entryway has been P/D friendly for as long as I've been coming since the early '90's. it is a curving, semi-circular ramp that leads up to the long, polished wood bar that runs most of the length of the left wall. Booths line the right wall, plus tables bisect the center line ¾ of the way aft, in the center, was a staircase leading to a small second floor area. They had a small grill as part of the back bar, but make no mistake, this is finishing school for the drinking and smoking set. You can indulge in either/or in combo, but outside of that, you are on your own. The draw are the two-doored coolers filled with quality beers. Sam Smith's Winter Welcome and Schell's Snow Storm were my picks. The walls were of a pattern (gold) that reminded me of one of the rooms on my Clue game board as a kid.

Mom Test: Not mine. Smoking and drinking is NOT her idea of a good time.

Last thoughts: Context is all. My lasting memory will always be December 2001, hanging out playing cutthroat TP with Corey as my partner. On the latest occasion, I was with a bunch of CSers. It's all good, bro.

Update: The PA smoking ban undoubtedly changed the environment in here. Call ahead.

'The Cage' as I know it (I live down the street) is simply a wonderful neighborhood bar. This place has possibly the most diverse and strange atmosphere of any bar I have frequented. Hipsters, punks, geeks, intellectuals, yuppies, boomers, and grandfolk who share the beer addiction all congregate here. The bartending is usually exceptional will Bill and Mike always quite happy to serve or make suggestions. The food is fit for a heart-attack... but I must say, their Capacola sandwitch with egg is the perfect compliment to the coming hangover. A large selection of micro's and an average selection of imports make this a good place for those on a tight budget, but live according to beligan purity laws. All in all, a fine and comfortable dive.

First off, this is hardly a "cafe", its a bar with a kitchen that's open to midnight on the weekends.

Known among locals as "The Squirrel Cage" or simply "The Cage"...located where the Squirrel Hill neighborhood gets close to Pitt and CMU, this place is an institution among the bar set. There's usually nothing on tap other than Sam Adams and macros, but then, a "fresh" Iron City is always available. There is a stand up cooler with hundreds of bottles of imports and micros (basis of a weekly "import" night). I used to order Watneys Red Barrels until I realized they were stale and not that good anyways...but the selection was good. Very "divey" place, old booths and cafeteria style chairs, the bar is nice and long, however. For those who want a hamster cage effect, take the stairs up to the "balcony" that has about 2 inches of headroom for those who are six feet tall. Food is popular here, but the numerous burgers I've ordered were always a little greasy. Eclectic, I loved the place and it is a joint for people to whom drinking beer is an important part of their life.