For this year’s Best of the ’Burgh, we asked our staff and frequent contributors to tell us about things they’ve recently discovered in our region, whether it’s something new to the area or a longstanding institution they’ve never before experienced first-hand.

From a Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concert to an invention incubator in O’Hara, here are our 2024 Best of the ’Burgh picks.

Mancini’s Bakery and Pittsburgh Brewing Co. Collaboration

mancinisbakery.com | pittsburghbrewing.com

They say “beer is liquid bread” and, also, “bread is life.” I guess that’s why I’m living for Mancini’s Bakery buns made with Pittsburgh Brewing Co. spent grains.

The two titans of the city’s carbohydrate industry joined forces this spring to give Yinzer Nation the perfect Pittsburgh roll to hold all of that Isaly’s chipped chopped ham BBQ. And, since 85% of brewing waste is spent grain, the partnership reduces food waste. Double yoi! To celebrate the release of the new item, the bakery threw a Monday morning block party at their McKees Rocks headquarters.

The first 100 Burghers who showed up got to sip Iron City samples and eat a free burger on beer bread. I think Mancini’s should do this every Monday to boost regional morale. Of course, I might need to do more “Buns of Steel” workout videos to make up for indulging in Iron buns, but it’s worth every squat. —Kristy Graver

Kaufman Tavern’s Peacock Room

Zelienople: 105 S. Main St. | kaufmantavern.com

I thought I knew everything about the Kaufman Tavern, the landmark former hotel turned restaurant and cocktail bar in Zelienople. So imagine my surprise when my family and I popped in on a busy Saturday night only to be led to the building’s basement speakeasy.

Also called the “Peacock Room,” a nod to golden vases filled with extravagant feathers, the wine cellar resembles something out of a Great Gatsby fantasy with its velvet and brocade seating in jewel-toned colors and dim lighting paired with brick floors. Of course, there’s also a plethora of wine bottles stacked against the stone walls, and patrons can also rent one of the tavern’s many basement wine lockers. —Jessica Sinichak

IronBlast’s Game Zone

Washington: 1500 W. Chestnut St. | ironblastsgamezone.com

Anyone noodling around in the Washington Crown Center mall may stumble upon a large storefront with life-size mannequins of horror and video game characters. Step inside, and you’ll find a smorgasbord of nostalgic, geeky fun at this retro video game and memorabilia shop.

In addition to a wide selection of retro video game consoles and games, the shop offers all sorts of toys and other novelties. But that’s not even the best part: in the back is a $10, all-you-can-play arcade, complete with cabinets for games such as Pac-Man and Donkey Kong, retro and modern pinball machines, Skee-Ball and more. —Matt Petras

Oddmonth Poetry Series

Bloomfield: 5002 Penn Ave. | banthateabar.com

Care to take in a poetry reading in a galaxy far, far away? You’re in luck. Oddmonth Poetry Series has set up shop in Bantha Tea Bar in Bloomfield. While not explicitly “Star Wars”-themed, this cozy spot definitely has a space cantina vibe and feels like the perfect fit for this laid-back and unpretentious reading series.

Started in early 2023 by poets Don Wentworth, Jason Baldinger and Scott Silsbe, Oddmonth convenes the last Saturday of odd-numbered months. The positive audience response to the series has led to the occasional even-numbered event, but odds are this series will keep to its invitingly uneven keel. —Kristofer Collins

Barebones Productions

Braddock: 1211 Braddock Ave. | barebonesproductions.com

Since 2003, Barebones Productions has performed plays in intimate spaces under a bowling alley in Squirrel Hill, on the North Side and now behind a restaurant spot in Braddock. I can’t believe I just discovered this gem of a theater company this past season.

Founded by Patrick Jordan with the mission to produce challenging, entertaining and thought-provoking plays, the experience brings you up close and personal with the actors in the Barebones Black Box theater that seats 70.

Updated from print: After holding pop-up dinners in the former Superior Motors restaurant before the show, Brew Gentlemen is opening the Braddock Public House brew pub and restaurant in the space. The menu includes Pittsburgh classics with a Hawaiian-Japanese influence in a modern pub atmosphere. —Virginia Linn

Juggling Club

zeeppo@steelcityclownbrigade.org

Gracefully throwing balls, clubs, swords and whatever else they can get their hands on, a group of jugglers meets most summer Sundays outside the main branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in Oakland.

The Masters of Flying Objects at Carnegie Mellon, the Masters of Dropping Objects at the University of Pittsburgh and the Steel City Clown Brigade take turns leading the warm and welcoming group, who usually call out to anyone passing by if they want to learn to juggle, even offering spare juggling balls. Sometimes members of the group are practicing other clowning techniques too, like twisting balloons. —Stacey Federoff

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Downtown: 600 Penn Ave. | pittsburghsymphony.org

Last Christmas my mom and I spent a girls’ day in the city with brunch, a stop at a Christmas pop-up bar and capping off the night with our first performance by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. What did we choose, you might ask? The music of Ravel, Tchaikovsky … Muppets?

Yes, we saw the PSO perform the score to “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” but they were so talented it was easy to forget we went all the way to Heinz Hall to see one of our favorite holiday films on the big screen. We agreed we’ll be back for another performance — sans Michael Caine and Kermit the Frog to distract us. —Jesseca Muslin

Cheeseman Fright Farm

Slippery Rock Township: 147 Kennedy Road | cheesemanfrightfarm.com

You might think you’ve seen the highlight when the flame-spewing runaway tractor careens toward you — but there’s so much more ahead. The Halloween attraction Cheeseman Fright Farm, located on an eerily quiet patch of land outside Portersville in Butler County, begins with a haunted hayride; your vehicle will be pursued and boarded by zombies and more as it winds through the corn.

Then you’ll climb off and wander through disorienting and creepy rooms and fog-soaked outdoor spaces. It’s one of the most remarkable spooky spots around; arrive early to shop Halloween crafts or grab a snack. On a crisp autumn evening, you won’t want to leave — no matter what lurks in the woods. —Sean Collier

Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library

Bloomfield: 5401 Centre Ave. | pghtoys.org

When I first heard of the Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library, I thought it was just that: A place for kids to check out some toys to borrow and take home.

I wasn’t expecting a play space mecca, with entire sections devoted to every type of toy you can think of, from trains and dolls to dinosaurs and dress-up, as well as a space to drive ride-on toys, small playhouses and an entire arts and craft room. Established in 1974, the Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library is a volunteer-run operation, meaning it may operate at odd hours — but that also means if you time it right you can keep your kids occupied in early mornings or evenings when nothing else is open. —Lauren Davidson

The Blue House Bakery

thebluehousebakery.com

Erin Pennington whips up sweets that are scrumptious — and gluten-, grain- and dairy-free, at that. The Blue House Bakery reinvents classics — everything from the “brookie,” comprised of half cookie and half brownie, to the ever-popular cinnamon coffeecake — in a quality-first way, for those seeking paleo-friendly treats.

Pennington’s creations, available by pickup at her South Hills operation or at a farmers market, bear a list of all ingredients on the product labels and have a lightness to them. Marking birthdays and anniversaries with Blue House’s sprinkle-coated cakes boosts the profile of your celebration — and leaves celebrants feeling jovial. —Kristina Martin

Allegheny Portage Railroad Museum

Gallitzin: 110 Federal Park Road | nps.gov/alpo

In the 1800s, rail cars were hoisted up the Allegheny mountains via pulleys — no train engine was strong enough. The Allegheny Portage Railroad Museum tells this tale of ingenuity that fueled development in Pittsburgh for decades.

From 1834 until the opening of Horseshoe Curve in 1854, 10 inclined planes were the only rail passage west in this region. The museum site is interactive and interesting: Dress up in period costumes, watch the massive pulley engines at work, and kick back in the Lemon House saloon like rail travelers once
would have. —Meg St-Esprit

Con Alma on Oh! Jazz

Downtown: 613 Penn Ave. | conalmapgh.com and ohjazz.tv

Pittsburgh’s home for world-class jazz, Con Alma, was already an established hotspot to those in the know. A high-tech partnership let the secret out — and now, jazz aficionados the world over can sit in on Downtown sets.

By partnering with the international jazz streaming service Oh! Jazz, Con Alma can instantly stream its performances around the world, with a high-fidelity system bringing quality sound and video to far-flung fans. The service added Con Alma in early 2024, placing it alongside iconic clubs in Tokyo, Havana and Madrid — a designation that’s well earned by Pittsburgh’s place in jazz history. —Sean Collier

Mayer’s Cup at Red’s Good News

Brookline: 542 Brookline Blvd. | instagram.com/redsgoodnews

I’m a Pittsburgh beer drinker, but every now and then I like to support purveyors of other local liquids. Red’s Good News in Brookline has the Mayer’s Cup, a mix of Lawrenceville Distilling’s Parking Chair Vodka, lemonade, grenadine and Schneider’s Iced Tea that is served in the carton.

It’s a boozier alternative to the other yinzer elixir, IC’d Tea, a marriage of Iron City Beer and Turner’s. Pair your Mayer’s Cup with a basket of dino nuggets and you’ll be “Dippy” in no time, Pittsburgh. —Kristy Graver

North Park Ice Rink

Allison Park: 1101 Pearce Mill Road | alleghenycounty.us

Despite living a 10-minute drive from North Park for the last 15 years, I had never skated at the outdoor ice rink. That changed in December when, on a whim for my daughter’s 10th birthday, we decided to hit the rink with some friends — and what a fun time we had.

There’s something about skating in the fresh air with a group of people that inspires nostalgia. While I had a huge fear of falling and breaking my teeth, my skills returned after a few tentative rounds on the ice. Meanwhile, my daughters grabbed two of the coveted plastic walkers and were soon speeding around the rink.

Once our session finished, we headed to the indoor concession stand for hot chocolate and a slushie — which, although unusual on a cold day, felt refreshing after all of the activity. —Jessica Sinichak

Completely Booked

Murrysville: 201 Blue Spruce Way | completelybookedstore.com

It’s hard to beat a cozy, independent bookstore. Completely Booked, located in an unassuming storefront in a Murrysville plaza, features new releases along with an impressive backlog considering its relatively small square footage.

Like any good indie bookstore, the owners have curated the shelves into interesting and compelling sections and themes, including a Pittsburgh authors section, as well as a selection of puzzles and toys. Readers of literary and genre fiction alike, of all ages, will be able to find something here. —Matt Petras

Classes at Bottlerocket

Allentown: 1226 Arlington Ave. | bottlerocketpgh.com

While all of the usual events at next-gen dive bar Bottlerocket Social Hall in Allentown are a guaranteed good time — from Bad Movie Bingo or “Bario Kart” (playing Mario Kart with a live band) — this winter, the bar hosted a DJ class led by Jellyfish dance party host Formosa.

She created a supportive environment that taught beatmatching and transitions on a beginner’s controller, but she also helped connect the classmates as encouragement to keep at it. A group from class hit Pittsburgh Open Decks for the last session “after-party” and everyone performed a half-hour set at a showcase in April.

The bar has also offered classes in stand-up comedy and puppeteering. —Stacey Federoff

Cameron Barnet

cameronbarnett.net

Sometimes in Pittsburgh we focus so much on the bridges that we miss the rivers. I’m paraphrasing poet Cameron Barnett, whose point was that as a city we can be so enamored of our shared connections (who doesn’t well up with pride any time Sister Sledge’s “We are Family” plays?) that we gloss over the very real impediments preventing too many from experiencing Pittsburgh as a most livable city.

“Easy / to miss all the life you pass by on your commute, / all the history these congested tunnels plunge you through,” he writes in “Swisshelm Park,” from his second book, “murmur,” published earlier this year.

Barnett’s poems trace the historical, personal and political. His poems are generous of spirit and rigorous in their presentation of our complex city. —Kristofer Collins

Art in Parks at Riverview Park

Perry North: Riverview Drive and Mairdale Avenue | engage.pittsburghpa.gov/art-parks 

Stumbling across an Art in Parks installation in one of our Citiparks feels like winning the Powerball — in the middle of the woods. When my family found one in progress — an artist was carving a fallen tree in Riverview Park one sunny summer day last year, we stopped to chat and quickly became enthralled.

That team of artists — Sans façon and Steve Gurysh — are a few of the creatives across the city melding artistic installations and public green spaces.

To find this sculpture, park at the lot on Riverview Drive and take the Wissahickon Trail; the installment is on the left within a few hundred yards. —Meg St-Esprit

Allegheny City Brewery’s Dog Wall

North Side: 510 E. Ohio St. | alleghenycitybrewing.com

Allegheny City Brewing has a new 2,400-square-foot taproom behind its old space on the North Side. The place has already gone to the dogs. Since its inception in 2016, the brewery has invited patrons to hang photos of their pets on a wall of the original headquarters.

On April 14, they held a Dog Wall Migration event so folks could move the pictures to the new site. Even a few cat owners participated. The taproom has seating for 94 patrons inside the main bar area and second-floor mezzanine.

The building is set back from the street, leaving room for an L-shaped patio with picnic tables and fire pits. A wraparound deck on the second story offers views of Downtown and, of course, a dog-friendly beer garden. —Kristy Graver

James Simon’s Uptown Events

simonsculpture.com

Longtime artist James Simon’s home and art space has been the talk of Uptown for a long while, thanks (at first) to its hosting of the former Gist Street Reading Series. In later years, his abode, brimming with creative works and greenery out back, has been an optimal backdrop for other art-centric events.

In warm and cold weather, the creator — well-known for public art installations such as the Liberty Avenue Musicians — opens up his doors to artists from across the nation and globe to share their creations. The happenings educate and entertain audiences; we love the al fresco concerts hosted in the garden.

Recipients of his e-newsletters remain apprised about the functions, requiring digital reservations and payment online or in person. —Kristina Martin

Inventionland

O’Hara: 585 Alpha Drive | inventionland.com

A world of imagination awaits at Inventionland, a 60,000-square-foot immersive work environment and idea incubator where specialized designers, artists, writers and strategists bring creative projects to life.

Tucked away in RIDC business park in O’Hara, the nondescript building turns magical once inside; among the 16 themed areas where the magic happens are a shipwrecked pirate ship, a treehouse, a cupcake kitchen and even a giant castle with turrets and a drawbridge.

There are also three running waterfalls, life-like trees and grass-lined sidewalks that meander throughout the cavernous space. In addition to turning ideas into products (anyone can submit an idea on the Inventionland website), the makerspace hosts tours for roughly 15,000 students, educators, designers, business professionals and inventors each year. —Jessica Sinichak

Mineral Springs Loop at Raccoon Creek State Park

Hookstown: 3000 State Route 18 | dcnr.pa.gov/RaccoonCreekStatePark 

Choosing just one favorite local hike is hard, but the Mineral Springs Loop at Raccoon Creek State Park tops my family’s list. At only 1.2 miles long, even young kids can navigate it. The path winds across streambeds through native forest before arriving at an impressive waterfall.

At the top, hikers can explore the ruins of the Frankfort Mineral Springs Resort — where wealthy Pittsburghers flocked in the 1800s for the reported “healing waters.” There’s nothing medicinal about the water, but a hike along this trail is certainly healing for our souls. —Meg St-Esprit

Sliders Ice Curling Bar

Millvale: 2 Sedgwick St. | slidersbarandgames.com

If you’re generally feeling inspired by the Olympic Games, there are times each year to test out a Winter Games sport in Millvale. Sliders Ice Curling Bar offers a bar-style rink, where friendly curling competition may ensue.

During a 75-minute reservation, you will have lanes for up to 16 players, support from a Sliders staffer and the option to play whatever curling games you’d like — oftentimes with the goal of landing the highest score.

Patrons cannot step onto the ice, so the employee who’s hanging out with you at the other end of the curling lane will push the stone back to the starting line after each turn you take; then you’ll prepare to kneel and launch it back again. Sliders is open from fall through spring (an outdoor ice rink doesn’t mix well with our humid summers) with a full-service bar; the attached Lumberjaxes axe-throwing site is open year-round. —Kristina Martin

Warehouse Wednesdays

Sharpsburg: 126 23rd St. | pittsburgh.dressforsuccess.org 

Dress for Success Pittsburgh serves as a resource for women joining and returning to the workforce, but (even sweeter) the local team also provides an opportunity to give back while making connections … and snacking.

The Sharpsburg location of this international organization is the site of volunteer events, such as the sip-and-sort-style gathering Warehouse Wednesdays. Set on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, the do-gooder engagements fitting for individuals or groups traditionally center around processing recent donations of apparel, accessories, toiletries and more; participants can provide their own refreshments and make a monetary donation to the cause. —Kristina Martin

Butler Little Theatre

Butler: One Howard St. | butlerlittletheatre.com

Butler’s home for community-based productions will next year celebrate its 85th anniversary — but its origin predates its opening date. With beginnings in community groups dating to the 1920s, few regional theaters in Pittsburgh or elsewhere have deeper roots.

That’s a testament to the dedication Butler has for its hometown players, but the onstage product speaks for itself. The 2023-24 season featured staples such as “Arsenic and Old Lace” as well as more challenging, contemporary works like the alternate-reality drama “Constellations.”

The 2024-25 season launches with Neil Simon’s politically charged love triangle, “The Star-Spangled Girl.” —Sean Collier