Space Bar: An Out of This World Experience

Written by Nevaeh Williams

Image Courtesy of Space Bar

Tucked into the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh is a bar like you’ve never seen before. Right next to the soon-to-be finished Market Square sits Space Bar, you’ll know it from the neon astronaut waving hello to you through the window.

Space Bar is founded by “Healer to the Stars” Elizabeth Menzel, a retired trauma healer and an outer space and sci-fi lover, and Dale Thomas Vaughn, a sci-fi writer and leader in AI working with Microsoft and Google. The bar invites guests to step away from the problems of Earth’s reality and enter a cosmic-themed cocktail lounge where craft cocktails, creative food, and an optimistic vision of the future all come together.

Inside, the space reflects that vision. As you enter through the door, the first thing you notice is that it seems like you stepped right into a spacecraft! The glowing pink, blue and purple backlit walls are specially built to resemble an out-of-this-world starship interior and are built to dampen sound so that you never feel like you are shouting over the table at friends. You’ll also notice the three-panel screen windows broadcasting intergalactic videos making it feel like you are flying through space.

Space Bar is a place where guests can gather with friends, relax after work, or meet new people while enjoying a drink. Elizabeth and Dale work alongside the Mixologists creating drinks that rotate seasonally. With everything made in-house, the menu focuses on handcrafted cocktails and thoughtfully prepared food. Each cocktail is designed with creativity and pairs bold flavors with playfully stunning presentation. 

Beyond the menu, the team behind Space Bar has made inclusivity a central part of the concept. The bar provides a safe, welcoming environment for everyone, where people from all backgrounds can feel comfortable gathering and enjoying the atmosphere.

For downtown visitors looking for something unique, Space Bar offers a refreshing change of pace: a cocktail bar that blends imagination, community, and a dash of cosmic wonder.