Just over four years ago, Bridges & Bourbon was more bar than restaurant, specializing in creative, eye-catching cocktails. But when an innovative chef took over the kitchen, his culinary ambitions transformed the dining experience, making his mark on Downtown Pittsburgh’s restaurant scene.

From bakeries to cafés, sweet treats are plentiful in Downtown Pittsburgh. Maybe you want a quick grab-and-go breakfast pastry or a rich, chocolatey brownie to reward yourself after a hard day’s work. From croissants to cakes, our list has what you’re looking for.

Pittsburgh film festival Just Films is celebrating its 10^th anniversary this 2025 season!  This month, the festival presents indie film King Coal October 20, 2025. A collaborative effort between Chatham University, Point Park University, the YWCA and more, Just Films highlights deeper societal issues in the form of local film. Often making the viewer ask introspective questions about life and the world, this festival brings something different to Pittsburgh’s arts.

Less than a month away, the Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) is hosting its second Candlelight Crescendo concert on November 1, 2025 at 8 p.m.. Located at the Pittsburgh Playhouse Theater at 350 Forbes Ave., the group Cello Fury will feature its signature blend of rock and classical string technique.

Point Park University welcomed its biggest class since before the pandemic, and because of this, some of their freshmen have been calling the Wyndham Grand hotel their home. To give their students another place to live, Point Park University has been looking to renovate both 305 Wood Street and 500 Smithfield Street.

The Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) has been researching Pittsburgh health statistics in our aim to make Downtown Pittsburgh a thriving place to live. One of the ways we’re doing this is by implementing a Downtown Pittsburgh Walking Club, which will be starting in late November.

Do you love downtown Pittsburgh? So do we! We would love to hear all about your favorite downtown Pittsburgh spots, memories, or traditions, accompanied by an amazing photo! Submit a photo and memory here to spread the love of downtown and its unique, alluring qualities.

This week, October 7, 2025, the Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) kicks off its Acoustic Tuesdays series. Hosted at Liberty Magic, located at 811 Liberty Ave., the first concert will feature local artists and best friends Ellen Perkins and Sarah Fair.

Since turning 21 back in May, I’ve learned I love a good cocktail. Whether it’s with dinner or going out with friends, I love trying new drinks. There is a long list of places in Pittsburgh I'd like to try, so I’ve compiled some fun and funky places to get cocktails and mocktails around the downtown area!

To be a chef, you have to be passionate about your work. Thankfully, Yunus Atacan has what he calls a “pure love” for his job as Head Chef at Alihan’s Coffee & Breakfast. 

The Pittsburgh Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) launched our Living Well Initiative this summer to foster a healthy and growing community in downtown Pittsburgh. The best way to make sure we do that is by hearing from you! Please take this quick survey to ensure that we tailor to the needs and wants of the downtown community, and continue to make it a vibrant place. 

One month from now, on Saturday, October 25, 2025, The Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) will be starting its walking club!  As part of the Living Well Initiative, this walking club encourages regular exercise and community-building activities in the downtown area.  Helping to create another third space downtown, the DNA’s walking club is a free, all-ages, and dog-friendly group.

This past week, The International Events & Festivals Association (IFEA) held their 70th Anniversary Convention and Expo, in which they designated five United States municipalities for their premier events and festivals. The city of Pittsburgh– the place we’re lucky enough to call home– was awarded one of these five designations, which The City of Pittsburgh and VisitPittsburgh announced following the Convention and Expo.

Located in the heart of the Strip District, Argentine cocina Balvanera delivers fun fusion flavors of South America in a laid-back, social atmosphere. Originating in New York City’s Lower East Side in the 2010s, head chef Fernando Navas and co-founder/partner Meredith Boyle brought Balvanera to Pittsburgh in 2023. Sitting at 1660 Smallman St., across from The Terminal, the restaurant offers Argentine dishes with a taste of Navas’ Mediterranean influences.

Walking into Alihan’s Coffee & Breakfast feels like being welcomed into a big family’s home. I was greeted by yellow walls and warm lighting as a staff member smiled at me and told me to sit wherever I felt comfortable. 

Since we were kids, sandwiches have been a staple in our lives. From your mom’s grilled cheese to your favorite neighborhood hoagie, it’s probably difficult to imagine life without the sandwich. Whether you want to stick to basics or spice it up, Pittsburgh has plenty of options.

One week from today, on October 7th from 7 PM-9 PM, Acoustic Tuesdays will be kicking off on Liberty Avenue. The Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) has introduced this event as part of our Liberty Avenue Project, in which we have dedicated our time and resources to revitalizing Liberty Avenue to make it a safe and vibrant space for the community to gather. The Acoustic Tuesdays concert series will be hosted at Liberty Magic, a theater space run by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

This weekend, the Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) held our annual Highmark International StrEAT Festival– and it was a major success! Vendors serving food from all over the world filled Smithfield Street and made for an unforgettable weekend of good food, vibes, and community.

As of September 8, 2025, Vallozzi’s is now open on Mondays at 11:30 a.m. for lunch.  We stopped by this week to try their meatball appetizer, which will be featured at the Highmark International StrEAT Festival September 20-21, 2025.  Using ingredients sourced from Pennsylvania Macaroni Company in the Strip District, Vallozzi’s ensures fresh flavors in every dish served.

The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership will be hosting the annual Pittsburgh Oktoberfest from Thursday, October 2, to Sunday, October 12, 2025.  Taking place between Ft. Duquesne Blvd. and the Sixth Street Bridge, Oktoberfest celebrates the strong Bavarian heritage of Pittsburgh, as well as providing fun for the whole family.