STAFF REVIEW

The Mill Site Tavern is one of the oldest bars in Pittsburgh. Handed down through three generations of family and restored to it's former glory, it will no doubt be one of the highlights of the Southside.

The owners have virtually rebuilt the building around the bar, recreated the interior leaving as much of the old bar as possible restored and intact and on top of that, they have expanded the bar into a different part of the building giving Pittsburgh what will surely be one of the best music venues around.

On my visit to the Mill Site Tavern I got to meet David, one of the owners. He detailed for me how this bar used to be visited almost exclusively by mill workers which is how it got it's name. The woodwork, some signage, and even a 'spittoon' in front of the length of the bar are all part of not only the history of this Tavern but also it's charm. I was particularly fond of the old beer tap system that looks like two giant breasts that beer flowed through somehow. They sure had good marketing back in the old days.

But this bar is also about the future, the concert room is spacious with a stage that is more second-floor than it is elevated. It's all being worked on as of this review but within a month they will also have an upstairs bar, upstairs VIP section, and upstairs bathrooms.

Speaking of bathrooms - the bathrooms there are brand new installs and spacious. It's weird to be in a bar in the Southside where the bathroom isn't an afterthought.

The kitchen (when it opens in a few weeks) will feature you standard fried bar food but also specialize in real honest to goodness home cooked polish food. Pigs in a blanket anyone?

The Mill Site is, without a doubt in my mind, exactly what the far end of Carson Street needs to help create it's own identity and to not simply be known as "those bars on the way home."