My list of "must-see" places in Pittsburgh has generally been pretty short and slow to change. Some of the increasingly crowded spots like Church Brew Works have started to slip lower, and other up-and-coming spots are over-hyped or smack suspiciously of manufactured character.
One spot that is the real deal, however, is Maggie's Farm Rum. It's no exaggeration to say that it's off the beaten path; tucked away just east of Pittsburgh's strip district, the small bar is nearly under a railroad bridge over 33rd St. Its original sign was incredibly unassuming (and delightfully inviting):
It was just such a serendipitous chance that led my friends past this sign on a Sunday afternoon, and the rest is history. Perhaps that kind of personal discovery has biased it in my favor, but subsequent visits have objectively confirmed it as worthy of the top spot on my list of places I'll take you if you visit me in Pittsburgh.
Katie drinking a Cherry Pom Pom
The distillers at Maggie's Farm (the still can be seen behind the bar) currently make two rums: a white and a spiced, and will soon be offering for sale the "Queen's Share" in limited quantities. Each week they offer a number of delicious rum cocktails, and I'm not embarrassed to say that between the four of us, we tried them all. My favorite is the rum old fashioned, which (as advertised) ranks right up there with the best bourbon old fashioneds I've ever had. (And I'm serious about my old fashioneds). They were all great, but some of the standouts were the Corn'n'Oil (made with their homemade falernum liqueur), the Painkiller, and of course the Mojito.
The Painkiller--OJ, Coconut Creme, Pineapple, White Rum
Maggie's Farm is exactly the kind of Pittsburgh business I earnestly want to do well. The inimitable atmosphere is a product of the kind of unique creative energy that the city seems to engender. The rum is delicious too, and for me has put the spirit back on the map. Make sure to try it out! And let me know when you go; I may join you.
The Mojito (made with leaves from the spearmint plant growing in a pot on behind the bar)
The Rum Old Fashioned (made with oaked rum...please start selling this in bottles!)
What to order next...?