I agree with others who have mentioned the kitchen sink wings. They are really good and I would keep coming back for them alone. They have a nice tv set up and always have the games on. Beer selection could be better, although they have about 8 taps with 2-3 craft options. Apart from the wings I have tried the cheese steak which was pretty good. One of the drawbacks of William Penn is that seating can be hard to come by, and there isn't really a great place to stand unless you want to go outside to the patio. Service has always been good and the prices are great.
(4)
Dorel S.
Came to this place on a suggestion from a random stranger in downtown Pittsburgh. If we lived near here this would be my weekly hangout. Sammy and our waitress treated us like we were family. The wings and sauces were the best we've had ever!!!!!! Best place ever. William Penn would be proud. This place has honored his name. Fantastic place. A must try for anyone in the Pittsburgh Area.
(5)
Chris V.
Wings are perfect. Medium sized and crispy. Sauces are pretty good: Ranch: typical restaurant ranch, Medium: thicker n somewhat vinegary, Voodoo: thick bbq with Italian seasoning. Cajun rub is a little much but very tasty.
(5)
Jillian C.
Beer and wing specials almost daily and THE BEST wings I've ever put in my mouth--get the the kitchen sink wings and spicy ranch wings. If you try and hate either of them then you probably don't deserve to live a happy fulfilled life. Legitimately salivate every time I think about these wings. Now I've developed a craving. Thanks, yelp, for making me write this review and causing intense hunger pains. Oh and it's also the go-to bar for CMU students so if you're into that....
(5)
Jenn S.
BEST mac and cheese bites ever! These mac and cheese bites are not the traditional ball shape; they are little triangles of heaven served with ranch; they are crispy on the outside and cheesey on the inside. $6.95 is enough for two hungry people or a small snack among 4. Wings (10 for $9.50) are also delicious, would recommend the Honey BBQ. The Kitchen Sink sauce is a little weird, but can imagine some people really liking it. The tots ($3.95) are also great munchies. There are lots of nights with discounts such as half off wings, so def check those out. Gets crowded with some college students and some older folks as well - might be difficult to get a table. However, service was great and our server checked up on us several times despite the crowds.
(4)
Nikolaus S.
Do you like sports, beer, and fried pub grub and sandwiches? How about Shadyside? Answering yes to these questions would probably mean you already know about the Tav, but should you not, this might be your place. Admittedly, it's not one of my regular spots, but I'll submit that when an occasion calls for multiple screens of sports, copious amounts of food and booze, and a energetic atmosphere, the Tavern hits the spot.
(3)
Abe K.
"Good For Dancing: No" Although not the typical place to go dancing as the place is pretty small, the music here is so good that it makes my friends and I dance each time we come here. A place that allows some dancing is an automatic 5-star bar. In addition though, food was pretty good and service was great, and I promise I'm not saying that just because our server was very attractive. I don't come to Shadyside often, but when I do, this is my go-to place.
(5)
Simone H.
Gotta love this Shadyside staple. This versatile bar has served me for many a purpose, between school events, escape from overfilled Wednesday wine nights that happen down the street, a quick cheap bite or dinner, a staple miller lite under the outdoor tent, or even, to do homework while watching Sunday pro football. Great people, quick service, hospitable people and a small, yet satisfying menu. Versatile and savory you will stay here long enough to get hungry again from lunch and repeat what my friend Matt did yesterday: Order the best thing he's ever eaten on the menu [the pulled chicken sliders] to his dire end of the night mistake [the Voodoo wings]. Delicious, but I quote: "there isn't enough blue cheese to eat a dozen of these bad boys" and people trying to help lighten the load, will suffer the consequences. Make sure to say hi to the awesome bouncers on your way in, try not to get into a fight to spill a perfectly good full glass of Vodka Redbull and almost take out my chair and you should be good to go. Keep it up!
(3)
Matt R.
A lynchpin of William Penn's progressive legacy is liberty, which would at first glance seem to be consistent with the existence of a tavern. But he was still a Quaker, and he specifically promoted laws that forbade swearing and drunkenness. So I'm not sure how much he'd approve of this bar. Me? I suppose I'm just underwhelmed. Not a lot of character, but cheap prices. Loud to begin with and louder still with music at an irritating decibel level. The patio is a small sticky slab of concrete. I made the mistake of coming on a Saturday evening, and the whole time I drank my beer (12 taps -- all crap) I couldn't wait to leave. A fine bar for young people who don't care what they are consuming and don't mind screaming at each other.
(2)
Shea K.
Came to William Penn Tavern after an incredibly long day of work and met friends to watch the women's World Cup on the back patio. It was raining pretty hard and the satellite feeds to the game and ninja warrior on the TV next to it were in and out at times. The bartender was very nice, and although she didn't ask us about ordering food, we eventually discovered that it was $1.25 taco night because she was eating some at the bar while watching TV with us. The tacos were good for the price. Small flower tortillas, ground beef, lettuce, and tomato. Salsa and sour cream in the side. The atmosphere was very relaxed and welcoming, and although on a busier night I'm sure John Taffer might have gone ballistic, there was not much to fuss about as it was basically just my small group of friends and a few others watching soccer on a rainy night. While I would certainly like to explore more of the menu and drinks offered in the main bar, I'd certainly give William Penn Tavern an A-OK thumbs up.
(3)
Jim V.
We love this place ... dependable food, generous pours but most of all, the nicest staff in the city ... bar none!! Try the wings for sure ... always a great choice. But look at the specials board for inventive alternatives to the regular fare. A neighborhood classic!
(5)
Angie K.
Typical sports bar with great wings! Kitchen Sink Wings were $.50 each the night we went. The fried zucchini was great as well (more breading then zucchini, but it doesn't matter after a few beers). We also tried the nachos and tater tots, which were fine. Service was great! They also have daily beer specials.
(3)
Annie F.
Ok, I'm joining the band wagon too... I love the kitchen sink wings! To be honest, I never even heard of such a thing. I was expecting it to be a platter of wings with random food on top of it. I would have ate that too. The kitchen sink wings were absolutely delicious. The wings were piping hot, amazing flavor. You got your spicy, little sweet, and Parmesan cheese all mixed up in there. Lots of flavor! I devoured them. I came here during lunch, only a few folks at the bar. I liked the atmosphere, definitely a sports place. The prices are very reasonable. Great amazing service, good beer and the most delicious wings I have ever consumed in my life. I'm dead serious. Even if you're just visiting the area, stop by. I'm sure glad I did.
(4)
Julie S.
Those stars are for the wings! If your not ordering wings don't come. I haven't tried everything on the menu buttttttt the nachos are skimpy and salty and those Mac and cheese bites are nothing but Kraft boxed Mac and cheese, no thank you. Oh and extra ranch is 75 cent and comes in a little cup smh... But wings are delicious and great price...
(4)
Eric G.
A typical sports bar in Shadyside. I've only been here once a couple years ago, but from what I remember the beer selection was pretty good, and the quality of the food is about par. To be honest, I prefer watching the game elsewhere, hence why I haven't been back. However, I'd recommend a stop-in sometime to see if the place and vibe tickle your fancy.
(3)
Greg B.
Fries: 5 stars Cheesesteak 5 stars no non alcoholic beer 0 stars Location 4 stars Interior: 2 stars Bonus points for service and longevity
(4)
Danielle P.
I absolutely love William Penn Tavern. My favorite spot is the outdoor bar mainly because the inside is very crowded. The bar tenders are so friendly and the drinks are strong. This is a go-to spot for me in Shady Side!
(4)
Reyana F.
Anytime I'm in Pittsburgh I make a point to come here for kitchen sink (the most amazing wing sauce). Even after bad experiences here I will still always come back for that.
(5)
John Y.
If you are looking for a good place to catch a game and have some pub food and drinks with a Pittsburgh flavor, this is your place.
(4)
Jacob H.
Are you looking for cheap beer (and possibly good wings) in Shadyside? If so, then this is the place for you. They have some of the best deals on pitchers and buckets (typically domestics), but if you are looking for a few drinks with a couple of friends, this is definitely your spot. It's relaxed and doesn't typically get too crowded during the week, but even if it does, the bartenders will get everyone drinks quickly while still being friendly and fun. The menu isn't too bad either, but in most cases, I only stick with the wings as it's definitely just bar food!
(4)
Kristin P.
Love this place- my favorite bar in Shadyside. The staff are awesome and the foods great, too! Just your standard bar menu, but all of it hits the spot. Wings and sandwiches are my favorite. And who doesn't love tator-tots?! (One of their most popular sides) Aside from the food, this is a great sports bar. Too many TV's to count, so you always have a great view.
(4)
Tamara B.
Bombbbbbbbbb A wings. Cheap and tasty how we like it. Nice bartenders and speedy service. Decent beer specials. Only thing it's missing is a pinball machine. Definitely will make this a regular spot!
(4)
Justina E.
If you're drunk get the kitchen sink wings and mac & cheese bites! Their fried zucchini is pretty good too :)
(4)
Kevin P.
Wednesday night is wing night. So I had to go with the Yuengling and wings. Not terribly crowded or loud as others indicated. Attentive service sitting in bar area. Slightly limited menu, mostly sandwiches and a few salads, wings are the primary fare.
(4)
Dan M.
Probably the worst bar in Shadyside to go on Friday/Saturday nights. Waaay too crowded and loud. The clientele sucks - it's people in their mid to late-20's desperately trying to cling onto their college years by being loud and obnoxious. It does have a nice back patio that is heated during the winter and smoking is permitted, which is nice. If you are there on a week night, it might not be so bad. Drink prices aren't anything special and cocktails aren't that strong. I'd venture a guess that this is a good hang-out spot during sporting events. It feels very sports-bar oriented. I would say this is a good bar to go with a large drunk group, and that's it. If you are by yourself or in a small group, Cappy's or Mardi Gras would be much better IMO.
(2)
Justin D.
Food is mediocre but the wing specials and flavors are decent. The beer specials are pretty good. It has a dive bar feel despite being in the heart of Shadyside, which is a nice change of pace if that's what you are looking for. The TV situation for sports isn't the best, but there are quite a few TV's and you should be able to catch the game from wherever you are seated. The outdoor patio/bar is a nice touch in Summer.
(3)
Jeremy K.
I usually hate this place, but yesterday they did let me bring in a bowl of pho and eat it while all my other friends ordered wings and beer, with minimal lip from the wait staff. So I guess there's that.
(3)
Mr B.
Yes, 5 stars. Albeit my friend and I were only there till about 10pm on a Saturday, however I was blown away. The wait staff is phenomenal. The bartenders are very nice and quick on their feet. The wings are out of this world. It certainly does have the sights of a dive bar from the outside, however once you get inside you are greeted by NOT the stench of stale cigarettes, broke dreams, and a wet dream of a Johnny Cash fan. Instead I was greeted by a bar tender asking me if I wanted a drink. I was greeted by the hard wood flooring and the very nice stairs and banister. And it was clean. It's honestly an all around good place to be. Not too loud, however at 10pm it definitely because more of a party location. Shot girls came in hosting Jose Cuervo or something, the music was turned from a subtle 3 to a not imposing, but definitely audible 7, and again, the wings, man. They were just the bees knees. The 2 things that suck about this place are the bathrooms and parking. Unless you can hoof it, you have to park 3 blocks away to find free parking, which is pretty lame. And the bathroom (at least for the guys) doesn't have a lock so if you wish to go number 2, bring a friend to stand by the door. Also, no mirror which I thought was more quirky than odd. I highly recommend this place and look forward to returning to it.
(5)
Alexandru A.
It's a sports bar... I've heard the wings were good, but the bad hip-hop was too loud to be worth staying for more than one glass
(2)
Keith C.
Tuesday nights and I believe Saturday are 25 cent wings and dollar drafts. My friends and I hit this place up nearly every Tuesday when we were still in college. The crowd is mostly college kids due to its proximity to Carnegie Mellon. The kitchen sink wings are the best wings I have ever eaten in my life. They are made a little different each time. Sometimes they are nice and spicy, sometimes not so spicy. If you manage to get them spicy. savor the flavor. They are also really good when they aren't that hot but even better when they are nice and spicy. The waitresses are really nice and once you go there enough times, they just start bringing over trays of beer when it looks like you are getting low. The chili cheese fries are also slathered with chili and cheese and are great if you just want to let loose and not worry about going to the bathroom multiple times the next morning. Actually, if pair the kitchen sink wings with the chili cheese fries, do plan on spending a little more time in the bathroom the next morning. I know I have. Multiple times. When the weather is nice, they open up the back porch so try and grab a table because pounding beers, eating wings and watching footbal couldn't be any better. I always stop by here whenever I travel back to Pittsburgh and I love it.
(4)
Amanda P.
Review base on wings n beer! Been here a couple of times now. I always seem to come when they have wings on special. Which works out great for me because I love wings, and their wings are so tasty! I particularly like the kitchen sink wings, but they have multiple yummy flavors. They are a great price and always have some kind of beer deal. Perfect lunch spot on Sunday. Service is ok, but they are always pretty busy place.
(4)
Lanxin M.
Haven't tried the wings yet, will try next time. Went there two days in a roll for drinks. Like the patio because it' s nice weather.
(3)
ReviewHaiku F.
Weirdest nights ever. Wormhole tequila black-out. Too crowded/hot/cold. (b)
(2)
Chris F.
The William Penn Tavern is just a good place to have a cheap, decent beer, some light bar food, and catch a Pittsburgh sports game. The place is usually packed with sports fans for any Pirates, Penguins or Steelers game. The three dollar signs are totally busted. It should be one dollar sign. I got two 12 oz microbrews, six hot wings and an entree for $16, which in my opinion is cheap as hell. The wings come in all kinds of varieties of sauces. No matter what kind of flavor, they will be nestled in a pool of grease, I promise. My personal favorite is the "Kitchen Sink" which has notes of chili, garlic, parmesean and maybe even Ginger. Just the right amount of spice, and far more grease than necessary. Hey, they're only 40 cents each on Tuesdays. Pass on the food, enjoy the atmosphere. I sat at the bar in between a homeless Vietnam Vet (who counted out the 40 cent wings bill in change) and two Chinese engineers working on some big project for Carnegie Mellon, while Pirates fans all around shouted at the screen because their baseball team sucks. My kinda clientele, basically.
(3)
M M.
The waitress told us we had to leave our table right after we paid our bill (and tipped her generously) just because we hadn't ordered another drink. I have never been treated so rudely by a waitstaff before in my life.
(1)
DJ J.
Felt like I was in a time warp. Everyone new each others name. Stopped by for a quick beer, sandwich and some wings. Many customers know each other and were very friendly. So was the staff. Ran into someone I work with. Holy Cow! Wings were pretty good. Had a sausage hoagie and it was good. Beer is pretty cheap. Daily specials on food and beer.
(3)
Shanna C.
First of all the website, as I was told, "has been down for 4 years" - even though it is very up. The specials and menu prices are apparently wrong. My friends and I chose this place solely based on the fact they had advertised $3.50 20 oz Guinness. We needed a place to celebrate our graduation. With a party of 4 that grew to 6 we found the place pretty crowded and loud after awhile. Mostly we were pissed off that we were told on our 3rd round that the Guinness we were drinking was actually $5.50. ...really, it wasn't even a full 20 oz glass, it was one of those damn plastic cups. When we ordered at the beginning of the night it was quiet and the bartender said nothing about the price. At that point we decided to go somewhere else because it really wasn't our kind of bar in the first place, and you can absolutely find much cheaper Guinness in this city. The guy didn't even apologize for the website - it's called false advertising, and it's a dick move, Mr. William Penn.
(1)
Matt C.
Good Food, Good Beers, Better Prices. Try the Patio outback, you'll love it.
(5)
Jenn N.
Pros: convenient location in Shadyside, sufficient lighting for the mood Cons: Crowded, full of frat-boy types, bartenders would kick everyone out at closing time Perhaps, I didn't have a great experience because I got dragged here against my will. But it was unbearably crowded and loud. The kind where it's most likely that you'll spill someone's else's drink. It was more than once that I heard glass breaking. It's a kind of place you would go to meet random people than a place you would go to just hang out with friends. My friends enjoyed their drinks, so I grant the bar that. At closing time however, the bartender yelled that we had to get out since it was closing. They turned on the bright lights, cut the music and stopped the heat to force us out. So I might not be the target audience. This is my friend's favorite bar. I am not sure why. The frat-boy like atmosphere may be it, but I have always preferred the low-key type bars.
(2)
brian d.
Great food and normally great atmosphere, but today thus music was the nastiest hardcore rap that was just offensive. How many F-bombs can you realistically listen to while eating lunch and watching sports. Dropped 2 stars from what I would last night whenit used to be my favorite place in shadyside.
(2)
Amanda C.
Great spot for a casual night out with good friends (you know the kind) -- cheap drinks and food with a laid back atmosphere. Can't go wrong! Highly recommend their wings - completely addictive. Special house sauce all the way! No doubt about it. Relax and enjoy.
(4)
Matt S.
Great beer and food specials. They had the Michigan game on too!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Late Night Parking : Garage, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Hipster Noise Level : Loud Music : Juke Box Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Tue, Sat, Sun Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Scott G.
I agree with others who have mentioned the kitchen sink wings. They are really good and I would keep coming back for them alone. They have a nice tv set up and always have the games on. Beer selection could be better, although they have about 8 taps with 2-3 craft options. Apart from the wings I have tried the cheese steak which was pretty good. One of the drawbacks of William Penn is that seating can be hard to come by, and there isn't really a great place to stand unless you want to go outside to the patio. Service has always been good and the prices are great.
(4)Dorel S.
Came to this place on a suggestion from a random stranger in downtown Pittsburgh. If we lived near here this would be my weekly hangout. Sammy and our waitress treated us like we were family. The wings and sauces were the best we've had ever!!!!!! Best place ever. William Penn would be proud. This place has honored his name. Fantastic place. A must try for anyone in the Pittsburgh Area.
(5)Chris V.
Wings are perfect. Medium sized and crispy. Sauces are pretty good: Ranch: typical restaurant ranch, Medium: thicker n somewhat vinegary, Voodoo: thick bbq with Italian seasoning. Cajun rub is a little much but very tasty.
(5)Jillian C.
Beer and wing specials almost daily and THE BEST wings I've ever put in my mouth--get the the kitchen sink wings and spicy ranch wings. If you try and hate either of them then you probably don't deserve to live a happy fulfilled life. Legitimately salivate every time I think about these wings. Now I've developed a craving. Thanks, yelp, for making me write this review and causing intense hunger pains. Oh and it's also the go-to bar for CMU students so if you're into that....
(5)Jenn S.
BEST mac and cheese bites ever! These mac and cheese bites are not the traditional ball shape; they are little triangles of heaven served with ranch; they are crispy on the outside and cheesey on the inside. $6.95 is enough for two hungry people or a small snack among 4. Wings (10 for $9.50) are also delicious, would recommend the Honey BBQ. The Kitchen Sink sauce is a little weird, but can imagine some people really liking it. The tots ($3.95) are also great munchies. There are lots of nights with discounts such as half off wings, so def check those out. Gets crowded with some college students and some older folks as well - might be difficult to get a table. However, service was great and our server checked up on us several times despite the crowds.
(4)Nikolaus S.
Do you like sports, beer, and fried pub grub and sandwiches? How about Shadyside? Answering yes to these questions would probably mean you already know about the Tav, but should you not, this might be your place. Admittedly, it's not one of my regular spots, but I'll submit that when an occasion calls for multiple screens of sports, copious amounts of food and booze, and a energetic atmosphere, the Tavern hits the spot.
(3)Abe K.
"Good For Dancing: No" Although not the typical place to go dancing as the place is pretty small, the music here is so good that it makes my friends and I dance each time we come here. A place that allows some dancing is an automatic 5-star bar. In addition though, food was pretty good and service was great, and I promise I'm not saying that just because our server was very attractive. I don't come to Shadyside often, but when I do, this is my go-to place.
(5)Simone H.
Gotta love this Shadyside staple. This versatile bar has served me for many a purpose, between school events, escape from overfilled Wednesday wine nights that happen down the street, a quick cheap bite or dinner, a staple miller lite under the outdoor tent, or even, to do homework while watching Sunday pro football. Great people, quick service, hospitable people and a small, yet satisfying menu. Versatile and savory you will stay here long enough to get hungry again from lunch and repeat what my friend Matt did yesterday: Order the best thing he's ever eaten on the menu [the pulled chicken sliders] to his dire end of the night mistake [the Voodoo wings]. Delicious, but I quote: "there isn't enough blue cheese to eat a dozen of these bad boys" and people trying to help lighten the load, will suffer the consequences. Make sure to say hi to the awesome bouncers on your way in, try not to get into a fight to spill a perfectly good full glass of Vodka Redbull and almost take out my chair and you should be good to go. Keep it up!
(3)Matt R.
A lynchpin of William Penn's progressive legacy is liberty, which would at first glance seem to be consistent with the existence of a tavern. But he was still a Quaker, and he specifically promoted laws that forbade swearing and drunkenness. So I'm not sure how much he'd approve of this bar. Me? I suppose I'm just underwhelmed. Not a lot of character, but cheap prices. Loud to begin with and louder still with music at an irritating decibel level. The patio is a small sticky slab of concrete. I made the mistake of coming on a Saturday evening, and the whole time I drank my beer (12 taps -- all crap) I couldn't wait to leave. A fine bar for young people who don't care what they are consuming and don't mind screaming at each other.
(2)Shea K.
Came to William Penn Tavern after an incredibly long day of work and met friends to watch the women's World Cup on the back patio. It was raining pretty hard and the satellite feeds to the game and ninja warrior on the TV next to it were in and out at times. The bartender was very nice, and although she didn't ask us about ordering food, we eventually discovered that it was $1.25 taco night because she was eating some at the bar while watching TV with us. The tacos were good for the price. Small flower tortillas, ground beef, lettuce, and tomato. Salsa and sour cream in the side. The atmosphere was very relaxed and welcoming, and although on a busier night I'm sure John Taffer might have gone ballistic, there was not much to fuss about as it was basically just my small group of friends and a few others watching soccer on a rainy night. While I would certainly like to explore more of the menu and drinks offered in the main bar, I'd certainly give William Penn Tavern an A-OK thumbs up.
(3)Jim V.
We love this place ... dependable food, generous pours but most of all, the nicest staff in the city ... bar none!! Try the wings for sure ... always a great choice. But look at the specials board for inventive alternatives to the regular fare. A neighborhood classic!
(5)Angie K.
Typical sports bar with great wings! Kitchen Sink Wings were $.50 each the night we went. The fried zucchini was great as well (more breading then zucchini, but it doesn't matter after a few beers). We also tried the nachos and tater tots, which were fine. Service was great! They also have daily beer specials.
(3)Annie F.
Ok, I'm joining the band wagon too... I love the kitchen sink wings! To be honest, I never even heard of such a thing. I was expecting it to be a platter of wings with random food on top of it. I would have ate that too. The kitchen sink wings were absolutely delicious. The wings were piping hot, amazing flavor. You got your spicy, little sweet, and Parmesan cheese all mixed up in there. Lots of flavor! I devoured them. I came here during lunch, only a few folks at the bar. I liked the atmosphere, definitely a sports place. The prices are very reasonable. Great amazing service, good beer and the most delicious wings I have ever consumed in my life. I'm dead serious. Even if you're just visiting the area, stop by. I'm sure glad I did.
(4)Julie S.
Those stars are for the wings! If your not ordering wings don't come. I haven't tried everything on the menu buttttttt the nachos are skimpy and salty and those Mac and cheese bites are nothing but Kraft boxed Mac and cheese, no thank you. Oh and extra ranch is 75 cent and comes in a little cup smh... But wings are delicious and great price...
(4)Eric G.
A typical sports bar in Shadyside. I've only been here once a couple years ago, but from what I remember the beer selection was pretty good, and the quality of the food is about par. To be honest, I prefer watching the game elsewhere, hence why I haven't been back. However, I'd recommend a stop-in sometime to see if the place and vibe tickle your fancy.
(3)Greg B.
Fries: 5 stars Cheesesteak 5 stars no non alcoholic beer 0 stars Location 4 stars Interior: 2 stars Bonus points for service and longevity
(4)Danielle P.
I absolutely love William Penn Tavern. My favorite spot is the outdoor bar mainly because the inside is very crowded. The bar tenders are so friendly and the drinks are strong. This is a go-to spot for me in Shady Side!
(4)Reyana F.
Anytime I'm in Pittsburgh I make a point to come here for kitchen sink (the most amazing wing sauce). Even after bad experiences here I will still always come back for that.
(5)John Y.
If you are looking for a good place to catch a game and have some pub food and drinks with a Pittsburgh flavor, this is your place.
(4)Jacob H.
Are you looking for cheap beer (and possibly good wings) in Shadyside? If so, then this is the place for you. They have some of the best deals on pitchers and buckets (typically domestics), but if you are looking for a few drinks with a couple of friends, this is definitely your spot. It's relaxed and doesn't typically get too crowded during the week, but even if it does, the bartenders will get everyone drinks quickly while still being friendly and fun. The menu isn't too bad either, but in most cases, I only stick with the wings as it's definitely just bar food!
(4)Kristin P.
Love this place- my favorite bar in Shadyside. The staff are awesome and the foods great, too! Just your standard bar menu, but all of it hits the spot. Wings and sandwiches are my favorite. And who doesn't love tator-tots?! (One of their most popular sides) Aside from the food, this is a great sports bar. Too many TV's to count, so you always have a great view.
(4)Tamara B.
Bombbbbbbbbb A wings. Cheap and tasty how we like it. Nice bartenders and speedy service. Decent beer specials. Only thing it's missing is a pinball machine. Definitely will make this a regular spot!
(4)Justina E.
If you're drunk get the kitchen sink wings and mac & cheese bites! Their fried zucchini is pretty good too :)
(4)Kevin P.
Wednesday night is wing night. So I had to go with the Yuengling and wings. Not terribly crowded or loud as others indicated. Attentive service sitting in bar area. Slightly limited menu, mostly sandwiches and a few salads, wings are the primary fare.
(4)Dan M.
Probably the worst bar in Shadyside to go on Friday/Saturday nights. Waaay too crowded and loud. The clientele sucks - it's people in their mid to late-20's desperately trying to cling onto their college years by being loud and obnoxious. It does have a nice back patio that is heated during the winter and smoking is permitted, which is nice. If you are there on a week night, it might not be so bad. Drink prices aren't anything special and cocktails aren't that strong. I'd venture a guess that this is a good hang-out spot during sporting events. It feels very sports-bar oriented. I would say this is a good bar to go with a large drunk group, and that's it. If you are by yourself or in a small group, Cappy's or Mardi Gras would be much better IMO.
(2)Justin D.
Food is mediocre but the wing specials and flavors are decent. The beer specials are pretty good. It has a dive bar feel despite being in the heart of Shadyside, which is a nice change of pace if that's what you are looking for. The TV situation for sports isn't the best, but there are quite a few TV's and you should be able to catch the game from wherever you are seated. The outdoor patio/bar is a nice touch in Summer.
(3)Jeremy K.
I usually hate this place, but yesterday they did let me bring in a bowl of pho and eat it while all my other friends ordered wings and beer, with minimal lip from the wait staff. So I guess there's that.
(3)Mr B.
Yes, 5 stars. Albeit my friend and I were only there till about 10pm on a Saturday, however I was blown away. The wait staff is phenomenal. The bartenders are very nice and quick on their feet. The wings are out of this world. It certainly does have the sights of a dive bar from the outside, however once you get inside you are greeted by NOT the stench of stale cigarettes, broke dreams, and a wet dream of a Johnny Cash fan. Instead I was greeted by a bar tender asking me if I wanted a drink. I was greeted by the hard wood flooring and the very nice stairs and banister. And it was clean. It's honestly an all around good place to be. Not too loud, however at 10pm it definitely because more of a party location. Shot girls came in hosting Jose Cuervo or something, the music was turned from a subtle 3 to a not imposing, but definitely audible 7, and again, the wings, man. They were just the bees knees. The 2 things that suck about this place are the bathrooms and parking. Unless you can hoof it, you have to park 3 blocks away to find free parking, which is pretty lame. And the bathroom (at least for the guys) doesn't have a lock so if you wish to go number 2, bring a friend to stand by the door. Also, no mirror which I thought was more quirky than odd. I highly recommend this place and look forward to returning to it.
(5)Alexandru A.
It's a sports bar... I've heard the wings were good, but the bad hip-hop was too loud to be worth staying for more than one glass
(2)Keith C.
Tuesday nights and I believe Saturday are 25 cent wings and dollar drafts. My friends and I hit this place up nearly every Tuesday when we were still in college. The crowd is mostly college kids due to its proximity to Carnegie Mellon. The kitchen sink wings are the best wings I have ever eaten in my life. They are made a little different each time. Sometimes they are nice and spicy, sometimes not so spicy. If you manage to get them spicy. savor the flavor. They are also really good when they aren't that hot but even better when they are nice and spicy. The waitresses are really nice and once you go there enough times, they just start bringing over trays of beer when it looks like you are getting low. The chili cheese fries are also slathered with chili and cheese and are great if you just want to let loose and not worry about going to the bathroom multiple times the next morning. Actually, if pair the kitchen sink wings with the chili cheese fries, do plan on spending a little more time in the bathroom the next morning. I know I have. Multiple times. When the weather is nice, they open up the back porch so try and grab a table because pounding beers, eating wings and watching footbal couldn't be any better. I always stop by here whenever I travel back to Pittsburgh and I love it.
(4)Amanda P.
Review base on wings n beer! Been here a couple of times now. I always seem to come when they have wings on special. Which works out great for me because I love wings, and their wings are so tasty! I particularly like the kitchen sink wings, but they have multiple yummy flavors. They are a great price and always have some kind of beer deal. Perfect lunch spot on Sunday. Service is ok, but they are always pretty busy place.
(4)Lanxin M.
Haven't tried the wings yet, will try next time. Went there two days in a roll for drinks. Like the patio because it' s nice weather.
(3)ReviewHaiku F.
Weirdest nights ever. Wormhole tequila black-out. Too crowded/hot/cold. (b)
(2)Chris F.
The William Penn Tavern is just a good place to have a cheap, decent beer, some light bar food, and catch a Pittsburgh sports game. The place is usually packed with sports fans for any Pirates, Penguins or Steelers game. The three dollar signs are totally busted. It should be one dollar sign. I got two 12 oz microbrews, six hot wings and an entree for $16, which in my opinion is cheap as hell. The wings come in all kinds of varieties of sauces. No matter what kind of flavor, they will be nestled in a pool of grease, I promise. My personal favorite is the "Kitchen Sink" which has notes of chili, garlic, parmesean and maybe even Ginger. Just the right amount of spice, and far more grease than necessary. Hey, they're only 40 cents each on Tuesdays. Pass on the food, enjoy the atmosphere. I sat at the bar in between a homeless Vietnam Vet (who counted out the 40 cent wings bill in change) and two Chinese engineers working on some big project for Carnegie Mellon, while Pirates fans all around shouted at the screen because their baseball team sucks. My kinda clientele, basically.
(3)M M.
The waitress told us we had to leave our table right after we paid our bill (and tipped her generously) just because we hadn't ordered another drink. I have never been treated so rudely by a waitstaff before in my life.
(1)DJ J.
Felt like I was in a time warp. Everyone new each others name. Stopped by for a quick beer, sandwich and some wings. Many customers know each other and were very friendly. So was the staff. Ran into someone I work with. Holy Cow! Wings were pretty good. Had a sausage hoagie and it was good. Beer is pretty cheap. Daily specials on food and beer.
(3)Shanna C.
First of all the website, as I was told, "has been down for 4 years" - even though it is very up. The specials and menu prices are apparently wrong. My friends and I chose this place solely based on the fact they had advertised $3.50 20 oz Guinness. We needed a place to celebrate our graduation. With a party of 4 that grew to 6 we found the place pretty crowded and loud after awhile. Mostly we were pissed off that we were told on our 3rd round that the Guinness we were drinking was actually $5.50. ...really, it wasn't even a full 20 oz glass, it was one of those damn plastic cups. When we ordered at the beginning of the night it was quiet and the bartender said nothing about the price. At that point we decided to go somewhere else because it really wasn't our kind of bar in the first place, and you can absolutely find much cheaper Guinness in this city. The guy didn't even apologize for the website - it's called false advertising, and it's a dick move, Mr. William Penn.
(1)Matt C.
Good Food, Good Beers, Better Prices. Try the Patio outback, you'll love it.
(5)Jenn N.
Pros: convenient location in Shadyside, sufficient lighting for the mood Cons: Crowded, full of frat-boy types, bartenders would kick everyone out at closing time Perhaps, I didn't have a great experience because I got dragged here against my will. But it was unbearably crowded and loud. The kind where it's most likely that you'll spill someone's else's drink. It was more than once that I heard glass breaking. It's a kind of place you would go to meet random people than a place you would go to just hang out with friends. My friends enjoyed their drinks, so I grant the bar that. At closing time however, the bartender yelled that we had to get out since it was closing. They turned on the bright lights, cut the music and stopped the heat to force us out. So I might not be the target audience. This is my friend's favorite bar. I am not sure why. The frat-boy like atmosphere may be it, but I have always preferred the low-key type bars.
(2)brian d.
Great food and normally great atmosphere, but today thus music was the nastiest hardcore rap that was just offensive. How many F-bombs can you realistically listen to while eating lunch and watching sports. Dropped 2 stars from what I would last night whenit used to be my favorite place in shadyside.
(2)Amanda C.
Great spot for a casual night out with good friends (you know the kind) -- cheap drinks and food with a laid back atmosphere. Can't go wrong! Highly recommend their wings - completely addictive. Special house sauce all the way! No doubt about it. Relax and enjoy.
(4)Matt S.
Great beer and food specials. They had the Michigan game on too!
(3)