Pittsburgh is a city famous for its variety of neighborhoods, each sporting a different atmosphere—from the popular Strip District, with it shops, restaurants and nightlife, to North Side, with museums galore.
One of the more up-and-coming areas these days is distinct in character and in name: 16:62 Design Zone (www.1662designzone.com). Situated between 16th Street and 62nd Street, the eclectic region is home to more than 65 independently run, art-related businesses, from boutiques and galleries to interior design and architecture firms, with inviting restaurants sprinkled in between.
Groups interested in visiting the area can hold a unique event at the following venues:
The Church Brew Works
412.688.8200; www.churchbrew.com
Converted from a church into a restaurant in 1996, The Church Brew Works welcomes guests with 80-foot ceilings and stained glass—remnants of its previous operation. The American eatery keeps locals coming back with dishes such as Kobe flank steak and black pepper-glazed pork chop. Welcoming groups of 25 to 50 people for an indoor seated dinner, the restaurant can also accommodate up to 75 people in its outdoor Hop Garden. Groups of 300 or more are welcome to rent out the facility for an event.
Piccolo Forno
412.622.0111; www.piccolo-forno.com
Transporting guests into Italy’s Tuscan region, Piccolo Forno warms the hearts of visitors with its Italian specialties, wood-burning stove, candlelit tables, and brick walls. Small groups can visit the eatery, and crowds of up to 50 people can rent it out on Sunday and Monday.
COCA Café
412.621.3171; www.cocacafe.net
Greeting patrons with ample sunshine, brightly colored walls and unique art, COCA Café is open daily for private events after 4 p.m. Groups of up to 50 can enjoy the space for a sit-down dinner, or the eatery can host cocktail parties for up to 75 if they utilize the venue’s outdoor terrace. Popular dinner dishes include grilled ginger soy salmon and herb- and garlic-crusted beef tenderloin with red wine peppercorn sauce.
Society for Contemporary Craft
412.261.7003;
www.contemporarycraft.org
Bringing in non-traditional art lovers since 1971, the Society for Contemporary Craft showcases various forms of three-dimensional art. The space offers art classes and a gift shop, and it is available for groups after 6 p.m. and all day Sunday. The venue can host up to 250 for a cocktail party and up to 65 for a sit-down dinner.
