For many, the Elbow Room is the perfect Shadyside restaurant -- semiformal, friendly and great for dates or large groups. But with the area's increasing population of college students and discerning hipsters, proprietor Michael DiFiore decided to depart from his fine-dining repertoire with Bites & Brews, a casual pub and eatery geared to serious night owls. A one-room extension with a garage door-style entrance and a long, L-shape bar, Bites & Brews offers customers 30 brands of beer and stout on tap, as well as salads, sandwiches (meat and vegetarian), gourmet pizzas (whole and in slices) and the usual array of munchies. In a setup inspired by sandwich shops, English pubs and, most interesting, traditional sushi restaurants, guests place their orders by checking bubbles on the menu. With pop music playing from surround-sound speakers at tasteful decibels, Bites & Brews is the ideal spot for this summer's wee-hours get-togethers.

Categories: Bars

Official Website | Directions | Nearby Businesses | Send to Cell