Con Alma

"Con Alma is a favorite downtown destination for pre- and post-show drinks and entertainment in a standalone space. The broad dining room and elegant bar harken back to an era when Pittsburgh was a hotbed for jazz. Today, you’ll find local and touring musicians playing here seven nights a week. Con Alma’s drinks menu features terrific seasonal cocktails, (spins on) classics, and a sharply curated wine list. The establishment’s dinner menu draws from Mediterranean influences, with roasted whole branzino with spicy berbere caponata, preserved lemon, and snacky bites like beet muhammara." - Melissa McCart, Hal B. Klein

"Don’t come to Con Alma hoping to debrief about your latest work or love life drama—they usually have genre-bending live jazz playing, and you’re gonna want to listen. While the music is the main attraction, the food isn’t an afterthought. Try dishes like za’atar-dusted sourdough wheat focaccia, smoky Peruvian red pepper-covered and mushroom-loaded lo mein, and kimchi fried rice with pork belly burnt ends. Check their website if you want to see the full music calendar, but it’s also fun to show up without context and see if tonight is going to be a jam session led by a legendary sax player or a vocalist belting out a lovely rendition of “Fly Me To The Moon.”" - elaine zedack, quayla allen

"Don’t come to Con Alma hoping to debrief about your latest work or love life drama—they usually have genre-bending live jazz playing, and you’re gonna want to listen. While the music is the main attraction, the food isn’t an afterthought. Try dishes like za’atar-dusted sourdough wheat focaccia, smoky Peruvian red pepper-covered and mushroom-loaded lo mein, and kimchi fried rice with pork belly burnt ends. Check their website if you want to see the full music calendar, but it’s also fun to show up without context and see if tonight is going to be a jam session led by a legendary sax player or a vocalist belting out a lovely rendition of “Fly Me To The Moon.”" - Quayla Allen

"Follow the sounds of music to Con Alma (translation: with soul), the restaurant and bar bringing jazz back to Pittsburgh’s historic Cultural District. There you’ll find co-owner and executive chef Josh Ross serving up Latin-inspired dishes like albacore xnipec with tortilla chips, bacalaitos, and lechon asado (as well as global dishes like dan dan mian and Korean fried chicken). Recently named one of the best bars in America by Esquire, the cocktail program, led by bar manager Hannah McKee, isn’t too shabby either. Meanwhile, the live jazz program curated by co-owner John Shannon has featured Pittsburgh legends like Roger Humphries and the RH Factor. All these elements make Con Alma a must-visit." - Briana L White