A New Era in Pittsburgh Nightlife Starts at Black Brew House
The Downtown space is a collaboration between TLC Libations and Windy Bridges Brew.
PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER
On 412 Day, at the tail-end of Three Rivers Beer Week, Black Brew House opened its doors to family and friends Downtown.
The new business is a collaboration between Erika Turner of TLC Libations, Pennsylvania’s first Black, female-owned distillery, and Marcus Wyatt of Windy Bridges Brew, the first Black-owned brewery in the city.
Located in a former yoga studio on Forbes Avenue, it’s expected to open to the public April 22 — just in time for the 2026 NFL Draft taking place April 23-25. It will operate from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
No production will be done on site. The tasting room will serve beer, spirits, cocktails and non-alcoholic options made by Turner and Wyatt, as well as beverages from other Black entrepreneurs throughout the state. A rotating line-up of food trucks will provide the menu.
The pair worked with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s Project Pop-Up to secure the former yoga studio at 339 Forbes Ave. They will occupy the space for a year and, at the end of the pop-up period, have the option to commit to a longer-term lease.
PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER
They’re excited to start a new era in Pittsburgh nightlife, but admit it’s been a whirlwind experience.
Before the grand opening, Wyatt is hauling his kegs to New Orleans for Barrels on the Bayou on April 18. The Big Easy event is an offshoot of Barrel & Flow, America’s first Black-owned craft brews festival that will hold its sixth annual Pittsburgh bash on Aug. 8 in the Strip District.
On April 21, Wyatt, along with 11 local brewers, will compete at the Allegheny Mountain Malt Sustainable Sip-Off at Mike’s Beer Bar on the North Shore.
Each participating brewery will create a beer featuring locally and regeneratively grown Allegheny Mountain Malt. Attendees will taste, evaluate and cast their vote for the People’s Choice, while professional and celebrity judges name Top Draft Pick and contest participants select Brewer’s Choice. The Sustainability Spotlight Award will also honor the brew featuring the highest percentage of locally sourced ingredients.
The event, produced by Sustainable Pittsburgh, Food21 and Allegheny Mountain Malt, starts at 4 p.m. with winners announced at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and will be available for $25 at the door. Admission includes samples from the participating breweries, a voting ballot, entertainment, a souvenir pint glass and one complimentary full-size pour from the extensive Mike’s Beer Bar menu.
Participating breweries include Burghers Brewing, Abjuration Brewing, Cobblehaus Brewing Co., Devout Brewing, Hazel Grove Brewing, Headley’s Brewing, Hop Farm Brewing Company, Late Addition Brewing + Blending, Tortured Souls Brewing, Unity Brewing and Windy Bridges Brew.
