Thunderstorms Tonight - Where to watch? (Pittsburgh, Washington: condo, house, college)

[WhoIsStanwix?]

I was planning to meet a friend to go kayaking near the ballpark tonight, but it looks like the weather won't be cooperating, so we are meeting for a drink instead. I was thinking instead of being bummed about the bad weather, we could catch up on conversation by watching the skies, assuming the weather man is right and we get some severe storms this evening.

That brings up the question, where is a good vista to take this in without getting soaked? I used to have access to our office on the 23rd floor building downtown which overlooked the point, but we have since moved to cheaper digs. We're initially meeting in Lawrenceville, so somewhere in or very near to city limits would be ideal. If you have any thoughts, let me know!

[SammyKhalifa]

Up on Mt Wash.

[WhoIsStanwix?]

Originally Posted by SammyKhalifa

Up on Mt Wash.

Well, yeah, but I don't have a condo or house there, and getting soaked on the overlook doesn't seem overly appealing. Any specific recommendations where we could enjoy over a craft cocktail? I'm not up and up on what is up there these days outside of the traditional white tablecloth spots which aren't really my thing.

[SammyKhalifa]

Ha, I gotcha.

My go-to recommendation up there is the Shiloh Grill, if it's nice enough to be on the Deck (under cover).

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by WhoIsStanwix?

Well, yeah, but I don't have a condo or house there, and getting soaked on the overlook doesn't seem overly appealing. Any specific recommendations where we could enjoy over a craft cocktail? I'm not up and up on what is up there these days outside of the traditional white tablecloth spots which aren't really my thing.

Go to one of the many restaurants and bars on Grandview Ave.

[SammyKhalifa]

Originally Posted by wpipkins2

Go to one of the many restaurants and bars on Grandview Ave.

Yeah, over on that side I guess I'd say the Grandview Saloon (though I didn't really go to any of them that often). Haven't been there since I was a kid (so it might be expensive), but the fish restaurant at the top of the Trimont would be an awesome place for a T-Storm rolling in.

I just like the Shiloh end more overall, and the Shiloh Grill is great (though doesn't have quite the view)

[fleetiebelle]

Originally Posted by WhoIsStanwix?

Well, yeah, but I don't have a condo or house there, and getting soaked on the overlook doesn't seem overly appealing. Any specific recommendations where we could enjoy over a craft cocktail? I'm not up and up on what is up there these days outside of the traditional white tablecloth spots which aren't really my thing.

Grandview Saloon: The Grandview Saloon - & Coal Hill Steakhouse

Or if you're looking for something divier with a view, Satalio's: Satalio

Places with craftier cocktails like Shiloh Grill or The Summit don't really have a view of much besides Shiloh Street.

[SammyKhalifa]

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

Or if you're looking for something divier with a view, Satalio's: Satalio

good call

[Merge]

I really like this thread. Good idea, OP! It's kind of poetic in the era of smart phones, ipods, wristwatches linked to your "cloud"...

The best and most foolish place I have ever watched a major storm was from the golf course in Schenley Park. This was in the early-90's during my college days, and it ended up being a hurricane with trees knocked down all around town. My friends and I ended up being in the eye of the storm and we could see a small enclosed circle of stars above us and witness the lighting bolts and torrents of rain charging down from the sky in every direction. Naturally we had to scurry for cover as the storm moved on.

I also watched a tornado come over the hills from the 14th floor of a building in PPG Place in the mid/late 90's. That storm's twister devastated some roofs in Mt. Washington and the Slopes. But it was amazing to watch from that vista.

So c'mon posters... any ideas besides Mt. Washington to safely observe a storm?

[_Buster]

For a different perspective, this place downtown has a retractable glass roof, so if it fails to storm, you can be on the outdoor rooftop.

Il Tetto: A Rooftop Beer Garden - 16 Photos - Italian - Downtown - Pittsburgh, PA - Reviews - Yelp