Really like the Modern Cafe, dont judge it by the outside decor (a bit dated it seems, but what do i know)
Inside is very nice, tons of beer selection. Bartenders are good, can be a bit slow sometimes but cant we all.
Food is off the heezy! Had a few different things over numerous trips but the greek cheesesteak is where its at!
4 stars for the Modern
This is a very kitschy place. Very 50's diner inspired and a cool looking interior. I'll be honest and say I've never tried their food. It may not ever happen because one of my favorite restaurants ever is 2 doors away.
That being said, it's a super fun bar to visit and their beer selection rocks! Â They have crazy things like Rock Bottom's Uppity Jag-Off IPA from craft beer week on tap and the bartender/owner will guide you through whatever new and exciting things they've just added and offer you a sample of anything to check and see if it's something you might like. He also remembers us every time we've walked in, which gives you that happy 'Norm!' feeling. We've had some fun conversations during our visits here and I typically like their music selections, which is a nice bonus.
We will continue to stop in here for a couple of beers whenever we're in the neighborhood just because it's fun and we know we'll like what's on tap.
I was not expecting the look of Modern Cafe to be so... classic. It's pretty much a neighborhood bar. But I'd say it's a fairly good one for the North Side.
It's way bigger than I thought it would be. A little lonely feeling for a lunchtime. Out of so many sandwiches it was hard to choose, but I went for the Reuben. I'd say they're a tricky beast to tackle. It was okay. Not the best I've ever had, but certainly not the worst. I like mine loaded with sauerkraut, and this just had a decent size for someone who likes an even distribution. But not me, load it on! I was a little bummed the bread was a bit soggy. That's the worst, right?
I asked the dude for a suggestion on a side and he said try the coleslaw because he doesn't like mayo. But when it came out, there was no question, it was a mayo based slaw. I love mayo, so that was fine. Not bad again. Just okay.
I think this bar would be my jam if I lived on the North Side. TONS of beer on tap that I'd for sure want to tap into! Maybe I'll treat myself to a happy hour there... Let's be honest, he beer will come a'callin!
Great local joint with a fantastic beer selection. Prices are on the higher end, $5-7 for a beer, and the service can be a bit spotty if you're not a regular. I was passed over several times by the bar tender because she was taking care of the regulars first or finishing her conversations with her friends. By the end of the night though my service was fine and I was being treated like a regular!
Review Source:You can't go wrong with a little local bar like this. Modern has an excellent beer selection in bottles, accompanied by a small, but decent draft selection. Their food menu, prepared next door, is better than you'd expect, although I've only had a sampling of items.
If you're looking for a chill local bar with a welcoming vibe and nice attentive bartenders, Modern is your spot. Â It's really clean, and the crowd is laid back. It's the perfect place to spend a low-key evening out with friends, or to grab a drink before or after a dinner at Nicky's!
I have found yet another reason to hang around on Western Ave.
I'm really starting to like it down there. Â As an alumnus of CCAC Allegheny I often times just hurried passed storefront after storefront never taking a second glance at the many great establishments that line Western Ave. Â Well now that Western Ave is within walking distance of my new home, I've been slowing down and exploring what the avenue has to offer.
The Modern Cafe is great. Â I like the old school neon signage that hangs in front of the bar. I like that it's attached to deli that actually has corned beef on the menu and I loved the selection of seasonal pumpkin beer.
The biggest problem here is the lighting. It's simply too bright and it kills the vibe. When I first walked in, I was struck by the barren/sterile feeling of both the bar and seating area in the back. At one point it inexplicably got even BRIGHTER, as some additional green lights behind the bar came on. At first I thought it was last call or something, but it was only 10:30pm on a Saturday night.
Beer list is solid but not mind-blowing. Taps included a rotating Great Lakes, Dark Horse Crooked Tree, Rogue Dead Guy, Big Hop and SA Chocolate Bock plus Guinness and a few macros. Bottle selection is much larger and a board behind the bar tells you what's newest. Prices are about where they should be but maybe a tad high: two Rogue drafts, a Nugget Nectar bottle, and a bag of chips was $18.
The owners were tending bar on a fairly busy Saturday night, but honestly they had trouble keeping up. When asked which Dark Horse was on tap, Irene didn't know. You could tell both she and Dean were working hard, but it was a struggle. It was a little hard to watch since Dean is so friendly.
It's great to see a revamped place like this in the neighborhood (don't be scared away by the outside), but there are better hang-out spots nearby.
Awesome little neighborhood joint... even if you do not live in the neighborhood :)  I first discovered Modern Cafe upon moving back to Pittsburgh after having dinner at Nicky's Thai Kitchen next door.... such an awesome find!  Great beer selection, great juke box, great service, and super clean restrooms (for me this is a big deal).  Amanda (one of the bartenders) is indeed amazing!  She remembers everyone and is just a pleasure to chat with.  I have seen some of the food, but have yet to experience it.... but from what  I have seen, it looks yummy. Â
I highly suggest checking this place out. Â Cheers!
This is a great little nieghborhood bar. Â Great service - nice people. Â Great beer selection and reasonable prices. Â I would give the food an ok. Â They have your basic bar food - the fries are nothing to write home about. Â
This was the bar use in the movie "Wonder Boys" Â - sadly the bar was ruined in a fire in 2009 -they only a have a few of the art deco pieces left - but they have done a nice job of restoring the place after the fire. Â
Also - they have trivia nights on Tuesday's at 7:30.
I love this place.
Food is great. They have really good Greek food. (gyros hummus etc.)
Owners are great! The owners are fully dedicated to its success and often have beer tastings, bands and recently a Guinness night where they taught customers how to properly pour the beer from a tap and gave away Guinness and glasses.
Larger (mostly bottled) beer selection, include lots of selections from local/nearby brews including Great Lakes, Church Brew, Full Pint Penn lagers and ales, a couple offerings by PA standouts, Troegs, Weyerbacher and Victory and some farther afoot quality selections such as Dark Horse, Terrapin, DFH and Green Flash.
Tasty but typical barfood.
SUPER friendly owners. As posted above, apparently the place burned down in 2009 and reoppend in spring 2010. I went there as a Caps fan on  New Year's Day just before the winter classic and they made us feel right at home while giving us some choice anecdotes about the city.
Good neighborhood bar, great people that work there, great beer selection, but the prices are high.  I guess am am used to the bike messenger discount (frequent drinker), but  $2.50 for any domestic beer is just wrong.  Also, the bar seems to be trying to attract an upscale crowd by it"s promoted activities, but lets keep it real, look at the neighborhood demographics.  Have a night with a live DJ, and that place would be packed.
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