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Jack's is Jack's. I admit I avoid Jack's (and most of the South Side) on Friday and Saturday nights. During the week is the time to be on the South Side and Jack's is the epitome of hanging out on the South Side. Cheap beer, cheap specials and a casual crowd of friendly people make Jack's indispensable. They are my fall-back bar and I'm not ashamed to admit it.…
Hit or Miss. This place is Okay....at best. The service is GREAT. The drinks are cheap. But, the Jacks has the dumbest setup of any bar i've ever been to. The place is always crowded because it HAS to because it's so small. The ratio is usually 10 guys to every girl. Also, it seems like everybody there smokes....all at the same time. So, your clothes will smell like crap when you leave. There also happens to too many college "toughguys." However, I've had some really fun times here. So, I guess it's "hit or miss."…
'burgh Bar all the way.. Jack's is the best! If you love a bar that will give you a taste of what Pittsburgh is really like definitely make an appearance. It is, however, not everyone's favorite spot. Some people are just made for the wall to wall chaos and some aren't. The best thing is definitely the bartenders. I enjoy the main bar but the real place to be is the backroom. cheap beer prices, friendly bartenders, and entertaining drunks. Now that's a 'burgh thing!…
True Characters.
As one of "true characters" that inhabits Jack's more on weekday afternoons than on Saturday nights (my picture hangs behind the bar in the front room), I'd just like to add to the official review.
The beer selection is not modest at all. While Jack's does offer old favorites like Old Mil and IC Lite, they also carry at least 3 varieties of Pete's Wicked, various Penn Brews, along with many other microbrew bottles and they have Guiness and Hoegarden on tap. And, some of the bartenders are more than willing to mix up apple martinis, top shelf margaritas, as well as apple pie shots.
As far as the characters, just perch yourself on a bar stool early on a Tuesday evening, and let the fun begin.…
Crockett and Tubbs flash this kind of neon..
The Scene
The gaudy strips of neon beckon through the glass-block outer walls of Jack's Bar, calling to revelers like an oasis luring thirsty desert travelers to fresh water. Because of
its location at one end of East Carson Street's bar district, it's become a must-stop for nearly every bar hopper on the South Side.
The Vibe
While there's usually a line to get in on weekend nights, the true character (and characters) shines through on the off-nights. A modest selection of beer and honest helpings of grilled and fried food satisfy the needs of thick-necked college students and hard-working regulars. The drinks are commonplace (Bud and Coors Light are your average order) and the packed nature of busy nights are the draw to this neighborhood bar. When not watching for the next infamous bar fight to break out, you may find yourself staring in disbelief at the signs advertising various food and drink specials, seemingly painted by a deranged supermarket produce manager finally gone loco after years of handling pesticide-laden vegetables. Or maybe it has to do with the fact that Jack's is open every second of the year as allowed by state law.…
