Olive Or Twist

Excellent bartenders serving up classics & house specials, chill vibe, open to the street, great stop for a drink or two before the ball game

Im giving everything one star simply because service matters. We were the to grab a small bite before seeing The Wiz and the food, service, and drinks were all great. Until we received the spinach dip and found it was more sour cream than spinach. We sent it back and while the sever asked did we want anything at that point were fine with what we had and didnt want anything else since that was a disappointment. May I also mention our server was excellent it was her manager Brad who was not excellent. In fact far from it.When we received the bill we noticed the spinach dip which we had all dip a corner of our pita into to try it but hadnt touched after that was still on the bill. When we asked our server she told us her manager would not allow her to remove it from the bill. This is when Brad the manager enters the picture with a condensing and rude attitude. We asked why it wasnt removed and he said it was their policy not to remove things that were not liked from the bill. When asked where said policies are posted he said and I quote:I dont need to have it in writing.He also said very rudely well Im telling you in this conversation so thats the policy.And also said it was cooked properly and just because you didnt like it doesnt mean it gets removed from the bill.(Side note apparently the charge an extra 3 dollars for pita if you ask for more to go with your buffalo chicken dip. Yet another policy that went unmentioned and unwritten.)We asked how it was a policy but is not posted anywhere on the menus, website, windows, or even the table. And he claimed yet again this did not need to be in writing and walked off with the same condescending attitude.We asked to speak to him again and when I pointed out that if this is a policy it should be posted so patrons know before hand what the service entails and that even fast food and chain food restaurants have policies somewhere in their establishments he sneered and walked off.Now I dont know if Richard the owner believes in being rude or condescending to patrons but if your manger is any indication of you and how you believe customer service should be presented you all must be new to this industry. I get that when people eat a whole meal then try to get the meal taken off or reduced that, that is in fact an issue. But the customer expressing that they were displeased with something and not wanting anything else after that disappointment is an everyday occurrence in the industry.I have eaten and many fine dining and what well say regular dining a like and I dont think I ever had a manager as rude as Brad approach me or my family. If this is what Olive Or Twist thinks customer service is I hate to see where youll be in a few years.Also if youre going to claim you have policies again the should be posted so people can discern whether they want to patronize an establishment or not. Not rudely claim something exist when there is no such wording written anywhere.I know we will not be attending this restaurant ever again. And will be posting this exact review everywhere since Im sure they will try to delete it at some point to save face.

Olive or twist alwsys had good cocktails, liquor and beer collection, this is still true.The food & ambience has declined over the years. We had calamari, patty melt on rye and red pepper quesadilla. All of the food was average except the fries ( which I didnt order 😀, I had ordered tots. Didnt bother to correct the waitress). Overall, its an average place, there are much better choices around for food. If I have go back here I will go only for drinks.

Walked into this establishment with no one to greet us, sat down at the bar. Two bar tenders began serving us-they were friendly. However, for each drink we ordered they were out of something the drink required whether it be ice or the type of alcohol. The bartenders suggested something else for each drink and we agreed. We were sitting at the bar for about one hour when a man came up behind us started yelling at us to leave and that we could not even finish our drinks. He stated this is a private event leave now and do not finish your drinks. He was rude and inappropriate. When we walked in the door there was no signage of a private event and no one to greet us at the door to let us know. The bartender stated this man was her boss. However, I do not know if he is the manager or what. He handled the situation terribly- as if it was our fault the employees of this establishment allowed us to come in, sit at the bar for an hour, have 6 total drinks, and spend our hard earned money. I rated service a 2 as the bartenders were pleasant. Will never come back.

We went here for my sister-in-laws birthday party. Very nice place. I cant say anything about the prices, because my brother-in-law footed the bill. But the drinks were terrific and the food was pretty good as well.

The place stands up to its reputation.Very nice place with great customer service from the bar tenders (Ryan, Katie), atmosphere, live music.PERFECT

We recently hosted a private event with a cash bar and unfortunately our experience was marred by a disheartening incident involving one of the bartenders and the way the restaurant worded automatic gratuity on the individual checks. This incident completely overshadowed the rest of our experience.Instead of saying “gratuity” as most places do, Olive Twist instead uses “Event Administration Charge” which is very misleading. When multiple guests questioned one of the bartenders who has been there for years, she told them it was NOT gratuity and therefore she was tipped double. For those guests who asked the other bartender, he was honest about it being automatic gratuity.When I questioned this with event coordinator, John, all he could say was it was in my contract. Yes, it was in my contract for automatic gratuity, but it was NOT in my contract for my guests to be lied to for extra tips. I believe in fair compensation for good service, but manipulating guests into double-tipping is unacceptable.I followed up the next day and the was only offered the situation was being taken to heart. No offer to refund the extra tip for those who were duped to think it was not gratuity. The bartenders actions not only compromised the integrity of the service but also tainted the overall perception of the establishment.

Good cocktails and the blue cheese stuffed olives - super yum. Espresso Martini was good. Nice atmosphere.

Nice martini selection, 2 levels with a lounge upstairs. A dozen beers on tap, live music, missing some ingredients for specialty cocktails. Open late and has TVs if youre trying to catch a game.

Excellent spot in the Arts District for cocktails prior or after a show! Creative concoctions and lively atmosphere.

Attended a private event and it was very nicely put together. Food was good! The Dragonberry Cosmo was delicious.

The experience was off-putting. We used to come in when in town for an event, but havent been in awhile. I have to say the bartender was inconvenienced by waiting on us. She was available for what we wanted but very, what I want to say, racist. Felt she didnt want to be a servant to white patrons. Also saw the management debasing other staff in front of us. WILL NOT be back. Dont waste your time, there are other establishments willing to be accommodating and friendly.

The early dusk was amazing. First cocktail Ive really experienced besides homemade ones. Definitely already started recommending people to come with me and try it out again

Its more of a drink place than a restaurant and probably caters to the quick bite to eat crowd. Very limited food menu with mostly small bites and sandwiches. I ordered the vodka pasta entre and was disappointed. Looked like it was sitting around for a while and then microwaved. Had the creme Brule and instead of the hard sugar coating it was all liquid on the top.Disappointed.

I didnt eat, but the bartender made me the most perfect old fashioned. This place is in the best spot next to some really great places to eat. I checked out the food menu and will definitely come back to have a bite.

Well, they’re fantastically accommodating.My wife got the peppered salmon; she ate the whole thing so, I’m assuming she thought it was good.I got the crab cakes. You should not. They were dry and bland.Like any whiney millennial should, I complained about my first world problem to the server. She asked if I’d like something different and at first, I hesitated.But, then I said the hell with it. Bring me a menu.I opted for the Lobster Mac.And HOLY BALLS is it SO good. Don’t get anything else except for that. 🤤🤤🤤They’d get a three I cared about atmospheres... it seems like it’s the butthole of these guy’s restaurant brands.I recommend you go, and get the lobster mac. Think of me when you put it your mouth.

We used to go to Olive or Twist all the time, but I hadnt been there in a while. We definitely need to go more often again.The food and service were amazing. The manager stopped by several times to make sure everything was going well.The fries were the best fries Ive had in eons. Im very picky about fries. I tend to prefer thin fries, since I hate soggy fries that you find in so many restaurants. These fries were thicker than my usual preference, but we got them since they offered Cajun seasoning. The seasoning was good, tho I could have used more. The fries were amazing. Perfectly cooked and crispy. They were even good cold, which almost never happens.The grilled cheese and tomato soup was even better than I remembered and the martinis are always delicious.I recommend reservations, since its a small place.

On a crowded day such as light up night in downtown. The bartenders were making rounds in the crowd to ask for folks orders. Seemed like they went out of their way to cater to their patrons and give them a comfy experience. The artist performing was great and the crowd was great too. The place had a nice vibe and the drinks were just fine. Would go there again.

Great place to come before a show. Good service and food with excellent cocktails that are not watered down.

The small venue is a great for baptisms birthdays & meetings of banquets for 50 people. They do have seating outside bathrooms have 2 urinals and 1 stall. The bar tender is nice and the server is prompt. It’s not expensive either.

We had our wedding reception in the event space at Olive Or Twist & cant recommend it enough. Their Events Manager John made everything such a breeze & was always super responsive. The space itself is unique and beautiful, all our guests had a great time and said the food and drinks were awesome! We would definitely work with this business and John again.

Got a burger and some pasta. Burger was good and I really liked the fries! Pasta dish (I think it was Cajun shrimp pasta?) was waaaaay too salty to the point where neither my sister nor I wanted to eat it and we ended up just splitting my burger and throwing most of the pasta away.We also got the Buffalo chicken dip before our meal and it was fantastic!

I got the pimento pig sandwich and the rest of our group got the grilled cheese and soup. We also started with their Buffalo chicken dip all of our meals were yummy. Also. Hands down their drinks ROCK. Kaylaanna was our server and she was extremely pleasant, attentive and most of all accurate and friendly. Great service, great food and the manager was on the floor as well. We recommend!

Really good food, fun sitting outside street-side and had a really great server named Gavin. Followed us from inside table to outside & took good care of us. Great menu. Great time!!!

Such a joy to work with! We booked a private party on the first floor of Olive or Twist the night before our wedding. We had a private buffet dinner for immediate family only, and then other wedding guests joined later for appetizers and cocktails. John was wonderful to work with! He was communicative, flexible, budget-conscious, and detail-oriented when planning with us. The food, drinks, and atmosphere were perfect for our event. As the bride/host, I felt like I could enjoy myself and visit with guests, as John and the staff ran the even so smoothly.

We just had a wonderful experience at Olive or Twist. We rented the top floor for our son’s welcome party the evening before his wedding. We needed a place within walking distance of the hotel and chose Olive or Twist based upon glowing recommendations from our wedding planner. The place did not disappoint.Over 100 people attended and I believe all had a wonderful time. John Muth, the event manager, was a pleasure to deal with before and during the event. In addition to the wonderful ambience, the food was excellent and the drinks kept on flowing. The bartenders hustled all night and John did whatever was necessary.I highly recommend this venue !

Great live music. Nice smiling bar-mates. Great deco. What’s not to like.

Good place for a drink before going to the theater or concert.

This review is being written directly after my experience on February 20th, 2022 at around 11:30 pm so that way the manager can pretty much figure out with one of his staff members needs a good talking to since I wasn’t able to get a name. This review is only for the waitress/bartender. She was absolutely amazing! The only reason why I don’t give it a 5 star is because the gentlemen/bartender who was a lot younger and had blond long hair and somewhat has a baby mustache tried to stop us at the door telling us we only left $10 as the bill, but was indeed the TIP. I left that tip only for the woman that took care of us, not for him. Maybe he should put two and two together before stopping us at the door. Never will return. I loved this place until he ruined the night for us. Way to go dummy! If the restaurant is so worried about customers running on a bill, TAKE their IDs until they pay! It’s not hard! It’s better than making yourselves look like total A$$e$! Now my family and I think the staff here are very racist! What did you want us to do? Would you rather have us leave without tipping?

Very unprofessional GM. He thinks he is something else. Don’t go there. Your drinks will be refused close to closing hours because the GM pretends you are slurring your words instead of telling you that they will close soon. Discriminative GM that is highly arrogant. We spent over a 100$ in this place and my friend was insulted at the end of the evening. Very unprofessional and discriminatory. No respect for foreigners and foreign accents. Get rid of the current GM. He is not the right person for this job. Thank you. I will pose further complaints.

Rented out the second floor to host a Welcome Party the night before our wedding. John was super easy to work with and the event went very smoothly. Our guests said they liked the food and the cocktails were good. We were also able to connect one of our phones up to the sound system to play our music. Overall, very good experience.

Delicious cocktails and fun atmosphere!! We used to love all the martinis on their menu wish there was still more martini options. But so glad theyre back open! Food wise we missed the old menu too. Who wants a burger with their martini?

This place makes very good but not amazing cocktails. Its extremely roomy and comfortable when the upstairs is open. It can be crowded when the upstairs is closed. Ive only had a couple appetizers off of their menu but they were solid and enjoyable. They have an intimate live music setting some nights. Id recommend a late evening drink with a date on those nights.

We went to Olive or Twist on Saturday with another couple. We expected to be able to go upstairs where there are couches and more room. I would check with the restaurant ahead of time whether you can go upstairs or not. If you cannot go upstairs, the atmosphere is not enough downstairs to have a pleasant time. The food selection is very limited too. That said, the waitress was nice.

A group of 6 of us had dinner at Olive or Twist Saturday February 5, 2022. Worst meal in a restaurant weve had. The food was awful, everything was over salted. The menu consists of 10 appetizers and 9 entrées. The drink menu had at least 40 drinks! Maybe the bar tender could give the chef some ideas! The only side they offered were homemade potato chips , straight out of a Lays bag! Pasta with vodka sauce was a joke, jarred marinara at best! Hamburger was so over salted it wasnt edible. They have 2 way overpriced salads on the menu but couldnt offer a side saladNo vegetables offered. Prices are outrageous for horrible food! I dont mind paying a higher price to eat downtown but would like food I could stomach. Will never go back, ruined the evening.

Wonderful restaurant find! Sort of a hole in the wall, but a lovely atmosphere. Martinis are so good. I recommend Lavendar Lemon drop martini, so good! Had the poutine as an appetizer and wasnt impressed, but the braised short ribs were delicious. My group also had the blackened salmon and the scallop risotto. All were delicious and beautifully presented. Service was a bit slow at times, but overall decent and very nice. I would recommend. Great place for drinks and/or drinks and dinner before/after a show.

Excellent dinner with an upscale atmosphere. The 14 oz ribeye was tender and perfectly cooked. 12/2018Update: Dec 2019. The menu is drastically different with a new chef. Unfortunately, you have an extremely limited menu now. You cant even find a steak on it. The menu is so limited we all kept trying to decide if it was a lunch menu. Thats unfortunate because the restaurant had really great food and atmosphere. Now, youre limited to a few sandwiches and I think we counted only 3 main dinners. What was a great place to eat prior to a nice evening out has become more of a bar and less of a restaurant. Unless youre looking to eat the same 4 or 5 sandwiches every time you eat there. Sad .

I went here on a Thursday night with my friends, and had a wonderful time! Overall, I would definitely recommend this for artful cocktails.The ambiance: It was a lucky find, as we really enjoyed the brick-walled, older English character-filled setting. There was live music, and the guitarist was very good, it was not too loud, yet entertaining. Would work great for anything from date nights to post work dinners.The cocktails: Delightfully made, with unique flavors and combinations. My favorite was called The Perfect Pear, which was on the sweeter side, but subtle. My friends each had Lavendar Lemon Drop and Garden of Eden, and both enjoyed the burst of fresh flavors.The food: Surprisingly delicious with several options, unlike other cocktail bars I have been to, who usually only carry smaller bites. My favorite was the Cajun Tortellini pasta, which was made vegetarian for me upon request.

Olive....dirty. Wonderful place, clean, fun, drinks good & service is great. Good mixed crowd.

Had our Christmas work party there and really enjoyed the experience. Drinks were mixed just right and the heavy hor d oeuvre hit the spot. Would like to return there again soon.

I only had cocktails but each one I had was very tasty and unique. The owner handcrafted them all and it was nice watching them make it and chat.

Olive Or Twist is a fantastic place! The service is fast and friendly and the atmosphere is great. They have a great selection of beers (domestics, drafts, imports) as well as wines. The food is very casual and surprisingly inexpensive. Not to mention very delicious! The upstairs lounge is also a great place so socialize. Downside is the place can get a bit crowded and crammed.

Great Food!!! and really cool delicious drinks!!! This is a The city of light drink was very good!.

Happy hour changed here for the worse. Our group used to do a lot of Happy Hours and Olive or Twist was in the rotations. Times changed, we didnt do as much and a 4 - 6 Happy Hour stopped as we all started working till 5. Good news. We were off early. Lets try somewhere we havent been for awhile.I arrived shortly before my friend at a little before 4. I picked a table and waited for her and planned to have some wine while I waited. I saw the Happy Hour specials and wasnt really interested in staying so browsed my phone. My friend arrived 30 minutes later while I was looking for other places to go and no one even acknowledged I was there.Combo of Buffalo Chicken dip taken off the menu and being completely ignored by the entire staff sent us away. And by entire staff I mean entire staff.

Love, love, love the calamari. Its so good and spicy. There is an endless list of martinis and one is better than the next. There is a first and second floor, if you prefer more of a bar or lounge atmosphere. Its not a place I like for dinner, but for drinks and apps its wonderful.

We happened upon this place by chance after visiting the Arts Festival.We were pleasantly surprised by the service and the food. Our waitress was first rate. She checked on us several times and was very pleasant and knowledgeable about the menu.The food was excellent. We ordered steaks and they were done perfectly and were delicious.We will definitely be going there again.

The drinks and bartenders were awesome. Unfortunately, the manager said they didnt receive our reservation, and it would be at least a 2 hour wait, while we watched empty tables remain empty, and the other customers were leaving, the manager never made any other eye contact with us, or offered us a table once the restaurant was almost completely empty.

Went in for a couple of cocktails. It wasn’t overly crowded for a Friday night, we found seats right at the bar. My fiancé had and old fashion and said it was good. I had the peach ring martini and tiramisu martin both were amazing! Each cocktail ran us about $14. It was a nice treat!

Stopped in for a Dry Martini. One of the worst I have ever been served. Served in a warm glass by a rude disinterested bartender.

My favorite bar in Pittsburgh, overall. They do solid appetizer specials during Happy Hours (which run for three hours most days). I love the ambiance, the long, narrow bi-level setting, and great service. If I had a complaint, it would be certain live musicians that are too loud.

Great downtown Pittsburgh stop. Bartenders pour a good drink. Cozy atmosphere. Only negative was the waitresses leave rather early and once they start cleaning up, they have no time for you. Even on a busy night. We will visit again.

It’s not really a destination bar, but if you’re passing by, you should definitely stop in for a drink and a bite. The martinis are delicious and every plate I’ve ordered has surpassed expectations- the salads, the soups, the fries, even grilled cheese are terrific. It’s not cheap but you get what you pay for.

We made reservations on Friday night before a show at the Byham Theatre. So glad we made reservations because it’s not a large place and it filled up quickly. Our server was the BEST we ever had! I wish I remembered her name. She was a young woman with personality plus!! The martinis were spectacular! We each had the grilled cheese sandwich and shared appetizers. The sandwiches were sooooo good! I highly recommend Olive Or Twist!!!

This is a nice place for drinks and food! The food is GOOD, not TOOO expensive, especially for what you get and location/atmosphere. The lighting is low and comfortable and the staff and people are always friendly! Im here every Saturday night. There is also live music on Friday and Saturday and the musicians are not bad at all! 5 stars! Ask for Carissa if your eating in the diner!

Food is excellent, decent portions for the price, and the drink prices are pretty competitive for a downtown spot. We dont often come for a meal, but we are here pretty frequently for drinks and apps, and its often where we end up as our last spot on date night. A local favorite of ours.

Seriously, the worst. This place used to be a place that I loved going to for happy hour. After tonight - Ill never be back again. I tried talking with the general manager about an issue I was having with accommodations and he was completely irrational, so rude and he was raising his voice at me. I planned on having a party of about ten people and they were only able to seat eight of us and I was assured that there wouldnt be an issue with any other people that might arrive if they wanted to stand near the table so that we could all enjoy one anothers company. Instead - I was told that my extra party members (three people) had to stand away from us at the bar and not in the dining area. Ive never heard of something like this and it was completely inconsiderate. I just wanted to come here to celebrate a promotion that I got at work and instead I was completely embarrassed in front of my friends/colleagues.This has always been a go-to for me because the well known financial institution that I work for would consistently host holiday parties in the upstairs lounge and it was always an enjoyable experience. Im not sure what has gone wrong or what has changed but its certainly not the same. I do not recommend spending your hard earned money at this place because they dont care about your business. So much so that when I said I would take my business elsewhere I was welcomed to do so without any hesitation or an attempt to retain my business.

Bartenders had a bad attitude. Their website said happy hour was until seven. The bartender told us to take a table and wait for a server to take our order. The server told us happy hour was until seven, then when the bill came they told us it was until 6...I have previously really enjoyed this location, but honestly will probably never return after that . Its not even about the few bucks, but the way they treated us was like nothing Ive ever experienced before at a restaurant. Working In the industry myself made it even more shocking that a bartender would talk to guests like they are such a huge inconvenience....dont waste your time, there are so many drink locations in this city with outstanding service.

Place is small. Even on a weeknight we would have needed a reservation for a normal table. This might have been due to there being a show at the Benedum, not sure. Luckily, they have a bar and high-top tables you can use if you dont have a reservation. The high-top tables are a little small but we were able to for our food, drinks and silverware on them without much issue.Our waiter was very friendly though service was a tiny bit slow though it seemed like they only had 2 waiters working that I could count. We both got drinks which were made quickly and tasted great, food was quick to arrive and was nice and warm,tasted excellent.Definitely recommend but check about a reservation if you want a real/full-sized table.

It wasn’t a bad experience but it wasn’t anything that I would brag or recommend. After reading all the reviews we still decided to go before our broadway show. I made reservations & they got us right in! Food service was any normal wait time so no complaint however food & menu weren’t anything special, just very eh. Drinks were okay again nothing special even for the price. But I guess it’s pittsburgh you would expect that. After we got our food we weren’t able to get the servers attention again because he was very busy, I imagine he was the only waiter which sucked because he was really trying. Overall, I would say mediocre at best. Nothing to bad nothing great

Went for a couple drinks. Was not overly impressed. I ordered an old fashion and have to say was probably one of the worst Ive had. Huge orange slice in the drink, that was a first for me. But the girls all enjoyed their martinis

Was recently in Pittsburgh for a couple of nights and decided to try based on some of the positive reviews. Cool atmosphere, great helpful, friendly bartenders. Enjoyed the cocktails very much. Food, however was quite disappointing, especially considering the price. I had the crab cakes...the crab cakes themselves werent terrible, but pretty dry. This was a big issue since it came with no sauce of any kind...was expecting a dressing, aioli...something. Veggies on the side were pretty much flavorless. At $20+ for the dish we were disappointed to not even finish them. My husbands salmon on a caesar was OK...nothing we would order a second time though. Hopefully the food prep will improve. Will definitely stop back in for a cocktail the next time we are in town!

Weve loved going to Olive or Twist for years, especially before catching a show at the many theaters nearby. They have some great unique martinis and solid food selections to fit any appetite or craving. Great fries! We will be back soon!

Drove 25 mins to get there. Get seated. Guy says you have to scan a QR code to see a menu, they dont have real menus. What?!?! We left and went to Redbeards next door.

Great time. Great bartenders. Good food. Parking close by. Was a great Wedding reception destination!

I have been to this bar a few times...I have never been impressed but this weekend was the last straw! We were there for a private birthday party...first off, the service was horrible. We had to wait 15+ minutes for drinks...the obnoxious hipster bartender was more concerned with waiting on Halloween kids with drink tickets than tipping customers? She was rude, patronizing, slow and messed up our orders. The prices are a joke and the food is sub-par at best. I am really shocked they are in business still...Avoid like the plague! 1 star!

Beautiful event spaces. Service and good were solid, nothing over the top though. Drinks were very disappointing though. Example- my old fashioned was missing bitters and the use of ice chips, that melt way too fast for an elegant cocktail or sorts as opposed to one sphere or cube. Within minutes it was very watered down. Lack of parking and having to pay to park in a garage is a bummer. I would come back though.

This was my favorite place to eat- looked forward to going before every show since I am a season ticket holder- went last night to find- new management and new Manus as a result...ALL of my favorites were gone. Everything making them the go to place to eat is gone- replaced with mediocre choices that you can get anywhere. Margaritas were still the same...I assume good as usual but I left since the food options weren’t worth the stay. Don’t fix something that isn’t broken. The bar tender even said- they took away most people’s favorites. I won’t be back as long as this menu stays.

Attentive and kind staff.Vibrant atmosphere.Crab cakes had the best crab to cake ratio Ive ever had.Chocolate torte may or may not have been made on site, but who cares!Diverse and well crafted drink menu as well.

Amazing atmosphere with awesome food. Highly recommend the Lobster cake sandwich paired with a bulleit rye old fashioned. The sandwich was something to come back for with robust flavor complimented by the perfectly cooked and seasoned fries.This is an amazing place with complex flavor profile throughout the menu. The hard part is figuring out which dish you are going to please your tasts buds with.

My daughter had her reception here. Everyone loved the relaxed atmosphere. The entire staff was amazing. They made sure my daughter was their first priority. And the food equaled their service. Thank you for making her day so special.

Used to be a fantastic cocktail bar, but for some reason, while the complexity of their drinks menu has increased, the quality of the actual drinks has gone downhill. Last two visits, cocktails have been unbalanced, harsh, or just plain mixed wrong. Whoever makes their menu clearly knows their craft, but they have to find a way to get the bar staff to keep up... Lots of other options downtown now, and sadly, theyve overtaken OoT for what you can get in this price range.

Came here for a night out. The service was pretty good and attentive. There was live music in an intimate space which I loved. Prices are fair.

Im a regular and I luv the place, atmosphere, people and clientele. Linda is the best bartender in the world and the live entertainment Thurs.-Saturday is the best-kept secret in Pittsburgh. The food rates generally well for the price. Although the recent change to the ahi tuna salad item, which is my favorite item on the menu, downgraded this item. My only issue is the cold draft that comes in the first floor front bar area every time the entrance door is opened, which becomes uncomfortably cold when the temperature outside gets below 30F. The workers and patrons have complained, but the owners simply refuse to do anything about it. The single door entrance remains because the owners are too cheap to install an outer door. The Olive and Twist owners should take note to the Catcher and Rye restaurant just a half block away, who installed a plastic compartment with heat in front of the main entrance door. Thats thinking about your paying customers.

Some reviews were making me think twice about our reservation, but Im glad I decided to go. The food was superb, the pricing was great for downtown, and the service was excellent. If youre looking for a good spot near Hines Hall, this restaurant wont let you down.

Friends of mine had their wedding reception in the private upstairs space. I was essentially playing the role of producer, so I was intimately involved in the goings-on that day. Although the event went off very well, this had nothing to do with Olive Or Twist. The event was starting at 8. They offered to let us in to set up as early as noon-we asked to get in at 6. We were not let in until after 7, which was the contracted time. We had been told that they would plate all the cookies for us. My wife was barely able to get them plated by 815. Their pop lines had broken the night before, and they were bringing in 2L bottles as we were being let in. The sound system was completely unworkable, after numerous promises that it would simply be plug-and-play, until a guest was able to work around their terrible system. There were only three people working the event for ~150 people, so the bar was incredibly slow, especially at the beginning of the night when all these other problems were being addressed. The dance floor, specifically promised, was non-existent. To be fair, the people who were working there did their utmost to help us, but they were somewhat hamstrung, AS OLIVE OR TWIST HAD FORGOTTEN THE EVENT WAS HAPPENING. This was the crux of all of the problems-the fact that somewhere along the line, after multiple meetings and the taking of a deposit, the venue straight-up was unaware that there was an event scheduled. We managed to pull it off, but if youre looking to host something there, Id call them every day to make sure its still on their calendar.

This place has been around for a number er of years. Its a cozy place with good food and good drinks. I have heard that its considered the local bar for people that live downtown. Unlike a lot of local bars, though, the atmosphere is very welcoming. Ive never had a bad time here.

From the beginning of planning our rehearsal dinner/welcome party for our wedding, Olive or Twist was absolutely incredible. John Muth, the event coordinator, was immensely helpful and compassionate when dealing with the almost daily changes throughout the planning process that occurred due to COVID.He was helpful keeping us informed with restaurant restrictions and overall was an excellent communicator.The staff was so accommodating in adjusting the plan to cater our event at home, and John was very focused on making the event wonderful for the bride and groom.John executed the plan impeccably, and met the people picking up the food on time, and guided us on how to keep the food warm for our guests. Overall, can’t say enough good things!!!

Nice bartenders, good live music. My martini was made quickly and a fun spin on a manhattan. Honestly, not the most amazing experience Ive had, but the price was right and the drinks strong. Hard to ask for more.

Had a very nice time. The bar ends about halfway down the long, narrow room, and at the far end people are eating. We had nothing to eat but enjoyed ourself immensely, hanging around the bar and listening to the fine musician who played covers of just about everything; and, who had, at one point, half the bar singing along .

Pretty solid drinks. Never too crowded either. There are a lot of very sweet martinis. So if you like that then this is a good place. But they have other drinks as well.

I just went to Oliver Or Twist for the first time. Great Place. Nice comfortable atmosphere. Our meals and dessert were very good. The staff was attentive and pleasant, even though the place completely filled. If you havent been there, give it a try.

Professional & Helpful!! My husband and I recently had our cocktail wedding reception in the upstairs lounge at Olive or Twist for about 115 people. It was great working with Brandon, the event coordinator. He was very professional and made suggestions that made our reception spectacular! We had a lot of flexibility to do what we wanted, normally most reception venues charge you for every little thing but they worked with us. My aunt made our wedding cakes and we wanted to bring in our bottle of vintage dom that we got for our engagement- no problem! No upcharge or anything. The staff was great, they were quick and quiet and just worked away making sure every guest had what they needed and allowed us to enjoy our night. The atmosphere was perfect for our cocktail, rustic, elegant theme. We were just treated so well in the whole process, wish we could do it all over again because everything was just perfect! Thanks again!

This may be a good bar to go to if you wear suits to work and shoes that click on pavement. Dim, suave lighting; a second floor with couches; an impressive cocktail menu. I was always tempted to go because of the witty name and its proximity to the Cultural District. I finally made it with a GroupOn in tow, and Id say I wish I spent my money on drinks entirely instead of dinner. The cocktails were quite good - it is supposedly the best martini bar in Pittsburgh - but the food did not match the quality of the drinks. Not that it was bad. The drinks were just way better. Also, if youre a poor college student as I was, I would say find that sugar daddy or boy who really wants to impress you to take you out for drinks here.

Nice bar, excellent service. Food was much better than expected! After spending $200 next door at Butcher in the Rye on overpriced whiskey and small portions of food and then leaving hungry, I went here and glad I did! Their under $10 appetizer completely filled us BOTH up!

For how much everyone raves about this place I thought it would be really good. Food was average at best. Fish and chips were soggy, the sauce the calamari was tossed in was cloyingly sweet, the au ju had no flavor and the drinks were okay I guess, they were just very strong. Extremely overpriced for just average stuff. I doubt Ill go back

As a repeat and fairly frequent patron following orchestra concerts I am very displeased with this establishment for two reasons. First, I had a very negative and frankly rude experience with a male server when ordering a beverage. I noticed that the restaurant had recently updated and changed their cocktail list and had removed some of the usual choices. When I asked the server if the bartender could still make one of your standard martinis the server responded in a condescending tone stating, Absolutely not, the bartender would have my head. If this establishment cares at all about customer service and is attempting to be a upscale establishment then perhaps they should train their staff to respond in a different manner by simply apologizing that it is no longer an option or offering to ask the bartender if they would be willing to make it.My other complaint is the obnoxious volume level that was being blasted by live musicians in the bar area. I understand wanting to entertain and draw customers in from the street with live music but question the reason was the manager couldnt ask them to turn their speakers slightly down. It was so loud that customers eating in the back of the restaurant essentially had to shout at the people less than 3 feet away from them at the same table.Overall, poor customer service and poor management in my opinion.

Went into town early with 2 friends for an event at Heinz Hall fri sept 6 and went here to get a drink and appetizer before the show. Someone a male was sitting at a seat at the door and ask did we have a reservation which we didn’t be he said we could sit in the outside area. We waited 20 minutes no service. I went inside to ask for service and a server said she would send someone out. 15 minutes later, still no service. I go inside again and ask were they serving outside. Don’t know why I had to ask that, they seem to always have people eating outside when I’m not going there. The bartender said she would send someone out and I told her that would be the 3rd time I’ve heard that. 35 minutes later, no service so me and my friends left. I gave one star for you existing, but that was so unnecessary to be treated that way. Coming back won’t happen. Thank you, Next

We had an excellent time. We were seated right away. The service was great. Our sevrer was Mike, he gave us some recommendations for site seeing and spoke highly of the new Whiskey Bar. The Food truely was excellent, I order a Casear Salad topped with salmon and Buffalo Wings. The Food was filling and plenty.

Great service, friendly atmosphere, food delivered quickly to both me and my date. The salad I ordered was a nice size and delicious (then again Im a sucker for any salad with goat cheese and candied walnuts).

John was a pleasure to work with, and although was stressed out at times, wanted to make sure we had a phenomenal night for our intimate wedding ceremony. I highly recommend. John will go above and beyond to execute unconventional tasks for you, which we appreciated significantly.

Lively pre- or post-theater spot. Our food & cocktails were original & delicious. And despite being busy, service was fast enough to for us to savor our meal & get to the show with time to spare.

I had the salmon which was cooked medium (I wasnt asked) and a bit cool in the middle. My daughter had the duck confit and enjoyed it thoroughly. She even ate her vegetables because they were soaked in duck fat. She and I enjoyed the chocolate torte.

This place is great! I stayed at the Marriot Renaissance across the street and we had a great experience at Olive or Twist with many lasting memories. The name being smart and witty is what attracted us but then their delicious cocktail menu hooked us. They even served Moscow mules in the appropiate copperware! We had so much fun at this place on Friday that we went back the following night on Saturday that my family, friends and I will forever have lasting fun memories from this establishment.They had a great band (who interacted with the crowd with his dry humor) and the signer was willing to play any cover song we wish. The bartenders and the serving staff were very friendly, helpful and accommodating but nothing beats Jeff Wallace who went beyond the call of duty to track down my cell phone and return it back to me. I would have already giving this bar 5 stars but I rarely write positive reviews. However, I cannot help but share my FANTASTIC fun experience so others can have a great experience as we did. It is a must-do in Pittsburgh!

Great atmosphere and food. Best place for cocktails. It is a cocktail bar and they can make any cocktail imaginable. Three bars total. Id recommend only going to the second floor. Can get quite noisy.

Wife and I go here a lot before shows. Over the years things have been tailing off a bit, from making a reservation to the variety on the menu(s) food drink dessert. Like I said we keep going back, I think its more because we want it to be more like it was. Probably wont go back with the variety of excellent restaurants downtown.

This review is all about the martinis. In town for a Cubs game - and a rain delay. I love the Cubs - but Im not going to stand around PNC Park for over two hours waiting for the rain to subside. One hour is about my limit. And while chatting with friendly Pirates fans and ushers made that hour fly by

We love olive or twist. We always stop to drink a few martinis when in town. This trip the service was horrible. Not sure why? But.... The Ruby red Bellinis still tasted amazing!!

Hosted our wedding here. John and his staff went above and beyond to make our experience perfect. I cant thank them enough!

Horrible experience. Sunday evening and there was zero staffing. Manager was hosting, taking orders and serving. Sat at bar and waited forever for service. Crab cakes sandwich was burnt, lobster mac n cheese was more like lobster, penne pasta and salty red sauce. Waited 35 minutes for food. Never asked how food was. Worst $60 spent.

We just stopped in for a drink, so I dont know how the food is, but the drinks were good. I recommend the Bulleit Rye Old Fashioned, in particular. Nice atmosphere, too.

Upscale cocktail bar in downtown specializing in martinis. Food menu is small and less than inventive. Typical bar fair. Id say skip the meal focus on the drinks.

Great classy and sophisticated restaurant, I went here for a friends birthday party. I recommend this place because it is a exceptional place to have a party for 10 or more people; they will provide a buffet for the party. The only minus is the price unless you go for happy hour and ask about their specials.

Their drinks were amazing and a cool atmosphere as usual. My only complaint is that the table service there kinda blows. Bar service is good though.

Great place, atmosphere, drinks and food! Calamari and scallops were so yummy! Its not a cheap South Side bar which I love. Its pleasant to be at O/O.

Good cocktails, pretty good service, too-high prices. but we were able to get tables for the 8 of us, on a sat night, post-show, so kind of worth it.

I took my fiance up to the second floor bar for some drinks as Olive or Twist used to be one of our favorite spots in Pittsburgh but for some reason the service was horrible this night. Not sure if it was just an off night or if things have changed there, but I was definitely not impressed.

Excellent downtown dining... Taking in the sights and sounds of Pittsburgh on an incredibly beautiful day. The food was top notch and the service was fantastic. Definitely recommend.

I had the old fashioned and my wife had a vodka gimlet. Both were delicious and we cant wait to go back.

Had the worst experience ever at the bar upstairs, waitress came over asked what we wanted, we had np clue what they had so I asked if they had Angry Orchard bottleshe turned around looked at the DRAFT and said no . .then I asked for drink menu, she came back ordered a draft as I looked over drink menu, then boom Angry Orchard was on the bottled list . .asked again and pointed yo it on the menu under the bottles, once again she said we are out (out on a friday night at7??). She dropped off check with out us asking for it, we ordered another round, I went up to the bar which was busy or we would of sat there and asked bartender about Angry Orchard and boom they had it. We paid check, I nicely informed waitress that they do have it and left. Never will go back.

This a beautiful upscale martini bar in the cultural district . Nice music, decent service, high end drinks, high prices. But altogether a nice bar if youre looking for this kind of atmosphere.

Was a great private party for NY eve. Staff friendly...loved Brandi at the bar. Hordeaves were delicious.

Took forever to get waited on, the menu you have to pull up on your phone, which didnt work, the menu online is not correct, and my french dip was very expensive. The tanqueray and tonic was good.

Make sure you have reservations, if your interested in getting a table at a normal dinner time. The food and drinks were fantastic and the atmosphere was super energetic, I plan on going back.

*PRE-COVID Review*Came here before a Liberty Magic show to watch the Belmont Stakes, great location, excellent food (the pork tenderloin was to die for), awesome drink menu. We will definitely be back.

Great lounge space upstairs. We had a large office party there and it was a fabulous event. Staff was friendly and helpful and the appetizers were delicious.

Atmosphere was great. Its located right next to a parking garage which was super convenient. The calamari was easily the best we had ever had.

The kitchen closed really early on a Friday night and the drinks were good, but not for the prices that they were going for. The only good thing was the live music

Came there with a friend after a great show at the Byham! Just starting my 60th Birthday Celebration! Ran into other folks celebrating. Food drinks and atmosphere were great!

If you donnot visit this place your crazy!!! Friday nights most amazing live music!!! Was lucky to cat I him on a Friday night. Great drinks, even better staff

Oliver Twist is great for regular casual dining but the catering of a group is lacking on the food side. The staff service of our xmas party was excellent but the food missed the mark.

Delicious creative mixed drinks. Nice atmosphere.

Menu is boring. I was excited about the kalettes (fried and seasoned kale) however they were soaked with grease and the stem was not cut off making it difficult to eat.

A consistently visited spot over my course of adult hood. Great bar vibe with a modern twist. Check out the upstairs for an industrial vibe. Also great for renting out or big parties.

Momma-Mosa drag brunch was the most fun Ive had in a long time. One of the best spots in PGH. And Caityln is the best bartender ever. ❤

One of my favorite places to stop before and after events downtown. Just had drinks at the bar 🍸

Fantastic atmosphere and great martini selection. They do run out of the ingredients for some of the more popular choices which kind of stinks, but the food is great as well.

Prices are a bit steep for what you get. I got sparkling cider (3) and a quesadilla and spent 50 bucks. I can get the same stuff elsewhere for less and still get quality.

Be prepared to pay, drinks are expensive. The upstairs lounge is super cool when its open. The espresso martini is delicious.

Bartender was very friendly and gave us great local recommendation, lots of options on tap but the cocktails weren’t great (we tried several)

Excellent food and service!

Had a choice selection of martinis, I had one shaken, not stirred obviously. Did grab some hummus which was amazing. I shall return after my next mission.

Definitely, one of the best cocktail bar in aspects of taste. Creative and diverse cocktail portfolio of this place will satisfy your taste whatever it is.

Bartenders didn’t make me feel welcome not surprised since I was the only black guy at the bar I thought this place was liberal I guess not when it comes to skin color

Delicious food. Great service. Perfect atmosphere. Amazing Vodka Pasta & smoked chicken salad. Creme Brulee.

Came for the martini...excelente!

Great cocktails 🍸. Ive been going here for years!

Food left much to be desired. Drinks were definitely overpriced. Caters to tourists so we expected inflated prices. Staff is friendly though.

Great bartenders. Food was very nice. The live music was excellent.

Great food, we ate at the bar. Nice laid back atmosphere for a quick bite, before a show at the Byham.

Didnt get to try their food, but the cocktails were on point.

Loved their chocolate martini which was amazing, everything we had was excellent, nice place to stop for a casual meal

Head a really good Manhattan and some tasty pierogies at the bar. Friendly bartender and nice ambiance. Ill definitely visit again!

Worst martini ever!!The martinis are salty af, dive bars would make better martinis on a Saturday night.I would have assumed from its name it would make an awesome martini, I was wrong.

Happy hour prices are misleading. They advertise one price, but charge you full amount. Also expensive.

First time there for a relaxing drink (s) and dinner before seeing Hamilton..Great atmosphere and staff..A short walk to The Benedum..

A fantastic fun time!!! And the prices are surprisingly not ridiculous. Grab a signature martini if youre ready to get lit because they do em right😋😉

Was up stairs watching a show,the place is cozy and clean,but the buffet I payed for wasnt that great,was a brunch,just breakfast items only. Not sure how I feel about it.

Great happy hour specials. Check then out! Calamari sauce was a little too sweet. But still good.

Not enough martinis on the menu for a martini bar. Service was good. Drinks we had were also very good

Wife and i loved the fried clams appetizer, large golden brown clams. Food was above average and atmosphere was very nice.

Used to be so much better.... The drinks arnt as good, the food isnt as good either... This used to be our go to place in town, however not anymore :(

Excellent martini bar with very good food. A classy bar, restaurant. I had the delicious Mac n cheese entree.

We called 5 times and left a voicemail for a reservation. This place is run by people who simply do not care. First no one ever answers the phone. Then when you leave 5 voicemails no one ever calls you back for a reservation.

A great place to go to hang out with friends downtown, especially on the weekend! A little bit pricey but the food is incredible and the atmosphere is great.

Very cool environment, tasty drinks, and overall good atmosphere for a night out with the girls!

Just needed a good drink in a relaxing friendly place, and this scratched that itch so well. Live entertainment was a bonus.

Maybe it was just an off night but the staff was really rude and condescending. Everyone in our party said they felt uncomfortable with how the staff talked to them.

Casual dining. Good food and reasonable prices. Located in downtown near all the theatres, PNC Park and Heinz Field.

Fantastic Adult Grilled Cheese & Tomato Bisque. Our waiter Andrew was very nice & attentive.

Cute atmosphere. Everyone was friendly. Menu was very small.

The bar stools are not meant for short people. Food has varied in quality. Good service.

Very nice place. Loved the fried pickle appetizer! Will be coming again!

I wouldnt know how their food was because i sat for 15 minutes before a waitress even acknowledged our existence as patrons of the establishment. We left.

Music is great, bartenders make great drinks and they are also very nice! I like this place.

Great cocktails and wine bar. Good atmosphere. Upstairs is ideal for private parties

Great place to have a private party on the second floor. Cocktails are on point and the horsderves are delish!!

Visited for late night. Surprised by Billy, who was singing, and quite enjoyable. Had martinis. Dont miss the Smores martini.

Great location. Great parking. Service fine. Food was not at $19 entree level at all....

Decent food and okay drinks but not a typical happy hour spot I would go to often.

We attended a wedding there today, the staff were very friendly and the venue is beautiful!

Great place for a meal or just some casual drinks. Very clean and excellent service!!

Great place for a cocktail and dinner or just a cocktail to kick the night off. Live music is worth a visit as well.

The bar is for people who work in offices. At least it had that type of vibe to it. Not some place I would go to have a couple of drinks again.

Favorite place to grab a drink after work. Bartenders definitely know what theyre doing and they are all very nice and personable as well.

Amy, our bartender, was awesome and the menu is great! Definitely stopping back in.

Excellent food! Try the Brussels sprouts! Food portions and drinks were priced well and service was great.

Service was a little slow but drinks and atmosphere were great

Quaint bar and restaurant, delicious appetizer and entree offerings, tasty soups, nice tap selection , enjoyable atmosphere, close to theaters, visit often

Great space for a group... large or small. Excellent service too!

Great live music, hospitable staff. Very laid back overall atmosphere.

Ive actually never ordered a martini here. Everything else has been good though.

Great drinks that justify the price! Tried my first Vesper here. Would return.

Local pub with love music and decent menu although prices are a bit high but food is high quality.

The food was excellent. Really enjoyed the upstairs bar atmosphere.

Fantastic service, great atmosphere. Loved the interior and the food was fantastic.

Excellent food. Great atmosphere. Very friendly staff and service.

One of my favorites. Cool atmosphere, awesome drinks, and great snacks!

Great Atmosphere! Definitely plan on returning this place!

It has a really relaxed and warm vibe, with great staff and amazing drink options.

Experienced servers. Great drinks. Wonderful entertainment.

Good food, but were out on a few things on the menu (especially the pork belly that i went there for)

What a lovely place to grab a cocktail before or after a show.

Great cocktails and tasty food! Service is friendly too.

Good cocktails. The vibe is hit-or-miss depending on day and time

Good drinks and good live music. Enjoyed every night.

Great bartender, had alot of fun

Best martini bar in the burgh with good food

This sweet spot in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh will provide you with amazing atmosphere, food, and drinks.

Great atmosphere! Food and drinks were fantastic.