A Brief History of East Liberty

Like many neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, East Liberty as we know it can trace its roots back to the American Revolution, back when it was a free grazing area for the area’s farm animals. In fact, its name comes from an older English definition for the word “liberty,” which was an area of public land located on the outskirts of town. 

Originally a modest area, East Liberty began to grow and eventually flourished once the Pittsburgh-Greensburg turnpike was built through the town, ensuring it could become a prominent trading center. 

East Liberty quickly became well-known as a bustling town packed with shopping and entertainment options. Unfortunately, that success was eventually undone with redlining, which sapped much of the money and financial resources out of the neighborhood. Later on, gentrification further hampered East Liberty’s economic strength, eliminating even more of the shops and restaurants that once made East Liberty so popular. 

Today, however, East Liberty is actively reinventing itself. The stores, restaurants, and galleries that once filled East Liberty have returned, and the neighborhood is once again a hotbed for economic activity. 

East Liberty is bordered by Highland Park to the north, Larimer to the east, Bakery Square to the southeast, Shadyside to the south, and Friendship and Garfield in the west.

East Liberty Emergency Resources

Please note: If you have an immediate life-threatening emergency, dial 9-1-1.

UPMC Shadyside

Address: 5230 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Phone: 412-623-2121

UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

Address: 1 Children's Hospital Dr., 4401 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-692-5325

Pittsburgh Police Zone 5

Address: 1401 Washington Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-665-3605

Pittsburgh Fire Bureau Station 8

Address: 149 N Euclid Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-255-2860

Top East Liberty Restaurants

Here are the top restaurants in East Liberty based on their Google Review scores:

St. Clair Social 

About: A friendly neighborhood bar, St. Clair Social is best known for its delicious sandwiches.
Google Rating: 4.8
Address: 302 S St Clair St., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-600-1572
Website: https://stclairsocialpgh.com/ 

Two Sisters Vietnamese Kitchen

About: Two Sisters serves up delicious authentic Vietnamese dishes.
Google Rating: 4.7 
Address: 216 N Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-404-2760
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/twosistersvietnamese 

The Twisted Frenchman

About: The Twisted Frenchman is an upscale French restaurant specializing in inventive modern dishes. 
Google Rating: 4.6
Address: 5925 Baum Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15206\
Phone: 412-665-2880

Lorelei

About: Lorelei is the perfect location for woodfired pizzas and unique beers and wines.
Google Rating: 4.6
Address: 124 S Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-214-6926
Website: https://lorelei-to-go.square.site/ 

Mola

About: Mola is an award-winning restaurant specializing in fresh and unique sushi and fish-based dishes.
Google Rating: 4.6
Address: 6018 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-365-6688
Website: https://www.themolafish.com/ 

Square Cafe

About: This friendly and cozy cafe offers seasonal dishes handcrafted with local ingredients.
Google Rating: 4.6
Address: 134 S Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-244-8002
Website: https://square-cafe.com/ 

Muddy Waters Oyster Bar

About: Although Muddy Waters Oyster Bar offers a seafood-based menu, its primary focus is its gourmet oysters.
Google Rating: 4.5
Address: 130 S Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-361-0555
Website: http://muddywaterspgh.com/ 

Choolaah

About: Choolaah specializes in traditional Indian cuisine delivered in a fast-casual atmosphere.
Google Rating: 4.5
Address: 6114 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-503-7797
Website: https://order.thanx.com/choolaah 

Kahuna 

About: Kahuna specializes in fresh ingredients and bold flavors for its poke bowls and juices!
Google Rating: 4.4
Address: 132 S Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-450-8510
Website: https://kahunapgh.com/ 

Vento’s Pizza

About: Vento’s Pizza is a popular Steelers fan destination, with its history of excellent pizzas going all the way back to 1961!
Google Rating: 4.4
Address: 420 N Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-361-9197
Website: https://www.ventospizzapgh.com/ 

Top East Liberty Shopping Locations

The Village of Eastside

Address: 6401 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
What You’ll Find: 

  • Office Supplies

  • Groceries

  • Pet Supplies

  • Banking

  • Home Goods

  • Restaurants

Southern End of East Liberty

You’ll find ample stores along Centre Avenue and the surrounding streets, including Penn Avenue, Baum Boulevard, and Euclid Avenue (among others). 

You’ll find:

  • Hair Salons

  • Clothing Stores

  • Restaurants

  • Fine Wine & Good Spirits

  • Banking

  • Art Supplies

  • Gyms

East Liberty Neighborhood Parks

Penn Plaza Greenspace / Enright Parklet

Address: Corner of Eva Street and Amber Streey
Features:

  • Basketball Court

Fairfield Park

Address: Corner of Broad Street and Centre Avenue, behind the homes.
Features:

  • A little playground

Garland Park

Address: 299 N Clair St., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Features:

  • Tennis Court

  • Basketball Court

  • Playground

Liberty Green Park

Address: 100 Larimer Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Features:

  • Playground

  • Picnic Tables

East Liberty Neighborhood Gyms

East Liberty is packed with great gyms. A few examples:

Orangetheory Fitness

Website: https://www.orangetheory.com/ 
Address: 5841 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-362-3616

SHAPE Training

Website: https://freetrial.shapetrain.com/ 
Address: 5916 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-517-7373

Level Red Boxing

Website: https://www.levelredboxing.com/ 
Address: 5933 Baum Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-363-5933

Fitness Factory

Website: https://www.fitnessfactorypgh.com/ 
Address: 212 S Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-362-6303

East Liberty Schools

Pittsburgh Obama 6-12

Website: https://www.pghschools.org/obama 
Address: 515 N Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-529-5980

Pittsburgh Dilworth K-5

Website: https://www.pghschools.org/dilworth 
Address: 6200 Stanton Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-529-5000

East Liberty's Access to Major Roadways

Although East Liberty is surrounded by other prominent Pittsburgh neighborhoods, you can still reach prominent roadways from inside it.

Baum Boulevard (Located in southern East Liberty)

How to Reach It: Travel south on Euclid Avenue or Negley Avenue until you reach Baum Boulevard.

Penn Avenue

How to Reach It: Follow Euclid Avenue or Negley Avenue to Penn Avenue.

Route 8

How to Reach It: Follow Penn Avenue southeast toward Bakery Square. You’ll reach Route 8 at the corner of Penn Avenue and Fifth Avenue. 

Route 28

How to Reach It: Follow Penn Avenue southeast toward Bakery Square. Turn left onto Route 8. Follow Route 8 to the Highland Park Bridge, then follow the Highland Park Bridge across the Allegheny River and exit on Route 28.

Route 376

How to Reach It: Follow Penn Avenue southeast through Bakery Square, then continue following Penn Avenue onto Ardmore Boulevard. Continue until you reach Route 376.

Public Transportation in East Liberty

East Liberty Contractors

Flooring

Asia Carpet & Decorating Co. Inc.
Address: 6025 Broad St., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-441-1009

Plumbing

Don's Appliances Sales & Service
Website: https://www.donsappliances.com/ 
Address: 5958 Baum Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-661-7550

Construction

Parkinson Construction Company
Website: http://www.parkinsonconstruction.com/ 
Address: 125 N Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-361-8173