Popular Pittsburgh Tavern Confirms Expansion Plans

PITTSBURGH, PA — Lefty's will be heading right to the North Side this fall with the future of its Strip District location extremely uncertain.

Owner Rick Krist on social media Thursday confirmed what had been teased earlier this week in an Instagram post: Lefty's will open in the former Yinz Locos tacos and tequila bar on Western Avenue that he also owned. Yinz Locos closed in May.

What's in store for the Lefty's, a Strip District staple for 18 years, is a much murkier situation.

Krist expressed a desire to operate both Lefty's locations, but said his landlord has refused to renew his lease for the Penn Avenue space. The lease expires in January.

"We will officially begin to open Lefty's Northside in the fall. It was a team decision and a location we are very excited about," a post on Lefty's Facebook page stated. "Our goal now is for two Lefty's but having one in this great location won't be too bad either."

Krist said his landlord told him the Strip District lease was not being renewed due to community pressure related to the bar's perceived safety issues. Krist said he was shocked by the explanation given the bar's reduced hours, professional security team and the closure of the bar's outside area.

"Even with this and a positive report from local law enforcement, an offer to increase rent, and an offer to buy the building at a premium, we are still being forced to leave."