PITTSBURGH, PA — Lefty's will move directly to the North Side this fall, with the future of its Strip District location extremely uncertain.
Owner Rick Krist confirmed on social media Thursday what was hinted at in an Instagram post earlier this week: Lefty's will open in the former Yinz Locos taco and tequila bar on Western Avenue, which he also owned. Yinz Locos closed in May.
What lies ahead for Lefty's, a staple of the Strip District for 18 years, is a far more questionable situation.
Krist expressed a desire to operate both Lefty's locations, but said his landlord has refused to renew the lease on the Penn Avenue space, which expires in January.
“We will officially begin opening Lefty's Northside in the fall. It was a team decision and a location we are very excited about,” said a post on Lefty's Facebook page. “Our goal now is two Lefty's, but one in this great location wouldn't be bad either.”
Krist said his landlord told him the Strip District lease would not be renewed due to community pressure over the bar's perceived safety issues. Krist said he was shocked by the statement, given the bar's reduced hours, professional security team and the closure of the bar's outdoor area.
“Despite this, and a positive report from the local police, an offer to increase the rent and an offer to buy the building at a premium, we are still being forced to move out.”
