Unique New Bar Debuts In Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, PA — It's currently the only restaurant and bar in town that sports an eight-foot-tall volcano.

Spork Island Trading Company, which opened on Friday in the Downtown Cultural District near the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, also boasts other unique features.

The tiki bar, which moved into the Penn Avenue space once occupied by August Henry's Burger Bar, also has cascading waterfalls, winding jungle pathways, huts, private booths and a hidden cave.

Spork Island Trading Company is the brainchild of Steve Zumoff and Andy Tepper, who also own the upscale One By Spork in Garfield. With a single seating of just 16 people per night, food and drinks there cost each patron $275.

The pair tried in 2023 tried to develop the tiki bar concept on the site of the former Spok Pit Barbecue and Double Wide Grill space on East Carson Street in the South Side.

Zumoff and Tepper envisioned a bar with a corner volcano, palm treets and umbrella. But the Pittsburgh Historical Review Commission rejected the volcanic design plan, saying it would conflict with the existing streetscape.

So Zumoff and Tepper developed the concept elsewhere -a concept that comes with a potential time limit for patrons.

"This is an intimate and immersive experience," a post on the bar's Facebook page states. "Seating is limited to a handful of hideaway booths and the bar itself. On our busiest nights, we may ask crews to wrap their visit within two hours so the next group of explorers can come ashore."

The kitchen offers shareable plates with globally inspired flavors. Behind the bar, an extensive rum collection anchors a tropical cocktail program.

No one under 21 is permitted. Reservations currently are not offered, so seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The bar's house are 5 p.m.-10 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Spork Island is not open on Sunday, Monday or Thursday.