St. Clair Social gastropub opens at old Sharp Edge spot in Friendship

Friendship has a new neighborhood bar.

St. Clair Social gastropub is open on South St. Clair Street in the former location of Sharp Edge, a pioneering craft beer venue that closed in 2018 after nearly three decades. SYN Bar & Taqueria + Pizzeria later operated in the space but closed earlier this year.

The new bar/restaurant is currently serving to-go drinks with takeout food being added this week and inside dining when the coronavirus pandemic restrictions again permit 50% capacity.

When the space became available, business partners Cecil Usher and Cat Cannon at Mindful Hospitality Group were hired to operate the place.

Usher lives in the neighborhood.

“We saw that it wasn’t doing well,” Usher said. “But we thought through a rebranding it could be successful. So we took over the space and are implementing the concept we wanted of a neighborhood bar, an old-school place to socialize.

“We thought, this has been the year of social distancing, but we want to be socially available to Friendship,” he said. “Even if that means takeout for right now.”

The residential neighborhood has a lot of walkers and bicyclists who come past on their way to East Liberty and Bloomfield and Garfield. Cannon thought: Let’s give them a place to stop in Friendship.

“I was craving bar food during quarantine,” said Cannon, who grew up in O’Hara and lives on the North Side. “During this soft opening, we are getting to know the neighbors and what they want in a neighborhood bar.”

The upcoming food menu features buffalo cauliflower, Parmesan truffle fries, salads, burgers and tacos. Food selections will be expanded and available via GrubHub and Uber Eats, and purchased through Facebook and Instagram.

Having worked with other establishments, Cannon and Usher know the importance of being patient with an opening and also not trying to do too much too fast — especially in the middle of a pandemic. They plan to add outdoor seating in the nearby parking lot.

“People enjoy dining outdoors. With covid-19, it provides a safer environment to be outside,” she said.

Usher and Cannon have kept some of the decor from the Sharp Edge, which includes signs and beer taps as well as the booths. At present, just six beers are on draft, but more options from local craft breweries to national and international choices will be available. And there will be a good selection of non-alcoholic drinks.

The space has dart boards and a pool table is on the way. Usher and Cannon said they’ve tried to make it a modern space with an old-school feel, ideal for the social media photos people like to post when they are enjoying themselves at a local bar.

“We really want this to represent Pittsburgh, a hard-working town,” Usher said. “We want this to be a second home to people. When we add the outdoor space, we want the feel of being in someone’s backyard.”

St. Clair Social is located at 302 S. St. Clair St.