‘Bar of Thrones’ pops up in Downtown Pittsburgh
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Bob Wolfinger never watched “Game of Thrones.”
But that hasn’t stopped him from making the popular HBO series the theme of his latest pop-up bar at the space he owns on Forbes Avenue.
After creating several holiday pop-ups at the former Pizzuvio space, including Jingle Bar, Lover Bar and Clover Bar, Wolfinger, who owns Wolfie’s Pub next door, had run out of ideas. That’s when bar manager Shane Wilps, a devoted “Game of Thrones” fan, suggested a “Bar of Thrones.”
‘I’ve read all the books and I know that the show has a huge cult following,” said Wilps. “It has what everyone wants to see: thrills, sex, violence, a love story and humor. It’s all in there, a classic battle between good and evil. It’s medieval. There is magic and fantasy and dragons.”
For non-watchers, “Game of Thrones” is set on the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos and follows nine noble families fighting for control over those lands while an ancient “Army of the Dead” returns after being in abeyance for thousands of years.
Of course, timing had something to do with the decision to create the bar. The eighth and final season of “Game of Thrones” premieres Sunday evening. It has attracted a record viewership on HBO and Wolfinger and Wilps are banking on people wanting to come to the “Bar of Thrones” to watch as they throw a premiere party Sunday night.
“I think we’re going to be packed,” said Wolfinger. “We’re scheduled to open at 4 p.m. daily through the end of May. But we’re thinking about opening earlier. Last week, when we started this, people were lining up to get in.”
Staff members worked hard to create an atmosphere in the space that includes elements of the show. Within the dim castle-like surroundings, there are homemade items like a Weirwood tree with a face carved on the faux bark behind the bar.
There is a Hall of Faces with plaster casts created by staff members to suggest the “Faceless Men” who use magic spells and faces of the dead to create different disguises. There is a hand-drawn map of Westeros on one of the walls.
Back in the kitchen area, a “Drogon” replica made to look like the black dragon in the show was progressing enough to look extremely intimidating in its unfinished form. A throne is being built and there is a special “Game of Thrones” playlist for the deejay to play as well.
“We’ve created a real cool space in here,” said Wilps. “We’ve spent a ton of time working on this.”
“Whether they are fans or not, I think people appreciate a vibrant spot,” said Wolfinger who believes the “Bar of Thrones” has a chance to be the most successful of his pop-up bars.
And, since this is a bar, there are “Game of Thrones”-themed drinks including “Ned’s Dead,” named for a character who was beheaded in the first season of the show.
“The drink is a Merlot red wine float designed to give an aesthetic of blood from the neck and the bottom of the drink is Mango Vodka, Pineapple and Passion Fruit to suggest a skin tone,” said Wilps.
Another drink called “Wildfire” is inspired by a battle scene from the show.
“We use pearl dust to give the drink a translucent swirl kind of appearance and it kind of reminds you of what the wildfire looks like in the show,” Wilps said.
A portion of the “Bar of Thrones” proceeds will be donated to “I carry my Sister’s Heart,” a nonprofit that helps families cope with cancer.