Historic Park House returns to North Side after closure

North Side’s Park House has opened its doors once again, promising live music from Pittsburgh musicians.

On Dec. 5, the Park House opened for the first time in over 4 years, celebrating the anniversary of the repeal of prohibition.

“We intend to continue the Park House’s tradition of serving up good times, good food and great beverages, all delivered in a warm and welcoming environment,” Michelle Lynch, co-owner of Park House said in a news release.

Park House, located on East Ohio Street, was owned by Zamir Zahavi for 16 years before he put the business up for sale in 2020. The nearly 2,200-square-foot space was then purchased by Lynch and her husband, Gary, in 2021.

Since then, the couple has been working to renovate the building.

“We initially met some delays as a result of post-pandemic supply chain issues. But the biggest delays were the result of a series of evolving decisions we made to expand the food service at the tavern, which necessitated additional permitting and a complete construction of a basement level prep kitchen,” Lynch said.

The Park House began as home to Allegheny County Jail Deputy Warden James Marshall in the late 1800s, as previously reported by TribLive, before housing a bakery and candy shop for 13 years during Prohibition.

The Lynchs could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

The tavern’s staff now includes: Manager Jeremy Bustamante and Bartender Lauren Serra, who is a veteran of the North Side bartending scene and Chef Isaac DeBoer, who has worked nationally and internationally, including London and Dubai.

Bustamante worked as a bartender at Superior Motors in Braddock and food and beverage director at Kingfly Spirits in the Strip District.

DeBoer will be cooking a classic Irish-Italian pub menu, including an assortment of Pinsa Romana and genuine Guinness beef stew, according to the news release.

Lynch said she anticipates continuing Park House’s tradition of live music, featuring artists from the Pittsburgh area and is planning on holding a “Bring Your Own Vinyl” night.

“We are very much looking forward to joining our fellow business owners on East Ohio Street,” Lynch said.