Arsenal Cider House & Wine Cellar

They have a lot of very good ciders. A wide variety to choose from. Atmosphere is nice as it is in a old house. The have a great outdoor area that is larger than the indoor space next door. A place worth checking out and hanging out at for locals and visotirs alike.

Go go go. You will not be disappointed. Arsenal is by far my favorite place in Pittsburgh. Great drinks, awesome atmosphere, and a successful small business.
My number one spot to take any visitors. Every single person that comes to visit me in Pittsburgh has been to Arsenal. No joke. And everyone loves it. My cousins wife still talks about the place 6 months after coming here, and can’t wait to come back again.
Not a huge fan of cider? Don’t ever let that deter you. The Hop Cider I.P.C. tastes just as good as any IPA you can have at a regular bar. And from dry to sweet, your cider needs will be met. I haven’t yet experienced a night in the backyard (great food and local bands, how shameful of me?), but I’ve heard so many good things.
This place just continues to get better and better as time passes. Get a growler (or three if you’re me, I need to start carrying them in my car for those spontaneous trips…), and drink your cider, no better place to spend a summer night in the city of Pittsburgh.

I live in Bloomfield and am so lucky to have so many good places within walking distance. The cider is always delicious; ginger of course being my favorite. So glad that the outside has expanded but I wish there was a little more room inside. Not a large bar like atmosphere, I like the vibe there… just need more space. With that said I will continue to get my fill of cider. Summer is here and I am perfectly content sitting outside.

This is probably in my top 3 places in the city! It’s at the top of my patio list as soon as it’s warm enough to warrant day drinking on a picnic table. The cider is delicious! The owners and the staff are always so friendly and helpful. I’ve had all different flavors of their cider and you can always find something you like with the rotating drafts.
Inside is quite small with maybe 5 high top tables but I’ve never waited long to snag a table. So even in the winter we love to come and bring snacks and cards and hang out inside.
Outside they have live music and food trucks during the warm months and big picnic tables with umbrellas. Buying a growling is the best way to go because you can keep it and a refill is cheaper next time you fill up!
If you haven’t been already and are looking for a relaxing place to grab a drink, this is your spot.

This place was always a neat little niche spot, and that was before they expanded outside. Now, it is a weird libertarian-​esque paradise, seemingly free of unnecessary rules and regulations, as the establishment clearly trusts the patrons. When I went back to check out the outdoor space, I was stunned. Children, dogs, adults, all enjoying the space, AND THE WORLD DIDN’T END!!! You mean to tell me children weren’t stumbling around drunk and starting fights with adults, crushed with cider?! I am pretty stunned as to why this place hasn’t been shut down yet. Why hasn’t some awful city personnel guy cited this place? Until that day happens (I am completely unfamiliar with the law in this regard, but when did knowledge ever get in the way of people spouting opinions?) It is the most utopian place in all of Pittsburgh.
Now with that being said, the drinks are definitely very good, but hardly life changing. But this atmosphere… so great. Order food and enjoy some beverages! Be careful though, these drinks sneak up on you. They are very tasty though. I also occasionally get weird smelling pee from it (similar to the asparagus phenomenon), but that’s hardly a cause for concern.
IF THIS ESTABLISHMENT WERE A MUSICIAN/​BAND: Prince (RIP). Started out solid with a few standard R&B albums (before Arsenal had the outdoor space), but then grew into his own with time ((namely the album Dirty Mind, and subsequent releases 1999, Purple Rain, Parade and Sign O’ the Times)

Great cider. In the summer they have bands and food trucks outside, so it’s a cool place to hang out.
I mainly stop on my way to BYO restaurants, and I always have a great experience. Michele is wonderful and always really friendly and helpful. I love it here.

I don’t care much for ciders unless it’s Arsenal cider! The grapes and strawberry ciders are my favorite, but the pear and raspberry are also very good.

Love this place! I don’t want to know how much I’ve spent here over the years, but I keep craving their cider so oh well. They rotate flavors all the time, so always new things to sample. Just be aware, the ciders are high in alcohol but you would never know by taste. They have a range of sweet levels, from bone dry which drinks more like a dry wine to the semi-​sweets which are more like your traditional ciders, and then the sweets which are like drinking a sparkling moscato. My favorite is the Rhubarb, but I also love the raspberry and blackberry flavors. Can’t wait for the weather to be warm so I can enjoy the cider garden.
They’ve also started selling by the glass, so you can enjoy without committing to a growler. Also 10% discount for UPMC employees :)

Deserves it’s 5 star rating. Delicious cider, friendly and knowledgeable staff, original atmosphere, big outdoor space and adorable growlers.

This place is one of those cool local stops that definitely leaves an impression. It looks like just a house from the outside, but when you step inside, it’s kinda like being transported back in time! I feel like Tom Mison would fit right in here while in full Sleepy Hollow costume (oh man, I wish!). So if you’re thirsty after thinking about Ichabod Crane, Arsenal is an awesome place to go. With new brews of cider alongside standard favorites, this place is a must if you want to check out the local Pittsburgh brew scene — and be sure to bring your growler!
Faves: Oliver’s Oaked — tastes like Chardonnay
Archibald’s something or other — really great classic hard cider taste, not too sweet, not too sour
the ginger one — DEF can taste the ginger and will be the most interesting this you try!

Yesterday some friends and I decided to head to Arsenal Cider. My one friend won gift cards and growlers from a church raffle and get this… has never even been to Arsenal! We got there late because dinner went longer than planned so we did not have much time to really hang out. They usually close around 9 pm and we got there around 8:30 and let me tell you, it was bumping! I could not believe there were that many people still there hanging out. Right away we walked and and started sampling the ciders.
Ciders (trying to remember from memory):
Archibald Ado
Fighting Elleck
Some sort of orange blossom/​whiskey/​vanilla type cider
Honey mead
Ok, while I realize that some of those might not be what the names really are, it gets the point across. And those are the ones I semi-​remember us all liking. Mostly, I prefer the semi-​sweet to sweeter of the ciders. I keep on wanting to like the bone dry but I can’t.
The Archibald Ado was my favorite of the night. Just the right touch of sweetness to the tang of the cider. The rest of the group (not counting the one who liked the mead the best) also agreed that this was the best of the ciders we tried.
My friend filled up a growler and we sat in the back area just sipping and hanging out until we were kicked out around 9 pm or so. I would like to go back when it is warmer and if rumors are true, hang out in the back patio area. That would be a really nice way to spend a Friday or a Saturday.
My only complaint was that because the place is so small with so many people packed inside it was really hard to have a conversation with those people around the table. If you are going there with friends just know that you may have a problem hearing the people you are with.
Other than that, have fun and try a Ado! You will not be disappointed!

I finally made it here after hearing about it for some time now. We popped in on a lazy Sunday afternoon to see what it was about. I’ve never been a cider drinker so this was a new experience for me. I went in with an open mind. The bartender was very knowledgeable and offered me three selections in very tiny plastic glasses. One tasted horrible and the other two were good. Everything here is plastic, nothing I had here came out in a glass. I’m nit picking but I didn’t like that. I felt like I was in a lower class place even though the environment here is pretty good.
Please try the wine sorbet! That was the best part. I want to come back but will probably wait until the weather is better to see what the outside area is like on a warm Saturday afternoon.

Got my first growler from Arsenal! I have nothing to say about this place that hasn’t been said by 100+ other reviewers. Arsenal is great! I already can’t wait to go back! They were super friendly, the lady slipped me an extra sample with a wink, and the cider is just fantastic. They’ve got something for everyone! And the punch card idea is great.

If you’re a huge fan of all things cider, or just someone looking for a cider made by some macro brewery, Arsenal Cider House is the place for you. You get 3 samples, so use them wisely. After your third free sample you have to pay. After some tasting I settled on one of the more bitter ciders. I had my Growler filled and I was on my merry way. My Fiancée, my brother, and his girlfriend gathered around a round table in the corner of the packed little colonial-​esque establishment.
Before I knew it I had drank 2 growlers of cider and was carted away in a joyful bliss. I tried so many different ciders that night, and only one disappointed. It was made with cranberries I believe, and it was far too bitter for me. Be careful if you do go here, the cider goes down smooth but always check the ABV. Enjoy friends.

Regardless of whether or not you think you like hard cider, you need to come to Arsenal Cider House ASAP to give theirs a try. I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised. I have yet to find an Arsenal cider that I do not like! I love that they let you try the ciders before purchasing. The fruit ciders are delicious; the concord grape is a bit sweet for me, but the raspberry is one of my favorites. It’s both sweet and tart and is great on a summer day. My all-​time favorite Arsenal cider is the Archibald’s Amber. I’m craving a glass just thinking about it. It’s one of their most popular because it has a certain dryness to it while still remaining sweet. Absolutely delicious. Buy a growler — when you bring it back the next time for a refill, you’ll get a few dollars off.
A word on the location: it’s awesome, especially in the summertime. The Cider House itself is in a quaint little house, and there’s a grassy area in the back with nice wooden picnic tables and umbrellas. This is the place to be on summer afternoons. They bring in live music and food trucks on the weekends which adds to the whole experience and makes you want to stay all day (which my roommates and I have done on various occasions). One of my favorite summertime activities in Lawrenceville, without a doubt!

This place is such a cool find in Pittsburgh. I’d been going to brunch down the street at Coca Café for nearly 2 years before finally dropping in here with my brother and sister-​in-​law when they were visiting.
I’m so glad we did! The staff is super friendly, is happy to let you sample their ciders and tell you about them, and the atmosphere is nice, clean and historical. It is also one of the few places with a little garden to sit in.
This is a great place to take somebody with a gluten sensitivity or celiacs, as most of the ciders are totally gluten-​free (though some were aged in whiskey barrels — they’ll let you know which).

I really like Arsenal.
The cider variety is great and they do a good job of experimenting with new ciders. The pricing is pretty good.
The yard /​lawn is excellent. I love bringing my own snacks for a picnic.
The key note is you have to use their growlers which are smaller than your standard growler.

Came here with some friends on a Saturday night, and it was surprisingly not as crowded as we thought it would be. The entrance is tricky to find but when you see the large fence with «Arsenal» on it, turn right and look out for the entrance in the lane on your left (there’s a little signboard outside the door)
Before deciding on the type of cider you want, you get to sample up to 3 types. The tasting line wasn’t too long when we were there; however, I can imagine it being annoying when it’s crowded because it’s right in front of the door. Indoor seats and tables are pretty limited as well sadly. We were lucky enough to walk in just as a party was leaving. I guess the outdoor seating area was closed because of the chilly weather.
As for the cider itself, they have a bunch of options ranging from sweet to bone-​dry, so there’s something for everyone! My friends and I got two growlers, one Young Plum and one Archibald. I’m not a fan of cider, but I enjoyed both a lot, especially the Archibald (semi-​sweet). It’s also better to purchase a growler if you’re planning to stay because you get refills for a cheaper rate. With a nice environment and very friendly staff, Arsenal is definitely worth checking out!

Arsenal has really improved over the last few years. The tasting room has always been warm and inviting, and the cider has always been pretty good, but with their newer outdoor space and wide® array of cider options, it’s hard not to love the place.
The Grierson’s ginger cider is my absolute favorite cider from Arsenal. It’s a shame that it doesn’t stick around for longer, but it’s one of those things that’s worth drinking as much as possible before it’s gone each year. Unlike some ginger ciders in the mass market, Arsenal’s version tames down the ginger and creates a perfect balance of flavors in a not-​to-​sweet offering. Some of their ciders are a bit too sweet for me, but Arsenal really does a good job of creating a cider profile for most palates. Drier options, sweet options, adventurous options. They’re all there for the sipping!
If there’s one complaint, it would be the setup. The tasting line is typically long and blocks the entrance when you’re coming in. It would be nice to move the tasting line to the current purchase line side of the room, so the long line doesn’t block the door and the customers can take their cups to the tables or their growlers away without dodging the tasting line.
Otherwise, the outdoor space is chill and inviting, and their tables, while limited create a nice space for a small gathering of friends. With a friendly and welcoming staff, Arsenal is DEFINITELY worth checking out!

I need to come back and try the sorbet. I keep hearing rave things about it!
Stopped in just to grab a growler and I wish I didn’t have to rush out. They let you taste what they have which is amazing. The ladies working were super nice and friendly not to mention helpful. I’ve had their ciders on tap at local bars, usually the Fighting Elleck, so I wanted to try more! They have a range from sweet to bone dry and they’re all really delicious in their own way. Depends all on what your preferences are but they change their offerings regularly. They were out of the plum I wanted to try but said they were doing a raspberry cider over the weekend. Need to try. Need.
The place is really cute. Pretty hipster but I don’t mind it. It’s located on 39^th right in the midst of a residential street. If they didn’t have their sign outside I literally would have missed it. Summer is upon us so no doubt I will be back to check out more ciders and their backyard which I hear is awesome.