It’s gone. If you walked past the corner of North Shore Drive and Tony Dorsett Drive recently, you probably saw the paper in the windows. Voodoo Brewing Co.’s North Shore taproom, a massive 4,500-square-foot staple for Pirates fans and Steelers tailgaters, has officially shut its doors. No more Biggie Burger. No more Voodoo Love Child on draft before first pitch. It feels weird, doesn't it? This wasn't just another bar; it was a cornerstone of the North Shore's post-industrial glow-up.
People are talking. Some say it's the rent. Others point to the changing habits of the post-pandemic crowd. Honestly, the reality is probably a messy mix of both. When the news broke that the North Shore location was scrubbed from the Voodoo website, locals weren't just surprised—they were worried about what it meant for the neighborhood's vibe.
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The Reality of Voodoo Brewing North Shore Closing
Let's be real for a second. The North Shore is a tough nut to crack for any business that isn't a national chain with infinite pockets. You have these massive spikes in foot traffic during game days, and then... silence. Cold Tuesday nights in February don't exactly pay the bills when you're sitting on premium real estate right across from Stage AE. Voodoo Brewing North Shore closing isn't an isolated incident; it’s a symptom of a shifting economic climate in Pittsburgh's most visible entertainment district.
Voodoo Brewing Co., which started out in Meadville back in 2005, has been on an absolute tear with their franchise model. They’ve opened spots in Nevada, South Carolina, and all over the map. But the North Shore spot was corporate-owned, not a franchise. That distinction matters. When a corporate office looks at a spreadsheet and sees overhead outstripping the margins, they don't have the "local owner" sentiment to keep it on life support. They pivot.
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Why did this happen now?
The lease ended. That's the boring, corporate truth. In a statement shared with local media, the company basically said they couldn't reach an agreement on lease renewal terms. You know how it goes. Landlords want more, businesses want to pay less, and eventually, someone walks away. It's a bummer for the 20-plus employees who worked there, though the company did mention trying to relocate some of them to other spots like the Homestead taproom.
Pittsburgh’s craft beer scene is also reaching a saturation point. Ten years ago, if you had a decent IPA and a cool logo, you were set. Now? You’re competing with dozens of world-class breweries within a five-mile radius. Dancing Gnome, Grist House, and Cinderlands are all fighting for the same "beer nerd" dollars. Voodoo is a titan, but even titans have to trim the fat sometimes.
Looking at the Bigger Picture for the North Shore
The North Shore isn't dying, but it is changing. With the closure of Voodoo, a significant gap opens up in the "casual pre-game" market. While spots like Southern Tier and Shorty’s Pins x Pints seem to be holding steady, the loss of Voodoo's unique, slightly-counter-culture energy is felt. It was the place where you could get a high-gravity Belgian Tripel in a plastic cup and head over to PNC Park.
Business owners in the area are watching this closely. If a brand as recognizable as Voodoo can't make the math work on Tony Dorsett Drive, what does that mean for the next tenant? There’s a risk of the area becoming "sanitized." We’ve seen it happen in other cities—the cool local spots get priced out, and you end up with a Cheesecake Factory and a Buffalo Wild Wings. Nobody wants that for Pittsburgh.
The Franchise Pivot
It’s worth noting that while the North Shore closed, Voodoo is actually expanding elsewhere. Their franchise model is booming. They are opening "taprooms" in suburbs and other states where the rent-to-revenue ratio is much friendlier. It’s a smart business move, even if it feels like a betrayal to the city fans who frequented the North Shore hub. They're trading high-prestige, high-rent locations for high-margin, community-focused ones.
Is the North Shore overpriced? Probably. Is the beer scene in trouble? No. But the era of "build it and they will come" is over. Now, you have to build it, market it perfectly, and pray that your landlord doesn't double the rent when the five-year option comes up.
What's Next for the Space?
The rumors are already swirling about who takes over that prime spot. Given the proximity to the stadiums, it’s almost guaranteed to stay some kind of hospitality or "eatertainment" venue. Continental Real Estate Cos., which manages much of that area, hasn't announced a new tenant yet.
You’ve got to wonder if a national sports bar chain will swoop in. Or maybe another local brewery looking for a massive visibility boost will take the gamble. Whoever it is, they’ll need to figure out how to drive traffic on the 280 days a year when there isn't a game or a concert happening. That was always the challenge for Voodoo, and it will be the challenge for whoever follows.
Actionable Insights for Pittsburgh Beer Fans
If you're bummed about Voodoo Brewing North Shore closing, don't just sit on your couch. The best way to prevent your other favorites from suffering the same fate is to actually show up.
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- Visit the Homestead Location: Voodoo still has its massive pub in Homestead. It’s a different vibe—more industrial, less "sports fan"—but the beer is the same. It’s worth the 15-minute drive from downtown.
- Explore the Rest of the North Shore: Support the remaining local-ish spots. Go to Mike’s Beer Bar or North Shore Tavern. They rely on the foot traffic that Voodoo used to share.
- Keep an Eye on the Taproom Model: If you’re a business owner or looking to get into the industry, watch how Voodoo’s franchise model performs over the next two years. It’s a case study in how to scale a craft brand without the liability of massive, high-rent flagship locations.
- Check Out "The Pub" in Meadville: If you want the authentic, original Voodoo experience, take the trip up I-79 to where it all started. It’s a pilgrimage every Pittsburgh beer lover should make at least once.
The closing of the North Shore taproom is a bummer, but it's not the end of the world. It’s just the business of beer being, well, a business. Brands grow, footprints shift, and neighborhoods evolve. We’ll miss the outdoor seating and the easy access to Oh Mama before a game, but the spirit of the brewery lives on in their other locations. Go grab a pint somewhere else tonight. They probably need the business.