Rival — Restaurant in Pittsburgh

Atmosphere ★★★★☆

We used to visit this location back almost once a year when it was Walnut Grill. The transformation into a sports bar really works for the atmosphere. The place feels modern, updated and much more inviting—especially the outdoor seating area, which is now very comfortable. The new look definitely enhances the vibe. Despite the more casual and improved atmosphere, I still compare it to its closest peer, Primanti Brothers, and felt that it lacked anything close to the same energy - thus four stars and not five.

⸻

Drinks ★★★★★

Drink prices are a positive. The 22-ounce draft beers, in particular, offer excellent value. Rival is a very good choice if the priority is enjoying drinks in a relaxed setting with friends. There are also good deals on house wine.

⸻

Food ★★★☆☆

Where I hesitate is with the food. We tried wings, burgers, a Cobb salad, and smash burgers. Nothing was bad, but nothing stood out either in term of “wow this is special”. The menu feels very “standard sports bar”—like items that could have come from a food service distributor, rather than dishes made with authenticity or uniqueness. The wings, in particular, were just barely okay—not terrible, edible but not memorable, and pretty bad value for what you get. Not to complain, but I probably would not go out of my way to eat here. Primant's is significantly better on all fronts: sandwiches, wings, you name it. They really need to up their food game.

⸻

Overall Impression ★★★☆☆

Overall, Rival Sports Bar is fine for drinks and hanging out, but when it comes to food, there isn’t much that sets it apart. Personally, I’d choose a place like Primanti’s, where the menu feels more compelling and offers better bang for your buck, and more for your cravings. I just don't see any reason to come here...

Just left Rival. Since I was a party of one, I was seated at the outdoor bar. The bartender was excellent, friendly, attentive, and quick with service (wish I remembered his name).

I am not much of a sports fan, so the atmosphere inside felt a bit overwhelming compared to when it was Walnut Grill. That said, I really enjoyed the outdoor patio vibe, especially the back “yard” section. It struck me as the kind of place that would be perfect for meeting up with friends after work on a nice day.

Unfortunately, the food was a major letdown, even at such low prices. Here is what I tried:

Jalapeño Popper Dip: I love jalapeño poppers, but this dip just did not deliver. It was surprisingly bland, lacking the bold flavor you usually get from actual Jalapeño poppers. Dips are usually a safe bet, but in this case it completely missed the mark.

NY Strip ($20) with a side Caesar salad: At that price point, I expected it to be hit or miss, and it was definitely a miss in both quality and flavor. Honestly, I think many diners would gladly pay more for a better steak option. The Caesar salad also disappointed. The dressing tasted straight from a bottle, which to me defeats the purpose of ordering it at a restaurant. (I did not ask if it was house-made, so that is partly on me.)

Pretzel (to go): I ordered this for my spouse, who was excited to try it, but again it was disappointing. The honey mustard was watery and lacked flavor, and the pretzel itself had an odd aftertaste.

Overall, the prices are very affordable, but it seems that comes at the cost of quality. Maybe after a few drinks the food tastes better, but since I only had soda water, I could not ignore the flaws. If things do not improve, I worry this place will not...

We had the absolute pleasure of being served by Adam at Rival Sports Bar, and he turned what could’ve been just another night out into a genuinely exceptional experience. From the moment we sat down, Adam greeted us with a big smile, genuine energy, and the kind of attentiveness that makes you feel like a VIP guest rather than just another table. He struck the perfect balance between professionalism and friendliness, checking in often enough to make sure we had everything we needed, but never overbearing. He anticipated things before we even asked, whether it was refilling drinks right on time, making spot-on food recommendations, or grabbing extra napkins without us mentioning it. Adam clearly knows the menu inside and out, because every suggestion he made hit the mark and made our choices easier. What stood out most was how much effort he put into making sure everyone at the table felt taken care of. It’s rare to find someone who makes service feel so personal, like he truly cares about the experience you’re having. That kind of attention to detail and warmth is what sets him apart from so many others in the industry. Rival Sports Bar is lucky to have Adam, he’s the kind of server who keeps people coming back. If you go, ask for him by name. You...