Beehive Coffee House, Pittsburgh

Beehive Coffeehouse is one of Pittsburgh’s hippest institutions, or so I’ve been told. Even in high school back in ol’ West-by-God-Virginnie, my friends would come all the way up to ‘the Beehive’ to see shows and hang out. It is a mecca for creative and alternative types. Mama Grizzlies, this place ain’t your scene.

This morning, I am not in a great mood. As with most people over the age of six, I have a lot on my mind. I came here to escape the personal BS and concentrate on Hot Plate BS. A sweet tattooed woman served me dark roast coffee and pesto-turkey panini. I set up shop in the corner and began the impossible task of waking up and getting to work.

The problem with coming here to work is that there is so much to see, it’s distracting. Every inch of Beehive is dressed with art, even the drink-slingers. Much of the décor is inspirational (like the “Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’” sign) and absurd (like Snoopy-flying-a-lobster-plane above the counter). Signs call out to patrons to participate: Spaghetti Dinner Benefit, Lava Lounge karaoke, Scrabble tournaments every Wednesday. Pavement (one of my favorite bands) just happens to be on; Beehive sets their radio to satellite. Wait, why am I here again? Oh yes, I’m supposed to be writing and researching…

At one point, two uniformed police officers came in. The barista had called 911 after a crazy person came in and started screaming at random patrons. I figured that this sort of thing must happen often in the neighborhood, and apparently, there was some truth to that, because the cops just shrugged it off and left. Ahh, East Carson Street.

Anyway, my turkey panini was pretty good. Turkey breast, basil pesto, roasted red peppers and provolone cheese were smooshed and grilled together and served with a “garlic sauce” (actually, it tasted like French onion dip.) The sandwich was crunchy and cheesy and tasty. I had to wipe my hands frequently, so I wouldn’t grease up my computer. The dark roast coffee was pretty decent too! I happily lapped up a second cup while I did some research on my laptop. My small meal was a perfect late-morning brunch.

Beehive Coffeehouse is a neat place, a place I appreciate for its youthful liberalism & vivaciousness. I am looking forward to my next writing session there, so I can try some more unique coffee beverages and see some more weirdos. Isn’t that why we go to coffeeshops, anyway?