Rehearsal Dinner

When Mr. Pineapple and I started dating, we both lived in Pittsburgh's Southside neighborhood. The southside is an extremely quirky place, popular among hipsters and bar flies. The southside was first developed in the 1760s when it was known as Birmingham. Most of the buildings on the main drag, E. Carson Street, have their original facades thanks to local historical groups.

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The very first place Mr. P and I went together, other than work, was Smokin' Joe's Saloon on the southside. We met there for happy hour on a Thursday and then pretty much every day after that. (I'm not kidding, Smokin' Joes got at least 6 months worth of our paychecks.) Yep, our relationship blossomed surrounded by IPA and chicken fingers. We were both sad to leave the neighborhood several months later, but at the time, it was for the best.

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There was no doubt then where our rehearsal dinner should be held. We are familiar faces at Joes and they offered to let us take over the second floor for the dinner. They certainly have nothing fancy at Joes, just bar food and over 60 beers on tap. Most of my family are not drinkers, I am not sure when the last time my folks stepped foot in a bar would have been - if that have ever stepped foot in a bar. However, their "sweet and smokey" dipping and wing sauce is to die for and that is really what keeps bringing me back.

Since the dinner is upstairs I think it will be a great combination of laid-backness (*new word) and seclusion from the "bar scene" below. After food and toasts people can either head home/to their hotels or hang out until closing time.

Is anyone else dragging their fancy bridal party to a dive for the rehearsal dinner?

*funny side note: I googled "smokin joes pittsburgh" and a good chunck the images were of Mr. Pineapple, myself and best man Erik