Walking into Mary’s at 5128 Penn Avenue is like a trip through time. It’s a funky little bar with a retro vibe. Red plastic, heart-shaped tables are dotted along the space facing an elevated rectangular stage, with a giant plasma screen television looming above it. Five televisions are adorning the bar; “Drag Race All-Stars” from every angle).
Owner and operator Laura “LaLa” Longenecker calls it “your local glam dive and neighborhood bar – a community space and vibrant arts hub in Pittsburgh.” Longenecker said, “I wanted a gay Cheers.”
One regular, Heather Anderson, says it’s her favorite place to hang out. Anderson said, “I am a queer woman, and I live nearby. I love Laura and the staff. I come for the people and the conversation.” Anderson loves the events at Mary’s; her favorite was the burlesque show.
Longenecker, who lived mainly on the West Coast, had relatives in Fort Royal, near State College, PA, but she fell in love with Pittsburgh. Longenecker wanted to open a bar because she loved nightlife. Longenecker said, “I was a raver back in the 90s. I love the escapism of it. The magic of it.”
Longenecker purchased the building, obtained her general contractor’s license, and transformed the space. Longenecker said, “I read about the disappearance of third spaces. I wanted a third space.”
In sociology, the third place refers to the social surroundings that are separate from the two usual social environments of home, “first place”, and the workplace, “second place”.
Longenecker, a former event producer, said, “I opened the bar because I’m a drag queen and I love drag.”
Zachary Waters, Assistant Manager, immediately saw Longenecker’s artistic vision. He was instantly on board, even helping with construction before the bar opened back in late November of 2024. Waters, who grew up washing dishes in the Elbow Room in Shadyside (his parents owned the bar), once performed drag under the name The Lady Potatoes.
Longenecker said, “I have an incredible staff. We are building a community here.”
Along with praising her staff, Longenecker lauded a rotating roster of DJs that included DJ Edgar Um and DJ Carrie Sours. She also had accolades for Hannah Willson and Jared Bogolea, who run PGH Trivia.
“The bar is open to everyone. We have had fundraisers for the Dyke March, we’ve had events for the Furries (during Anthrocon), and we enjoy working with the Pups.”
Longenecker addressed the rumor about Sharon Needles. Longenecker said, “Sharon Needles has never been involved in any aspect of this bar.”
The bar offers an array of clever cocktails to entice everyone, including a standard espresso martini alongside the Mr. Peaches, a green tea whiskey sour with Xplorer Peach Whiskey, Jameson, house sour mix, and Sprite. Additionally, there is the La La Lemonade, a refreshing cocktail featuring Stoli Blueberry, vermouth, and house sour mix. Teetotalers might want to try the Virgin Screw, featuring Helltown Hop Water, orange juice, and house orange sour mix, or the Pink Dove, a non-alcoholic drink made with Jalisco agave, grapefruit juice, house grapefruit sour mix, and Sprite. The bar offers a variety of snacks, including pickles, olives, nuts, and more.
Heather Anderson said, “I like the Espresso Martini and the Bitter Guiseppi.”
Currently, Mary’s events include a Goth Night on Tuesdays and Bravo TV-themed trivia, PGH Trivia, featuring Willson and Bogolea, on alternating Thursdays (the second and fourth Thursday of the month).
Waters said, “We are adding more events to our schedule.”
Longenecker added, “We just added Monday nights to our schedule. We are now open every night but Sunday.”
On July 25, the bar will host SLAP (Sadomasochist + Leather Assembly of Pittsburgh), which is open to all genders, featuring a panel discussion at 8:00 PM and dancing at 9:30 PM. Longenecker plans to host more events. Additional events can also be found on the QBurgh event calendar.
