The Boulevard Lounge: A Comfortable Hideaway in Distrikt Hotel Downtown

The Boulevard Lounge.

The Distrikt Hotel and its Or, the Whale Restaurant recently held a launch party for their new offering, The Boulevard Lounge. The Distrikt Hotel is located in the former Salvation Army Building on the Boulevard of the Allies in Downtown Pittsburgh. Some architectural flourishes of its Gothic Revival classic architecture can still be seen inside the new hotel.

The lounge is situated on the horseshoe-shaped lobby balcony. To access it you go up one of the twin staircases near the living plant wall in the lobby or simply take the elevator. The room can hold about 150 guests and also serves as a private event space when booked. Seating consists off high top tables and chairs and a series of more intimate and charming spaces where patrons can sit on very comfortable chairs and couches in the small alcoves of the lounge.

The Boulevard Lounge, until recently, was a second bar for or, The Whale. Bill Shannon, Distrikt Restaurants Director of Operations, and or, The Whale General Manager said, “We are re-branding our second bar, breaking off a little from or, The Whale…to be a bar…be friendly. Our cuisine [at The Boulevard Lounge] is also bar friendly.”

A Lively Launch Party

For the launch party, drinks flowed and a buffet line featured several delicious selections from the Boulevard’s menu. Food offerings included Gumbo of the Allies, arancini, lobster fritters, wings, and seasoned fries. Later a sheet cake with “To New Beginnings” in icing letters on top was cut for guests to enjoy.

The finely crafted wooden back bar is stocked with a wide range of fine liqueurs and gives the place a comfortable vibe. Six signature cocktails are offered including the Mai Rai (Canadian Club rye whiskey, banana, cardamon, and dry Curacao) and Persephone Tanqueray gin, Cocchi Americano Rosa, vermouth, and orange.) The beer list feature 14 local, domestic, and imported brews and the wine list features six wines of various vintages. The skilled bartenders moved quickly filling guests’ drink orders. Byron Nash, a highly talented lead guitarist, played softly on his acoustic guitar adding to the ambiance of the party.

Rachel Borovik, Events Coordinator at or, The Whale and The Boulevard Lounge, pleasantly chatted with the guests and made sure everyone was enjoying themselves. Radio station The Fan 93.7 FM was on hand to do a remote broadcast. Distrikt Hotel Pittsburgh General Manager Mark De Intinis was also there to ensure the event ran smoothly and that the guests were happy.

Distrikt Hotel Pittsburgh, a part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, also offers a rooftop event space on its 10th floor for private parties which gives beautiful views of Downtown Pittsburgh and the Monongahela River.

The Boulevard Lounge
Distrikt Hotel Pittsburgh
453 Boulevard of the Allies
(412) 339-1870

Hours
2 to 11 p.m., Daily.

Story and photos by Rick Handler, Entertainment Central’s executive producer.

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