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Are you looking for a Scottish pub without having to traverse the Atlantic? Nestled in Hazelwood, The Woods House Pub occupies perhaps Pittsburgh’s most storied and oldest dwellings – a stone house believed to have been built by Scottish immigrant Colonel George Woods in 1792. Woods helped lay out Bedford, PA, and later the iconic Golden Triangle in 1784. The home might be a pub now, but originally, it functioned as the residence of Col. George Woods and later his son, John Woods, a lawyer and Pennsylvania state senator, whose drafting work shaped early Pittsburgh.
From Family Home to Community Relic
In 1850, Stephen Foster published his song “Nelly Bly” about one of the servants at the Woods house. The piano he played in the home still exists today at the Stephen Foster Memorial Museum. The house remained within the Woods family until 1885. As decades passed, it transitioned to various owners, eventually becoming dormant and condemned. By the 1970s, its walls were boarded, and its structure teetered on the brink of collapse. In 1977, recognizing its heritage, the Pittsburgh City Council designated it a historic structure, and in 1993, the National Register of Historic Places added it to its roster.
Resurgence Through Community & Vision
For over 30 years, this historic home sat empty. It was on the brink of destruction when, according to Next Pittsburgh, the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh [URA] acquired it for a mere $25,000 in 2001. In 2018, developer Chris Waraks of Mr. Renovation teamed up with financier Krish Pandya and hospitality expert Bob Sobocinski.
They retained thick limestone and sandstone walls, the grand fireplace mantel with hidden beer taps, and exposed rafters—creating a medieval-tinged back porch and main dining hall with room for around 70 patrons.
Opening as a Scottish‑Style Pub
After three years of work getting the City of Pittsburgh to approve their project, the doors opened on December 4, 2020, marking the grand opening of The Woods House Historic Pub. Inspired by the Scottish settlers who once dubbed the area “Scotch Bottom,” the pub champions hearty fare—fish & chips, bangers and mash, potato-leek soup, and Guinness steak pie.
In partnership with Community Kitchen Pittsburgh, the pub offers both classic dishes and training opportunities for individuals facing employment barriers. A full whiskey and scotch selection complements a house-brewed Scottish red ale crafted locally.
A Beacon for Hazelwood’s Revival
More than simply another restaurant, The Woods House anchors Hazelwood’s renaissance. Alongside the massive Hazelwood Green redevelopment – which includes the 1887-built roundhouse – the pub is helping restore neighborhood vibrancy. There are also plans to build the 50-unit residential building Lytle Street Apartments.
Cheers to Centuries
From its 18th-century origins with the Woods family, through decades of neglect, to a dynamic rebirth as a Scottish-style pub rooted in community, The Woods House is a living testament to heritage. It stands as both a historical monument and a modern gathering place—a perfect blend of Pittsburgh pride and hospitable warmth.
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Written by Bianca Labrador
