Pittsburgh Gastropub Confronts Rodent Scandal After Customer Films Rat Drinking Beer
A prominent Pittsburgh gastropub is confronting significant public backlash after a customer captured footage of a rat drinking beer directly beneath the establishment's draft taps. The Urban Tap, situated on the city's south side, was compelled to issue a formal apology following the alarming rodent incident, which was first exposed on February 28.
Shocking Video Reveals Rodent Problem at Popular Bar
In the disturbing video, a large brown rat is seen perched under a wall of beer taps, positioned directly across from patrons dining at the bar. An employee noticed the rodent and appeared visibly shocked by the unsanitary creature sipping from the drainage tray. The footage initially circulated on a Pittsburgh-based Reddit thread, where it rapidly attracted thousands of interactions and comments.
The original poster on Reddit stated, 'Apparently, according to employees there, there is a rodent problem. They are attempting to poison the rats, but the rats are instead running around going on to the beer taps.' The Urban Tap, owned by John DeMauro, opened in 2013 and had become a favoured destination for Pittsburghers, known for its extensive selection of draft beers and American cuisine.
Public Outcry and Management Response
Disappointed customers expressed their disgust in the comments section of the online post. One individual remarked, 'If a rat is that comfortable in public, it just means there’s a large amount of others around. Or drunk. Either one works.' Another added, 'The fact that you were able to film this means those rats are comfortable around humans, which is disgusting.' A third commenter humorously noted, 'Jesus, Ratatouille really let his drinking problem get in the way of his career.'
The owners of the tap house, which operates two locations in Pittsburgh, attributed the rodent issue to nearby construction activity. In a statement released on social media, the bar's management team described the incident as 'unacceptable' and directly addressed the circulating video. They wrote, 'We want to personally address the video circulating from our Southside location. A rat was found inside our restaurant. That is unacceptable. I am not going to minimize it, deflect it, or make excuses for it. If you’re upset or disappointed, we understand. We would be too.'
Immediate Actions and Health Inspection Results
Upon discovering the rodent, the bar promptly contacted the Allegheny Health Department. The restaurant underwent a comprehensive inspection, and professional pest control services were immediately engaged. All potential entry points were reinforced, and sanitation procedures were reportedly intensified as a direct response to the incident.
The owners emphasized their commitment to the community, stating, 'Urban Tap has been part of this community for years. I care deeply about our staff, our guests, and the standards we operate by. Right now, my focus is on handling this thoroughly, transparently, and the right way. We will earn trust back through action — not words.'
Representatives for The Urban Tap also posted on Reddit, addressing the food safety concern and labelling it an 'isolated incident.' The gastropub shared a copy of the health inspection they commissioned immediately after the rat was discovered. The inspection document listed the restaurant as 'high risk' due to a pest management violation. According to Quality Assurance and Food Safety experts, rodents can indirectly carry at least 35 different viruses, parasites, and bacteria. Fortunately, the health department concluded that there was 'no evidence of an infestation' at the establishment.
Ongoing Customer Skepticism and Further Allegations
Despite these measures, many commenters remained unconvinced. Some joked that the apology was written using 'RatGPT,' while others shared their own harrowing experiences. One person claimed, 'My wife got food poisoning so bad at your establishment in 2024 that she now has permanent damage to her stomach and esophagus. You've clearly been doing absolutely nothing about the state of your restaurant for a while now.' Another added, 'A f***ing rat the size of a small pet was not just drinking from your drink system, but from the part of the system that cleans the glasses. I can appreciate you hitting the backlash head-on by coming to this sub, but I don't see myself going back.'
The owners issued another apology, pledging future improvements. They stated, 'We’ve seen the negative reviews and comments. We understand people are upset. All we can do right now is own it, be transparent, and take action. That is exactly what we are doing.' The Daily Mail has contacted both The Urban Tap and the Allegheny County Health Department for additional commentary on this developing situation.
