Blue Water Tavern (BWT) is forged in the tradition of neighborhood taverns and restaurants throughout the many communities of Pittsburgh. When steel was king, every neighborhood had a place on the corner where friends would gather for food, fellowship and fun. BWT captures that spirit and keeps it alive by providing an atmosphere where guests are always welcome. Whether you visit us for a business lunch, dinner with the family or “date night - sans kids”, BWT will have a delicious warm meal, friendly service and great music and drinks waiting for you when you arrive.

Matthew Hughes is the Owner of BWT. Matt spent 20 years in the non-profit world, including time at Carnegie Mellon University, Indiana University of PA., and the Pittsburgh Public Theater. He’s an oddity in the ‘Burgh having lived north, south, east and west of the city, including 18 years in the North Hills. Opening BWT came out of his love of cooking, love of entertaining and a desire to create a “neighborhood bar and restaurant” in the suburbs. Matt has three children - Kailey, Zach and Lexie. Matt also has a one-year-old Chihuahua named Tequila.

Mat McConahy, Executive Chef.  Mat has been with Blue Water Tavern since its inception.  He began cooking at home as a teenager, influenced heavily by his mother and grandmother.  Despite being only 29-years-old, thanks to his mother Karen’s involvement in the food service industry for over 30 years, Mat is already in his second decade of cooking professionally.

In 2006, Mat formalized his cooking credentials by graduating from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute.  Upon graduation, Mat took a job in New York City’s Maze restaurant run by internationally renowed chef Gordon Ramsey.  Mat returned to Pittsburgh when he began a family.  Today he lives in the northern suburbs with his son Dylan.

Mat describes the Blue Water Tavern menu as classic American cooking with a contemporay update.  He prefers to cook with local produce and products because in his words, “they’re fresher and the taste better.”  Mat is pleased with the evolution of the Blue Water menu with its heavy emphasis on seafood.  To that end , Mat has featured over 31 different species of fish as the Daily Chef Special using over 180 different preparations.

If you’re looking for Mat after hours, most likely he’ll be playing with Dylan or sitting in the stands of a Penguins or Pirates game.

Check out how Blue Water Tavern is active in the community: Giving Back to the Community

Check out the latest people that are being recognized by family, friends or co-workers in the community: Blue Water Tavern Community Wall