Rat allegedly seen on beer taps at Pittsburg restaurant, with bar promising to improve

PITTSBURGH (TNND) — A Pittsburgh restaurant vowed to make some changes after footage online allegedly showed a rat inside the establishment.

In the video, a rat appears to be sitting on the bar’s beer taps at the Urban Tap.

“We want to personally address the video circulating from our Southside location,” the Urban Tap wrote in an Instagram post on Monday. “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.”

The restaurant said it contacted the Allegheny County Health Department “the moment this was brought to our attention.” Staff also called professional pest control services to help remedy the issue.

“We conducted a full inspection of the building with the Allegheny Health Department, reinforcing all possible entry points, increasing monitoring, and tightening our sanitation and nightly procedures,” the establishment noted in the post.

It also said construction near the building recently “increased rodent activity in the area,” adding that it does not excuse what happened.

“Maintaining a clean and safe environment is our responsibility, and I take that seriously,” the post noted. “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. If you have concerns, you’re welcome to reach out to us directly.”

Citing a recent report from the health department, CBS News confirmed that while there isn’t a pest infestation, “rodent droppings were found in multiple places, including behind the beer tap tower, in the basement, and under the stairs leading to the basement.”

The media outlet noted that the health department said the issues “need to be addressed before reinspection on March 16.”

Several customers, meanwhile, said they plan to stay loyal to the restaurant, with others offering support.

“I’ll still go,” one person wrote.

“As someone who has worked in the restaurant industry in Pittsburgh for 8 yearsevery single restaurant has rodents. It’s just gonna happen. Pest control should be in every restaurant in the city every week for maintaining that issue. Props for the accountability,” another added.