Tucked away on the fourth floor of a century-old building in Homestead, Co-Sign Speakeasy delivers everything a true speakeasy should — secrecy, stunning cocktails, and an atmosphere that pulls you straight into another era.
Luxurious Cocktails and Intriguing Secrets at Co-Sign Speakeasy in Homestead
The definition of speakeasy has changed. There was once an expectation that any bar presenting itself as a speakeasy would be hidden, or at least subterranean; now, the term is used to broadly indicate any drinking establishment that’s the least bit out of the way.
To be fair, it’s not the first time the definition has changed. (Booze is legal these days, after all.) Still, it’s not uncommon to walk into a speakeasy expecting a certain clandestine atmosphere … and instead find presentation no different than any other bar.
Fortunately, there’s an excellent antidote in Homestead. It’s not exactly a secret, but it’s still fairly well hidden — and the proprietors not only lean into the hush-hush trappings, they make a game of them.
Literally. It’s also an escape room.
The Story Behind Co-Sign
Co-Sign Speakeasy, located in an elegant, century-old building on Eighth Avenue in Homestead, is a creation of Escape Room Pittsburgh. The company, a trailblazer in the region, opened its doors in 2015, occupying a storefront in Greensburg. It was “a little, 1,100-foot spot, [and] it blew up,” says founder Joe Deasy. “We were looking for a second location … [and] I had heard about this bank building that was vacant in Homestead.”
The company moved its escape rooms to Homestead and opened sister business Ace Axe Throwing. That didn’t come close, however, to filling the available space in the massive building — including a fourth floor that was vacant and “kind of sealed off,” Deasy says.
“We brought it back to life. Both me and my dad enjoy cocktails … [and] we incorporated a lot of escape-room technology into the bar.”
What to Expect When You Arrive
Upon arrival, a staff member will show you to the fourth floor — and task you with solving a quick puzzle to gain access to the bar itself. (Don’t worry; if you struggle, they’ll help.) Once inside, you’ll discover an inviting and dimly lit bar with Prohibition-era accents; a smoky, inviting aroma fills the space, and carefully covered windows make it feel like the witching hour at any time of day.
Cocktails That Go Beyond the Gimmick
While some might regard the aesthetic as a gimmick, the cocktails will sweep away any trace of skepticism. Bar manager Brian Wolfgang’s menu, which changes seasonally, reinvents and accents traditional favorites.
“He came from the fine-dining world, so he takes that lens and applies it to drinks,” Deasy says.
“People who are very good at cocktails know food; he’s able to put together some flavors and palettes that you typically wouldn’t be able to try in a drink.”
The Oaxaca smoked old fashioned, with tequila as a base instead of bourbon, adds punch and citrus to the classic; the delicate Lavender Lady, topped with precise foam, offers an indulgent blend of blackberry and vanilla flavoring with amaretto and vodka.
Deasy says that the quality of the drinks is paramount — in fact, he’s sought out speakeasies “all across the United States” and beyond, allowing him to develop a threefold list of essentials.
“Number one, a hidden location. Number two, good cocktails. And then number three, [it has to be] dimly lit … and kind of secretive.”
An Interactive Bar Experience
Co-Sign certainly has those three elements — and goes further, offering guests a puzzle even during casual service. “We wanted an interactive bar in Pittsburgh — nothing like that existed,” Deasy says. Travel beyond the main room and you’ll find yourself in a small library space; you can certainly sit and sip your drinks, but if you poke around, you might find a secret passage to additional challenges.
“The further you get into the speakeasy, the more interactive it gets … The rooms end up becoming a character in the story.”
Co-Sign can be booked for a private escape-room experience, with more secrets to unravel; murder-mystery games have also been added to the schedule on the last Sunday of each month, with each guest given a role to play in a real-time whodunit. Live, acoustic music also fills the small space on the last Thursday of each month.
Plan Your Visit to Co-Sign Speakeasy
While the gamified elements of the space are an alluring part of the experience, Co-Sign would more than stand on its own without any bells and whistles. If you can get in — walk-ins are hard to come by, and reservations are recommended — it’s a great option for a nightcap after a trip to the Waterfront or a destination in Homestead.
And if you feel like an adventure in addition to your beverage, there’s one waiting for you. Just ask your bartender for help if you don’t know where to begin; it would ruin the fun to provide any clues in advance.
(OK, fine: Look for the red book.)
Photos by Tom O’Connor
About the Author
Sean Collier is the editor-in-chief of Shady Ave and the arts and culture editor of TABLE Magazine. Before joining the TABLE Media team, he spent nearly 15 years as a writer, editor and columnist at Pittsburgh Magazine. As the in-house film critic for the top-rated WDVE Morning Show since 2009, he’s been Pittsburgh’s most widely heard voice on movies for nearly two decades. A Pittsburgh native, Sean has since 2020 appeared weekly on KDKA-TV’s popular Pittsburgh Today Live talk show. He’s the co-founder of Vigilance Theater Group and an active stand-up comedian and event host. He can be found on Instagram and Twitter at @seancollierpgh.