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Riverlife's Shore Thing ready to return to the Allegheny River

By Hal B. Klein, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The Tribune Content Agency

May 6, 2026 3:54 PM

Riverlife, the Pittsburgh-based nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing the city's riverfronts, is bringing back its popular Shore Thing for another summer of fun following a 2025 pilot season that drew more than 50,000 visits.

The floating, 4,800-square-foot platform structure, on the North Shore between the Roberto Clemente and Andy Warhol bridges, will open for its 2026 season on May 22 and run until mid-October.

Shore Thing, which first launched in July, offers a recreational leisure space for all to enjoy, with amenities such as food and beverages for sale by Braddock-based BG Brewing.

"They have been with Shore Thing from the beginning. They work to make sure it's a concession stand that has something for everyone to enjoy," says Riverlife communications officer James Santelli.

Riverlife touts more than 70 free public events scheduled for the 2026 season, including free live music on Thursday evenings beginning on June 4. The lineup is yet to be announced, but the organization's website states the series "will put a spotlight on emerging individual artists, DJs, and bands."

"Programming was a big part of Shore Things' initial season last year, and we are adding on to it this year," Santelli says.

The schedule includes jazz every third Sunday, in partnership with the August Wilson African American Cultural Center Presents: jazzjAM, as well as musicians from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, performing on July 14.

For those more inclined to mix leisure and movement, head to Shore Thing on Sunday mornings for YogaRoots On Location, starting on June 7. Just be sure to preregister before you do.

"Yoga was exceedingly popular last summer. Spots would often book up quickly," Santelli says.

The free-to-the-public amenity operates with a custom-built, off-grid power system of solar panels designed by Munhall-based ZeroFossil.

After the Friday, May 22 opening, hours will be 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 10 p.m. Sundays. There is no barging on Mondays.