A tale of betrayal, lust, and religion — all at the Smiling Moose bar! Come on a haunted tour of Pittsburgh with US Ghost Adventures to find out the story!
On the vibrant South Side of Pittsburgh, the Smiling Moose bar is a convivial spot where thirsty patrons gather to watch the Steelers game, play trivia, or dance the night away. Since 2004, this bar has been a favorite of both locals and visitors rolling through town.
But not all is as it seems in the Steel City. This bar is always packed, but sometimes the guests are more than meets the eye.
Located near the busy 376 highway, the Smiling Moose brings in many construction workers and truck drivers. Around 2011, these weary workers began to notice strange happenings throughout the bar.
The doors to the bathroom would be locked but empty and seem to change at their own will. Even the front door would suddenly lock for a few minutes before twisting back open.
The lights would turn on and off. And this isn’t a place with motion sensors. When the lights turn off, someone has to flip a switch. You’d be surprised at the yelps that come out of these burly men when the darkness suddenly hits!
Despite these strange happenings, the real draw to the Smiling Moose is Natalie. She’s been on-site for over a century now, dating back to when the joint was called the South Side Traveller’s Rest.
Back in the early 20th Century, Natalie made her money as a woman of the night. She was well known and well visited. In fact, a little too well known for a few nosy church officials.
These holy men approached Natalie and offered her a life free from sin if she joined the church and renounced her ways. While hesitant at first, Natalie agreed to this deal.
However, rumors persisted about Natalie, and the church wouldn’t stand for it. They decided to end the problem permanently.
Late at night, some hooded men from the church approached Natalie at the tavern and threw her down the elevator shaft. As she lay dying in the shaft, she used her last strength to carve her name on a brick with her fingernail to ensure visitors would never forget her.
Today that brick is built into the bar. Look close, and you’ll see her name, reminding you never to trust people who make a promise that seems too good to be true. Some say if you give the brick a scratch, you can still get a hint of her perfume wafting.
The Smiling Moose today is a pleasant spot. It’s an equal opportunity bar — no matter who you are (or were), you’re welcome to a pint of beer and a plate of onion rings!
So grab a drink, take a seat, and listen to the stories of Pittsburgh-past.
Mysterious locking doors and a betrayed lady of the night are just a couple of the many haunted tales you’ll hear on a US Ghost Adventure Tour of Pittsburgh.
Experience the chills and thrills of the Steel City on a full tour. Come along for the ride — you never know what you’ll find.
Since 2013, US Ghost Adventures has offered entertaining, historic, and authentic ghost tours of America’s most haunted cities. We deliver fun yet honest accounts of hauntings across the nation for curious people of all ages. Our ghost stories are based on historical research, but that doesn’t mean they won’t send a chill down your spine.
This video gives you a small taste of what you might experience on your ghost tour — subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more.
US Ghost Adventures also offers virtual tours, a self-guided mobile app, and an Alexa voice app.
