Tell me a little bit about your venue!
The WBU is a beautiful piece of Pittsburgh history. The Workingman’s Beneficial Union (WBU) was built in 1887 as a community center for German American workers in Pittsburgh and originally included a ballroom, bowling alley, and two bars. The WBU fell into disrepair in the 1990s but was brought back to life starting in 2015. The WBU was renovated to keep many historical aspects and was merged with modern architectural style.
Pittsburgh’s WBU is a multi-use space in the North Side with two event venues in the 15,000-square foot building. The outdoor area is a beautifully landscaped space with a fire pit, yard games, and a portion of the city skyline greeting you above the trees. The first floor venue highlights exposed ceilings, original steel beams, and the character of over 100 years of layered paint. The second floor ballroom is the real gem, stealing the show with the original tin ceiling, a grand horseshoe bar, a wedding lounge, and an expansive space for up to 200 guests. We take pride in this unique event space and have worked diligently to restore and showcase the history of this once abandoned building. You are invited to enjoy the hard work and help breathe life back into this historic and charming Pittsburgh institution.
What makes your space unique?
The WBU is a one-of-a-kind historic venue that has a new lease on life. A big thing that separates us from other venues is that our wedding rentals are for nearly the full weekend: the full day prior to your wedding, the full day of your event, and a one hour pickup window the following morning. So no need to rush in early on your wedding day to get things in order or recruit your tipsy friends to help tear down at the end of the night. We’ve got you covered.
Given the size of our building and the fact that there are two different indoor venues, there are multiple ways of utilizing the space. If the first floor doesn’t fit your vibe, we’ve got a beautiful ballroom and an outdoor area. If the ballroom is too classic and big, it doesn’t need to be a part of the plan. Even if you plan for an outdoor ceremony in the garden and the weather doesn’t hold up its end of the deal, we’ve got a rain plan.
Though we are also a BYO venue (saving you thousands of dollars), we offer a full consultation service with our manager, helping you customize your bar menu, create your signature drinks, and finalize your shopping list. The BYO feature is coupled with the WBU’s bar staff. These are the best bartenders in the city and they are known for a smooth bar setup and the most friendly and efficient service.
What is your ideal client like?
Our ideal clients are couples who are looking for a hidden gem that is close to the city. Continuing the tradition of hosting weddings for over a century, we pride ourselves on accommodating various wedding styles and visions with ease.
