Building the Valley: Harmar bar known for its witchy theme, community camaraderie

Michelle Meade said it’s a miracle to see her bar still standing and thriving following the setbacks caused by covid.

The Leechburg resident owns Wicked Witches Bar & Grill in Harmar, a bar known for its witchy decor and charm and its community outreach.

Meade, 60, ran the bar alongside her late mother, Carol Meade-Reese, who opened Wicked Witches in 2000.

“When I turned of age, I was thrown behind a bar to help out,” said Meade, 60.

When covid hit, Wicked Witches, at 919 Freeport Road, had to shut down for a year before reopening. Meade said if it was not for rent received from tenants who lived above the bar, it would have been harder to recover financially.

When she reopened last spring, Meade said, she did not take any government assistance or loans while working to get the bar back up and running.

“It feels great because a lot of people didn’t make it putting their hearts into something,” she said.

The bar attracted bikers in the beginning before getting folks from many walks of life, Meade said.

Customers are able to enjoy different fun occasions, such as karaoke nights, bike nights, acoustic nights and more.

The bar’s biggest attraction is its annual “Ride Now for Autism” motorcycle run. The charity event brings in bikers from all over the country to help raise money to benefit the Autism Society of Pittsburgh.

Megan Copeland, one of the committee members for the ride, said the bar has its own unique charm.

“You’ll never find a bar like this,” she said. “It’s the real deal.”

Meade’s fiance, Rich Bence, oversees their “Wicked Ribs N’at” food truck. The truck offers a variety of barbecue food and has been featured on the Food Network’s Carnival Eats.

Meade said the bar has won multiple awards for its food. All of the bar food is freshly made.

In select stores — Sprankle’s and Stanford Home Centers — and at the bar, their very own barbecue sauce is available to purchase.

“We don’t have typical bar food,” Meade said.

Bartender Lynne Shurina said the biggest attraction at the establishment has been its porch that overlooks the Allegheny River Lock and Dam No. 3.

“Everyone will come to sit and look at the view,” she said.