What’s up Nerds! This is the homepage for Nerd Nite Pittsburgh. We host two types of events. Nerd Nite Classic is a comedy show that’s a mix between stand up, TED talks, and a social mixer. Speakers present for 15 minutes on a variety of topics related to science and technology, popular culture, history, and other nerdery with a vibe that’s as entertaining as it is academic! Audience members can ask questions, and beforehand there is an entirely optional social game called Speed Friending. If you like comedy, learning about random and interesting things, and meeting other nerds this is for you!
Our second event is Pittsburgh Mixers. With the enormous success of Speed Friending at our classic events we realized there was a need in Pittsburgh for more events to meet new people face to face. Pittsburgh mixers are specifically designed to make that as easy as possible. We start out with another round of Speed Friending and then set you free to hang out at a bar with chill music volumes, all kinds of fun social games, drinks, food, and the vibes you need to make new connections.
The next, or most recent, event will be below and feel free to check out past events with the links in our menus. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram or sign up for our mailing list to get notified when new shows are coming up. If you’ve never been out before and you want to know what you’re getting yourself into, check our ourGuest FAQ, our Code of Conduct, and videos from past speakers on our YouTube page. If you’re worried you’re not nerdy enough to come out, check out our page addressing that concern we wrote just for you!
If you’re interested in being a speaker in the future please reach out at !! Info for that can be found on our Speaker FAQ page.
Longtime friend of Nerd Nite Pittsburgh, Velum Fermentation, is hosting a brilliantly nerdy event called Booze Ball 3. For just $10, enjoy free arcade play (including dozens of fantastic pinball machines, Pittsburgh Pinball will even be there IRL, how nerdy can you get?!) and $5 beer all day.
We think the event is so awesome that we’re sending our professional nerds to host speed friending from 7:00-8:30 pm. Admission to the Booze Ball includes speed friending, and the event is ticketed at the door ($10 cash or card). Pinball, arcade games, cheap yet delicious beer, meeting new nerdy friends, what more could you ask for in the depths of Pittsburgh winter?
Nerd Nite Pittsburgh is a lecture series that’s a mix between a comedy show, TED talk, and a social mixer! Speakers present for 15 minutes on a variety of topics related to science and technology, popular culture, history, and other nerdery with a vibe that’s as entertaining as it is academic! Audience members can ask questions, and beforehand there is an entirely optional social game. Drinks, food, learning new and fascinating things, making friends with other nerds, we’ve got it all! The speed friending social game starts at 6:30, and then the big nerds hit the stage at 7:30. If you have a topic you are passionate about and you’d like to be a speaker at a later event get in touch at ! This event will feature the following presentations:
MEGARAPTORS: The Most Kickass Dinos You’ve Never Heard Of
Carnegie Museum of Natural History curator and senior dinosaur scientist Dr.Matt Lamanna is here to tell you all about some of his favorite dinos: megaraptors, a group of giant-clawed, razor-toothed badasses that ruled the southern continents at the end of the Age of Dinosaurs. Matt’s talk will draw (heavily) on he and his Argentine collaborators’ recent discovery of Joaquinraptor, a crocodile-eating megaraptor from the windswept wilds of Patagonia.
Besides being a professional dino dork, Matt’s passions include football, fishing, beer, and antagonizing his wife’s cat, the aptly named Wild Beast.
Slaying the Utility Dragon: Why Your Power Bill Hates You (and What You Can Do About It)
Ever feel like your electricity bill is guarding treasure like a fire-breathing dragon from hell? You’re not wrong. From complicated fees to temperature wars and broken thermostats, energy justice expert Dr. Destenie Nock will take you on a nerdy quest to expose the mythical beast behind your utility bill. Along the way, she’ll break down why your grandma uses the oven to heat the house, how smart tech isn’t always that smart, and why dragons (okay, utilities) aren’t the real enemy—but inequity might be.
When she’s not building maps of energy poverty or fighting climate injustice with spreadsheets, Destenie teaches at Carnegie Mellon University, runs Peoples Energy Analytics, and writes fantasy novels where dragons (ok reapers) actually get what’s coming to them.
Historical European Martial Arts: Combining Historical Study and Unarmored Historical Combat to Fight Like the Old Masters
Have you ever been sitting at home watching the Extended Versions of the LOTR trilogy and wondered “People used to fight like Aragorn without heavy armor?? I wonder if I could do this for real”? Well you can! Historical European Martial Arts has been on an upward surge of interest worldwide as new folks every year learn how to fence like the old masters of the medieval to late renaissance eras!
Hilt and Helm Pittsburgh Fencing Club is one of those places where you can learn the noble art of swordsmanship! Founded in 2021 by Pittsburgh’s own Chris Shelton, a multi-medalist in no less than 6 different weapon classes, Hilt and Helm is a HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) club which studies manuals from fencing masters published between the 1300’s and 1600’s to learn how the swordsmanship was taught and practiced during the periods in which it was most in use. Then equipped with modern HEMA gear and specialized steel weapons designed to allow us to safely practice at full speed and intensity, we proceed to stab each other!
When he’s not playing the clarinet in multiple symphony orchestras and pits around the tri-state area, you can find Ryan studying German Longsword and various forms of Rapier, Smallsword and Saber at Hilt and Helm. He and his club mates travel regularly around the country to compete in HEMA tournaments
WTF is Speed Friending?!
Our social game will take place before the show from 6:30-7:30. Similar to ‘Speed Dating’ or ‘Speed Networking’ our game is ‘Speed Friending’! Whether you are new to the city and hoping to make friends or trying to expand your professional network with other nerds, the game is just about meeting new people! We have a system in place to rotate everyone around to meet someone new every 5 minutes, then you can fill out an online form with which conversations you enjoyed and we’ll email you your matches! You are welcome to join late, but if you want to get the most of it arrive at 6:15 to register and the first round will start at 6:30.
If you haven’t been here before, check what this is about with videos from our YouTube channel,
This event is 21+ and requires ID. The venue has limited space and there may not be door sales if we sell out, which happens regularly. Be sure to get a ticket before heading over.
Nerd Nite Pittsburgh is a lecture series that’s a mix between a comedy show, TED talk, and a social mixer! Speakers present for 15 minutes on a variety of topics related to science and technology, popular culture, history, and other nerdery with a vibe that’s as entertaining as it is academic! Audience members can ask questions, and beforehand there is an entirely optional social game. If you like alcohol, learning about random and interesting things, and meeting other humans this is for you! Social game starts at 6:30, Doors open for the show at 7:30, show starts at 7:45. If you have a topic you are passionate about and you’d like to be a speaker at a later event get in touch at ! This event will feature the following presentations:
Cosplay: It’s an addiction. I’d have stopped by now if I could
Cash Branson AKA CaptCash got his start in cosplay at Tokyo Game Show in 2005. He had not anticipated going to a nerdy convention would turn into a lifelong obsession passion. In the intervening years, he’s moved back to the states, has a professional career, and started a family, but still has the cosplay monkey on his back. This talk will tell you a bit of how he does what he does, why he does it and why he can’t seem to shake it no matter how hard he tries.
Capybaras + ? = profit: How AI is democratizing capitalism
Erin Yanacek has been perpetuating the capitalistic culture of overwork for the last 8 years— and is beginning to ask questions. How might one make a living that doesn’t feel skeezy? Does work that has a more positive impact on the world always equal less money? What new opportunities for money-purpose arbitrage might AI open up? We’re pretty sure that the answer begins with a magical creature— the capybara. Explore these and other existential questions by way of some nifty use cases w/r/t genAI and agentic AI.
Under the hood of AI models, and what the next gen may look like
AI is all the rage these days, but how does it actually work? This talk will teach you about artificial neural networks, the algorithm behind modern AI. We’ll review how they work, how they learn, and the biological inspiration that inspired them. The talk will then conclude with what we’ve learned about modern neuroscience since the origins of neural networks, and what the next wave of AI might be built with.
Rorry Brenner is a computer scientist / neuroscientist, the founder of Perforated AI, an organizer of Nerd Nite, the most handsome man in Pittsburgh, and approver of these bios.
Social game:
Our social game will take place before the show from 6:30-7:30. Similar to ‘Speed Dating’ or ‘Speed Networking’ our game is ‘Speed Friending’! Whether you are new to the city and hoping to make friends or trying to expand your professional network with other nerds, the game is just about meeting new people! We have a system in place to rotate everyone around to meet someone new every 5 minutes, then you can fill out an online form with which conversations you enjoyed and we’ll email you your matches! You are welcome to join late, but if you want to get the most of it arrive at 6:15 to register and the first round will start at 6:30.
If you haven’t been here before, check what this is about with videos from our youtube channel,
This event is 21+ and requires ID. The venue has limited space and there may not be door sales if we sell out, which happens regularly. Be sure to get a ticket before heading over.
Queer dating can be hard. For safety, so much of our community building is done online and the apps… well we know how they work.
The best way to meet new people is often through the people you already know. This is why house parties and school and work are often the best place to do it. Pittsburgh Mixers are designed to simulate all the benefits of a house party out at a bar with random strangers and this time, they’ll all be queer strangers. You can come with your friends, have some security, and still connect with new queer folx. It’s like going back to the good ol’ days when more people randomly met out in the world!
PHASE ONE – Speed Dating – 6:30-7:30: This hour is reserved for queers open to dating (we’ll have time set aside for making friends after this!) Our system will rotate you around with other guests for 5-minute conversations with new people. If you’ve never done one of these before please take a minute to read over how it works before you arrive. There will be a large screen with info, but we’ll also have a handful of volunteers if you have questions.
We’ll have stickers to mark sexual preference when you sign in.
Strictly lesbian sat down across from a strictly mlm gay? A perfect time to talk up your single friends that match their preference, discuss queer dating spaces, and swap stories. No match is wasted!
PHASE ONE AND A HALF – Speed Friending. Like the above, but just for making friends. Shorter session, just for 30 minutes.
PHASE TWO – Starting at 8:00: The evening continues, non-daters can enter the mix. We’ll keep the tunes at a medium volume so you can enjoy them and hear people easily. Additionally, we’ll have all the social games that you loved for the first parties. We’ll be partnering once again with CityOfPlay to have a wide selection of party games such as Telestrations, Codenames, and Monikers, and all are welcome to bring their own from home! We’ll also have dice and cards for whatever you want to do with them. And, of course, there will be great food, drinks, and lots of extra space just to talk and hang out. Essentially the perfect party to have more time to chat with your matches, or meet the ones you didn’t get paired with.
See you there!
P .S. This event is 21+ and requires ID. Expected age range will be 25-40
Nerd Nite Pittsburgh is a lecture series that’s a mix between a comedy show, TED talk, and a social mixer! Speakers present for 15 minutes on a variety of topics related to science and technology, popular culture, history, and other nerdery with a vibe that’s as entertaining as it is academic! Audience members can ask questions, and beforehand there is an entirely optional social game. If you like alcohol, learning about random and interesting things, and meeting other humans this is for you! Social game starts at 6:30, Doors open for the show at 7:30, show starts at 7:45. If you have a topic you are passionate about and you’d like to be a speaker at a later event get in touch at ! This event will feature the following presentations:
Theme? Themes.
So, your leitmotif came back in a minor key and that made you feel something. Let’s talk about it. We will dive deep into analyzing the music of video games the same way you analyzed Catcher in the Rye in high school. Leitmotifs are more abundant than you’d think. Let’s figure out what they are, how they’re used, why they’re so dang emotional sometimes, and go over some really neat spots where you’d find them and not expect them. By Abby Lannan.
Of course it’s a boss fight! Can’t you tell from the ominous music playing?
Music is the emotional backdrop of the video game experience. It adds intensity, joy, melancholy, suspense, and connection to the world of gaming. But how does music create these emotions? And how does our cultural understanding of popular music styles such as Jazz, Classical, and Rock create the magic of the video game worlds we love so much.
Lucas Bowman is a Pittsburgh based musician, teacher, and composer. He has toured nationally, primarily as part of the band “The Commonheart.”
Electronic wind instruments and their role in video game music
Combining the nerdiest instruments with the nerdiest music, Arcadia is a wind-synth duo that aims to recreate popular video game music with modern instruments. While these “robo-oboes” look like something out of a sci-fi movie, they’ve been around for decades and have had a large influence on video game music. Do you actually have to blow into it? Where does the sound come from? Are you sure that’s not a handheld vacuum cleaner in disguise? Find out what makes these instruments so unique in this video game themed presentation! By Foolish Frankie.
Social game:
Our social game will take place before the show from 6:30-7:30. Similar to ‘Speed Dating’ or ‘Speed Networking’ our game is ‘Speed Friending’! Whether you are new to the city and hoping to make friends or trying to expand your professional network with other nerds, the game is just about meeting new people! We have a system in place to rotate everyone around to meet someone new every 5 minutes, then you can fill out an online form with which conversations you enjoyed and we’ll email you your matches! You are welcome to join late, but if you want to get the most of it arrive at 6:15 to register and the first round will start at 6:30.
If you haven’t been here before, check what this is about with videos from our youtube channel,
This event is 21+ and requires ID. The venue has limited space and there may not be door sales if we sell out, which happens regularly. Be sure to get a ticket before heading over.
The best way to meet new people is through the people you already know. This is why house parties are the best place to do it. Pittsburgh Mixers are designed to simulate all the benefits of a house party out at a bar with random strangers. It’s like going back to the good ol’ days when more people randomly met out in the world!
PHASE ONE – Speed Dating – 7:30-8:30: For the first time we will be running official Speed-Dating rather than Friending or Mingling. Our system will rotate you around with other guests for 5-minute conversations with new people. As opposed to our usual mixers, for Valentine’s Day this one everyone is expected to be single and looking. If you’ve never done one of these before please take a minute to read over how it works before you arrive. Whichever ticket you buy, you will be matched with those who buy the other ticket type. If you be interested in an event where you are matched with those who buy the same ticket type let us know, we’d love to host that in the future!
PHASE TWO – Starting at 8:30: The real mixer begins. We’ll keep the tunes at a medium volume so you can enjoy them and hear people easily. Additionally, we’ll have all the social games that you loved for the first parties. We’ll be partnering once again with CityOfPlay to have a wide selection of party games such as Telestrations, Codenames, and Monikers, and all are welcome to bring their own from home! We’ll also have dice and cards for whatever you want to do with them. And, of course, there will be great food, drinks, and lots of extra space just to talk and hang out. Essentially the perfect party to have more time to chat with your matches, or meet the ones you didn’t get paired with.
Pittsburgh Girls Who Walk and Nerd Nite Pittsburgh present our next women’s mixer – Fight the Sunday Scaries! Proceeds from the event will go towards fundraising for Girls Who Code. Doors will open at 4:00 to come in and get registered for Speed Friending and then the festivities will begin! Speed friending will occur 4:30-5:30, then there will be a la carte pizza and games to play until 8:00. This event is only for female-identifying guests, if that is not you stay tuned for our other mixers and speaker/comedy nights!
PHASE ONE: The usual Speed Friending will rotate you around with other guests for 5-minute conversations with new people. One of the best reasons house parties are so great for meeting people is that, almost always, everyone either knows the host or is a friend of someone who knows the host. So you are sure to be only a few mutual connections away from everyone there, and those who connect the dots are also in attendance! With Speed Friending, our goal is to create an atmosphere with that same vibe. For our women’s mixers you will be rotated in into a new group of four every 10 minutes instead of one-on-ones every 5 minutes!
PHASE TWO – After Speed Friending, we’ll keep the tunes at a medium volume so you can enjoy them and hear people easily. Additionally, we’ll have all the social games that you loved from the first parties. We’ll be partnering once again with CityOfPlay to have a wide selection of party games such as Telestrations, Codenames, and Monikers, and all are welcome to bring their own from home! We’ll also have dice and cards for whatever you want to do with them. And, of course, there will be great food, drinks, and lots of extra space just to talk and hang out. Essentially the perfect party if you want it to be easy to talk to strangers.
Grab your girlfriends or come out to make new ones! See you there!
-Pittsburgh Girls Who Walk Team and Nerd Nite Bosses
Nerd Nite Pittsburgh is a lecture series that’s a mix between a comedy show, TED talk, and a social mixer! Speakers present for 15 minutes on a variety of topics related to science and technology, popular culture, history, and other nerdery with a vibe that’s as entertaining as it is academic! Audience members can ask questions, and beforehand there is an entirely optional social game. If you like alcohol, learning about random and interesting things, and meeting other humans this is for you! Social game starts at 6:30, Doors open for the show at 7:30, show starts at 7:45. If you have a topic you are passionate about and you’d like to be a speaker at a later event get in touch at ! This event will feature the following presentations:
“Even the Losers Get Lucky Sometimes: Breaking Down Tom Petty’s Best Lines and Enduring Appeal”
Why does Tom Petty’s music resonate so deeply with fans across generations? In this presentation, we’ll explore the magic behind his songwriting—simple yet profound lyrics that speak to universal themes of freedom, defiance, and love. We’ll break down his most iconic lines while diving into the psychology of his broad appeal. From anthems like “Free Fallin’” to heartfelt tracks like “Wildflowers,” discover how Petty’s ability to balance vulnerability with strength has made his music timeless, connecting with listeners on both a personal and collective level. Expect an engaging blend of lyric analysis and cultural insight.
Ronnie is a Pittsburgh-based comedian with 13 years of experience, known for his clever, relatable humor. He has opened for Demetri Martin and Jeff Arcuri, headlined Don’t Tell shows, and recently released his YouTube special Second Funniest Kid in School. Ronnie also hosts the Skullet podcast, where he interviews emerging comics while growing out a skullet until reaching 100 episodes.
“Playing God: Building Living Robots”
Is the robot apocalypse nigh? Is AI going to take all of our jobs? Did you forget to turn off your oven? Did Dr. Frankenstein not go far enough?? This talk will assuage all of your techno-pessimistic fears by adding a new one: a LIVING robot apocalypse! Saul Schaffer just spent the last 5 years of his life slaving over these questions, and he has the answers for you, dear audience. In this talk, you will learn about the wild and wonderful world of biohybrid robots. We’ll talk about what they are, what they want, and the witchcraft involved in conjuring and studying them. Scientists don’t want you to know the secret of building robots from biology but in this talk, Dr. Schaffer spills all!
Saul Schaffer received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, like, 3 months ago. When he isn’t doing science, Saul loves to rock climb outside, mountain bike, make hummus, and create 3D printed cast glass sculptures. In his heart of hearts, Saul’s one true desire is to snap his fingers and painlessly convert the entire world to the metric system.
“Semiotics: The Study of Signs”
A discussion about semiotics (the study of signs) and how different types of signs shape our worldviews differently.
Eben Parker is a comedian, filmmaker, and producer. They worked in the WWE SmackDown Writers’ Room and toured nationally as an opener and content creator for comedian Steve Hofstetter. Eben is a founding member and Director of Operations for Gaslight Comedy, an outfit that brings nationally touring comedians to Pittsburgh’s East End.
Social game:
Our social game will take place before the show from 6:30-7:30. Similar to ‘Speed Dating’ or ‘Speed Networking’ our game is ‘Speed Friending’! Whether you are new to the city and hoping to make friends or trying to expand your professional network with other nerds, the game is just about meeting new people! We have a system in place to rotate everyone around to meet someone new every 5 minutes, then you can fill out an online form with which conversations you enjoyed and we’ll email you your matches! You are welcome to join late, but if you want to get the most of it arrive at 6:15 to register and the first round will start at 6:30.
If you haven’t been here before, check what this is about with videos from our youtube channel,
This event is 21+ and requires ID. The venue has limited space and there may not be door sales if we sell out, which happens regularly. Be sure to get a ticket before heading over.
Check out our first Wednesday event! The best way to meet new people is through the people you already know. This is why house parties are the best place to do it. Pittsburgh Mixers are designed to simulate all the benefits of a house party out at a bar with random strangers. It’s like going back to the good ol’ days when more people randomly met out in the world!
PHASE ZERO – Come early to check out the amazing food at Lawrence Hall for dinner before the event. We’ll have the space starting at 6 so plenty of time to come in for food and a pregame drink before the mixer starts.
PHASE ONE – Speed Mingling – 7:30-8:30: Speed Mingling will rotate you around with other guests for 5-minute conversations with new people. One of the best reasons house parties are so great for meeting people is that, almost always, everyone either knows the host or is a friend of someone who knows the host. So you are sure to be only a few mutual connections away from everyone there, and those who connect the dots are also in attendance! With Speed Mingling, our goal is to create an atmosphere with that same vibe. If you’ve never done one of these before please take a minute to read over how it works before you arrive. Rules of Speed Mingling are in line with the Stoplight Party rules outlined below. If you’re mingling with someone and you’re both wearing a green wristband go ahead and make it a speed date, but if either or you is red or yellow keep it friendly.
PHASE TWO – Starting at 8:30: The real mixer begins. We’ll keep the tunes at a medium volume so you can enjoy them and hear people easily. Additionally, we’ll have all the social games that you loved for the first parties. We’ll be partnering once again with CityOfPlay to have a wide selection of party games such as Telestrations, Codenames, and Monikers, and all are welcome to bring their own from home! We’ll also have dice and cards for whatever you want to do with them, and beer pong tables to re-live your college days. And, of course, there will be great food, drinks, and lots of extra space just to talk and hang out. Essentially the perfect party if you want it to be easy to talk to strangers.
In an effort to make our events a perfect vibe where singles can look for dating prospects while those just looking to make new friends still have a safe space they don’t have to worry about uncomfortable vibes, our mixers are Stoplight Parties! All this means is when you arrive, tell us what wristband color you want. Green means you’re single and looking to mingle. Yellow means you are looking but tells others not to flirt with you unless you flirt with them first. Red means you’re just here for friends and others should know to respect those boundaries. If you’re wearing red and anyone is not following the rules just let us know and those people will be warned and then removed.
The best way to meet new people is through the people you already know. This is why house parties are the best place to do it. Pittsburgh Mixers are designed to simulate all the benefits of a house party out at a bar with random strangers. It’s like going back to the good ol’ days when more people randomly met out in the world!
PHASE ONE – Speed Mingling – 7:30-8:30: Speed Mingling will rotate you around with other guests for 5-minute conversations with new people. One of the best reasons house parties are so great for meeting people is that, almost always, everyone either knows the host or is a friend of someone who knows the host. So you are sure to be only a few mutual connections away from everyone there, and those who connect the dots are also in attendance! With Speed Mingling, our goal is to create an atmosphere with that same vibe. If you’ve never done one of these before please take a minute to read over how it works before you arrive. Rules of Speed Mingling are in line with the Stoplight Party rules outlined below. If you’re mingling with someone and you’re both wearing a green wristband go ahead and make it a speed date, but if either or you is red or yellow keep it friendly.
PHASE TWO – Starting at 8:30: The real mixer begins. We’ll keep the tunes at a medium volume so you can enjoy them and hear people easily. Additionally, we’ll have all the social games that you loved for the first parties. We’ll be partnering once again with CityOfPlay to have a wide selection of party games such as Telestrations, Codenames, and Monikers, and all are welcome to bring their own from home! We’ll also have dice and cards for whatever you want to do with them, and beer pong tables to re-live your college days. And, of course, there will be great food, drinks, and lots of extra space just to talk and hang out. Essentially the perfect party if you want it to be easy to talk to strangers.
In an effort to make our events a perfect vibe where singles can look for dating prospects while those just looking to make new friends still have a safe space they don’t have to worry about uncomfortable vibes, our mixers are Stoplight Parties! All this means is when you arrive, tell us what wristband color you want. Green means you’re single and looking to mingle. Yellow means you are looking but tells others not to flirt with you unless you flirt with them first. Red means you’re just here for friends and others should know you do not want to be hit on at all. If you’re wearing red and anyone is not following the rules just let us know and those people will be warned and then removed.
