Went to Embury back in June and was severely let down. I sincerely appreciate the owners/managers creating this place. This is exactly what Pittsburgh needs, world-class cocktails made by people who are passionate about it. The fact is probably the majority of bars around here still feature egregious, free-pouring, 1980's-style junk (think cloying sweet-and-sour mix with an unmeasured slosh of bottom-shelf "bourbon" for a whiskey sour). So I'm thrilled that Embury exists and obviously has the talent and vision to produce great stuff.
Unfortunately on our visit the service was simply appalling. I definitely don't mind waiting for a drink, good drinks take time and that's no problem. Where I have a problem is when one of the bartenders is flirting out in the hallway with a girl, and the other is nowhere to be seen. Now, as much as "self-service cocktail lounge" appeals to me for many reasons, I don't think that's what they were going for.
A final nitpick: I actually thought the atmosphere had a lot going for it but please get rid of the corporate office-style glass door. I don't think 1920's speakeasies featured fully transparent doors to let the US Marshals take a free peek inside at the prohibition-be-damned party.