Spork Island trading

Written By Scott Simmons

Spork Island Trading Company is an intimate and immersive tiki bar and restaurant located in Downtown Pittsburgh, just steps from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Guests step into a heavily themed tropical world with an erupting volcano, cascading waterfalls and winding jungle pathways.

Spork Island Trading Company is the newest bold food and drink experience created by Pittsburgh's experiential hospitality pioneer Steve Zumoff (Double Wide Grill, Beehive Coffeehouse, Tiki Lounge, Lava Lounge) and Andy Tepper (One by Spork, Poetry Lounge.). A team of industrial designers and nationally recognized scenic artists and veteran servers have spent years creating this new adventure for guests 21+ only.

Needs More Fog was not involved in the initial design and installation, but Creative Director Scott Simmons has worked in partnership with the owners and staff to generate tremendous buzz and media coverage for this new immersive experience across social media and broadcast channels, while also expanding and enhancing their website, SEO and online presence. Needs More F

Photos and Media Outreach by Scott Simmons

Social Media Management and Influencer Outreach by Carsianna Kay and Scott Simmons

Spork Island Trading Company Website Expanded and Managed by Scott Simmons, based on a design by Ryan Pantos

Spork Island Trading Company is a fully immersive escape hidden in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh. Just steps from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, guests leave Penn Avenue behind and enter an intricately themed tropical world filled with winding jungle pathways, cascading waterfalls, hidden caves, intimate tiki huts and private hideaway booths. At the center of it all stands an eight-foot volcano, surrounded by a miniature island village and capable of erupting in a theatrical display of light, sound and smoke. Every pathway, corner and discovery helps transform a night out into an adventure.

The experience continues at the table. Spork Island pairs its richly detailed environment with carefully composed shareable plates inspired by flavors from around the world. Behind the bar, an extensive rum collection anchors an ambitious tropical cocktail program built around fresh juices, house-made syrups and premium spirits. The result is a destination designed not simply for dining and drinking, but for exploring, photographing, sharing and remembering. It’s a rare kind of hospitality experience that invites guests to become part of its story.

Pittsburgh responded immediately. Spork Island’s first nights filled to capacity, and within days of its July 24 opening, the city’s newest destination was appearing across local television, radio, newspapers, business publications, food blogs and social media feeds. Coverage from TribLive, the Pittsburgh Business Times, KDKA Radio, WPXI and CBS Pittsburgh introduced the island to audiences across the region, while local creators and guests carried the experience even farther through reels, photos, reviews and word of mouth. Images of the volcano, tropical cocktails and densely layered environment spread quickly, turning curiosity into reservations, lines and sold-out evenings.

That response is especially remarkable for an intimate venue with fewer than 50 seats and a limited four-night weekly schedule. In only a few weeks, Spork Island has become one of Pittsburgh’s most talked-about new destinations—not through a massive advertising campaign, but through a distinctive concept, strong visual storytelling, strategic media outreach and an experience people genuinely want to share. Its launch demonstrates what happens when themed design, hospitality, content and communications work together: a restaurant becomes a destination, an opening becomes a citywide conversation, and a previously empty Downtown storefront becomes a new world waiting to be discovered.

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Scott Simmons

Since 1999, Scott Simmons has helped create nationally recognized haunted attractions, escape rooms, theatrical experiences, themed environments, and immersive entertainment projects designed to surprise, engage, and leave a lasting impression.

Best known for his work as Creative and Marketing Director for ScareHouse — one of America’s most acclaimed haunted attractions — and the groundbreaking immersive experience The Basement, Scott now leads Needs More Fog, a creative studio specializing in cinematic video production, immersive storytelling, experiential design, social media strategy, and SEO optimization for experience-driven brands.

Over the past two decades, Scott and his collaborators have developed immersive attractions, escape rooms, and live experiences featured on Good Morning America, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Travel Channel, and The Daily Show, while earning praise from acclaimed filmmakers including Guillermo del Toro, Michael Dougherty, and Elijah Wood. His team also collaborated with Universal Pictures, Legendary Entertainment, and Weta Workshop to create the world’s first immersive experience inspired by Krampus.

Beyond haunted attractions, Scott has overseen the concept, design, production, and marketing of escape rooms, special events, theatrical productions, and themed environments — including the creative reimagining of The Old Mill at Kennywood.

Today, through Needs More Fog, Scott helps attractions, museums, entertainment brands, hospitality companies, and immersive experiences strengthen audience engagement through video production, content strategy, SEO, social media management, and experiential storytelling.

His creative content — including trailers, behind-the-scenes videos, and social campaigns — has generated more than eight million views, while his speaking appearances often explore immersive design, attraction marketing, digital content creation, generative AI, and occasionally, murderous bunnies with axes.

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