9 Last-Minute Gifts for Him (Pittsburgh Edition) N’at

Pittsburgh guys are built different. It comes from being born in the Steel City, the City of Champions, home of iconic sports teams and events known all over the country like Picklesburg. If you missed your chance to get him tickets to the Oktoberfest Ferris Wheel or simply can’t decide between buying him a Pens game puck or tickets to the Steelers’ annual Christmas game, we’ve got you covered.

Here at GiftYa, we write city guides and gift guides for all sorts of people in all sorts of cities around the nation. But the ‘Burgh is our hometown, so we know a thing or two about what’s actually going on in the 412.

And today we’re breaking it down with the best last minute gifts for him (Pittsburgh edition). Things that are approved by the guys in our office, and are a little more thoughtful than just a seasonal Smiley cookie. 

So keep reading for our best ideas, including:

• Iconic Pittsburgh dates and events that make a great gift for him
• Gifts that turn his Steel City pride into a keepsake he’ll love forever
• Pittsburgh sports gifts he’ll use on gameday and beyond

1. Tickets to cheer on his favorite team

This one’s kind of a no-brainer, but it has to be said. Pittsburgh has some of the best sports teams in the country, and Steeler Nation stretches all over the world… so if you’re looking for a gift you can give a guy in the City of Champyinz even at the last minute, this is the obvious place to start.

But just because it’s obvious doesn’t mean it has to be boring. There are ways you can dress it up.

For the guy who loves any and all sports, consider grabbing him tickets to see the ‘Burgh’s newest sports team, The Riverhounds for an experience he’s never had before. 

Look for games where one of the Pittsburgh teams is playing their rivals, like the Steelers vs. the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Match ups like the Pens vs. Washington Capitals or Philadelphia Flyers almost guarantee an unbelievable game. You can find tickets for when his favorite ex-Pen is back in town. The whole city still turns out to see our boy Marc-Andre Fleury on home ice, and Ryan Reaves has a following of his own too.

Plus there are plenty of experience nights and theme nights to make trips to the stadium or arena more special, like Star Wars Night and PPG Paints or Pup Nights at PNC Park.

Even if he’s been to a bunch of games before, you can give him a totally new gameday experience with tickets to cheer on his favorite team. Not to mention, it’s something you can do together!

GiftYa Recommends: Text a Fanatics gift card so he can grab a new jersey before the big game, or a hat and some gloves to keep warm at fall and winter games along the river. 

2. Skyline Rocks Glasses + Wigle Whiskey

Pittsburgh sports aren’t the only iconic thing about the 412. Buildings and landmarks like PPG Place, the US Steel Tower, the Gulf Tower, the Grant Building, and even The Point give Pittsburgh an immediately recognizable cityscape. There’s no shame in admitting it’s super pretty! And there’s a great view of it heading into downtown from every side, whether you’re coming from the North Hills or the South. So every true Yinzer will appreciate some merch with the skyline on it.

You can find great options from local businesses like Yinzer Shop, run by a father-son duo as a passion project. The duo bleeds black and gold, and it all got started because dad (Keith) wanted to give his son with Downs (Jacob) a way to do meaningful work in his community and connect with Pittsburghers all over the globe. If that story doesn’t warm yinz hearts, I don’t know what will.

But if you can’t find the right option there and don’t have to drop by any of the Pittsburgh gift shops in The Strip, you can also check out Etsy.

The finishing touch on this gift will be a spirit for him to enjoy in his new glasses. Wigle Whiskey is the obvious choice, and it’s even owned by Pirates owner Bob Nutting. If you’re mad about how he handles the Bucs (SAME.), you can always opt for skyline wine glasses and grab a bottle from a local winery like La Vignetta, one of the last real Italian brands at Bloomfield’s Little Italy Days anymore.

3. Take Him Aht on the Tahn

Sometimes, you can’t beat the classics. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so why not treat him to some of Pittsburgh's amazing food? The scene is hopping, and there’s something for everyone, like:

🥪 Primanti’s: The original location in The Strip, of course. The original Pittsburgh-style sandwiches on Mancini’s bread with slaw and fries on top. Grab a Primanti Bros. gift card >>

🍕Fiori’s Pizza: Hands down the best pizza in Pittsburgh. There will be no arguments on this fact. Let ‘em fix you up >>

🌯 Mad Mex: The locally-owned Cal Mex chain is a part of Big Burrito group, which boasts some of the most popular restaurants in Pittsburgh. Grab a Mad Mex gift card >>

🥩 Altius: Fine dining on Mt. Washington for when you want dinner with a view. Learn more >>

🍺 Max’s Allegehny Tavern: Old school German restaurants, and one of the oldest restaurants in Pittsburgh. The family-run restaurant in Pittsburgh’s Deutschtown neighborhood has been slinging schnitzel since 1903.  Grab a Max’s Allegheny Tavern gift card >>

4. Invest In His Vehicle

It’s not easy to be a car guy in Pittsburgh. The roads are always torn up, and even after a fresh patch job they’re still somehow full of potholes. So if he’s got a soft spot for his wheels, chances are it’s a pretty expensive hobby.

Grab him a Pep Boys gift card or text an Auto Zone gift card if you’re looking for a practical option. You can also send a Sheetz gift card so he can put fuel in his car and in his stomach 24/7/365 (and support a PA-based business, to boot). 

For something a little flashier, you can always take him to the Pittsburgh International Race Complex to watch the race cars go, or get him an Xtreme Xperience gift card so he can do a couple laps behind the wheel of his dream car, whether that’s something like a Lambo, Hellcat, or Porsche. 

If he’s an old car aficionado, take him to one of the events associated with the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix (PVGP) this summer. Or if you need a winter gift idea, wait for the International Car Show to roll through David L. Lawrence Convention Center. 

5. Plan a Night at the Museum 

If he’s more into arts and culture, Pittsburgh is a great place to be. The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh include 4 distinct museums, two connected museums in Oakland (the Carnegie Museum of Art and Carnegie Museum of Natural History) and two separate museums on the North Side (Carnegie Science Center and The Warhol). 

Membership is always an option, and it’s way less expensive than you’d think it is. Or at least it’s way less expensive than I thought it would be. Plus it comes with perks like access to exclusive events, discounts in the gift shops, and even benefits at other museums all over the world when they flash their membership card.

Alternatively, each of these museums hosts 21+ Nights, which are a great way to enjoy Pittsburgh’s world-class cultural institutions without having to elbow munchkins out of the way to get to the observatory or play with the LEGOs.

6. Or on the Gateway Clipper

If you’re looking for the romantic option, this is it.

Take a tour of your hometown from the rivers that make it so unique when you book a dinner cruise for two on the Gateway Clipper. They’ve been sailing the three rivers since 1958, and the fleet is still locally owned and operated by the third generation owner Terry Wirginis. 

The cruises have been featured all over the place, from news outlets like WPXI and Trib Live to Only In Your State and beyond. 

Even if he’s lived in the city for years, there’s something fun about taking a step back to see your hometown through the eyes of a tourist. Not to mention, the sparkling skyline is the perfect backdrop for a magical evening of one-on-one connection. 

7. Hit Up a Concert at Stage AE

Pre-pandemic, Pittsburgh had tons of small local venues. And while those numbers have dwindled a bit (RIP to the Rex Theater, Enclave just isn’t the same) there are still great places to catch live music in Pittsburgh and the surrounding boroughs.

Stage AE is your best bet for a medium-sized show within city limits. It’s located on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, right next to popular bars and restaurants for a post concert bite like Tequila Cowboy.

But also keep an eye out for shows at Pittsburgh’s smaller music halls, like Thunderbird in Lawrenceville, The Roxian Theater in McKees Rocks, and The Crafthouse in Whitehall. Bigger shows often use the sports arenas like PNC Park, Acrisure Stadium (it’ll always be Heinz Field to us 😤), PPG Paints, and even the Petersen Events Center on Pitt’s campus. Not to mention Starlake for big outdoor shows in the summer.

PS - When buying tickets, always start out on the venue’s website or the artist’s website. It’ll save you from paying a LOT of unnecessary fees in the long run. 

GiftYa Recommends: Buy a Stubhub gift card so he can pick his next live event for himself, whether it’s a sporting event, comedy show, or concert. 

8. And Maybe Grab Drinks at Rivers Casino After

He doesn’t have to be a gamblin’ man to enjoy a trip to the casino. It’s one of the most popular spots on the North Shore for way more than the slots. It’s also home to eight dining options ranging from divey bar food to fancy prime steaks and Asian fusion, plus it’s open late. That makes it a great place to round out a night out on that side of the river, whether you’ve been bar hopping, cheering on the home team, or catching a show. 

9. Visit one of the ‘Burgh’s Indie Theaters

Pittsburgh is home to a kind of surprising number of cool movie theaters. Sure, you can always text him an AMC Theaters gift card so he can catch the latest IMAX release at the Waterfront. But you can also spice movie night up a little with a trip to one of Pittsburgh’s cool indie theaters.

Indie theaters are great because you can often see movies that aren’t running right now, like his favorite 80s action movie or a re-showing of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's greatest hits before the next blockbuster installment of the saga. But they also have weird options you won’t find anywhere else, like the annual Cat Video Fest. 

A few Pittsburgh indie theaters for your consideration:

🎥 The Row House is located in Lawrenceville, and every week or so they release a lineup of movies related to a certain theme. Just a few examples: Noir-vember movies featuring Humphrey Bogart, Studio Ghibli Week, Surreal Life, MTV Kids, Tight Pants Week, and Family Am I Right? Not to mention the Row House is connected to Bierport, so you can grab a brew to take with you into the theater.

🎬 Manor Theater is on Murray Avenue in the heart of Squirrel Hill, and it’s one of the oldest and most historic theaters in the ‘Burgh. Enjoy cocktails and concessions during the film, plus state of the art Sony 4K Digital Cinema. 

🎞️ Harris Theater (formerly Art Cinema) was renovated by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust in their effort to revitalize Liberty Avenue. The Art Cinema was the very first moving picture house in Pittsburgh until competition from other local theaters led to it being rebranded as an adult film house in the 1960s. Today, the theater is fully revitalized, including its historic balcony. It’s also one of just a few theaters that still has 35mm film projectors and uses them regularly, so you’ll catch some really cool old film showings here!

That’s it for our best last minute gift ideas in Pittsburgh for him!

We hope one of them is right for yinz. And remember, there are tons of Pittsburgh restaurants and attractions in the GiftYa catalog, so you can always grab one and have it sent to his email or phone in just a few taps. Plus we appreciate the love 🫶

Happy shopping!