Shopping for dads is notoriously difficult. Read on for ideas beyond the requisite BBQ grill set, Old Spice aftershave, and World’s Best Dad mugs. This year, we focused on local experiences, shopkeepers, and artisans — that way you can find a gift this Father’s Day no matter what type of dad yours is.

A Gift for Every Type of Dad on Father’s Day

Craft Beer/Cocktail Dad

Pittsburgh has many claims to fame — one lesser known one is that we are the birthplace for American whiskey. In the 1700s-1800s, our fair city was the epicenter for whiskey production, and when Philip Wigle — the name inspiration for today’s popular distillery — defended his right to run a still, he helped kick off the Whiskey Rebellion. For your dad, purchase a Wigle Whiskey varietal, along with Wigle glassware, or set up a behind-the-scenes tour — which, of course, includes a tasting at their grain-to-glass distillery in the Strip District. 

If your dad prefers drinks of a hoppy variety, here’s an idea: curate a 12-pack for him, choosing four-packs from 3 different breweries — locally, there are more than 40 options to choose from. Some recommendations include winners from the 2026 World Beer Cup (aka the Olympics of beer): Cinderlands Beer Co., which took the gold for Archive: Allegheny Altbier; Hazel Grove, which nabbed a bronze for their Scottish ale, Isle of Pitt. In 2025, Two Frays took a silver for So Long, London, an English-style ale. If purchased at the breweries, you can also pick up merch to match. 

Hip Daddy

Studebaker Metals embodies an ethos that drives them to source the purest metals and materials, to use tools that span three centuries, to hand-forge every item they craft. This care and intention shows in their products, which include their bread-and-butter item: cuff bracelets made in brass, copper, solid gold, stainless steel, or sterling silver. Studebaker’s also makes chain bracelets and necklaces, key holders, ID rings, tie bars, and a minimalist brass-and-stainless bottle opener. If your dad already has all the cool he needs, gift him somewhere to put it all: a solid brass “mess tray.” 

The two-person artisan team at Clark Morelia, a handmade leather studio in Swissvale, embraces their craft as “a way to tell a story about the way they interact with the world.” They use second-run leather, which has small imperfections that fashion brands reject. Some see flaws; Clark Morelia sees character. Their minimalist wallets are handmade, using full grain leather with solid brass hardware and high-quality threads. We particularly are keen on the green leather spring wallet. 

The Aesthete

For this dad, saying “the cultural arts” does not induce a yawn; he lives to see shows such as composer and pianist Andrew Kierszenbaum play with the Pittsburgh Symphony or a modern interpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream performed by CMU students (before it premieres at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival). Giving a Pittsburgh Cultural District-wide gift card will grant him admission to events at August Wilson African American Cultural Center, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Public Theater, and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. 

If your father likes being in the know when at a restaurant, takes his time over the meal, yet appreciates some culinary adventure, a dinner at One by Spork could be just the meal ticket. With one seating a night for just 16 guests, the 10-course experience begins with small bites and cocktails in the lounge — think house fermented jun (the champagne of kombucha) and truffle thyme potato tartlettes — and moves to the circular chef’s table, where seven courses are served, followed by two desserts and a final cocktail. It’s highly curated, hyper-locally sourced, and like a novel or a good film, this meal has an arc. 

Lifelong Learner

Does your dad win at living room Jeopardy? Love exploring new topics? Revel in his college days? Buy him a year’s membership to Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at CMU. Year round, your dad can take courses — roughly 140 offerings each term that each meet for four to six sessions — taught by fellow members, faculty at CMU, and instructors from other organizations. At Osher, there are no tests and no requirements, other than being over the age of fifty. This summer, he could explore topics such as Italian wine, singing in a choir, or the causes of the Civil War. Pitt also offers an Osher program where dad can audit up to two undergraduate classes offered to Pitt students — session two begins July 6. 

Learning something new about a place you’ve lived for a long time is always a welcome gift. We know Pittsburgh is hilly (well, actually, it’s a landscape of plateaus and carved, steep valleys), so when our early residents needed to reach the rivers, they used steps built into the hillside. The authors of City Steps of Pittsburgh, a History & Guide, cite the steps as the city’s first mass transit system. In this book, your dad will see then-and-now photos and learn about self-guided tours of our 800 sets of city stairs. Great for the armchair or IRL explorer. You can also read about TABLE’s take on the city steps here.

History Lover

Of course, we all know of Fallingwater — but have you or your dad visited? If not, this is the year to buy tickets and take that short road trip. In 2026, Frank Lloyd Wright’s crowning achievement of modern architecture —one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites — celebrates its 90th anniversary, offering a variety of tour options, from daily guided and in-depth tours, to seasonal after-hours forest to table dinners, to private four-person tours with exclusive interior house access and a meal on the terrace.

The American Spirit is a collection of 15 speeches given by our country’s favorite historian and hometown legend, David McCullough, that aim to give some historical context on our nation. Given to audiences such as the U.S. Congress, universities, and historical sites — and gathered over a 25-year span — these witty and optimistic speeches aim to not only relay specific stories, but to show the importance of understanding history as a way to navigate today’s world because, as McCullough says in this volume, “the study of history is an antidote to the hubris of the present.”

Loves to Stay-at-Home Dad

Pittsburgh’s ice cream scene hasn’t been this exciting since the days of Islay’s Skyscrapers, so for the dad who relaxes on the couch with a sweet treat, how about a flight of local ice creams? Mille’s has a summer favorite/1980s throwback Strawberry Scooter Crunch or the Root Beer Float; Jeni’s Ice Creams chills with Burnt Orange Dreamsicle or Blackout Chocolate Cake; and make a trip to Oakland for Dave & Andy’s for their Sweet Cream or Banana Cream Pie flavors. Pick up some pints and host your own Ice Cream Wars. You might even get the favorite kid of the day award from dear old dad.

If your dad loves to watch movies, perhaps an order from Pittsburgh Popcorn Company — in Buttery Movie Style, Wisconsin Cheddar, or Peanut Butter Cup — would be a tasty treat? Popcorn can be purchased in multi-flavor multi-packs or in one-gallon sports tins that celebrate either Pitt, the Steelers, Penguins, or Pirates. 

Sharp-Dressed Dad

Is your dad the sharp dresser of the parenting group? If so, visit Moda in Shadyside, a longtime neighborhood store that specializes in luxury brands that have an edge. Stop in and check out why many call it the best men’s shop in the city. Chances are he doesn’t yet have the Maison Margiela Replica iridescent sneaker, crafted in smooth calfskin and glitter suede. But once he does, he just might be the best-dressed dad on the block. 

For your guy who wears his love for Pittsburgh on his sleeve — or chest — a hoodie, crew sweatshirt, or 100% cotton, garment-washed tee from Steel City would be a fitting gift. In iconic black-and-gold, this is a great gift for those fathers (or friends/relatives who are fathers) who live away from our fair city. Steel City also sells a fun Pirates-themed tee with a skull and crossbones and several vintage-style baseball caps. 

Live Music Lover

Giving the gift of an outing to the City of Asylum (CoA) hits on many levels — from supporting CoA’s mission to create community by protecting and celebrating freedom of expression, to exploring their unique curation of books and dining at their in-house Italian restaurant, Cucina Alfabeto. If you visit on a Thursday, you can experience all of that — plus take in a show for CoA’s Jazz Nights. In July, there are three Thursday concerts that support Kente Arts Alliance, an arts organization whose mission is to present high-quality art of the African Diaspora. 

If your dad (or husband) mimics Michael McDonald every time the Doobie Brother’s What a Fool Believes comes on or turns up the car radio when Looking Glass’ Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) hits the airwaves, then we have a gift for him. Pack up a cooler, blanket, and some soft chairs (we know he’s getting on in age now), and head to Hartwood Acres to see Yacht Rockers, a local band that embraces the genre that keeps soft rock afloat. Hop Farm Brewing, Black Dog Wine Company, and assorted food trucks will also be on hand. Plus, the Yacht Rockers show is held on Father’s Day, June 21. It seems Allegheny County Parks knows their audience. 

Story by Lauri Gravina
Featured Photo Courtesy of Steel City

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