These date night deals in Pittsburgh will keep the kids busy while the parents relax | Arts + Entertainment | Pittsburgh

Parent date night is a time to step away from the to-do list and have fun. However, not all families have a trustworthy village where they can look after their children at night. Of course we take the kids to family-friendly restaurants or attractions, but let’s be honest – not all adults find these places entertaining or relaxing.

Adults with children need to rethink date nights – they won’t always be about getting dressed up, eating overpriced tapas and having hours of intimate conversations. Sometimes it looks like jeans and sneakers, your child in tow, ordering something from the children’s menu. And that’s okay.

There are places in Pittsburgh where you can take your kids on a date night and still feel like adults escaping the daily grind. Pittsburgh City Paper has compiled a list of places you can visit with or without children. There, tired parents can find free babysitting, child-friendly options and more.

Pins Mechanical at SouthSide Works
407 Cinema Dr., south side. pinsbar.com/locations/pittsburgh/events

Although described as a “playground for adults,” Pins promises fun for the whole family while evoking nostalgia for the days when you didn’t know how to change a diaper. Before 9 p.m., SouthSide Works bar and entertainment venue provides a safe play space for all ages and invites the whole family to unwind with friendly competition at foosball, pinball or giant Jenga.

The children can stroll through the free play hall while you and your partner lovingly talk trash over a game of table tennis. There’s also bocce ball, foosball, and a two-story slide big enough for adults. Every Sunday, kids enjoy free lemonade and free duckpin bowling.

When the weather is nice, you can enjoy the outdoor seating and the life-size ping pong table on the patio. You can even bring the fur baby because Pins loves dogs.

Pins focuses more on beer and cocktails than food, but SouthSide Works offers several family-friendly dinner options within walking distance. Some nights there might even be a food truck or two out front.

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Photo: Courtesy of Pittsburgh Public Theater

A teacher leads a group of children during the Pittsburgh Public Theater’s summer sessions

Pittsburgh Public Theater at the O’Reilly Theater
621 Penn Ave., downtown. ppt.org

The Pittsburgh Public Theater (PPT) offers diverse and entertaining plays season after season. Some of these shows are family-friendly, but getting most kids to sit still for two hours can be a challenge.

Luckily, PPT’s Sitter Sundays has entered the chat. During select Sunday matinees, PPT offers child care for all ages led by Pittsburgh-based Jovie, described in a news release as a “trusted care resource for the Pittsburgh region.” Enjoy the show while little ones experience themed workshops in the O’Reilly rehearsal room.

“We wanted to give families the opportunity to come to the theater without having to worry about child care,” says Dominique Briggs, senior manager of public works and partnerships at PPT City newspaper. “We chose Jovie because they are a reputable, trustworthy service that looks after children – they have experience in childcare at events and we wanted the best for our customers.”

Sunday Sitters can be seen in several shows in the 2024-25 PPT season, including the adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbitthe holiday hit A Christmas Story: The Playthe Pittsburgh premiere of Trouble in the headand Edward Albee’s intense drama Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Childcare reservations can be made at check-out or as an addition to a previous ticket purchase. Space for each show is limited, so plan ahead.

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Photo: David Bachman Photography for the Pittsburgh Opera

Dress rehearsal for “Tosca,” presented by the Pittsburgh Opera at the Benedum Center

Pittsburgh Opera at the Benedum Center
Seventh St. and Penn Ave., downtown. pittsburghopera.org

The Pittsburgh Opera has introduced free childcare during Sunday matinee performances of its latest productions. Tosca, Cavalleria RusticanaAnd Pagliacciat the Benedum Center. Let the bel canto wash over you without worry, while the children are looked after by trained, certified professionals in the Benedum’s multi-purpose room.

Pittsburgh Opera’s website says the organization “worked closely with its partners at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, which owns and operates the Benedum Center, and Priya Amin, founder of on-site child care provider Flexable, to develop this program.” to bring into being.”

“For families with young children, finding and paying for a reliable babysitter can be a real barrier to attending arts and entertainment events,” said Chris Cox, director of marketing and communications for the Pittsburgh Opera, in a press release.

Since places are limited, advance registration is required for children ages 2 to 12. Children aged 6 to 12 can sit in the audience for a reduced admission price.

“We hope to be able to offer this again at future performances later this year and that our childcare program will inspire repeat offerings from other arts organizations once they see how successful it can be,” Cox said.

Museum of Illusions on the North Coast
267 North Shore Dr., North Shore. moipittsburgh.com

The Museum of Illusions encourages the family to think outside the box, inside the box and beyond. Kids love to touch everything, so let them explore this museum where touching the exhibits is accepted and encouraged.

You run the museum yourself. It’s up to you how long you want to spend on this interactive wonder. Take your time – you might get lost in one of the confusing installations. This can also be an excellent time to take the family photo for this year’s Christmas card, as the perspective-changing illusion rooms make for artful photo ops.