High-schooler, college student, young professional — whoever you are, I know you’re a little strapped for cash right now. And let’s face it: A romantic evening out often comes at a high cost. While I can’t help you score a date with the lucky person you’re pining after, I’m full of suggestions for your night ahn the tahn, especially if you want to keep things frugal.

Hit the Strip

Call it stereotypical, but there’s no place in Pittsburgh quite like the Strip District. It’s home to some of the city’s oldest businesses, easy to access by almost any mode of transportation and very walkable. Soaking in the lingering smells of street food, pastries and coffee beans with the looming backdrop of Downtown is a worthwhile trip in its own right, so let’s build around it.

For this date, skip the weekends and shoot for a weeknight evening. The sidewalks — and streets — will be mostly clear, leaving plentiful space to walk side by side and open air for conversation to freely flow. If you drive, most street parking on Penn Avenue is free after 6 p.m., so you can start without making a dent in your budget.

First Stop: The Original Primanti Bros.

If it was cheap and filling enough for a steelworker, it’s good enough for you and your boo. Sandwiches at the original Primanti’s are just better: The bread is softer with a chewier crust, the fries are actually salted and the toppings are piled so high that you won’t be able to fit the darn thing in your mouth. For that reason, you can skip a side. Plus, some of the spot’s best sandwiches — I’m looking at you, capicola and pastrami — are on the cheaper end at $9.99 a pop.

Sit at the bar nearest to the entrance for added ambience as chefs sling deli meats and slaw on the griddle right in front of you.

Two sandwiches plus a 20% tip: $25.38

Once you’ve wrapped up your meal — or tapped out after the first half — take a leisurely stroll a few blocks northbound on Penn Avenue until you reach …

A slew of chocolate-covered and candy-coated pretzels in a display case at Grandpa Joe’s. Photo by Roman Hladio.

Second Stop: Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop

Be as picky as you want about your sweet after-dinner treat — Grandpa Joe’s has something for everyone. Grab a final ice cream cone of the season, a bag of jelly beans (sold by the pound), prepackaged domestic candy or sweets from around the world.

We opted for a smattering of chocolates from the store’s confectionary display cabinet. While some items are priced per unit, many sell by the pound. Try a bunch of different offerings or go all-in on a few.

A box of chocolates: $9.10

But don’t dig in just yet. Our final destination is a short walk away.

A view of Downtown during sunset from the Strip District’s Terminal. Photo by Roman Hladio.
Third Stop: The Terminal

Settle in on the Terminal’s colorful front steps to chow down on your treats, catch the sunset glinting off Downtown or just people watch. Just because the Strip isn’t all that busy on a weeknight doesn’t mean you won’t see interesting yinzers.

If you’re running a little late and the sun’s already tucked itself away for the evening, don’t fret! City lights are a different kind of good.

Save this date for a summer night or fall market season and you’ll be able to add free sidewalk games like Connect 4 and Jenga to your night out as well.

A scenic Pittsburgh sunset: $0

Grand total: $34.48

Add that last $5 and change up to your bus fare or drop it in your savings account and thank me later. And, uh, if your date ends in heartbreak, I recuse myself of the matter.

Looking to spend a little more?

Add some extra activity to your evening with tech-infused minigolf spot Puttshack’s ongoing 9 After 9 promotion, which reduces the cost of a 9-hole game after 9 p.m. from $14 to $9. Use promo code 9AFTER9 when booking online until Nov. 14. If a nightcap’s your vibe, stay near the Terminal and grab a glass at City Winery or a pint at Aslin Beer Co. Or, head toward 17th Street for a drink at Helltown Brewing’s Taproom, which is expected to close at some point in the future as developers seek to build condos on the site.

Got an idea for a date night under $40 that you think Pittsburghers need to know about? Shoot me an email at roman@nextpittsburgh.com.