Twin Cities Visitor Info

jmh · 03-22-2005, 02:22 AM

Heading to MSP for regionals this weekend (flying in Friday afternoon and leaving Monday morning) and curious what some of you locals out there could recommend good places to eat and (perhaps more importantly) drink. (Sightsee, too, I suppose, but I'm not sure how much time we'll have for this.) We're staying about a mile or two northeast of the UMN campus, but we'll have a rental car so getting around within the vicinity shouldn't be a problem.

Any and all suggestions welcome. Thanks!

(If this is a duplicate thread please let me know and I'll delete it.)

Johnm · 03-22-2005, 02:26 AM

You should check out the Gopherpucklive site and see when the tailgateing begins.

Are you any good at Beer Darts? You could prolly beat Flag Guy everyone else does.

http://www.gopherpucklive.com/index.html

state of hockey · 03-22-2005, 02:31 AM

Stub & Herb's, and Sally's are always a good bet. But I bet those would be pretty darn busy. Good luck. There is this place called Gasthof's, I believe it is in St. Paul if you can get there. Absolutely great. Othere than that the typical B-dubs or Old Chicago, which lack in atmosphere but have an alright beer selection at least.

waterlover · 03-22-2005, 02:59 AM

Gasthof is in Minneapolis and is less than 10 minutes from the UofM campus.

Gasthof Map (yahoo)

Great place for a group looking for a fun meal. Don't miss going downstairs for the Polka Band until about 10:30, by 11:00 a transformation takes place and the Polka Band is gone and a DJ normally takes over.

The area around the Gasthof is one of my favorite areas to go out, its actually a very blue collar mostly residential area but there are at least a dozen bars w/in a mile. Go one block east of University ave to 4th St NE and head N or S and you will come across a local bar at least every other block. From Mayslak's on the south to Jimmy's on the north, 4th St NE has 4-5 bars in a 10 block stretch. Or, go north on University a few blocks to the corner of Lowry, Stasiu's is on the NW corner of the intersection, stop in for one and then head West on Lowry 6 blocks to Tony Jaro's and have a Greenie (don't have more than two if you have already been drinking, you want to be able to get home). After a Greenie head south on Marshall Street (Tony Jaro's is on the corner of Lowry and Marshall) and you'll come across another 5-6 bars as you head south.

Roam around the Warehouse District in Minneapolis (near the Target Center on 1st Ave) and you're bound to find someplace that appeals to your taste's. Again, less than 10 minutes from the UofM Campus and this area tends to be more expensive but more trendy than the above neighborhood bars.

Good luck!

rhovorka · 03-22-2005, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterlover

Gasthof is in Minneapolis and is less than 10 minutes from the UofM campus.

Great! The only night I spent in Minneapolis during my cross-country drive, my host took me to that place! We got 3 boots of beer, and certain members of the Cornell band have enjoyed beverages from it ever since.

I'll be carousing with jmh, and I'm really getting excited for a fun weekend in the Twin Cities.

MSYooper · 03-22-2005, 09:26 AM

Since you'll be @ Gasthof, why not (with a designated driver-- you'll need it!) take the short trip across the river to another Mpls. landmark establishment, Stand Up Frank's? A fun pit of a bar that serves wickedly strong mixed drinks (watch them make them; it's about 4 shots with a mixer spritzed in as an afterthought). Stand Up Frank's Map

Another travel web site I like for Minneapolis options-- Tripadvisor-- Mpls.

Enjoy your stay here. Your game will be agonizing... love you guys but want also to cheer on CCHA leaguemate OSU.

5mn_Major · 03-22-2005, 09:31 AM

There's a place for fun in your life!...Mall of America!

Brenthoven · 03-22-2005, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSYooper

Since you'll be @ Gasthof, why not (with a designated driver-- you'll need it!) take the short trip across the river to another Mpls. landmark establishment, Stand Up Frank's? A fun pit of a bar that serves wickedly strong mixed drinks (watch them make them; it's about 4 shots with a mixer spritzed in as an afterthought). Stand Up Frank's Map

Another travel web site I like for Minneapolis options-- Tripadvisor-- Mpls.

Enjoy your stay here. Your game will be agonizing... love you guys but want also to cheer on CCHA leaguemate OSU.

Just don't look at anyone funny at Stand Up Frank's. And as tempting as it may be, do not go to the "naughty bar" across the way, which is named "BJ's."

MSYooper · 03-22-2005, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brenthoven

Just don't look at anyone funny at Stand Up Frank's. And as tempting as it may be, do not go to the "naughty bar" across the way, which is named "BJ's."

Agreed that while you don't want to get lippy or make a spectacle of yourself at Frank's, standard "outside-the- Yuppie-whitecollar-box" behavior will fit you in well. I've had no troubles there (must be because "Jesus loves me," eh, Brent

) and have seen everything there from bikers to sellers of hot merchandise to brides/grooms/attendants in full wedding regalia.

Sioux007 · 03-22-2005, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSYooper

Since you'll be @ Gasthof, why not (with a designated driver-- you'll need it!) take the short trip across the river to another Mpls. landmark establishment, Stand Up Frank's?

I always thought it was Face-Down Frank's...

Brenthoven · 03-22-2005, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSYooper

Agreed that while you don't want to get lippy or make a spectacle of yourself at Frank's, standard "outside-the- Yuppie-whitecollar-box" behavior will fit you in well. I've had no troubles there (must be because "Jesus loves me," eh, Brent

) and have seen everything there from bikers to sellers of hot merchandise to brides/grooms/attendants in full wedding regalia.

I was only there once, and I had a rum with a splash of coke for flavoring. Gotta love their mixes.

But yeah, keep to yourself, and no problemo.

scsutommyboy · 03-22-2005, 10:00 AM

[quote=MSYooper]Since you'll be @ Gasthof, why not (with a designated driver-- you'll need it!) take the short trip across the river to another Mpls. landmark establishment, Stand Up Frank's? A fun pit of a bar that serves wickedly strong mixed drinks (watch them make them; it's about 4 shots with a mixer spritzed in as an afterthought). QUOTE]

Stand up franks is a good place to go before 8pm. It can get a little rough in there after that.

GOPHER FREAK · 03-22-2005, 10:01 AM

Another place to check out would be Nye's. Great bar, Great food. It like walking into a time warp.

nye's

It's about 2 miles from Mariucci.

Zudnic · 03-22-2005, 10:01 AM

In the past when I have visited Mariucci I have stayed at the Days Inn University (2407 University Avenue SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414) which is very well located (walking distance to the arena and places such as Sully's) and a decent hotel to boot. Just try to get a room on the west side of the hotel, otherwise you're overlooking the tracks and it can get noisy.

nmhen · 03-22-2005, 10:24 AM

jnh: as a Minnesotan relocated to NYC, let me tell you that a sure fire way to stick out in the Twin Cities is to show up in typical current NYC fashion (eg black pants, black shirt, black shoes, black socks, black belt and thin black leather jacket.) This is the midwest we're talking about. And I don't mean 44th Street and 8th Avenue.

Break out some (eek!) jeans (blue if possible), a regular old Abercrombie-esque shirt, and some sneakers (the horror!) or (if you must) loafers.

Don't expect to "hail" a cab like you do in The City. And DO expect people to hold doors for you, say "Hi" and "Excuse me" and be willing to offer a hand in such trivial things as giving directions. People in Minnesota are Nice. If you've lived in NYC for a while, you might need to consult a dictionary to get reacquainted that concept. It's a refreshing experience, if a little startling to our callous New Yoahk *** City reality.

Enjoy, and have a glass of milk for me when you're there!

nmhen

Greyeagle · 03-22-2005, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmhen

Don't expect to "hail" a cab like you do in The City. And DO expect people to hold doors for you, say "Hi" and "Excuse me" and be willing to offer a hand in such trivial things as giving directions. People in Minnesota are Nice. If you've lived in NYC for a while, you might need to consult a dictionary to get reacquainted that concept. It's a refreshing experience, if a little startling to our callous New Yoahk *** City reality.

Get bent.

Zudnic - I thought for sure you'd send to Austin for the Spam Museum!

HuskyNation · 03-22-2005, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnm

You should check out the Gopherpucklive site and see when the tailgateing begins.

Are you any good at Beer Darts? You could prolly beat Flag Guy everyone else does.

http://www.gopherpucklive.com/index.html

I beat everyone else during Saturday's beer dart tilts, but Flag Guy.....must have been home parking lot advantage, the lucky *****.

Thanks to Worthless for bringing me into one of the most enjoyable stupid college drinking games that I know.

Wall to wall people at Gasthof's, an enjoyable experience. Bring your drinking and dancing shoes even though the DJ has no rhythm. Looked like the Downtowner in St. Paul (7th & Chestnut) was a nice place to eat, might be a bit pricey, but definitely classy. I mean what other nice establishment in Downtown St. Paul would be willing to host a bunch of overly friendly tailgaters.

jmh · 03-22-2005, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmhen

Break out some (eek!) jeans (blue if possible), a regular old Abercrombie-esque shirt, and some sneakers (the horror!) or (if you must) loafers.

Don't expect to "hail" a cab like you do in The City.

Heh. Don't worry, my friends will tell you that I'm not particularly trendy. Jeans is just fine with me.

So, out of curiosity, how does one get a cab in the Cities, then? We were hoping to not have to drive, so I guess it might be good to know.

Speaking of hoping not to have to drive... is it possible to walk over any of the bridges across the river? I think our plans include a bar crawl, and it's not often (for me, anyway) that a bar crawl gets to span both sides of the Mississippi River. (The East River, maybe, but that's not the same.)

GOPHER FREAK · 03-22-2005, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmh

So, out of curiosity, how does one get a cab in the Cities, then? We were hoping to not have to drive, so I guess it might be good to know.

It's going to sound funny, But you have to call them. You drive around hours and hours in Mpls and not see a cab.

Greyeagle · 03-22-2005, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmh

Speaking of hoping not to have to drive... is it possible to walk over any of the bridges across the river? I think our plans include a bar crawl, and it's not often (for me, anyway) that a bar crawl gets to span both sides of the Mississippi River. (The East River, maybe, but that's not the same.)

Most all the bridges are ped freindly - sans the freeway bridges.
Where are you staying?
BTW, the Washington Ave. bridge spans the east & west banks of the MN campus. So after the game you can walk from Mariucci to Sally's to and then Bullwinkles - and both would be a must IMHO.