Tag Archive | Downtown Minneapolis
July 11, 2014  

What bar should you visit when you are in town for the All Star Game in Minneapolis?


Bars, Minneapolis, Brits Pub
So, you’re in fabulous Minneapolis for the MLB All Star Game and you are thirsty. Where should you get a drink?
Top 5 Bars:
1. Butcher and the Boar
2. Solera Rooftop
3. Fulton Brewery
4. Marvel Bar
5. Prohibition
5. Brits Pub
(Yes it’s 6!  I couldn’t decide between the last two)
Best Family Bar:
Day Block Brewing
Ratings:
  • #Recommend – If my description sounds like something you would like then you need to try this place.
  • #Eh- This place is just okay. It would never be my first choice but it will work in a pinch.
  • #Avoid- This place is somewhere that I would have a really hard time going even in a pinch. If you go there I might judge you a little bit.
  • #4AM – It’s open late the day of the All Star Game
*Keep in mind these are all my own opinions.
Need a beer:
Brits Pub– They have lawn bowling on the roof and a good beer list. Food is eh. But, no one goes there for that anyways. If you are hungry go for the fish and chips, stay for the atmosphere. Avoid during any World Cup games. There are a lot of places to sit outside and service is usually good. #Recommend
Fulton Brewery– They have an awesome tap-room with delicious local beers and usually a food truck outside. It’s near the stadium and gives you a feel of what Minneapolis is really about. Need I say more? #Recommend
Day Block Brewery– Great family place! You not only get beer but some good grub including pizza and pretzels. This is a local place and a good place for groups. #Recommend
The Local– Do you love a good Irish bar? This is the perfect place for you. Try a Big Ginger made with Two Gingers whiskey! Don’t forget to take your sweetheart into the kissing room. Good tap list and some tasty eats. If it’s a nice day the patio is a great place to sit and watch people. #Recommend #4AM
Want something heavier?
Butcher and the Boar- Yes, they have bourbon and it is tasty. I highly suggest trying the beer garden out back. They know how to party with really good drunk food. #Recommend
Marvel Bar– Part of the Bachelor Farmer. This bar has some funky and fun cocktails. Go get it! #Recommend
Barrio– Is tequila your drink of choice.? This place is for you. #Recommend
Hells Kitchen– I had the worst cocktail of my life here.  It was so bad that it was the first and only drink that I have ever sent back. They have a great brunch with the lemon ricotta pancakes. Go for brunch. #Avoid
Lemme see that view:
Prohibition at The Foshay– My favorite view in town. Prohibition mixes great cocktails with a great view.  Plus, the history of this place makes it one of my favorite places in Minneapolis.  #Recommend
Solara Rooftop– Great sangria and good tapas for the adventurous eater. This is one of the lesser known rooftops right by the stadium. #Recommend
Crave Rooftop– Your run of the mill place. It’s a great place to go if you have a picky eater or drinker with you. They literally have everything. It has an awesome view but watch out for the dudebros. #Eh
Union Rooftop– Expensive drinks all for the sweet retractable roof. This place has great ambiance but I haven’t ever been impressed while I’ve been there. #Eh
Seven– Are you a creepy older man who wants to hit on young girls and buy them drinks? Ahhhh yes, this place is for you. You might run into a few celebrities too.  #Avoid #4AM
I am getting sloppy and I wanna dance:
The Pour House– This is a prohibition style bar with a hidden staircase. This place is a little trashy and you might feel a little old but if you want to get your groove on it is a great option. I think this is the best option in downtown Minneapolis if you don’t want to go to a gay bar. #Eh #4AM
The Saloon– Yeah, it’s a gay bar. But, they play great dance music and mix a strong drink. You might leave asking yourself what just happened. That’s part of its charm, right? If someone asks you to take a shower. Just do it. #Recommend
Brothers– Might as well be called bro central. #Avoid #4AM
Bar 508– Dancing, yes they have it. If the Poorhouse has too long of a line head here. It’s a great alternative. #Eh #4AM
I want a CHEAP beer:
Cowboy Jacks: Yeah, this is a pretty trashy place. If you want cheap stuff this is a great option. We don’t have cowboys in Minnesota only boys who like to wear cowboy hats and boots to pick up the ladies.  #Avoid #4AM
Travel to Uptown:
Stellas Rooftop– This place has a great rooftop! I am not a huge fan of their indoor space and the food. But, the ambiance makes this a great choice. #Recommend
Republic– In Calhoun Square this place has great food and $3 beers of the day. This place has a great local tap list and you can even get a walleye po’ boy. #Recommend
Williams– The peanut bar. If you want to drink beer out of a huge glass and drop peanuts on the floor, this place is for you. It gets really busy on weekends #Eh
Breweries outside of downtown:
612 Brewing– Not my favorite local brews but they have a fun tap-room for you to enjoy. #Eh
Dangerous Man– Try the chocolate milk stout. Great tap-room and a good atmosphere. #Recommend
Harriet Brewing– Really excellent beers with fun taste profiles. They usually have live music and a food truck there over the weekend. #Recommend
Because it’s time to say, “CHEERS.”
@mplsgossipgirl
Am I missing a bar that needs to be on this list? What do you think the best bar on the list is?
Make sure you tell me if you had a good time at any of these places by tweeting me @mplsgossipgirl.

 

March 16, 2013  

5 fun things to try on the day before Saint Patrick’s Day 2013


Everyone knows St. Patrick’s Day will be celebrated on Saturday this year since going out on a Sunday night is not feasible for those who work early Monday morning.

Here is 5 Fun things to do this Saint Patrick’s Day:

  1. Do a super- scientific poll and see how many people know that Saturday is not really Saint Patrick’s Day.
  2. Attend the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. Starting at 6:30PM the parade travels down Nicollet. My favorite is the Bag Pipers and the huge Irish Setter dogs who make an appearance every year.
  3. Have a Jameson and Ginger or the Two Gingers at The Local in Downtown Minneapolis. It will be very crowded but don’t worry they have space outside as well.
  4. Drink so much green beer that your pee turns green. Just kidding. But, does that really happen? Drink a Finnegans instead 100% of their profits go to charity.
  5. Later tonight head to The Saloon. If you want to see the best costuming and green clothing items in town.

Because you are Irish today.

@mplsgossipgirl

March 5, 2013  

Minneapolis Snow Day


Minneapolis, Snow, DowntownI thought I would share some photos of the snow in Minneapolis this morning. I forget sometimes how beautiful it can be. A big thanks goes out to all the DID and other city workers who clean off the streets and sidewalks, without you it would be a mess.

Snow Day 2

Look at this guy biking like a champ down Nicollet this morning. Many reports of a biker slowing traffic on Lyndale. My advice: if you are not a pro-snow-biker take the bus on days like this.

Minneapolis, SnowShe must be new to Minnesota. This was in a busy intersection in Downtown Minneapolis and she decided that it was now time to clear off her van. She was all smiles and laughed with those of us crossing the street.

Snow Day 4

because snow brings people together.

@mplsgossipgirl

June 15, 2012  

Get Sauced- Food Truck


With lines halfway down the block, this truck is definitely trending downtown Minneapolis during lunchtime. Believe me, it is for good reason. The food on this food truck much like the design is… is out of this world.

Why? because it is all made from scratch and your taste buds can tell. They try and use all natural organic local foods. Yay!

The last time I was there I had the Tacos al Pastor, which is a pork and pineapple taco and seriously, go get them right now. They are the perfect blend of spicy-sweet. Plus, they were unlike any other tacos I have had recently, smothered in this delicious sauce. Be careful, they are not the easiest thing to eat, I had to use a fork.  Normally, I would say that they need to make it easier to eat on the go. But, they have this right and I will welcome the mess that these tacos create.

While waiting in line I spoke with a man near me who said the the sandwiches are also great. Apparently, you cannot go wrong with what you order. He was a big fan. And about those lines… even though it looks long, they have this organized. The guy who runs the window is fast, efficient, and the food comes out fast.  I waited in a line  1/4 of the size at another food truck and waited as long as another group of girls at the Get Sauced truck. Don’t be scared away by the look of the long line.

Now, how do you find this food truck. Lately, it has been setting up shop on 7-6th and Marquette on Thursdays and Fridays. But, if you want to know exactly where they are check their twitter feed @chefdrivenco where they also post menus. Since, I can’t get on Twitter at work I look up food trucks on this website http://roaminghunger.com/get-sauced.

They also own George’s Dog House which I am looking forward to trying soon.

because good food can come off a truck.

@mplsgossipgirl

Get Sauced (Food Truck) on Urbanspoon

June 14, 2012  

Lunds Downtown Minneapolis


Thank-goodness! Target is now not the only one who is selling food in downtown Minneapolis, lets be honest their fresh food and meat selection sucks. They now have some stiff competition from Lunds who is opening their store today on 12th and Hennepin. This opening has been long awaited by anyone who lives in downtown Minneapolis or works downtown.

Lunds downtown will be housed in an old motor company building which has beautiful windows that were used as a car showroom. There will also be a Lunds liquor store opening in the adjacent building. I know that organic fruits, sustainable seafood, and quality pre-made meals are going to be a welcome change for those of us who are used to green over-priced bananas from Target. Not that I don’t love Target prices on snack foods because they beat out all prices at most grocery stores.

Head to Lunds this week because they are offering $5.99 specials on crab and steak in their flyer to celebrate the opening of this new store. Also, $4.99 Cherry Chicken Salad as well.

@mplsgossipgirl

April 17, 2012  

Angel Food- New Bakery from Hells Kitchen


If you haven’t heard yet…. Hell’s Kitchen is opening a new bakery called Angel Food. That will be located above the current restaurant site.

Although, Hell’s Kitchen is a successful restaurant, Angel Food will be a completely separate venture started by the same people.  So, to off set costs they are promoting some deals on the KickStarter website: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/angelfoodmn/angel-foodbakers-from-hell

Everything looks delicious. And not only will you get some good deals like for $1,000 a cup of coffee a day for life or for $500 be a baker for a day, you will be helping kick-start a company. How cool is that?

As for me, I am going to get some cupcakes for 10$.

 

because who can resist a cupcake.

 

@mplsgossipgirl