Michigan State Fan Traveling to Minnesota

Kluegs17

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Hey Guys,

MSU Fan here, I will be attending the MSU @ Minnesota football game on Halloween night and am looking for some advice on where to tailgate (or which bar to go to if it's a bar scene more than actual tailgating) for both before and after the game?

Also, will be staying at the Marriott City Center downtown...any good places to have a few drinks nearby the night before the game?

Thanks...never been to Minneapolis before and I'm really looking forward to seeing your new stadium!
 

I think you'll have a great time.

Your hotel will be within easy walking distance of a ton of bars (warehouse district). Just go out the front door and head toward's the Target Center. Once there, turn right and you will be in the middle of a lot of bars. I'm sure you will get some specific tips for specific good bars but overall it is a great area downtown for bar hopping on foot.

Tailgating is a little iffy because although there are lots close to the stadium (and may even have room), I'm not sure if they will let any non-season ticket holders in. There are other lots at the fair grounds and these will probably come in to play but the downside is they will require a shuttle bus ride to the stadium.

Have fun!
 

Also, will be staying at the Marriott City Center downtown...any good places to have a few drinks nearby the night before the game?

If you are just looking for a sportsbar, I would say Champps, it is on 1st Ave about two blocks away from your hotel, good laid-back sports atmosphere.

If you want something unique to Mpls, I would recommend Glueks Bar, even closer to your hotel (http://www.glueks.com/), or The Local (http://www.the-local.com/). Both are great local hang-outs.
 

As far as on campus bars for before and after the game I would recommend Sally's and Stub n' Herbs. Both are in stadium village a couple blocks from the stadium.
 

Since you'll be decked out in green....

....may I suggest Kieren's Irish Pub in Downtown Minneapolis (it's within walking distance). They serve a Reuben that's second to none and you will be seriously treated to a good time.

http://www.kierans.com/

Gophers vs. Spartans on Halloween - it doesn't get any better than that!
 


Lots of places to go, so here is a map with some of the bars/restaurants that are close to campus/stadium, followed by a description of them. It should be noted that all official tailgating lots will probably not be selling spots to non-season ticket holders as the buying of them was through the ticket process. After a few games, we may be able to give some more info on where people can do stuff near campus that don't have season passes.

campus.jpg


"Seven Corners":
This is the area on the West Bank near 35 and closer to downtown Mpls. There are plenty of bars located in a small area, they are kinda seen as campus bars but are also frequented by other people. This would be a good area to start since you are staying at the Mariott downtown. You could walk/drive over and have less traffic and parking worries on the WB than closer to the stadium. Good place to start to see the campus and get to walk through/by a lot of it.
-Town Hall Brewery - pretty good food, has it's own brewery with some pretty decent beer. Large patio outside
- Sgt Prestons - recently renovated inside, large patio outside. Large fish bowls of liquor are their signature. Can't say much about the food as I haven't had it.
Bullwinkles - smaller bar that has a good intimate feel
Corner Bar - never been here, maybe others can comment. I always wanted to.

If you go further south on Cedar Ave. there are some more bars but you are venturing a little away from campus-style housing/atmosphere. There will be tailgating in a few lots as you move east towards the river, look for these if you want to hang out.

"Dinkytown":
Lots of restaurants, shops, and bars located close to houses and apartments near campus. A lot of the bars here will be filled with student-aged people as it is a popular place for them, but plenty of space to go around. Not sure of any particular planned gameday events at any bars in specific, but here goes:
-The Library - lots of TVs for watching other games during the day, great drink specials at night time. Has 3 levels with tons of space
- Blarney Pub - "Irish" bar with a more laid back feel due to the couches and fireplace. Live music on the weekends is common.
- Burrito Loco - Chipotle-style burritos and quesadillas downstairs (great stuff), small bar upstairs. Fun place with cheap drinks on the weekends.
- Downtime - small bar in the "Dinkydome" right across University Ave from campus. Intimate feel, small patio and live music on occasion. Very close to frat row.
- Kitty Kat Klub - never set foot in here for some reason, so I cant say anything about it.
- Loring Pasta Bar - nice restaurant that was a drug store. Bob Dylan lived above it long ago. Bar at night with salsa dancing (Fri or Sat? can't remember). Not particularly cheap.
-Dinkytowner (not on list) - basement bar. Only been there once. Live music all the time.
Non bars but must go-to:
- Al's Breakfast - hole in the wall breakfast place, only open until 1. Best breakfast in town. Expect to wait in line as it only seats like 13 bar style, but completely worth it. Highly recommended.
- Annie's Parlour - above Kitty Kat Klub. Pretty good burgers and great shakes. Sell beer at dinner time but no bar.
- Mesa Pizza - do you like having weird pizza? Huge slices are $3 in odd varieties. Great for bar close food or if you're in the mood to try something different.

I would say that Dinkytown in general is the busiest bar scene for college kids and has a lot of restaurants, so you are bound to have a good time here, just depends what mood you are in. Walking from Dinkytown to the stadium will have you go up University by all the frats, past Williams and Mariucci (bball and hockey arenas), and by some of the bigger surface tailgating lots (if you loop the right way).

"Stadium Village":
This area is to the southeast of campus, close to another section of student housing (dorms and houses/apartments). A little close to the stadium and may have the best pre-game atmosphere for bars due to this proximity. I would say older folks typically visit this side since Stub & Herbs and Big Ten bring back memories, but you will likely get a great mix of people.
- Stub & Herbs - nice place recently renovated with a large back patio that will become a beer garden on game days.About a block and a half from the stadium with a great view.
- Sally's - Another place stated to have a beer garden on gameday. Pretty big inside with ok food.
- Big Ten - smaller bar still fun. Great sandwiches.
- Applebees - you know it. attached to the Radison.
- Campus Pizza - moving from it's current location to expand and also gaining a full liquor license (I assume for a bar). GREAT traditional pizza.

This area will definitely be bustling on game days since there is a large grassy area on the corner of campus called the McNamara plaza that is designated as U festivities/tailgating. Don't know details yet. There are plenty of restaurants here as well like Chipotle, Paninos, Noodles, Village Wok, fast food galore, and more.

Tailgating - I think many Gopher fans don't know exactly how tailgating will go down. I hear MSU has a great scene (my girlfriend was there 3 seasons ago and said it was great), so maybe you'll have to teach us a few things.

As far as after game, I would imagine that the near-campus stuff would be a lot to handle in one weekend, but if you have time on the night before or want to get away from the U, there is plenty to do. Downtown by your hotel has LOT of clubs/bars. The Target Center and new Target Field (Twins) are close by. You could head across Hennepin Ave bridge and see the St Anthony Main part of town (old timey, some nice fun bars and rests.). I also would suggest Gasthof's way up University Ave. Good German food/beer with a fun atmosphere.

I'm sure many others have things to comment on, but I am spent.

We will keep you posted if things come up!
 

Holy sh*t YBR

Kluegs: just go to the Seville Nightclub. Great food there.
 

Hey Guys,

MSU Fan here, I will be attending the MSU @ Minnesota football game on Halloween night and am looking for some advice on where to tailgate (or which bar to go to if it's a bar scene more than actual tailgating) for both before and after the game?

Also, will be staying at the Marriott City Center downtown...any good places to have a few drinks nearby the night before the game?

Thanks...never been to Minneapolis before and I'm really looking forward to seeing your new stadium!

I would skip the tailgating and hit the Stadium Village bars. Between the Sally's and Stub & Herbs beer gardens, there should be plenty of atmosphere.

If you want to stick with MSU fans, check with MSU's booster club or alumni association to see if they have a tailgate party.
 

I'm impressed by the thoroughness of RailBaronYarr's post on gameday bars. My pick amongst those choices will be Sally's.

As far as the night before, it depends on what you are looking for. If you are 25 or under and looking to party I would probably hit up the 1st Ave bar district (it runs along First Ave (1.5 blocks west of your hotel) from 8th St. on the south side up to about 3rd St. on the north). Highlights include Bootleggers (live bands), 508 (good bar & dance floor), Champps's Alley (weather dependent), and there are a ton more like Rosen's, Drink, Brother's (you'll feel old if you're over 22), Sneaky Pete's that are all the same.

If you are a little older the better places to go are: The Local (10th & Nicollet), Brit's Pub (11th & Nicollet-amazing patio but Oct. 31 is getting pretty late in the year), Red White & F-ing Blue at Chamber's Hotel (9th & Hennepin - a bit of a Cougar bar, not cheap), Cosmos (4th floor of the Graves 508 Hotel in Block E-right by your hotel), and Se7en (~7th & Hennepin).

If you don't mind taking a ~$15 cab you can't go wrong in Uptown either. Hennepin & Lake are the major cross streets.
 



Wow, thanks for all the info guys. I'm 24 so I'm still comfortable with the college-age bar scene and some good natured ribbing between opposing fans...not big on having beers thrown at/on me like I've experienced at Ohio State though. My dad will be with me as well but he doesn't mind reliving some of his college days on football Saturdays! Should be a great time...Looking forward to Halloween!
 

Wow, thanks for all the info guys. I'm 24 so I'm still comfortable with the college-age bar scene and some good natured ribbing between opposing fans...not big on having beers thrown at/on me like I've experienced at Ohio State though. My dad will be with me as well but he doesn't mind reliving some of his college days on football Saturdays! Should be a great time...Looking forward to Halloween!

The closer you are to the U, the more of that good natured ribbing you will encounter. As stated, the warehouse district is fun, but it is not a college atmosphere. Plenty of hotties, dance, fun... but more geared to major metro area fun than college town fun. Since it is close (walking distance) to your hotel, I would suggest that area would be fun for your Friday night and then the more college-y bars (Stadium village, dinky town, seven corners) would be more fun for you on Saturday night (especially if your Spartans win).
 

If you are just looking for a sportsbar, I would say Champps, it is on 1st Ave about two blocks away from your hotel, good laid-back sports atmosphere.

If you want something unique to Mpls, I would recommend Glueks Bar, even closer to your hotel (http://www.glueks.com/), or The Local (http://www.the-local.com/). Both are great local hang-outs.

Do yourself a favor and go to Britts. Should still be nice enough to be outside.

Not a better bar.

http://www.britspub.com/


2063574229_d7bb70fe91.jpg
 

You'll find Minnesota fans pretty accomodating. Can't say that about our neighbors on the border.
 



Do yourself a favor and go to Britts. Should still be nice enough to be outside.

Not a better bar.

http://www.britspub.com/


+1

The roof top sports a crown green and is great place to get your jack bowls rolling. Decent Brittish pub fare and only minutes walking from the Marriott,. If the weather is nice on Friday night and you aren't wanting to ventrure too far from the hotel it is definitively worth the stop. If the weather is more dour, check out the Local an Irish joint somebody linked above. It is just down the road from Brits. Or hit them both.
 

My favorite downtown Minneapolis bars are The Local and Britt's. If you're looking for a great burger, go to Ike's (they also have a great weekend brunch): http://www.yelp.com/biz/ikes-food-and-cocktails-minneapolis

If you want a decent Italian meal, I like Zelo's: http://www.zelomn.com/

The only style of bar venue not covered in previous posts is the high-end places. These are the type of places you'd probably not want to go to in stadium attire. Drinks are very pricey, but there can be some nice people watching, if you know what I mean.

http://www.7mpls.com/

http://www.chambersminneapolis.com/

bars on the ground floor (along with what many feel is the best steakhouse in Minneapolis: Manny's) and a bar on the top floor:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3019
 

My favorite downtown Minneapolis bars are The Local and Britt's. If you're looking for a great burger, go to Ike's (they also have a great weekend brunch): http://www.yelp.com/biz/ikes-food-and-cocktails-minneapolis

If you want a decent Italian meal, I like Zelo's: http://www.zelomn.com/

The only style of bar venue not covered in previous posts is the high-end places. These are the type of places you'd probably not want to go to in stadium attire. Drinks are very pricey, but there can be some nice people watching, if you know what I mean.

http://www.7mpls.com/

http://www.chambersminneapolis.com/

bars on the ground floor (along with what many feel is the best steakhouse in Minneapolis: Manny's) and a bar on the top floor:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3019

not only in minneapolis, but the entire country according to zaggat.
 




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