JUST VOTE NO

JUST VOTE NO

Robyn Schindeldecker

‘Tis the season for political activism, and in Minnesota, forces are gathering in support of marriage equality. As public sentiment is closely divided on the issue, there are numerous outlets for educating and encouraging inclusiveness before citizens line up at the polls to vote for the Marriage Amendment this November.

One way you can demonstrate your pro-equality passion is to pick your poison at the Vote No Pub Crawl this Saturday. Various Uptown establishments will offer specials to bar hoppers sporting either a Minnesota United for All Families or a Big Gay Race t-shirt. You can pick it up a Minnesota United for All Families t-shirt between 3-6pm at the Loring Park office (1629 Hennepin Avenue South). Or, if you’re an early riser, you can snag a shirt by proactively burning those empty calories at the aptly-titled Big Gay Race.

Participating bars and their offerings are:

Muddy Waters $3 Summit beer, open-close

Green Mill Happy Hour 11am-6pm, 10pm-1am

Stella’s Fish Café & Prestige Oyster Bar 2-4-1s, 12-6pm

moto-i Happy Hour menu, 2-6pm

Bar Abilene 2-4-1s, 2-7pm

Chiang Mai Thai $3 taps and rails, 3-5pm, 11pm-midnight

The Herkimer Pub and Brewery 2-4-1s , 3-6pm; $3 taps, 6pm-midnight

Lyndale Tap House 2-4-1s, 3-7pm

Social House half-price rails and calls, 4-5pm

Kinsen Noodles and Bar $4 select appetizers, 4pm-midnight; $4 select shots, 4pm-close

Roat Osha $1 off taps, 6-10pm

Sushi Tango $3 taps and rails, 6pm-midnight

Famous Dave's $2.50 PBR tall boys, $3 kamikazes, small plate discounts, free cover for band, 8pm-close

Primebar $1 off all drafts, 9pm-midnight

Bar Louie daily specials

Uptown Cafeteria and Support Group daily specials

It's time to put your money (and your liver) where your mouth is and support everyone's right to marry by defeating inequality through dining and drinking.

For more information and the latest updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/342637742497971/

BEYOND THE PURPLE AND GOLD: A GUIDE TO CHEERING FOR THE AWAY TEAM

BEYOND THE PURPLE AND GOLD: A GUIDE TO CHEERING FOR THE AWAY TEAM

Robyn Schindeldecker

We may live in the nexus of Vikings Territory, but in accord with our Minnesota Nice designation, there are plenty of places to seek refuge if you don’t cheer for the home team. Depending on what colors you bleed, head to one of these Twin Cities establishments that will welcome you and your ilk with open arms and fantastic game day specials.

Chicago Bears: Alary’s Bar, 139 7th Street East, St. Paul, MN 55101

Founded by former Bears player Al Baisi, St. Paul’s preeminent sports bar is your destination for ersatz Soldier Field tailgating. Arrive early for brats and burgers outside, then head indoors and select from a list of 55 tap beers before settling in to watch the Monsters of the Midway on one of 30 TVs. 

Cleveland Browns: Mackenzie Pub, 918 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Mackenzie Pub

This Downtown Minneapolis watering hole offers far-flung members of the Dawg Pound a gathering place to kick up their heels (or paws, as it were) and hunker down to take in a brawl à la Browns. Be sure to mark your calendars for a wing cook-off on October 20 and warm up with multiple servings of chili later in November.

Detroit Lions: Lions Tap, 16180 Flying Cloud Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55347

If you’re a devoted member of the Motor City Kitties diaspora, then you’ll brave the western ‘burbs to watch the boys in Honolulu blue battle their foe du jour. Grab a locally-brewed Cold Spring beer and choose from the list of “Famous Hamburgers” that will help erase any lingering memories of the Curse of   Bobby Layne.

Green Bay Packers: Herkimer Pub & Brewery, 2922 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55408

While there are numerous Packers bars piercing the heart of Vikings Territory (much to the chagrin of purple and gold loyalists), this German-inspired brewpub combines atmosphere, location, and sustenance like no other. A special game day menu fuels the assemblage of Packer Backers, while $4 beer taps and $5 shots provide lubrication for all four quarters. 

Patrick McGovern's Pub

Pittsburgh Steelers: Patrick McGovern’s Pub, 225 7th Street West, St. Paul, MN 55102

McGovern’s Upstairs is both a safe haven and machination station for the citizens of Steeler Nation. Want to eat like a two-time Super Bowl champion? Indulge in the eponymous Big Ben Burger, a half-pound of beef and Italian sausage topped with sauteed onions, scrambled eggs, lettuce, tomato slices, and mayonnaise. Wash that monstrosity down with a $3.75 20oz draft or $10 pitcher of Coors Light.

AN ORDER OF DEEP FRIED FUNK WITH A SIDE OF HOT BUTTERED SOUL, COMIN' RIGHT UP

AN ORDER OF DEEP FRIED FUNK WITH A SIDE OF HOT BUTTERED SOUL, COMIN' RIGHT UP

Robyn Schindeldecker

In a dual proclamation enacted by both Minneapolis and St. Paul mayors, Sunday will usher in the official Twin Cities Funk and Soul Week. A multitude of events will culminate in the release of Twin Cities Funk & Soul: Lost R&B Grooves from Minneapolis/St. Paul 1964-1979 from Secret Stash Records. Comprised of 21 tracks, the compilation offers jewels from soulful crooners Maurice McKinnies, Wanda Davis, and Jackie Harris, as well as funkdafied bands Prophets of Peace, WIllie and the Bumblebees, and The Lewis Connection.

Here is a list of the week’s festivities, including the aforementioned release party:

Sunday, September 16, 6 PM

89.3 The Current’s The Local Show will highlight Secret Stash Records and feature an in-studio performance by the Twin Cities Funk & Soul All-Stars.

Tuesday, September 18, 10 PM

Lady Heat Soul Party listening party for Twin Cities Funk & Soul at Icehouse. https://www.facebook.com/events/233015476821484/

Friday, September 21, 5 PM

Especially Funky Friday with DJ Larry Englund of KFAI’s “Rhythm and Grooves” at Amsterdam Bar and Hall. https://www.facebook.com/events/449742681737765/ 

Saturday, September 22, 7 PM

Twin Cities Funk & Soul Release Party featuring the Twin Cities Funk & Soul All-Stars at the Cedar Cultural Center. http://www.thecedar.org/events/2012/09/22/twin-cities-funk-soul-release-party 

Saturday, September 22, 10 PM

Hotpants Minneapolis Five Year Anniversary Bash and Official Twin Cities Funk & Soul After Party at Nomad World Pub. https://www.facebook.com/events/180473968753832/ 

IT’S SKOL SEASON: YOUR 2012 VIKINGS GAME-DAY GUIDE

IT’S SKOL SEASON: YOUR 2012 VIKINGS GAME DAY GUIDE

Robyn Schindeldecker

With another Vikings season comes round after round of drink specials at local watering holes. Whether you’re catalyzing your Purple Pride or attempting to ease the blow of yet another heartbreaking loss, you don’t have to do it alone. Here are five places you can cheer and commiserate along with other diehard fans every Sunday.

Bunny’s Bar and Grill, 5916 Excelsior Boulevard, St.Louis Park, MN 

Take a page from former coach Mike Tice’s playbook and show your horns at the western suburbs’ foremost destination for the Vikings faithful. Every time the Purple scores, receive a ticket for a half-price drink (which, because of their rarity this season, will be quite the commodity).

Hubert's Cafe & Sports Bar

Cowboy Slim’s, 1320 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408

You can drown your game day solace with $3 light beer taps, but be sure to come up for air long enough to indulge in $5 buckets of wings and a free halftime taco bar.

Hubert’s Cafe & Sports Bar, 601 Chicago Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55415

Located a mere touchdown throw away from the Metrodome, you can almost hear the crowd’s cheers (or more likely, groans) from the patio. While Hubert’s doesn’t offer any specials, it hosts an early breakfast that is prefect for pre-game fortification.

The Loon Cafe, 500 1st Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Situated right down the Light Rail tracks from the Sports Mecca of the Upper Midwest (yeah, okay), the Loon is ideal for Sunday Funday revelry. Jumpstart the hoopla with a $13 brunch buffet and spend the rest of the day washing it down with $3 Grain Belt potables.

Moose on Monroe, 356 Monroe Street Northeast, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Is gridiron suffering best treated in measured doses? Yes, according to the Moose on Monroe, which serves the remedy one quarter at a time. Broken down, the specials are: first quarter .50 12 oz. light beer taps; second quarter 2-4-1 rail and call drinks; third quarter 2-4-1 domestic bottles; and fourth quarter $3 23 oz. light beer taps.