New Happy Hour App launches today

That's right! For those of you looking to get updated happy hours when they are out and about in Minneapolis or St. Paul look no further! The ThriftyHipster Happy Hour now app is there!
We've added a few really neat features in to the new version:

1. Better sorting for specials - Find by drink specials or by events! Want to just find karaoke? We've got you covered. Looking for a great trivia night? Look no further. Just click the calendar icon in the BARS home tab.
2. Check-Ins: Perhaps the best feature is we now allow you to check in to your favorite social platform; Foursquare or Facebook? It's all good. Find a happy hour, check in, tell your friends, score double the badges and social cred too!
3. Additional bug fixes

Anyway, we hope you enjoy! If you haven't gotten the app yet, please do, and use it regularly to save tons of money on great food and drink specials around the Twin Cities!

Support your local website, ThriftyHipster.com updates specials and events daily.

-ANDROID APP

-IPHONE APP

Junebug CD Release March 9

We got their new album in the mail the other day, and although I find it hard to listen to them all, I popped this one in the old CD Player.... And I'm still listening 3 days later.

Maybe its because I love the 90's and the old electronic scene. Beck and Foo Fighters are still on my rotation... Junebug's CD was awesome, and we won't be missing the CD release show this Saturday!

Below is the press release. View Ritz | View event on FB | View event link

STUDENT RUN RECORDS PRESENTS JUNEBUG'S "BEARDS, "ALBUM RELEASE SHOW
Celebrating their seventh studio album release, Junebug is playing their album release show on March 9 2013 at the Ritz Theater in Northeast Minneapolis. 

Junebug produced this album with producers Eddie Ciletti (Miles Davis, Rolling Stones, and Joe Jackson), Dik Shopteau (Sara Renner, Bill Isles, and Mary Jane Alm) and Brian Jacoby (Neil Diamond, Soul Asylum, and Thunder in the Valley) on this record culminates their strongest album to date.

Mardi Gras - Fasching Week

Fat Tuesday, Beads, Celebrating and disposing of liquor (by drinking it)... What a way to prepare for the Easter season!  For those non-Christians, we get that all the time, but it doesn't reduce our desire to party it up for a week.  So where are we going?

2010 Menu Design Contest winner M Schwartzbauer

FASCHING (in German, or Mardis Gras)

This 4-day extravagansa at the Black Forest is an Eat Street tradition every year.  Here, they celebrate in truly German-style; with Jelly Doughnuts (Krapfen). You can also get a leg up prior to Fat Tuesday by coming down and making your own masks. Its a great way to spend the weekend; crafts, beer, and sausage!

SATURDAY DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS PUB CRAWL

In what is being hailed as the "biggest bash north of the Bayou" (promoters words, not ours), the Mardi Gras pub crawl will take place this Saturday at 10 downtown Minneapolis bars, including the 508 Bar, Insert Coins, Pourhouse, and more. 

Guests must buy writstbands, but they come with free cover and drink specials including $3 Bud, $4 Vodka, and $5 Vodka Redbull.

The highlight of the evening though, is the finale; guests will collect over at Epic Nightclub for a night with Root City Band, and one of our favorites, Ovation (Prince Tribute with many original members).

As a bonus, a portion of the proceeds to benefit Feeding America Twin Cities.

FAT TUESDAY PARTIES

The clubs in downtown Minneapolis will be having events, beads will be tossed, etc. Great drink specials can be found... Not a bad way to spend the night if you're feeling a shindig, but we will be at Harriet Brewing for their first annual Mardi Gras Party!

People will be masked up, they'll be serving great Belgian beers, and rockin' to the tuneage of Brasszilla and Dick & Jane's Big Brass Band. MORE INFO

Smack Shack Grand Opening

This Friday, Feb. 8th don't miss out on the hottest restaurant opening since the Union last fall!

The Smack Shack became famous, possibly, THE most famous food truck in Minneapolis by serving up amazing coastal-quality seafood in the middle of the Midwest; and roaming around in a truck none-the-less.

Check the Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives video:

ThriftyHipster was fortunate enough to go to their pre-opener last weekend and sample some of the faire. This party was one of the best we've been to in a while; all frequented by foodies and lobster lovers.
The restaurant will be serving the truck food, with some new additions. Like Lobster Corn Dogs and a raw bar featuring fresh oysters and clams.  But the best part, expect great prices! Nothing on the menu is over $30, while nearly everything is closer to $10-13. If you've got a seafood craving or just want to check out Minneapolis' newest hotspot, don't miss the opening (and ongoing season and summer patio) at the Smack Shack.

New Century Theater Open - Reefer Madness

Hennepin Theater Trust's Century Theater will be showing Reefer Madness all February!

What timing too, with the Marijuana legalization in Washington this year, it's about time we reflect on the "perils of marijuana" in this tongue-in-cheek musical comedy.  Directed by Steven Meerdink, MMT’s artistic director, it is the first production in the new partnership between Hennepin Theatre Trust and Minneapolis Musical Theatre. Inspired by the original 1936 film, this satirical morality tale is a depiction of clean-cut kids lured into a hysterical downward spiral by the evil weed, jazz, sex and violence.

Shows run Thurs - Sun Feb 1 - 24. Check the site for more info.

Holiday Gift Card Cheer

Greetings fellow happy hour fans,

We thought it was time to share with you a little tip for getting the most of your drinking budget in 2013 with a little gift guide of our own...
With all the "Perfect Gift Guides" and "Black Friday" promos, we thought we'd share a gift-giving plan of the Thrifty-Hipster kind.... And it's great too! Get a gift card for your girl at the place you went for your first date, or help your parents bring a little spark back to their marriage with something romantic. And the best part, you get one too!

A TRUE Thrifty Hipster would consider spending now and saving later. PLUS, it really helps the local businesses, rather than giving half of their money to Groupon or something, buy it now, use it later, and get a huge return!  (I'll admit, I just bought a $50 gift card for a wedding gift... Then bought another $50 for me AND got the $25 for me at Zen Box:)

Top Holiday Picks

yummy Kogi Beef Tacos @ Crave

20% @ Crave

Buy $100, Get $20 (details)
I like this one because a gift card bought here is good at ALL Craves, which is never a bad thing to have when you find yourself downtown needing a place for drinks or at the MOA too early for your movie. It's a solid buy. Or, get really in to the holiday spirit by donating your $20 to the Second Harvest Heartland. - View Happy Hours

25% @ Pizza Luce

Buy $100, Get $25 (details)

This is a clear favorite here! When are you NOT going to need a little free pizza anyway?  You're guaranteed to need a late-night slice and a much under-appreciated, but super-great brunch and happy hour. PLUS, they're good at all locations and have lots of gluten-free options, so all your friends benefit, so you've got that going too:)

25% @ Zen Box Izakaya

Buy $100, Get $25 (details)
This made our top picks because, A. it's 25% bonus, B. It's a great place, and C. We just bought one there so we really want to have fun people to drink sake with:)  Really though, if you haven't been here yet, it's amazing and any friends living near the Dome will love you profusely for getting them a gift card here. - View Happy Hours

100% (sort of) @ The Lowry

Buy $100, get $100 (in 20, $5's) (details)
Good at all Blue Plate Restaurants (The Lowry, Scusi, Groveland Tap, etc..)  When you buy $100 worth of gift cards they will give you 20, $5 gift cards to be used for you. So, basically, buy a good gift for your parents and get 2 free pints a month. Not a bad gig. Plus, they're good at all locations and the 1/2 priced pizzas at Scusi... Yes Please.

30% @ Kinsen

Buy $50, get $15
Yummy delicious noodles... Just $50 gets you a free curry & a beer! I just love Kinsen; great food and a cool staff make it a top pick for anyone in Uptown. Add a free gift card to a great happy hour, and you're in holiday spirit mode!

Season's Gift Cards

Looking for fun...? 

• The Guthrie is running a great ticket package! These gifts include food and shows, so choose your gift level and let the good times roll... (details)
• And stay close by! Aloft is running a holiday rate...pre-buy your room as a gift card. If you use it before the end of the year, it's another 40% off too! That's just $119/night.
• If the Guthrie isn't your thing, the Timberwolves are giving you a deal on ticket packages + a $20 Gift Card for their Pro Shop; a great gift for any sports fan! (plus they're real good this year:)
• Give the gift of a stellar New Year's Eve... "FUN1" gives you 15% off your ticket to "Imagine" New Year's 2013 Party at International Market Square.

Out of the Ordinary...?

• Check out Lost & Found on Eat Street. A great thrift store; every hipster friend will love you! Bonus-up your gift... $50 get $60, $100 get $120, 150, get $180.  Good on clothing or custom tailoring!
• The Wedge is offering 8 shares for just $80! You get a little gift card to give as the gift, then the recipient comes in to claim their coop share.

Extra Good will...?

• As we grow up, we find it's more fun to give than receive... So this holiday, make sure to give to the Emergency Food Shelf and help families in need! Barbette, Red Stag, Pat's Tap, & GiGi's... They are all giving 15% of any gift card purchases to charity which will go to feed a lot of families. $10 provides 20 meals to families in need. (details)

Restaurants upon Restaurants!

• Roat Osha - who has the best Thai in Uptown? These guys. Good for your spicy-food-beer-loving friend. Buy $100, get $25 free.
• Moto-i - Buy $75, get $25 worth of great Japanese food and homemade sake.
• Rudolph's BBQ - Buy $100, get $25 to spend on that full rack of ribs you've been wanting.
• Sancturary - Buy $100, get $25 and show your recipient how cool you are.
• Spoonriver - Buy $100, get $20, which is great especially if you're planning a trip to the Guthrie or area farmers market.
• Bar Lurcat - Buy $100, get $25 and be extra cool.
• Barrio - Buy $100, get $25 and use it at all locations, for happy hour, and some of the best salsa the world has ever seen.
• Cafe Maude at Loring Park - Buy $100, get $25 is a good investment for a great spot.
• D'Amico Kitchen in Chambers Hotel - is offering $100 for $25
• Hell's Kitchen - Buy $100, get $25, or choose $50 get $10 = a lot of gooey cinnamon rolls:)
• Stanley's Bar - in NE, get yourself $10 free for every $50 you spend. Same goes at the Railstation
• Fuji Ya - have a friend that loves sushi? Then give $100 and get $20 for you. More than enough for a full sushi meal during happy hour.
• Parasole Restaurants - (Chino, Living Room, etc) is offering $25 for every $100 spent. We suggest using it on $25 tacos during Chino's late night happy hour - good at all locations
• 508 Bar & the Loop are both offering an extra $5 for every $25 spent.
• French Meadow - has "Dinner for 2 and lunch for you" - Buy $50, get $10
• Buffalo Wild Wings - is for you gamblers out there. For every $25 you buy, you get a bonus card worth a hidden amount ($5-100)
• Kincaids - is offering 20% bonus add on to your card, good for all locations
• Cafe Ena - Buy $100, get $20
• Christo's - Buy $100, get $20 and remind your friends what great Greek food is all about
• Bennet's Chop House - Buy $50, Get $10, or bonus, $25 free when you get $100
• Alex's Bonfire - gift card is good at all locations, $20 free for every $100 spent
• Social House and Uptown Tavern are giving you $25 for every $100 spent
• Loring Kitchen is doing the same, might we recommend using your $25 free on 3 happy hour pizzas? You won't be disappointed.
• Black Dog Cafe - has $5 gift card for every $25 increment
• Northbound Smokehouse - $20 free for every $100 spent; means a lot of free homebrew and smoked meats:)

Well, that concludes the list! We hope you find something to your liking. 

Happy Holidays!

Your Friends at Thrifty Hipster

Happy 25 Rainbow

Happy birthday to our friends down the street, Rainbow Chinese!  25 Years at serving phenomenal homemade Chinese food!

Don't miss their celebration all weekend! There will be menu specials, prizes, and a special keg of Surly on tap created for the occasion.

From the Chef and Owner, Tammy Wong, "Twenty-five years ago, I knew how much I loved cooking, and how much I hoped to open a restaurant that would become a part of Minneapolis life. I’ll be forever grateful to those who have helped me make my dream come true."