Happy Hour MPLS blog is about the best happy hours in the Twin Cities. We take suggestions and sample happy hours from the biggest and newest to smallest and diveiest places in the city! After having happy hour at over 300 Minneapolis & St. Paul bars, we're pretty confident we can recommend some to you:)
If you're looking for a Happy Hour, check our main site, http://ThriftyHipster.com
Urban Garden 2012 at Studio25 Salon on 3/24 at 6pm:
This is a hair & fashion show kicking us off into the spring from such a harsh winter (kidding). But seriously, this is a wonderful opportunity to experience fashion from the world of hair. At Studio25 on Eat Street, this salon is far more unique than the average one. This salon is located in a gallery space, right next to Muse Gallery & our offices here at Thrifty Hipster. So the staff is taking full advantage of such a wonderfully big & artfully decorate space and inviting you to come join for the show! It's a free show with free dessert and a wine bar. Yes, we said free. Free, free, free. With music from Dj Bubble Tea & B-Girl performances, I am sure there will be a lot going on in this night. Also, there will be a raffle, jewelry sale, art exhibit and so much more! So come dressed up in your first buy of the year, which is hopefully a spring time dress or a pair of teal Ray-bans and meet other fashionistas just like you!
Treehouse Rock 'n' Roll Breakfast Series Volume 4 featuring ZOO ANIMAL at Treehouse Records on 3/24 at 10am:
Apparently, I am always finding a way to get people out of bed much earlier than anticipated on a weekend morning. But I wouldn't do it if I didn't have a good reason. This time, it isn't crafts on a Sunday but live music on a Saturday. Treehouse Records is doing its fourth installment of Treehouse Rock 'n' Roll Breakfast Series. This time, this very hip record shop (on a very hip corner in uptown) will be providing you with music from local favorite, Zoo Animal. So come out and drink some coffee and eat some donuts from Caffetto and The Donut Cooperative for an early start to your Saturday. This is a free show that starts at 10am, see you there!
Well, this just makes you miss winter a little bit.
Originated in the Victorian era, burlesque has evolved into more than what the term was originally defined as. Yes, it is still a stage of sultry vixens taking off their clothes but it has proven to be more than that. It is the public display of loving who you are and showing off your confidence. It is an expressive art form that keeps the audience engaged with songs from all different eras, dance moves that make you scream with excitement & costumes that glimmer light across your face! The "anything goes" aspect of the 21st century burlesque troop means to expect the unexpected. I've seen a dual performances, a beautiful drag queen play ukulele, transgender females unwrap themselves to reveal tasseled breasts & singing performers. So get excited for two reasons to attend a burlesque show this week:
Blacklisted: Black Hearts Burlesque at Lee's Liquor Lounge on 3/22 at 9pm:
This troop will be taking you on a journey through time with all different subjects from vintage to virgin, retro to revival, cultured to campy and much more! Dancing on this night will be Dahlia Dulce, Josephine Belle, Nikki Knickers & Elektra Cute with Mona Montague & Coco Dupree. This troop dances for a cause, having a raffle for Full Cycle, a non profit program serving young people ages 23 and under in need of stable housing and other vital resources in the Twin Cities. The raffle will include prizes from Blacklist Vintage, Smitten Kitten, Fox Den Salon, Crispin Cider, Sarah Baker, Rebecca Lawrence and more. The raffle tickets go towards a wonderful cause, so bring in your dollars for donation! The doors open at 9 and the show starts at 10. Hosting the event will be Mistress Victoria DeVille and the music by Loveless Aphrodite. $10 for tickets, $9 if you bring in a non-perishable food item for the Groveland Food Shelf. Being giving is sexy, so come show your support!
Le Cirque Rouge Cabaret & Burlesque Show at Amsterdam Bar & Hall on 3/24 at 7:30pm:
This troop is a beautiful mash-up of cabaret and burlesque and have been giving you awesome performances since 2003. When I first saw them at the 331 Club, I was smitten by the second song. These lovely & talented ladies will be performing at Amsterdam Bar & Hall with a few cool tricks up their sleeves. So come on out and see them not only take off their clothes with such talent & class, you will be blown away! Doors are at 7pm and the tickets are only $10. Come support one of Minneapolis' very unique performances.
I think I've mentioned before that there is nothing quite like a hip-hop show in the 7th St. Entry. I am not sure what it is about it, maybe just the fact that I've seen bigger names over the years like Heiruspecs, Eyedea and Abilities, The Streets, Prof & others. Breakneck the Mage with Dj Adatrack will be taking the stage and they sure do fit right in, since a lot of acts I've seen they've played with. So come out and support an awesomely catastrophic night of local hip-hop boy wonders. If you haven't yet experienced hip-hop in the right atmosphere (nice, right?) then get your butt down here!
Does anyone else find it hilarious that on March 17th of every year, we celebrate a saint named Patrick who saw the arrival of christianity in Ireland? I'd like to think that all of the patron saints of every country to ever exist are looking down on us saying, "Wow, Saint Patrick has a holiday devoted to drinking, why don't we?" Also, I do wonder what Saint Patrick thinks on the subject of being out shined by the leprechaun. I just hope that if a leprechaun does exist, he isn't too scary like the one in the 1993 horror film, Leprechaun.
Here are some local happenings for St. Paddy's Day - 7 reasons to party hardy all day long (in seven different parts of the TC):
Liquor Lyle's in Uptown: 17 cent Brooklyn Dry Irish Stouts & $3.17 all other irish beers from 6pm-9pm & 11pm-close. Bring your gold coins (pennies, basically) to this bar and enjoy the drunken camaraderie of people celebrating a great deal at a great bar.
Brit's Pub in Downtown: Do you want a great place to see the parade? Brit's Pub is taking the high road (yet again) and overlooking the past conflicts of the British & Irish and celebrating St. Patrick's Day! The Brute Squad will be playing in the Guinness Lounge at 7pm & if you arrive earlier - try to get there at noon for the England vs Ireland soccer & rugby tournaments. This is why we have sports - it relieves tension between two nations, beating each other up on a playing field. Also, bagpipes will be playing at 5:30, drink specials will be happening and there will be no cover for this event.
Mac's Industrial Sports Bar in Nordeast: Come celebrate all day long here and indulge in a corned beef, cabbage & potato dinner. Wash it all away with $3.50 irish beers & whiskey. How could I also forget to mention the Lamb Guinness stew? Mac's loves Surly in their stroganoff & Guinness in their stew. I'd love to see what other beer dishes they can come up with. My cooking philosophy, "When in doubt, cook with your beer, but not your last beer."
Blarney's on the East Bank: With local celtic rock band, Durty Nellies, playing at 5pm - I am sure there will be a lot of people acting more festive than ever. At 10pm, the Teddy Holidays will be taking the stage. This makes Blarney's an awesome all day and night hang out. If the music isn't your thing, then stop by for a Jameson toast at 4pm, 8pm & midnight. I think the most awesome part about this day, besides the toasts is the trivia happening at 2pm. Come show off your knowledge about this green Erin island. Here are three facts to keep with remember:
1) Ireland is the third largest island in Europe.
2) By the Act of Union in 1801, Great Britain and Ireland became the “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.” 3) Michael D. Higgins is the 9th and current president of Ireland.
Nomad World Pub in the West Bank: According to the Nomad's website, this party is going to be INSANE! I feel like I can't even quite comprehend what is going to happen on this day, because there is so much to do. Festivities start at noon and go well into the night. Irish music will keep us dancing. There is a shamrock toss (on their bocce ball court, probably). Irish trivia is at 2pm, so take wish you those facts under the Blarney's article. There will be a hip hop show at 9pm and we could only anticipate that they will rap about our good friend Patrick, the famous saint. Also, the beer will be green & FREE until somebody pees. So those with small bladders need not come until after that party. Some other things worth mentioning on this day, and left to your imagination: Leprechaun Peek-a-Boo, Soda Cracker Forts, & the Shamrock Hunt. Please note that you might have no reason to leave, because they will also be serving irish cuisine and they will be having specials all night long.
Shamrock Bar & Grill in St. Paul: Delicious pub grub, a patio & hopefully a sunny day will make this holiday delightful, especially if you are in St. Paul. At Shamrock's, they will be serving traditional irish food alongside their FREAKIN' AWESOME happy hour. For those looking for a more relaxed way to celebrate this day, come on out to this lovely neighborhood bar & grill.
Cooper Irish Pub in the TC Metro (St. Louis Park): One of the coolest parts of St. Paddy's Day is that bars know that people are up to start celebrating at earlier hours in the day. Late afternoon might not be early to some, but throwing back beers at this time of the day is some what liberating. It says, "Yeah, I've got the day off - I am going to start drinking in the afternoon, so what?" Live music starts at 4pm with two very Irish named bands called Erin Rouge and 40 Shades of Green. Reverse Cowboy, however, doesn't really scream "Irish" to me but then again, names can be deceiving. Beer will be cheaper at this bar & the cuisine will be accurate to the day. If you are a suburban party person, then come out!
These are seven different places in the Twin Cities that we think you should hit up. Let us know how the party went on each one of their pages on Thrifty Hipster, because we want to hear all about your party.
And maybe you can learn this improvised Irish drinking song and sing it with your friends.
The Grand Opening of Light Grey Art Lab: Patterns & People on 3/16 at 7pm:
There is something that makes me genuinely teary-eyed when it comes to new galleries being brought to life. It is always a great feeling to know that there are artists out there devoted to art and they want to bring more of it to the community. The thing about galleries is that you can be anyone and walk through that door. The world of art is so open to different understandings of each individual's work and there is something quite delightful about a piece of art resonating with you, no matter who you are. Light Grey Art Lab isn't just your typical space of pieces on the wall - it is so much more than that. They utilize the space by teaching art classes, throwing art fairs & having lectures. So to celebrate the instructor's individual work and the opening of the space, they want the community to come out to party. There will be refreshments, music & an art raffle. They are located on the corner of Stevens Ave & 26th st. I would anticipate some awesome events in the months to come, too!
I think this Thursday provides a wonderful opportunity to build up some good karma before the weekend of crazy festivities (what happens on St. Patrick's Day stays only known on St. Patrick's Day). Another benefit put on by Bad Medicine is at the Hexagon Bar - and this time, they are counting on us to help a family in need. On the bill are four bands, The Trends, The Pop Vultures, JT & the Sloppy Seconds & Not Quite Canada. Prepare yourself for a groovy, funky, bluesy & rootsy fusion of all different genres & subgenres. Come show your support for local bands for a local cause.
Jeff Goldblum. Could you be any more ridiculous? Who knew that your own personal film evolution would start with AnnieHall and TheBigChill and lead to Earth Girls Are Easy? I am pointing my fingers to your 1978 film, Invasion of the Body Snatchers because I think this film made you ready for all the silly, trashy & strange films of the 80's. To celebrate how awesomely trashy Jeff Goldblum became in his career, the Turf Club is screening Earth Girls Are Easy as a part of their Trash Film Debauchery Night. It starts at 7pm and is free! They are also going to load you up with drinks with a 2-4-1 special from 8pm-11pm. So ask yourself this, would you accept & take a blue alien version of Jeff Goldblum on a date or would you send him into a giant machine based around futuristic ideas of the 80's & make him look human? Can't we just accept one another for who they are?
This isn't your typical craft time. For those of you who are used to going to the 331 club at night, you never quite realize that without live music and the roaring ambiance of the crowd how small and dank this little space is. But it is the perfect atmosphere to get cozy with crafts while drinking a bloody mary (only $5!!!) on a Sunday afternoon. Crafternoon Delight will be painting cups & plates this Sunday for only $12. Additional cups & plates will be available to purchase, just in case you get a little paint crazy! So come join these lovely ladies but make sure to RSVP on their Facebook event page, because supplies are limited.
Even thought you've spent your first part of your day in Nordeast, I suggest leaving for the rest of the night. Every Sunday at Kinsen Noodle & Bar, they have an all day happy hour of $3 bloody marys, screwdrivers & greyhounds. Pair it with some delicious quail egg wantons or some beef brisket curry, and then you will be ready for round two of night time activities.
If you are familiar with Grant Cutler and his work with the Gorgeous Lords and Aby Wolf's work alongside Dessa with Doomtree, then you will in for a real treat coming out to this show. These two musicians have built a career for themselves as musicians just tipping over the edge of underground, enough to nationally travel & make an impact as synth pop heroes with many side projects under their belt. Together, this duo will have you in their clutches - but you won't resist. In such an intimate setting like Barbette, it will be hard not to fall in love with these two in WolfLords. I am sure that when you are coming down from a high buzz of the day, this is exactly where you will want to be.
I am sure if you are partying on Saturday night - Sunday afternoon will be your morning.
First Avenue is a mecca for music and in my opinion, one of Minneapolis' best places to catch a show. You haven't really experienced First Avenue until you've seen a hip-hop show in the Entry, got cryphy-ed in the Record Room and listened to your favorite national act in the main room. This Saturday, the Honeydogs will be releasing their 10th studio album, "What Comes After" & I would expect the turn out to be insane. This band has been able to triumph through tragedy with the loss of frontman Adam Levy's son, Daniel, earlier this year. With this loss and being a band originally formed out of St. Paul, the fans will be lining up to show their support. Expect to see fans of many different ages because they have been around since 1994. Opening will be Rogue Valley and Farewell Milwaukee. $1 of every ticket will be donated to the Daniel J. Memorial Fund for mental health research on depression and schizophrenia. So come out for a great cause, awesome music and a chance to be apart of a moving piece of history.
Check out the making of the album, "What Comes After."
Cause & Effect is a new Uptown dance party and a reason to dance to hip-hop beats cut with miami bass, electro house and R&B cuts. I expect that this will be a great place to see some break dancers, flat tops & pop-lock-n-drop its. Or maybe some awkward version of all those things, either way - we are game to booty dance.
Hipshaker understands that we are on the edge of spring and done with hibernation for the winter. Think vintage soul & funk and an eclectic crowd of hipsters finding unity in song. Watch your friends move like never before because there is just something about this music that makes everyone sexy. I've seen people move down so low, they might as well be rolling on the ground!
Happy 11th birthday, Transmission! Usually this event can commonly be found every Wednesday at Club Jager, but this Friday, they needed the First Avenue main room to hold everyone. They will be having a guest host, Chan Poling from the Suburbs! I most guarantee that if you aren't a new wave fan, this night will change your mind forever. They will also be spinning other music from the 1960's - today, with music videos to accompany all of the songs. So visually, this event will be stunning & the crowd will be crazy, eclectic and ridiculously awesome.
If it were up to me, I think I would make every bar, restaurant & venue in this city have a "dress code." What I mean by dress code isn't what you would typically think. For example, this Tuesday at the Varsity Theater, Jonny James & the Hall of Fames are playing with Kevin Bowe & Okemah Prophets and Savannah Smith for $8. That is, if you don't arrive in your western gear! If you arrive western style, they will let you in for $5. This means that if you bust our your hipster flannel, borrow your Grandpa's cowboy hat & wrap your bandana around your neck, you can save $3! That is $3 to spend on a drink at the Loring Pasta Bar for their happy hour. Don't underestimate the power of $3, it could be your one way ticket home safely on public transit or a little extra spending cash to buy a guy/girl a drink.
In the sea of Trivia Nights here in Minneapolis, one has really stuck out to us here at Thrifty Hipster. Maybe it is the wholesome appeal of two bread & buttered Minnesotan men with thick beards and down-to-earth attitudes? Joe & Noah Trivia at Cause Soundbar has taken up a residency every Monday, and trust me, you need to arrive early just to catch a table. This has become a popular Monday night outing for those who want their bar tabs potentially taken care of by winning the grand prize. On the first of every month, they have a theme. This Monday, it will be Minnesota themed and so perfectly fitting for these two gents to host. So gather up all your friends who say, "Yah, a paper bayg will be fine" when they shop at grocery stores or eat lutefisk once a year at their lutheran church. Come show off your knowledge of a state that has treated us so well with such a mild winter.
