Minneapolis Best Patio Bars with Happy Hour

Every summer, we feel it is our duty to inform you of the best places to get a drink! Here at ThriftyHipster, that means Happy Hour, a great patio, and lively people that will make sure you have a good time.

Minneapolis Best Patios & Happy Hours

BEER LOVER'S PATIO @ GRUMPYS NE

The downtown Minneapolis Grumpy's also has quite a nice patio (and even a few free parking spots), but Grumpy's NE is still our go to on a hot summer day. The patio is enclosed with large shrubs and trees. There is also a shaded grassy area for when it's real hot. The best part; all happy hours are valid on the patio.
Best Day: Check out FRIDAY AFTERNOON! Starting at 4pm is "Firkin Friday's" where great breweries are featured each week. A special, rare, cask version of the beer is put out for happy hour, and the owner makes free gourmet grilling part of the whole event.

Brit's Pub & Bocce Ball

Really, almost no patio can beat the one in downtown Minneapolis at Brit's Pub. Their street level patio is always fun, and faces Nicollet Mall, but the real gem is upstairs, where they have a full length Bocce court!

Best Day(s): Sunday is always a good day, where Bocce is only $5/hour and $5 large bloody marys are on special the whole day. Regular late night and afternoon happy hours are good then too. Also check them out for Summer Movies and Yoga Happy Hours on the lawn!

Top Uptown Patios

This one is really a toss up and really depends on what you're looking for. 

Closer to Lake Calhoun you have Amore Victoria, which has a small patio on the street, but put in an amazing rooftop garden in 2012. Although they were barred from having a full bar up there last year, this will be the first year for them to do it full scale!

If you're looking to hook up or party down, Stella's Rooftop is always packed and they have late night specials (though its better deals to cruise downstairs for your drinks and bring them up). You can get a similar party at Uptown Cafeteria, though they do NOT have their typical specials that are served downstairs in the bar.  If you want the specials, best head to the Uptown Tavern, where the drinks are cheaper and the crowd is younger. They have some great late night specials as well (and you can ask for their regulars' card that will give you specials all the time).

Other Notable Patios with Happy Hour

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Have a favorite happy hour patio in St. Paul? Let us know... and we'll publish next week!

MN Craft Beer Week 2013

Minnesota's Craft Beer week kicks off around the state with most Craft Brewers Guild members!
Each spot has an event, but there will be lots going on and lots of great beers to try.
Pick up a passport at the MN Craft Beer week site or FB Page.

You can also win tickets to various beer fests, including the hugely popular and most well organized St. Paul Summer Beer Fest.

All week May 13-19!

Here are some events for MN Craft Beer Week 2013 in the Twin Cities

Monday, May 13

• Muddy Waters Lunch, Tapping a Founders KBS, Surly Pentagram... Plus win free tickets to St. Paul Summer Beer Fest!
• Then, after lunch, head to the Republic Uptown where over 20 MN Craft beers will be on tap for Happy Hour.

Tuesday, May 14

• various happy hours and events. Click here for full list.

Wednesday, May 15

• Pat's Tap Happy Hour with a Tap Takeover featuring WTF, Undercover Shutdown Ale... Plus win free tickets to St. Paul Summer Beer Fest!
• various happy hours and events. Click here for full list.

Thursday, May 16

• Nothing like some outside baseball! Help the Beer Dabbler launch their Dabbler Bullpen at the St. Paul Saints! Which will feature Badger Hill and other national and craft taps.

Friday, May 17

• Try the new 612Brew Taproom where they'll have live music, art from Dwitt, and special brews all part of NE Art-A-Whirl.

Saturday, May 18

• It might be a little bit of a haul, but beer lovers will skip Art-a-Whirl and head to Stillwater, where you can ride the riverboat Avalon and drink up some Brau Brothers, RingNeck, Sheepshead & Bancraegie (info)

Sunday, May 19

• Beer-Tasting for charity (Stillwater Rotary Club) on the St. Croix River. $35 gets you 4 hours of sampling over a dozen local breweries (and even some cheeses) on the River. Check it out

Art A Whirl 2013 in Northeast Minneapolis

The 18th Annual Art-a-Whirl kicks of in Northeast Minneapolis, Friday, May 17th at 5pm at the Casket Arts Building and runs through 5pm on Sunday, May 19th.  This event showcases some of Minneapolis' most talented artists, as well as a host of food, snacks, drinks, and concerts a nearby venues. Here is ThriftyHipster's top picks for events during this 2013 Art-A-Whirl Season:

Thursday Night Art-A-Whirl (May 16, 2013)

Honey hosts a Art-A-Whirl pre party with Live Art & Canvas Collaborations and Live Music. It's $5, but lots of artists from the weekend will be there.

Friday Night is the Official Kick Off (May 17, 2013)

And the public reception; Kick off Party/Silent Auction is the place to be to get great art, listen to KFAI DJ's and get a preview of the different studios... The auction opens tonight and ends at 5pm on Sunday (also HINT: Stop in on Sunday to place your last bid!)  At the Northrup King Building #332
We'll for sure be at the Solar Arts Building where Liminal Phase (Adam Levy's experimental band) is teaming up with visual artist Chris Park for a special video installation (711 15th Ave NE).
The Newest party on the block is at 612 Brewery, where they'll feature bands Friday and Staurday, as well as Food Trucks and the art of DWitt.

Saturday, May 18th, 2013 - Art and Parties all Day!

Grumpy's NE is always one of our favorites! The lawn and patio open to an all day party will be their 15th year of Art-a-Whirl shenanigans, this year featuring L'Assassins, Ol' Yeller, Pennyroyal, Seawhores, and more.

Another popular stop off is the 331 Club, where their free concert series keeps getting better each year! Shows start at noon outside, and moves inside after 10pm. Featured acts daytime include Parlour Suite, Marijuana Deathsquads, STNNNG (ep Release) and more. At Night, don't miss the 12am show with Story of the Sea. Prissy Clerks and Sleep Study open.
Dog Lovers should check out Psycho Suzi's for a patio party and puppy kissing booth, including the 1st Annual Puppy Fashion Show (2pm). Costumes for your pets encouraged (register your pet: 612-788-9069)

Check out below for resources, ThriftyHipster's top gallery picks, and more...

Sunday, May 19th, 2013 - Parties end at 5pm

Make sure you stop over to the Northrup King Building #332 to put your final bid in, 5pm the Silent Aution Ends!
The 331 Club keeps the party rocking with Sunny Era, Night Moves, and more all day!

Art-A-Whirl Resources

Don't miss the Rivard Art Gallery, which will have custom designed skateboards, $10 prints, and usually is a great scene/party for those looking to enjoy art and a drink. (2205 California St NE building, #514) 

Also, Northrup King Building is hosting the MCAD MFA Thesis Exhibition, with over 20 graduates and their works for a steal!  Open all weekend, but the party goes down at 6pm - 9:30pm Friday night.

At Night, you might plan to head closer to St. Anthony Main, where you can visit the Fox Tax Gallery and then stick around for happy hour at the Red Stag, who will have music Friday and Saturday night

• Download the Art-A-Whirl Map (pdf)
• Art-a-Whirl Artist Directory
• Free Bus Pass (good Sat & Sun) 
• NEMAA - for all the rest of the info

Some of Rivard Gallery's Skateboards