The Depot is a rather new downtown location... only open about a year, but it's run by and attached to one of the oldest and most beloved music venues downtown- First Avenue. The laid-back, and open air tavern is a great spot to stop and have a drink before a show, or grab some food after a show. And if you sneak out during a concert to this side spot... chances are they'll have the stage projected on their screens so you can make sure to get back before the headliner starts, or watch the show from there. The food is decently priced, and the servers will be honest with you about the best items on the menu if you ask.

Happy Hour specials run from 11am to 11pm. Including $3 domestic tallboys and $4 Pilsner Urquall and Heineken tallboys. However, the add some sprecials from 3pm- 6pm and during the late night happy hour of 12am-2am (post-concert) (pre-concert and post-concert), they offer $3 rail drinks, house wines and domestic taps. Microbrew taps are $4. Half priced appetizers from 3pm to 6pm only.

Check out all the photographs displayed on the walls featuring documentation from years and years throughout the legendary history of First Avenue, including backstage, the staff to memorable shows and events,

Insider tip: The Depot is open during the day, unlike the club... and you can stop by there to pick up tickets to any upcoming shows. Plus, as a bonus you can't get if you buy online, at The Depot you get a Depot $1 for every ticket you buy (good towards $1 off food or drink).

http://thedepottavern.com/

Now that the Twins are kind of on a winning streak (it's all relative) you'll have to start planning out your best place to pre- or post game. The place: The Ugly Mug. Stop in before and after the next Twins home game and take advantage of their drink, appetizer, and food specials - only three blocks from Target Field located at 106 North 3rd Street.

Complete with Elvis stair case the Ugly Mug is a must stop spot.... the happy hour is well worth it. 

Happy Hour: Daily 11:00AM - 7:00PM

• $3.00 drinks
• $1.00 OFF all taps
• $3.00 and $5.00 appetizers

Wednesday:
Starting at 9:00PM:

• $15.00 all you can drink and all you can eat wings
• Live music from Junk FM

Friday:
ALL DAY and ALL NIGHT Happy Hour 11:00AM - 2:00AM

• Live music from local bands

Saturday:

• $5.00 gets you $2.00 9:00PM - Close
  • For only $5.00 you get $2.00 drinks all night at Roc Bar
  • Your $5.00 also gets you access to the live music and DJ
• Live music from local bands

Call ahead on WEEKEND NIGHTS to receive $2.00 drinks from 9:00PM - 11:00PM or a $30.00 Bottomless Mug from 9:00PM - 2:00PM

Twins game, or not Twins game, pre-game or post- stop into the The Ugly Mug for a good time, and a great happy hour. 

 

 

If you are a whiskey drinker.... your happy hour spot might just have to be Kieran's Irish Pub. This pub in Block E, took over the vacant Bellanote location and left not a trace of Italian/Nightclub/Restaurant that previously occupied the space. The Kieran's space has completely transformed into a warm and cozy environment, with curious nooks and crannies and plenty of quirky decor to look at.

The serious happy hour specials run ALL DAY until 6pm! Monday through Sunday AND during games. $4.50 rail drinks, $5 Big Gingers (their 20oz specialty cocktail that mixes their house whiskey with  ginger ale). $4.50 16oz pints... or 20oz if it's an Irish beer. They also offer $4 house wines.

Kieran's also offers plenty of happy hour food options including a burger, fish bites and warm pretzels among other tasty treats, each for $5.99.

Insider tip-- they have their own signature and exclusive whiskey: 2 Gingers. It's distilled in Ireland and bottled locally.

Kieran's also features an expansive outdoor patio in the summer. Happy hours on the patio in downtown Minneapolis = BLISSFUL.

 

Kieran's Irish Pub

600 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 170
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Situated a block and a half from Target Field and behind the infamous Deja Vu is a fantastic spot to grab a happy hour drink : Bev's Wine Bar. Although the name is a bit misleading, Bev's not only serves beer and wine, but recently began a full alcohol menu as well.

From 4:30pm-7:00pm Monday-Friday, and again from9:00pm-10:00pm on Saturdays you can enjoy $4.00 taps of Surly, Flat Earth, Summit, Fulton, Guinness, Stella and Strongbow. Considering the small amount of taps, they've definitely pumped it full of goodness.

Although the happy hour doesn't feature any food, their food menu is concise and to the point. Cheese plates, pizzas and salads make up for some fantastic (and healthy) snacking.

Looking for a "different" spot to pre-game before your next Twins adventure? Consider Bev's. They've got the action on their TV screens, and it's just a short walk down the block to the stadium.

Bev's Wine Bar

250 3rd Avenue N

Minneapolis, MN 55401

 

 

Minneapolis is home to some amazing restaurants - we already knew that. Each has a specialty and focus, and some just plain do it better than others. Enter Bar/Cafe Lurcat. Vaulted ceilings, crystal chandeliers and windows as far as the eye can see. We stopped through the restaurant to speak with General Manager - Christie O'Keefe Turman about their happy hour - and what she'd suggest off the late night menu.

First the details. Happy hour happens every night of the week from 4:30pm-6:30pm. This is great timing if you're looking for a place to stop to avoid the rush hour traffic. Did we mention the ambiance? Stressful days call for stress-free nights, and Lurcat delivers. A sprawling bar, and lounge seating as diverse as anything that we've seen. Couches, chairs, tables, stools...

Back to the drinks. You'll be able to enjoy half price tap beers and well drinks - as well as $4.00 glasses of wine. They've got a valet just about nightly, and the location makes it a great spot to meet up with friends from both Downtown and Uptown - as well as great freeway access.

Although they don't offer a late night happy hour, they do serve a bar menu (until 10pm during the week and until Midnight on Friday & Saturday) that will make just about anyone happy. "You've got to have the Lurcat Burgers," Christie told us "they're amazing!". Trust us, they are. If you're on the hunt for a cocktail, might we suggest the Lurcat Royale. Passion fruit, orange juice, lemonade and vodka. "It has just enough bitter to make things interesting."

Bar Lurcat : 1624 Harmon Place : Minneapolis.

When we think of going out for happy hour, a bar with TV's and bad music usually come to mind...we rarely think of a French restaurant as the destination. That is, unless you're talking about Vincent on Nicollet Avenue. We ventured into the restaurant this week, to talk to the namesake, and find out just what makes his restaurant's happy hour stand apart from the rest.

"I think that we've got the best cosmo in town," bragged owner Vincent Francoual, "the secret is the fresh limes." Luckily for us, it's included on his extensive happy hour menu for just $5. Nuzzled in with more than a dozen other cocktails and signature martinis, Vincent has assembled an arsenal of drinks that will make any bad day go away.

If you're looking for a snack to go alongside your refreshments, they've got that down as well. With a happy hour food menu that spans from olives ($4) and French fries topped with fresh cheese curds ($4) to steak tartar ($13) and the legendary Vincent Burger ($8) - there's definitely something to quench your appetite. Plus, it's all on special! When we asked Vincent about the portion size, he reassured us that everything is the same as you'd receive during normal meal service. He joked by saying "The Vincent Burger...not too bad for a French restaurant!" He's right, not too bad at all.

We'll warn you though. Vincent's gets busy around happy hour, which usually happens twice during the week. It's only served in the lounge, and is available on a first come, first served basis.

Happy Hour(s)

Monday-Friday  4:30pm-6:00pm

Monday-Thursday 8:30pm-9:30pm

 

Vincent A Restaurant : 1100 Nicollet Mall - Minneapolis

When we heard that the Washington Avenue coffee shop Java J's was going out of business late last year, we wondered how the gap in the North Loop neighborhood was going to be filled. Well, it take long to get our answer - and a what a great answer it is!

Located at 700 Washington Avenue N, The North Washington Cafe sits on the ground floor of the Tower Lofts building. The cafe is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night - but it was happy hour that really caught our eye.

Every night from 4pm-6pm, the cafe offers $3.50 beer and wines. With a tap selection that includes hometown hero Fulton (who host neighborhood night on the 3rd Wednesday of every month), Bell's and Guiness - it's hard to go wrong.

Thursday nights add Thirsty Thursdays to the roster, with 2-4-1 on everything from 7pm-9pm. When we visited this past week, we enjoyed live music (every Thursday) and an outstanding cheese plate hand paired by the Cheese Shop at Lake Wine & Spirits in Uptown.

If you're looking to dance the night away, this isn't your spot. However, if you're looking for a laid back vibe ideally situated in the North Loop - we've found a winner!

North Washington Cafe : 700 Washington Ave N, MPLS : 612.236.9444

 

After opening shop at 533 Hennepin Avenue late this past summer, the Minneapolis food community was clued into what Thom saw all along. Wide open spaces, with plenty of dining area - an oversized bar that can comfortably seat your entire posse, and a kitchen that puts out some of the best Asian-fusion this side of San Francisco. Something that really stands out about Pham's Wondrous Azian Kitchen is the happy hour.

7 days a week from 3pm-6pm and again Sunday-Thursday from 10pm-2am. $5 wine pours, $4 tap beers, and a laundry list of appetizers for just $5.

Our suggestion - stop through early, and grab a snack and drink before heading home. It's one of the best deals in town, and you'll get some people watching in while you're at it!

Thom Pham's Wondrous Azian Kitchen : 533 Hennepin Avenue S, Minneapolis. (612)338-1479