Locations
As a local who has been here in Minneaplis for nearly twenty years, and almost as many in Greater Minnesota (the correct term for the outstate or rural area), I figure my Magic friends may need a little insight about the upcoming Magic Con here in Minneapolis, and Minnesota at large.
Quick Tidbits Before we get to Business
Minnesotans are deeply passionate about MN.
Oddly, Minnesota loves every nuance to fame they can find. We don't have the population of Chicago or larger metropolitan areas, so folks tend to cling onto any notable "thing" that separates us from the Dakotas or Iowa, or god forbid Wisconsin. North Dakota knows who they are. Minnesota has this weird exceptionalism that is part myth-making, and part Lake Wobegon. The quote, "all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average" was fictional, yet you'll see older generations truly believe this. And yes that fictional and horribly boring radio show that we gave from Minnesota Public Radio to NPR was not popular with folks under the age of 40, and most of us actively disliked it.
This perception also had a reckoning in 2020 where we very much are a great place to live - if you are White. We're no longer on fire, and any "no fly zones" are propaganda from outside of Minneapolis. Minneapolis is largely safer than an average city of a similar size, though along political lines, there are still people believing Minneapolis is wholly unsafe.
"Ope"
If you're in a packed room to brewery, you will hear this exclamation. It's both a mark of surprise akin to an "oh!" to the word people say when they try to squeeze behind your chair.
The Cities
Minneapolis and Saint Paul, or MSP, are the Twin Cities. Yes, we are aware that Dallas and Fort Worth exist too but they're the Metroplex, same as Tampa and St. Pete - which aren't a dual identity - they're Tampa Bay. To us, the twin cities are unique in the country. To greater Minnesota, they're "the cities." If you're driving a few hours to see the Vikings play at US Bank Stadium? "I'm gonna see the vikings in the cities." The entire metropolitan area is "the cities" from exurb to exurb. The 494/694 interstate ring is about 20 miles tall, 30 miles wide, and everything in there? The cities.
When folks say, "the city," or downtown, they only mean Minneapolis. Downtown Saint Paul is largely a business location, though with our official minor league team, the Saints, they're trying hard to make it a thing that is open past 6:00pm.
On that, Minneapolis is often known as the younger person's city, the blonde sister, the place where you go out compared to Saint Paul. The University of Minnesota and the place where 23-year olds move to, Uptown, is in Minneapolis. Saint Paul even has a shirt, "Keep Saint Paul Boring." It always feels older, with deeper ties and connections. Both St. Paul and Saint Paul are correct, individual preferences there differ.
Our not nicknames
MSP - that is the airport, not the area. The closest comparable is like Seattle's SEATAC, a weird city that is basically the airport and combines Seattle and Tacoma.
Mini-apple - no one says this
Mini - also no one says this
Minny - national news anchors say this, yet no one local says this. I do believe this is from Indianapolis shortening to Indy, the assumption is that Minneapolis does as well. It does not.
Sota - you will see this on shirts, it's not a term we use to describe the state though. Though some folks are trying to make "sota style" pizza happen, which they should just stop.
Mpls - yes, people use this.
So, people call it Mippels? No. We shorten it when writing, on mail, on t-shirts, but we have no formal short term. You just say the full word, or "the city." As the largest city in the state, it's the default city.
Soda/Pop/Coke
We call it pop here in Minnesota. You'll see soda mentioned on menus though. You'll see a local Northern Soda company if you're out and about. The cream soda is especially good.
Everything you know about the movie Fargo: "ya sure" "you betcha" "ooooooh"
The Northern Cities Shift is what our accent is called and sad to say, you won't hear much of it in Minneapolis. Not many of us speak like my uncle Bill up on 'da range. Maybe after a few drinks it comes out though.
Subtlety / Minnesota Nice
A massive difference in language here in the northern midwest, or "The North" as a few folks are trying to rebrand, is the nuance in how we say things and watch reactions. We are Minnesota Nice - which is akin to the Seattle Freeze. We'll give you directions everywhere except back to our homes. It's part passive aggressiveness, part wishing not to offend, to plausible deniability on putting a strong opinion out there.
Safety
Minneapolis is a city, and like any city, there is some crime that exists. Per capita and likely to impact you is quite low. However, it is not zero.
A few things to take note of:
-The Downtown Ambassadors:
You will see these neon shirt folks with blue hats around the downtown core. They aren't police officers. They're like, downtown helpers. They clean up the streets and will walk you to places for safety. If you need directions, they're good to ask for that. They are universally liked by the locals.
Monday - Saturday: 6:00am-10:30pm
Sunday: 6:00am-6:00pm
-You need to lock your car. While carjackings are down, they do happen. Hit your button twice when you lock it overnight in ramps and on the street as you go out and about. Carjackings are more common, relatively speaking, outside the downtown core, which you'll be in.
-Pickpockets. We don't have them in any measurable amount in Minneapolis. European friends visiting-normal wallets will work.
-Unsafe areas to walk at night. There aren't any specifically, despite what local political cartoons and national news will tell you. There are areas where if you look for trouble you can find it, sure, but that's literally any city.
-Our police officers do not live in the city. They live in the suburbs. Be very aware that they do not care if you are visiting. They are understaffed, often working overtime and stressed. It's a hard job normally and they work in Minneapolis. With our recent history, they do not play. Take a healthy amount of precautions to not have to confront them unless utterly necessary.
-Rival sport teams. Minnesotans do not care and will not heckle you if you wear a Yankees hat or Seattle Sounders or St. Louis Blues. Our fans can be pretty fair weather, and are not confrontational about archrival teams, and especially not to tourists. You're good.
Weather
Minnesota is known as "cold" nationally, but we'll never beat out Alaska, and oddly, North Dakota. We should be more known as big weather. It gets stupid cold. It also gets humid and silly hot. Those glaciers that grinded down our mountains and gave us all the Great Lakes? That grinding made over 14,000 lakes and our summer humidity is real in July. It's not quite Louisiana, but often surprising to Californians visiting. (Also, please yell at Wisconsinites and Michiganders who count ponds and claim to have more.)
I would be prepared to bring a raincoat and pack long sleeves, pants, and tank-tops and shorts. You could have 50 degrees or 80 degrees. (10C to 27C) We don't have a layering culture like the Pacific Northwest and umbrellas are uncommon if you're looking for a holder in the entryway of a restaurant.
Tourist Stuff
It's big. It has a LEGO store. There is an indoor theme park. If you have a delayed flight by a few hours, it's on the light rail public transit and worth the ticket fee to check out. (If you have a checked bag, they have check in lockers for cheap where you can stash your stuff and walk around.)
The indoor cold room at Canada Goose Minnesota is pretty neat, where you put on a coat and can "feel" what cold is in a pressure controlled room.
If your iPhone has issues, there is an Apple store there.
We have no sales tax on clothing.
And if you are one of those adults who has to bring something back for a loved one or family member, this is the easiest way to do so. It has nearly everything. There are Minnesota stores there where you can get giftable items super easily. There's even a korean fried chicken place there if you're there a while and get hungry, among a plethora of options for food.
Owamni by The Sioux Chef Sean Sherman is Minnesota's unique restaurant. If you haven't booked a reservation for the time here, you're already late. It's food that is entirely indigenous Sioux made - any outside spices, any outside anything, isn't on the menu. You have a picky friend? Do not bring them here. If you have a foodie friend - go here EARLY as there are always some bar seats that are first-come, first-served.
Image via onmilwaukee.com
Union Hmong Kitchen
Inside the Graze Food Hall in the North Loop area of Minneapolis is this stall serving up Hmong (~mung) food. Minnesota is home to the largest population of Hmong people in the USA. They're an ethnic group from Laos, Vietnam, and China. It's a bit like Vietnamese food, but isn't. Chef Yia Vang and his Hilltribe group have a popup called Meeka but it isn't walkable. Union Hmong Kitchen is where to check out, though it does stop service at 9:00pm on Friday and Saturday. It's a food hall, so there isn't really a wait and it's a food hall! I would recommend the Graze. Sure, it's $125, but it covers four people, it's an experience and the $6 Coconut Lychee Colada are very much worth it. (There's also a coffee shop and bar there, plus some less adventurous options if you go there with that friend.)
Paisley Park (Prince's home/museum)
I've yet to check it out since they converted it to a Graceland/Dollywood type of attraction. Tickets are just over $50 to go and they are timed entry. It looks like if you get in early on Thursday, you could check it out.
Breweries walkable to Minneapolis Convention Center
Finnigan's is known for their red ale. Yes, fine. I go here to try their taproom exclusives. Maybe a peach pale ale feels right. Other times, it's their back mini patio which often has dogs. It just isn't a place where you can easily play a game. It's also where the Saturday party is, which feels important.
This is the brewery you'll hear about because it's very close to the convention center. It has phenomenal tables for drafts, cube drafts and they are used to seeing Magic players there. The problem is that everyone else knows this too and it's packed with events that weekend.
If you're from a state without THC, this is the closest place if you want to try one of those THC seltzers that Minnesota "accidentally" legalized. We fully legalized it recently though. Drink about ¼ to ½ and wait. These are supposed to be consumed slowly.
I wouldn't call this area of Minneapolis super safe. Like any city, you should be aware of your surroundings. If you look for trouble, you'll find it.
They have a dog rescue for Boxers there on Saturday 1:00-4:00pm, with a whole group of vendors. On Sunday from 1:00-9:00pm it's a mushroom festival for morels, urban foraging, all that.
They have a great happy hour on Sunday from 11:00am-Noon, as well as brunch. If you want to ease into the day, this is a great spot. I'm a big fan of the pickle flight, which is during their happy hour, which you could visit Friday.
On Saturday, they do the Blessing of the Maibock. It's a satirical blessing of the beer with priests giving a comical service, then you get a free beer or a few free beers. It's a haul for a walk, but if you want a chill commander spot with friends, and a free beer or two, it's a fun little experience.
They always have something weird being made here. Worth checking online what's fresh for a beer. They had a marshmallow beer and one Hormel Chili Cheese Brew, a sippable beer inspired by the dippable chili cheese dip. Always weird. But your friend into sour beers? Bring them here.
This brewery is a slightly longer walk away, over by our contemporary art museum, the Walker Art Center. The spoonbridge and cherry sculpture? That's there. Sisyphus is a block from there. If you're feeling something a little different, this brewery is known for comedy. Torio Van Grol is performing there both Friday and Saturday. With tickets being $15, it's a fun option if you need a changeup or want to punt on fighting crowds vs. the Kentucky Derby folks on Saturday.
Things happening that weekend
Bryn Mawr Garage Sale
A massive annual garage sale weekend is also happening during the Magic Con. It's not the wealthiest neighborhood in Minneapolis, so finding mid-century modern pieces for $10 won't happen, but a card catalog is not rare here.
Twins baseball is all away games. Sorry.
The Minnesota Lynx won't have started their season yet.
MN United FC is away. Sorry.
The women's professional soccer team, Aurora FC, also won't have started yet.
The British King's Coronation
Brit's Pub is showing it live at like 5:00am on Saturday, May 6. So that's a thing, if you're into that.
The Kentucky Derby
Again, Brit's Pub changes to an afternoon derby party, 1:30pm-6:00pm. It'll be packed, but if you want to watch it, it's close and they have Boddington's on tap.
Minneapolis Cider Co has their Four-Year Anniversary and Derby party. They have fantastic ciders. It's across the river north, so you'll need a rideshare or a friend to take you. But if you need to sneak way to see it with a mint julep, this spot will have space, it's palatial there.
First Avenue
The club that Prince owned has City and Colour and Courtney Marie Andrews on Saturday night if you wish to see a show. Tickers are around $45. You can also see Prince's gold star for an Instagram photo outside the venue. If you do, the Loon Cafe down the street has stellar chili if you have a music-fan in your group.
Where to Eat
While Kansas City has their BBQ burnt ends, Philly their cheesesteak, Minneapolis has the Jucy Lucy. It's a hamburger with cheese injected into the burger.
Image via seriouseats.com
Two places claim to have started it - Matt's Bar and the 5-8 Club. I live near Matt's and will make fun of you for going to 5-8 Club. The former is cash only, is hard to get to, but surprisingly works for to-go orders and fries that hold up for travel. I would recommend finding someone with a car and having them get a ton and bringing them to wherever you are cubing late night. Just don't eat it fast, it will squirt and burn your face. You have been warned.
A few other places also have them, from the Blue Door to the Nook, but if you're only here for a weekend, don't mess with peanut butter and jelly variants, just go to Matt's. I order it double pickles with fried onions.
This is the old Butcher and the Boar location if you remember it from the last Grand Prix. They have mint juleps on Saturday for a Kentucky Derby part from 4-7:00pm. This means it'll be packed Saturday, but worth visiting. Good smoked meat meals are here to be had.
They also have a Cheddarwurst, Brew & a Bump drink combo on their patio outside of brunch...which is an option.
Graze / Malcolm Yards / Keg & Case
Of our three big food halls, Graze is closest in the North Loop neighborhood. Malcolm Yards is where you can cube at though. It's a bit of a haul, but if you need a site, that'll do.
If you want a great steak dinner, that is always good, never bad, these are your two options. Manny's is the most consistent and where I would bring folks for an amazing steak dinner. The main reason why is that drinks after are at the W Hotel
On my bachelor's party, we visited nine steakhouses locally to see who had the best cut on a given night. We all had a taste, and a cocktail and moved on. The Silver Butterknife Steak at Murray's, alone with exceptional service is what won out. It's a two-person meal.
Credit the star tribune
Yes, we have the Brazilian steakhouse. It exists.
Both are by James Beard Award-Winning Chef, Gavin Kaysen. Demi is the place for a tasting menu. It's about $150ish for a meal and is arguably the highest cuisine locally. If you can't get a table, Spoon and Stable isn't a downgrade by any means. Gavin's high-end brussels sprouts are worth the trip alone. Weird but true.
A local chain for great burgers, Red Cow is where to check it out. They have good vegan burgers I'm told. I like the manchego and prosciutto burger personally, but they're all good. It has a breakfast and it's fine.
Red Rabbit is an italian spot nearby in the North Loop. It's more expensive and more authentic. I like the cacio e pepe gnocchi. Their spicy salami pizza or even the vegan pizzas are quite good.
This is a great vegetarian restaurant in Minneapolis. A little out of the way, but if you're about that life, a couple miles isn't much. Cuban Sandwich is where I'm headed toward!
The Herbivorous Butcher is Minneapolis's vegan butcher and it's spiced exceptionally well. You won't be visiting a butcher because it's not a sit down. What is, you have to travel to South Minnepaolis near where artist Mike Sutfin and I live. They have a vegan fried chicken place, Herbie Butcher's Fried Chicken. Just remember that it closes early at 7:00pm. You have to get there early. They also have shakes!
This is a normal dinner priced places with incredible flavors. I like getting a little pork, a little chicken. The crispy yuca is outlandishly good.
This is where you go with buddies who aren't even foodies, or will only spend $20 on a dinner, and still have a great experience. It's in Northeast across the river. It will be busy. Takeout is a good option or delivered too!
This is very good, yes. I like going here for their happy hour where they have a $10 "choose your own adventure drink." They let you choose the base spirit, and then it's refreshing or boozy and stirred and they make you a unique cocktail.
If you want to do it big, there is a chef's tasting menu which is $150 a person, up to 8 people you could do on Thursday 5-6:00pm if you are here early.
This is open Sunday too.
This is a Prix-Fixe menu place. $95/person and it's incredible. You get what you pay for, but you have to plan ahead.
I brought the Proxyguy here and we talked him into Tagliatelle with foie gras meatballs. At $29, it is a five-star dish at approachable prices. Guilt aside, it was that good. They have a variety of things and their cheeseburger was known as the best in the city for a few years.
It is not open Sunday.
Pizza
Minneapolis and its surrounding area has a few shockingly good pizza places. Pizza Luce is our local chain and it's ok.
Where you want to go is Young Joni or Pizzeria Lola. Chef Ann Kim was on the Chef's Table Pizza for Netflix and owns both restaurants. There's a kimchi pizza she makes that is outstanding, but it doesn't do takeout or travel well. It's just not good to pickup. You have to eat there. I've tried many times too!
Slice is the only black-owned pizzeria locally. It was good, and they made the crust crispier? More New Yorky? It's more of a lunch spot.
Wrecktangle pizza is the truth. It is Detroit style, with the crunch, and it recently has been discovered as being good. There are three locations, with the North Loop location being the closest to downtown. The Shredder is the pizza you want with the honey and spicy.
Breakfast or Brunch
The first choice should always be the often-free breakfast at your hotel. If you're at an AirBNB or your known associate's house, you should fuel up. Don't forget that there is a Target only a few blocks from the convention center. From a yoghurt parfait to Clif Bar to some fruit, it's an easy and cheap option.
As for places to eat, here is where I would go:
Arguably one of the better places for breakfast and brunch in downtown Minneapolis.
Anybody who thinks downtown MPLS is dead hasn't tried getting a table at Hen House on the weekend.
— Katerina Clarkpatrick Scissornose (@katiesisneros) April 23, 2023
Minneapolis's downtown is quieter these days as over 10,000 employees at Target Corporation to US Bank aren't present because of working from home. The canary in the coalmine is Hen House. When there is a Vikings home game, it's packed. When there's a big convention in town, packed. It's very good and you should try it once.
I'm a big Banana Bread French Toast fan personally because it's one of those things I can't easily make at home. Good morning drinks too, if that's your thing.
It's a good all-around place to eat breakfast the closest to the convention center if you want a sit down breakfast. This is a local family-owned place. Me personally, I'd go here if Hen House is too packed.
It's 24 hours.
It's LGBTQ-owned.
They also have a 8-10am happy hour.
It's a diner, and it has a food challenge - The Breakfast Barbarian Challenge
An enormous buttermilk pancake topped with 6 eggs any style, 6 strips of bacon, 4 sausage patties, 2 slices of ham, hashbrowns, and toast.
*Finish it by yourself in 60 minutes or less and it's free and receive a free t-shirt.
It also is used to Magic players as a LGS is around the corner. Good milkshakes.
Breakfast Barbarian Challenge - image via thenicolletdiner.com
Again, it is an expensive brunch but it is quite good. The eggs benedict of any variety is great.
I'd try to get a sausage of sorts with my eggs, as they are known for the meats.
I love Shakshuka. This is one of the few places that has a phenomenal patio that overlooks the river. It's in the St. Anthony Main part of Minneapolis. This is some of the oldest part of the city. It's right by the Stonearch Bridge
This is the touristy option downtown.
Their lemon ricotta pancakes are that good too. A dilemma.
Late night
Litt, formerly Tilt
If you're under 18, you can be there until 9:00pm. Otherwise this pinball bar is open until 2:00am. The food is pretty decent and the drink list rather fantastic. The games are first run stuff that's fresh out the door. They do a good job. It's small, and moving locations but they haven't yet.
I go here for 10 cent tokens on Thursday, which is incredible. If you want to play Killer Queen with some known associates, this is the spot. Here are the specials at this arcade bar:
Friday: 20 Free Tokens To The First 100 Guests.
Saturday: 2 for 1 Tokens Until 9 pm
Sunday: $25 Six Pack & A Pound
A note: this is in Lyn-Lake, not uptown, technically. Though locals argue about where "uptown" actually goes until. It's a short Lyft or Uber away from downtown. The 18D bus can get you there too!
Prohibition Bar at the W Minneapolis at the Foshay
I like visiting the Prohibition bar on the 27th level. Know that it's only open until midnight on Friday and Saturday. It's not cheap, and you should dress for a night out, but if you want a cocktail and relax with some known associates you haven't seen in a while with some scenery, this is it.
This is a dive bar. It's cash only.
Drinks are STRONG. Like 3 oz pours are commonplace.
Live music is very common.
You may feel a little unsafe going there. Service is sassy and good enough.
But if you want a nearby dive bar, this is it.
The other dive bar close to downtown is Cuzzy's in the North Loop. I think they're fine and it's wicked small. If you're in the North Loop, you have a ton of better options to visit and I would.
It's open until 1:00am and until midnight on Sunday. You want some late night duck fat fries and have some good cocktails? Go here. Your beer friends won't love it because it's expensive for beer people. Great people watching here, especially if the rooftop is open.
For LGBTQIA folks, we have a ton of options.
While Gay 90s, EagleBolt Bar, and the Saloon are all good. The 19Bar is a bit more chill and super close to the convention center.
I would recommend LUSH, which is in Northeast for drinks, especially 9-10pm Friday/Saturday. Loop it into a karaoke evening at the Vegas Lounge? Even better. What's that?
Karaoke
Minneapolis has three big places that are nearby.
Otter's Saloon, the VFW, and the Vegas Lounge.
The VFW is in Lyn-Lake, which is close to uptown and an Uber away and I can't tell if it's back to ironic cool or just cool or what it is now. It's a great spot if you go to UpDown prior.
The Otter is tiny and across the river north from downtown. I'd skip.
The Vegas Lounge is slightly more north in Northeast and the best place for any types of groups. I would head there if your group wants to check it out, or if Gavin asks you. There are a few breweries nearby too like Indeed, 612 and Bauhuas.
Sunday - where to eat
The biggest issue I always find on Magic weekends is finding a place to eat with the brave few who chose red eye flights, or the weird pseudo staffers who fly out Monday.
Minneapolis isn't totally recovered from the pandemic yet, but you can still find meals your coastie friends won't scoff at.
Everything here is great. They have swordfish that isn't a bajillion dollars. Worth checking out.
Mentioned earlier.
Vincent used to have the best burger. It closed and this is his new restaurant. It's French food and from crepes to his dinners, from what I hear, it's quite good. It's on my list to check out soon.
Known staple Italian foods that are close by and not horrendously expensive. Just remember, their drinks aren't as affordable.
This was 2022's restaurant of the year by our local newspaper. It's very fancy and expensive mediterranean food.
What to bring home
Wild rice
Minnesota is home to wild rice, which you may see blended into Uncle Ben's premade recipes of sorts. If you have lunch, you'll notice wild rice soup everywhere.
Credit MPR
Prince or something local gift shop
From the Minnesota stores at the Mall of America, to the one gift shop on Nicollet Mall on Nicollet and 5th Street, those places have like the local Prince shirt or some knick knack if you need it. Otherwise, we don't really have street vendors or "place-based" things to get near our convention center. Minneapolis just isn't on the checklist for most people visiting the USA. People come here for outdoor recreation, we have 14000+ lakes. That's outside the metro area. But if you need help finding the one weird little gift shop nearby, message me on Twitter.
I hope this helps a bit!
With limited time, just sending folks to Eat Street and hitting up everywhere from Pho 79, to Pimento for Jamaican bowls, to Centro. I tried to stay hyper local. If you want to know where a supper club is, like Creekside, or where to have a stellar dinner in Saint Paul like W.A. Frost with Ukranian cocktails after at Moscow on the Hill, just drop me a line on Twitter. Happy to recommend and consult with some known associates to help your trip be more customized.
Enjoy your visit!
Vorthos Mike
