46. Liquor Lyle’S Bar And Restaurant
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (612) 870-8183
Address: 2021 Hennepin Ave. South
Description: On the edge of Uptown, one would think that Liquor Lyle’s, as most area residents call this establishment, would tend toward a hipster crowd. But this neighborhood watering hole attracts everyone from construction workers to artists to its somewhat smudgy, dated-yet-colorful ambience. The booths have vinyl seats, the men’s restrooms have trough urinals, and the bouncer is big and hairy; but if you want to share a pitcher of beer and a basket of deep-fried cheese curds with a friend on a day when you haven’t taken a shower, Lyle’s is hard to beat. Just stay away from the Bloody Marys.
47. Mackenzie
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (612) 333-7268
Address: 918 Hennepin Ave.
Description: MacKenzie specializes in Scottish beers and liquors but also has a large selection of American libations, all at reasonable prices. The inside of the bar features Scottish decor and theater posters on lots of beautiful exposed brick. Located next to the historic Orpheum Theatre and within walking distance of several others, MacKenzie is a great stop before or after Hennepin Avenue theater events. The bar has five TVs and shows NFL games whenever one is broadcast.
48. Mac’S Industrial Sports Bar
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (612) 379-3379
Address: 312 Central Ave. SE
Description: Mac’s advertises itself as “redefining the dynamic of Northeast,” but really it would redefine the dynamic of any neighborhood to open a bar that includes both the words “industrial” and “sports” in its name. Mac’s is noted for its unusually nosh-worthy bar food and for its daily happy hour—which on Saturdays from 7 to 11 p.m. turns into the best happy hour in town, with all taps (including a wide range of microbrews) just two bucks each.
49. Mario’S Keller Bar
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (612) 781-3860
Address: 2300 University Ave. NE
Description: Mario’s Keller Bar occupies the large and comfortable basement of the Gasthof zur Gemütlichkeit Restaurant. A festive atmosphere overtakes the club, especially on weekends, when fraternity members pack the dance floor and consume massive quantities of beer, which comes as no surprise, considering the excellent selection of German beers on tap and available by the glass, pint, or enormous glass boot. Connoisseurs of German beers will enjoy the bar’s selection, which runs a bit pricey, while many others will revel in the raucous German beer-hall atmosphere.
50. Nye’S Polonaise Room
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (612) 379-2021
Address: 112 East Hennepin Ave.
Description: A few years ago Esquire named Nye’s the best bar in America, and if success hasn’t quite gone to Nye’s head, it’s certainly gone to its prices—Nye’s is not cheap, whether you’re drinking at the bar or eating the mediocre Polish food in the dining room. Still, Esquire was on to something: Nye’s is a permanent blast from the past, with shag carpeting, garish fixtures, and sit-around-the-piano karaoke in the dining room and loud bands (on Friday and Saturday nights, the World’s Most Dangerous Polka Band) in the bar. There’s no place like Nye’s, so you might as well give in and enjoy it.
51. The Riverview Wine Bar And Café
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (612) 729-4200
Description: In the heart of Minneapolis’s Longellow neighborhood, you’ve got your uppers and your downers conveniently conjoined: A single door separates the Riverview Café (coffee) from the Riverview Wine Bar (wine)—and yes, you can bring your espresso across to the wine bar, though not vice versa. Either or both make for great stops before or after a screening at the adjacent Riverview Theater; the wine bar is a close second to Bev’s for the Twin Cities’ most romantic and atmospheric wine bar.
52. Whitey’S World Famous Saloon
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (612) 623-9478
Address: 400 Hennepin Ave. East
Description: Whitey’s is a neighborhood bar that has weekend specials on Jägermeister shots and about half a dozen domestic and locally brewed beers on tap. The interior is beautiful—the bar is an elegant, curved length of carved wood surrounded by high-backed stools, and in summertime patrons can sit inside the bar or at the tables set outside on the fenced-in patio.
53. Asian Media Access
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (612) 376-7715
Address: 2418 Plymouth Ave. North
Description: Asian Media Access specializes in the best of Asian cinema from the present and the past. Lacking a theater of its own, the organization rents two local theaters (Riverview and Oak Street) on a regular basis for screenings. Asian Media Access provides action-packed Hong Kong cinema, contemporary Japanese film, Chinese comedies, and more. Be sure to call or check the Web site for details about upcoming events.
54. Bell Auditorium
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (612) 331-3134
Description: Formerly home to the University Film Society, the Bell Auditorium has long been home to offbeat films. Since its inception, the Bell Auditorium has hosted directors and film scholars of the likes of Robert Altman, Jean-Luc Godard, and Roberto Rosellini. Of late, the infrequent screenings at the Bell Auditorium have tended to be of documentary films; don’t miss a chance to see a show in this swank salmon-colored art deco gem. The nonprofit Minnesota Film Arts promotes an appreciation for the art of filmmaking through screenings both at Bell Auditorim and at Oak Street Cinema, and through events such as the Minneapolis–St. Paul International Film Festival.
55. Kerasotes Block E Stadium 15
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (612) 338-5900
Description: The only cinema downtown, the Block E 15 inside the Block E shopping and entertainment complex shows first-run movies in full digital sound with stadium seating.
56. Lagoon Cinema
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (612) 825-6006
Address: 1320 Lagoon Ave.
Description: Lagoon Cinema is part of Landmark’s national art theater chain. Arty, indie, and a few foreign hits are often held over at the Lagoon after playing at its sister theater a couple blocks away, the Uptown. The Lagoon screens smaller-budget films for a longer duration and others that would not otherwise have been shown. The five theaters in this multiplex are roomy and comfortable, with excellent sound and large movie screens.
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Nightlife
Address: 309 SE Oak St.
58. Parkway Theater
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (612) 822-3030
Address: 4814 Chicago Ave. South
Description: One of the few single-screen theaters surviving in the Twin Cities, this south Minneapolis theater has a knack for consistently showing the best of second-run indie and mainstream films. Despite the Parkway’s less than spectacular ambience, this old mom-and-pop theater more than makes up for it in value. Ticket prices are low, and concession prices are a steal. If you are curious about what is playing at the Parkway, give the theater a call; the message on the answering machine is always homey and interesting.
59. Riverview Theater
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (612) 729-7369
Address: 3800 42nd Ave. South
Description: The Riverview Theater presents second-run movies in one of the Cities’ most beautiful theaters. The Riverview is a fine example of art deco architecture and furnishings. The lobby is of particular distinction—appearing today very much as it did 50 years ago—decorated with art deco lamps and sofas.Films screened at the Riverview are usually popular second-run films. There are occasional deviations. The Wizard of Oz and other cinema classics have been shown at this Minneapolis gem. Prices for tickets are a bargain ($3 for most evening shows; $2 for matinees), and concessions are much cheaper than at the suburban multiplexes, especially if you purchase a combo.
60. St. Anthony Main Theatre
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (612) 331-4723
Address: 115 SE Main St.
Description: This theater is in Minneapolis’s beautiful St. Anthony area. It is also within walking distance of Nicollet Island and the Stone Arch Bridge and across the river from downtown Minneapolis. St. Anthony Main Theatre has much more charm than your average suburban multiplex. The individual theaters and seating are comfortable and the concessions comparable to other theaters in town. Go for a walk and enjoy the grandeur and the sights of downtown and St. Anthony, then stop by the theater for a movie.