Blog

For ADRP Conference Attendees: A Guide to Minneapolis

Posted on: Sunday, May 08, 2011

Category: Announcements, Events

by Billie Johnson
Vice President - New Client Results / Incept and
Member of ADRP Communications & Marketing Committee

If you’re going to the Association of Donor Recruitment Professionals (ADRP) Conference next week (http://www.adrp.org/conference), you might be wondering what there is to do in Minneapolis at night. Between the nightlife, shopping, karaoke, restaurants and sightseeing destinations, you won’t be bored in the City of Lakes!

Nightlife

1)      Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant: On the 19^th or 20^th, walk to this club for the fruit, green eggs and ham, gelato and wine, and stay to watch “Guitar Star” Ottmar Liebert ($40). Located at 1010 Nicollet Avenue. (http://dakotacooks.com/event/ottmar-liebert)

2)      Seven Sushi Ultralounge and Skybar: In the mood for some seafood and entertainment? Go to Seven to listen to live music and enjoy appetizers like mussels ($13) and a Tiger Eye: squid wrapped in salmon ($13). Drink cocktails during your main course of sushi ($13), tuna or crab. Located at 700 Hennepin Avenue. (http://www.7mpls.com/)

3)      Envy: Get dressed up, and go out dancing to this chic night club! Envy has music for every age and unique candle and LED lighting that gives the club a posh look. Don’t forget to bring $8 for the cover charge! Located at 400 First Avenue North. (http://envympls.com/index.php)

Shopping

1)      Gaviidae Common: Less than a mile from the Hilton Hotel, you’ll find a store for every fashion and mood at Gaviidae Common, including JUUT, Salonspa, Pacifier, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Talbot’s, etc. Located at 555 Nicollet Mall. (http://www.minneapolis.org/page/1/shopping-detail.jsp?businessName=Gaviidae+Common&businessId=1353)

2)      Mall of America: Located 20 minutes south of Minneapolis, the Mall of America has over 520 stores, as well as restaurants, movie theaters and an aquarium! And remember, there’s no sales tax on clothing in Minnesota, so stock up and fill out your summer wardrobe! Located at 8100 24th Avenue South, Bloomington, MN. (http://www.mallofamerica.com/home/). It is easy to get to Mall. Just take the Hiawatha Light Rail Line, which connects Target Field, downtown Minneapolis with the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the Mall of America. The line is operated by Metro Transit, who also run the Twin Cities' buses. Trains run 20 hours a day. The trains run every 7-15 minutes during the day, and 15-30 minutes apart in the evenings. Cost to ride to the mall is just a few dollars. ADRP will have city maps with rail information in the conference bags being supplied this year from Incept.

3)      Lake Street: In south Minneapolis, you’ll find five miles of shops, theaters, art galleries, salons and restaurants that serve food from all around the world (including French, Vietnamese, Indian, Italian, Japanese and Mediterranean cuisines). Located at 919 East Lake Street. (http://visitlakestreet.com/)

Karaoke

1)      Vegas Lounge: If you don’t want to sing karaoke at this casual bar, you can always watch a football game on the TVs, play billiards or enjoy pizza, chili and sandwiches. Located at 965 Central Avenue Northeast. (http://www.vegasloungemn.com/)

2)      Sporty’s Pub and Grill: Sporty’s serves above-average dive bar food, like burgers, pork and chipotle white chicken chili, with dishes ranging from $8-12. When you’re not on stage singing Billy Joel songs, play the trivia games, or enjoy a beer. Located at 2124 Como Avenue Southeast. (http://sportyspub.com/)

3)      Nye’s Polonaise Room: Want to sing at a more upscale lounge? Nye’s 1950s- and 1960s-style rooms have piano and polka music to go with oversized portions of Polish food, as well as wings ($10) and wine ($7-9 per glass). Located at 112 East Hennepin Avenue. (http://www.nyespolonaise.com/)

Restaurants

1)      Hell’s Kitchen: This dining experience, which gets its name from the temperature in the kitchen, serves a variety of food. There are classic menu items like chicken wings ($8.95), salads and burgers ($13.25). But you can also nosh on lobster tacos ($24.98), calamari and the Nefarious Mystery Dessert! Located at 80 South 9th Street. (http://hellskitcheninc.com/)

2)      Pizza Luce: Find the best pizza in the city at this “gourmet” bar. Pizza Luce serves “creative and artistic pizzas,” as well as lasagna or spaghetti (each for $8.39), hoagies, pasta, wine, whiskey, beer and even Ben & Jerry’s ice cream ($4.99)! Located at 119 North 4th Street. (http://www.pizzaluce.com/)

3)      Manny’s Steakhouse: Endorsed by the StarTribune and Zagat’s, this restaurant features seafood ($14-130), steaks ($33-50) and ribs ($40-51) for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Located at 825 Marquette Avenue. (http://mannyssteakhouse.com/)

Sightseeing 

1)      Walker Art Center: If you’re on a budget, there are plenty of things to do for free. At the Walker Art Center, visit the sculpture gardens and the cinema, and see dance performances and contemporary art. Located at 1750 Hennepin Avenue.
(http://www.minneapolis.org/page/1/see-do-detail.jsp?businessName=Walker+Art+Center&businessId=1501)

2)      Mill City Museum: History buffs will enjoy learning about the historical Mississippi riverfront! Located at 704 South 2nd Street. (http://www.millcitymuseum.org/)

3)      The Minnesota Orchestra: In the mood for some classical music? Orchestra Hall is right next to the hotel! Enjoy a performance of “Stravinsky’s Firebird” and “Rachmanioff’s Third” for as little as $22! Located at 1111 Nicollet Mall. (http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/season/event_detail.cfm?id_event=1011023)

The temperature in Minneapolis this time of year is usually in the low seventies, but it can dip down into the forties at night. Don’t forget to bring a coat or jacket if you’re planning to stay out late!

See you soon!