Best Nightlife

The Best:

New Bar Fairy Tale Date Night Place to Chill Nightlife Impresario Use of the Cold

Dance Night Happy Hour Taste of the Coasts After-Hours Hangout Winter Drinks

New Bar

Photo by Stephanie Colgan

Barrio. Did somebody say “tequila”? The brains behind Barrio (see Best New Restaurant) sure as heck did, 110 times. Yup, 110 tequila selections line the wall at this tiny bar, which is stumbling distance from The Local in the heart of Nicollet Mall. Not only will the drinks warm you, but so will the company of the twenty- and thirtysomethings who are packed into this two-level slip of a space. Must try: the tequila-accompanying compadre drinks and made-to-order guac. Spicy. 925 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-333-9953 [top]

Fairy Tale Date Night

Carriages Ride on St. Anthony Main. Many ladies have a Cinderella fantasy: Prince Charming sweeps her off her feet, takes her hand, and whisks her away in a romantic horse-drawn carriage. The next best thing? A nighttime carriage ride from the Hitching Company on St. Anthony Main. You’ll have the perfect riverfront view of Minneapolis’s majestic skyline, and the cold weather will offer one more reason to cuddle up to your cutie under a provided blanket. One hour, $105. Half hour, $55. Fifteen minutes, $30. Rides depart near Vic’s Dining & Cocktails, 201 SE Main St., Mpls., 877-338-7777 [top]

Place to Chill

Barbette. Whether it’s the wine, the pommes frites, or the steam coming off the mussels (arguably the best around) that drag you in from the cold, Barbette is one of the “chillest” spots in town. In addition to killer food and a hefty wine list, the bohemian brasserie hosts a late-night music series on Mondays. But get there early; this intimate venue fills up quickly for bands such as Romantica and Kid Dakota. 1600 W. Lake St., Mpls., 612-827-5710 [top]

Nightlife Impresario

Photo by Steve Henke

Richard Moody. Chances are you’ve been to a Richard Moody–planned event in the past year. Ranging from small fashion shows at The Lounge to upscale boutique openings—OPM and Bumbershute used his services—to large charity events for organizations such as Dress for Success, Moody and his colleagues at IAmMoody know how to throw a party with all the right people in attendance. And even if he isn’t hosting the event, Moody’s probably mingling around, making connections, or chatting with friends—after all, it seems everyone’s friends with Moody. [top]

Use of the Cold

Ice Chamber at Chambers. It might not be the place to wear your usual slinky Saturday-night number, but this glam Minneapolis spot is undoubtedly the “coolest” place in town on winter nights, not to mention a unique setting for sipping cocktails. Located among glistening lights in the hotel’s ground-level courtyard, the Ice Chamber’s bar is a sleek, 12,000-pound structure made entirely of ice. Behind it, bartenders clad in stylish winter coats, furry hats, and boots pour pricey martinis. Don’t worry about the chill—a large fire pit warms and illuminates the chic setting. 901 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-767-6900 [top]

Dance Night

Photo by Stephanie Colgan

Too Much Love. If you’ve had too much of typical TC nightclubs, First Avenue’s Saturday–night special, Too Much Love, could be your ticket to dancing-queen happiness. Local DJ SovietPanda leads the night, with the occasional guest DJ coming in to spin groove-worthy music—from dance-punk to electronica to house and rock remixes. This eighteen-plus party is for everyone but wall flowers. 701 1st Ave. N., Mpls., 612-332-1775 [top]

Happy Hour

Chino Latino. The people at Parasole Restaurant Holdings (Chino, Figlio, Pittsburgh Blue, et al.) know how to throw a happy hour. Good cheap drinks plus good cheap food equals a happy hour—or three. Chino reigns king among the happy hour crowd for its seven-day-a-week, 4:30–7 pm happy hour featuring drinks from $3 to $4 and food from $2 to $5. And don’t forget the late-night, Sunday- through-Thursday deals from 10:30 pm to midnight that include Mexican pizza, French toast, tacos, and more—all for under $4. 2916 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-824-7878 [top]

Taste of the Coasts

Epic. Some clubs try to evoke an LA or NYC atmosphere, but Epic goes one step further, bringing in acts that are no stranger to clubs on either coast—or Paris, London, or Tel Aviv for that matter. This year alone Epic has managed to lure Paul van Dyk, Kaskade, Ferry Corsten, The Crystal Method, and other acts that usually venture no closer than Chicago. 110 N. 5th St., Mpls., 612-332-3742 [top]

After-Hours Hangout

Photo by Stephanie Colgan

W—The Foshay. From Prohibition, the intimate space with amazing views on the Foshay’s twenty-seventh floor to the ultrasleek and lively first-floor W Bar to the Living Room, which boasts leather chairs and classic board games—the W nailed the nightlife thing. Deep lush couches, oversized chairs, plump pillows, and pretty people draw you in, while the creatively crafted cocktails and tongue-in-cheek snacks (we suggest the Thank-you Mom—four grilled cheese wedges) just might inspire you to stay the night. 821 Marquette Ave., Mpls., 612-215-3700 [top]

Winter Drinks Sure, a snifter of brandy will warm the bones, but try these tastier options. Photo by Richard Fleischman The Tea Garden’s Hot Raspberry. Looking for a more Zenlike experience than the bar can provide? On the weekends, Tea Garden brings in guest DJs and stays open ’til 1 am. Late-night raspberry tea latte anyone? 2601 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-377-1700, see its website for additional locations. Photo by Richard Fleischman The Local’s Irish Coffee. The kicker in this coffee is The Local’s signature liquor, Jameson, served in a warmed glass, topped with the Local’s homemade whipped cream (which is made with the real Irish stuff). 931 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-904-1000 Photo by Richard Fleischman Wilde Roast Café’s Hot Chocolate. Just how hot chocolate should be—thick, rich, and topped with a mound of whipped cream and chocolate shavings.A perfect buzz-free drink for that first date. 518 Hennepin Ave. E., Mpls., 612-331-4544 Photo by Richard Fleischman Surly Darkness. This Brooklyn Center–based beer isn’t for the weak. At 10.3 percent ABV, we’ve heard that people get into fistfights over this limited-release winter brew. With only twenty-five barrels distributed last year, the dark, handsome stranger can only be found in select pubs. Find one on its website. [top]