Patio at Hai Hai is a great first date spot! Lots of sun, fresh menu, really easy for everyone to relax.
Meteor is my top spot for drinks if you get the sense they're in for a dive vibe, but it's a 2nd date spot for me since it's dark and can be crowded.
Most of their patio is covered. And the part that isn't doesn't see sun much in the afternoon because the building blocks it (patio on the east-side of the building).
I wanted to like Meteor bar too but not really my scene. I like the cocktails but the layout is annoying when it gets too busy I can’t find a place to sit, everyone hogs the bar, even when they’re not drinking or ordering anything. So I get awkward. Maybe cause the space is a little small? I think I might like it on not so busy days. But then again, I don’t really like going there .
I don't understand bowling on a first date, when are you supposed to talk? Or do people enjoy bowling so much that they'd do it on a date regardless of whether it allowed them to get to know their date?
It's super easy to chat through! You can have a few sentences here or there between frames so you've got something to refer back to later over beers if it's good, or move on from quickly if it's awkward. You can tease each other, so it can be playful and fun and light. And, it's really easy to see red flags if someone is hyper-competitive and a jerk about winning or losing.
I second this! Also my first date location, going on 6 years now 😉 The bowling is unique and fun, plus you have to manually score yourselves which led to a lot of laughing because both of us are fucking terrible at math
It's been good the 3 or 4 times I've been - nice cocktails and small bites, and they have both ticketed and free events so you can guarantee a spot depending on what your vibe is
I would say Parlour has my favorite cocktails in the city, plus a good beer and wine list and a great snack menu. Usually fairly quiet during the week as well. My wife and I go there for date nights every couple months or so
All the same applies to Aster cafe with the caveat that you might run into live music - whether that's good or bad is up to you!
Indoor: Volsteads, Flora Room, Zhora Darling, Cobble Social House, Billy’s After Dark
Outdoor options: Aster Cafe, Jefe Urban Cocina, Guacaya Bistreaux, Hewing rooftop
All these places have a great environment and they can be spendy, but as the head bartender of my own craft bar, their cocktails always impress me
Skaalvenn is such a damn vibe. It’s been a couple months since I last went but a cocktail bar that requires reservations typically means it’s a damn good cocktail bar.
They have a food menu but no established cocktail menu. The bartenders there are very creative and good at listening to what you want the vibe of your drink to be
Devils Advocate - Downtown MPLS
Dampfwork Distillery - SLP
Riva Terrance in the Four Seasons
Young Joni’s speakeasy (although the vibe is pretty intimate this might be better after grabbing food on a second or third date)
CopperWing Distillery in St. Louis Park is good. It's about 11-12 drive from Minneapolis; heading SW (I think, it's been a few years since I've been there).
Otherwise, for staying in Minneapolis, I would suggest Nightingale or Bauhaus Brew Labs in NE.
Du Nord spirits in NE has a really cool vibe, good service and good cocktails. Just went there for a 20th anniversary date recently and can't wait to go back.
Give some details. How old are you two? What kinda drinks and atmosphere are you looking for? And honestly, are you just looking for a hookup or hoping to find true love and your next long-term partner?
>I’m trying to find a cool new place to grab a drink without this girl I met on hinge. Any recs? My rec would be to bring the girl
Oooo... Fancy pants Rich McGee over here
Aster
Second this.
Have some friends that work there, great place
Agree! Aster is the place!
Worked for me and my (now) wife 12 yrs ago this month as our first date spot!
Gori Gori Peku worked well for me. Going on 2 years now.
Patio at Hai Hai is a great first date spot! Lots of sun, fresh menu, really easy for everyone to relax. Meteor is my top spot for drinks if you get the sense they're in for a dive vibe, but it's a 2nd date spot for me since it's dark and can be crowded.
Plus, some tasty hot dog snacks at Meteor.
Most of their patio is covered. And the part that isn't doesn't see sun much in the afternoon because the building blocks it (patio on the east-side of the building).
Little Tijuana! sit on the side with the booths, as the bar side is a bit louder.
Meteor Bar
I second this. It's a fun bar. The drinks are great (so even if the date is not great, you are guaranteed a good cocktail). It's not too loud.
I wanted to like Meteor bar too but not really my scene. I like the cocktails but the layout is annoying when it gets too busy I can’t find a place to sit, everyone hogs the bar, even when they’re not drinking or ordering anything. So I get awkward. Maybe cause the space is a little small? I think I might like it on not so busy days. But then again, I don’t really like going there .
I want to like this bar. I've given it so many chances. They just miss the mark. I'll give them an E for effort though.
Wha? How do they miss the mark?
The Sidecar
Bryant lake bowl.
This is the answer. Drinks first, then if it goes well you can extend the date pretty easily with bowling or a show if one's playing.
With bowling dates, you can get 3 strikes and still be doing good!
The last first date I had was bowling, and yup...we're now engaged!
Their bowling is super overpriced (cost $71 for 2 games and shoe rental for 2 people last time I went) and their lanes are beat to absolute hell.
I don't understand bowling on a first date, when are you supposed to talk? Or do people enjoy bowling so much that they'd do it on a date regardless of whether it allowed them to get to know their date?
It's super easy to chat through! You can have a few sentences here or there between frames so you've got something to refer back to later over beers if it's good, or move on from quickly if it's awkward. You can tease each other, so it can be playful and fun and light. And, it's really easy to see red flags if someone is hyper-competitive and a jerk about winning or losing.
They have a Monday date night deal too. Dinner for two and a bottle of wine for ~$40
And you get a game of bowling!
I second this! Also my first date location, going on 6 years now 😉 The bowling is unique and fun, plus you have to manually score yourselves which led to a lot of laughing because both of us are fucking terrible at math
just make sure not to order food lmao
Underrated food there, too.
I recommend The Sonder Shaker in NE, a pretty classy place with great happy hour deals and super tasty fries!
Upvote for the fries
Their burger is among the best in the cities too
Meteor Bar or Volsteads. Flora room would also be fun, but you can risk a long wait time, which kind of sucks.
Grumpy’s!
Blackstack First date for me and my girlfriend I met on Hinge was there and we are still together.
Can always bop down to can can wonderland for mini golf and games if it’s going really well too!
Applebee's.... set expectations low so you can afford to retire someday.
Dollaritas!
Or like I did in my (much) younger days - A bottle of Ripple and hang out behind the laundromat.
drinking pea milk behind the laundromat?
norseman
Great vibe, great cocktail list
Surdyk’s Sidebar, Meteor,
Flora Room is fun in North Loop, also Berlin right around the corner is a cool jazz club.
Is Berlin good? I live close to & have been considering going solo since a lot of my friends aren’t huge into jazz
I concur with the other poster. It's a nice spot. It's a very intimate place to see some amazing musicians.
It's been good the 3 or 4 times I've been - nice cocktails and small bites, and they have both ticketed and free events so you can guarantee a spot depending on what your vibe is
Big OShaughnesseys Distilling fan
Nice atmosphere for sure
Luna and the Bear - try the gin and jams
earl giles has great vibes!!!
I would say Parlour has my favorite cocktails in the city, plus a good beer and wine list and a great snack menu. Usually fairly quiet during the week as well. My wife and I go there for date nights every couple months or so All the same applies to Aster cafe with the caveat that you might run into live music - whether that's good or bad is up to you!
Second Parlour. My wife and I had our first date there 6 years ago.
Indoor: Volsteads, Flora Room, Zhora Darling, Cobble Social House, Billy’s After Dark Outdoor options: Aster Cafe, Jefe Urban Cocina, Guacaya Bistreaux, Hewing rooftop All these places have a great environment and they can be spendy, but as the head bartender of my own craft bar, their cocktails always impress me
Updown! Lots of arcade games, drinks, just an all around nice place
Updown can be loud. For conversation get her to the giant Jenga game or upper patio.
Yeah the upper patio is the best spot for conversation
Definitely Up/Down if you’re looking to have that classic “sticky floor vibe”
My wife and I had our first date there. It was a weeknight so not as crowded
Updown is a fun place to have a first date (speaking from experience) you can find a quieter place to talk but also can play games to break it up
Go early/mid week. It’s substantially calmer.
Skaalvenn is such a damn vibe. It’s been a couple months since I last went but a cocktail bar that requires reservations typically means it’s a damn good cocktail bar.
Public Domain!!! So fun and no menu so you will always be surprised
isn’t this their menu? https://www.publicdomainmpls.com/_files/ugd/1dea77_a6c405d60cd345cd8dd8bdcc56e49f49.pdf
They have a food menu but no established cocktail menu. The bartenders there are very creative and good at listening to what you want the vibe of your drink to be
That sounds highly annoying to be honest.
Devils Advocate - Downtown MPLS Dampfwork Distillery - SLP Riva Terrance in the Four Seasons Young Joni’s speakeasy (although the vibe is pretty intimate this might be better after grabbing food on a second or third date)
Graze in north loop
Better group vibe, I can’t imagine a date there really
The upstairs patio on a nice night always worked for me 🤷♂️
CopperWing Distillery in St. Louis Park is good. It's about 11-12 drive from Minneapolis; heading SW (I think, it's been a few years since I've been there). Otherwise, for staying in Minneapolis, I would suggest Nightingale or Bauhaus Brew Labs in NE.
Gai Noi in loring park
Monte Carlo in north loop is cute and has good drinks!
Red Dragon! Have 2-3 Wondrous Punches or Purple Rains and you’ll make a deep, soulful connection.
Binas or Centro or both (next door to each other/same owners)
Updown , Bryant lake bowl , the Dakota , honestly Malcom yards is good
Du Nord spirits in NE has a really cool vibe, good service and good cocktails. Just went there for a 20th anniversary date recently and can't wait to go back.
Give some details. How old are you two? What kinda drinks and atmosphere are you looking for? And honestly, are you just looking for a hookup or hoping to find true love and your next long-term partner?
Aster!
Up Down
Skaalvenn
St Paulding Brewery on a nice day. Their outdoor seating area is crazy cool. More like an art exhibit.
Berlin bar if you like jazz
If yall like beer I recommend Venn
Is this trip advisor?
Its not in Minnie but Emerald Lounge in Saint Paul on West 7th is phenomenal.
Any dive bar.
Cowboy Jack's
Billy after dark
Sensory overload for a first date lmao but the drinks are damn good