I totally, totally love Brit's Pub! It's such a friendly place. There's also a new Mexican place called The Barrio, that recently opened 900 Nicollet Mall or thereabouts, it's supposed to be "the" bar to go to, great food and mixed drinks, I was just reading a review of it in Minnesota Monthly that made me want to go there. I'll see if I can find more information on it and post a link.

Barrio is certainly "the" place to be right now. A lot of fun and the best selection of tequila you could ever ask for, also cheap, delicious late night food. Brit's pub is great, as is the Local. Dakota Jazz is right across the way as well. You'll have no problem finding fun places to go, though they're pricey. 

Don't read Minnisota Monthly, read Mpls.St.Paul magazine.

Any of those places would be good to eat at too. Zelo is one of my favorites downtown (right next to the Local and Barrio). King and I Thai is really good too and on LaSalle.

Solera is on 9th and Hennepin. Spanish modern. Tapas.

Zelo's is indeed *fabulous,* it's one of my favorite places downtown, it's mediterranean. I also like Palomino a lot, I know it's very close to your destination, though I don't have the exact address. It's on LaSalle, though. And, if you like SUSHI, which I am crazy for, Nami and Origami, both in the Warehouse district, are both fabuloso. Oh, and if you live "nouvelle" Mexican, Masa is good -- let's just say, it's not the Mexican food I grew up eating. Good luck and let us know where you all end up going!

If you are looking for beer brewed on site after the show try Rock Bottom Brewery, it is right across the street.

Chris,

We ALL know that next to Duluth, We're superior.

If I'm "stuck" in Mpls ..jkjk ... I like Nyes!

Oh, and it's only three blocks from the State Theatre.

as a current tc dweller, i have to disagree with azia. it's pretty but the drinks are expensive and the food is eh. if you want sushi, go to origami. some the best (though pricey) sushi i've ever had.

i do agree with brits pub though. that's a great place.

on a fri and sat night, the area around the target center is insane. long lines to get in bars and most of them aren't worth the line. head over the bridge and go to nye's. that's the place to be.

I don't know why, but I didn't really like Nye's the one time I went there. It was ok, but nothing memorable. I really like Grumpy's too, though never been there at night, only for after-work happy hours. I went to a party at Club Jaeger once, it's in a desolate area north of the Warehouse District, 923 N. Washington. I liked the vibe there, and unlike the bars closer in the Warehouse District that I'm sure get too crowded with college kids, per enealio's comment, I can't imagine a problem with long lines outside this place. I really hate that Block E area, it's got too many chain-style establishments there, looks like Times Sq. I like going to the local places off the beaten track. I'm going to have to check out O'Donovan's next time I'm in the TC!

I walk through the nuthouse that is Nicollet Mall every day on my way to and from work, and it would most likely never be my first choice for a Friday night, but if you're doing the whole "seeing a show downtown thing" plus the location of your hotel, I'd go with the downtown suggestions. It's just not worth it to take a cab or drive and park on a Friday night if you're already staying and seeing a show downtown. Have fun!

It appears that O'Donovan's closed now, too.  Either that, or they moved.  At any rate, they are no longer located at the corner of 1st & 7th, and that breaks my heart.

Kelli - I would sure hope they're not closed ;-) They have a music schedule for next week! I'm guessing you just missed them or they had their sign down or something. They're not particularly obvious to begin with. You scared me there for a second!

Little T's.

thanks for all the help guys.  I may need to stay an extra night to hit everything.

BARRIO!

sunny side up. 
key's
st. clair broiler
(breakfast is my fave meal.)