17 Things to Do in Minneapolis at Night for Nightlife (2023)
Are you looking for the best things to do in Minneapolis at night? I’ve got you covered!
Minneapolis, the largest city in Minnesota, is a vibrant and bustling metropolis that offers a huge variety of activities to enjoy, even after the sun goes down.
In fact, some of my favorite activities are done after dark. I live in Minnesota and spend a lot of time in Minneapolis and I’ve done almost all of these activities.
I love attending concerts, sports games, breweries, and more. So in this post, I’ll share my favorite ways to still have fun after dark in Minneapolis.
Planning Your Trip to Minnesota? Use My Favorite Resources!
🛌 Accommodations: I love using Booking.com for any hotels or short-term rentals.
🏡Vacation Rentals: If you want your own house, VRBO is the best platform.
✈️ Flights: For flights to get here, check out Expedia to save some money!
🚘 Car Rentals: To get around, I use Discover Cars!
📍Tours: I recommend Viator for fun experiences.
Things to Do in Minneapolis at Night
1. Go to a Show at First Avenue
Seeing a concert is one of the best ways to spend an evening in Minneapolis, and you can see some of the best shows right at First Avenue!
I watched my very first concert, Hippo Campus, at First Avenue and it’s such an iconic venue! It was so fun to read all of the stars that are on the outside wall of past stars that have played here.
There are stars for Prince, the Goo Goo Dolls, Metallica, Coldplay, and more!
Between the two stages, First Avenue and 7th Street Entry, there are all sorts of performances including concerts, magicians, and adults-only shows.
Besides my first concert at First Avenue, I’ve been 4 others! Walk the Moon was my favorite show that I’ve seen here!
2. Attend a Professional Sports Game
Minneapolis is home to several major sports teams, including the Minnesota Vikings (football), the Minnesota Twins (baseball), the Minnesota Wild (hockey), and the Minnesota Timberwolves (basketball).
All of them play in beautiful stadiums, arenas, fields, etc. and the games often start after dark, especially the winter sports!
I’ve been to a few sports games, with the Vikings being my favorite! So if you love football, be sure to try to snag tickets!
3. Enjoy the Views from the Hewing Hotel Rooftop
The Minneapolis and St. Paul skyline is absolutely beautiful at night,, and one of the best places to admire it is from the rooftop of the Hewing Hotel.
Grab yourself a bite to eat from their limited menu of appetizers and sandwiches, and check out the millions of lights, making the city glow.
You can also enjoy a drink from their expansive menu of local beers and wines, spirits, and more.
This is the perfect opportunity to spend a romantic night out with your partner or a date!
If you book a stay at the hotel, you can soak in their rooftop hot tub, which makes for one of the most relaxing ways to spend your night.
4. Watch a Movie in the Park
During the summer months, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board hosts a variety of movies and music in the parks of the city.
These typically take place just after dark, and you can watch a variety of movies, both new and old, on a big screen outdoors.
Last year Tyler and I went to watch The Breakfast Club and we brought our own popcorn and candy from home as well as a fuzzy blanket to cuddle under and watch the movie!
A few of the venues where these movies are shown are Bryant Square Park, Lake Harriet Bandshell, and Nicollet Island Park. Some of these overlook the beautiful Minnesota lakes.
5. Watch the Sunset Over the Stone Arch Bridge
The Stone Arch Bridge is one of the most iconic locations in Minneapolis, and as the sun starts to go down, it makes a perfect location to watch the sunset.
Watch as the sun starts to sink below the horizon, and the beautiful bright colors fill the sky.
The bridge crosses over the Mississippi River, so you’ll also get to experience the beautiful colors reflecting into the river.
You can even walk along the Stone Arch Bridge during the winter months in the Twin Cities, to see the snow glistening along the river.
6. Visit the Minneapolis Institute of Art
While the Minneapolis Institute of Art isn’t always open late, it is open until 9:00 pm on Thursdays, so you can visit fairly late!
Within the Institute, you’ll find a variety of galleries, filled with beautiful artwork from the present day, the past, and all over the world.
Everything from paintings to figurines fill the halls and walls of the MIA.
If you’re looking for even more art work around the city, you can visit the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
7. Rock Climb at Vertical Endeavors
One of our favorite ways to get active when it’s too cold to be outside is to go rock climbing at Vertical Endeavors. I always break a sweat and am exhausted by the end!
At Vertical Endeavors, you can try rock climbing for yourself, with the help of professionals and the proper gear.
With walls up to 58 feet tall and 150 routes to choose from, there’s somewhere to climb for people of all skill levels here; beginner to advanced.
You can take different lessons and learn how to start using the ropes and routes within the climbing gym.
8. Watch a Broadway Musical
Around the city of Minneapolis, there are several theaters where you can sit back and enjoy watching a Broadway musical.
Some of the shows take place during the day, but there are also usually showings around 7pm, so you can go after dark if you don’t want to go during the day.
I’ve seen everything from Phanom of the Opera and Wicked to Beauty and the Beast. Broadway is one of my favorite things and I go to these shows all the time!
The Orpheum Theater is one of the main stages, but the Guthrie and the Ordway are two others that also offer beautiful shows.
9. See the View from the Foshay Observation Deck
Enjoy a good view like I do? Head up to the Foshay Observation Deck! This stunning viewpoint looks over the Twin Cities and is even better at night.
It’s open until 9:00 pm, so you can head up and see the city all lit up after dark. It’s really gorgeous and worthwhile!
I went up there back when I was little, and I remember seeing the flashing city lights and wishing that I could love in Minneapolis! Little did I know, I’d live nearby later in life!
10. Enjoy a Late Night Coffee
While most people think of grabbing coffee as a morning activity, one of the most popular coffeehouses in Minneapolis is open late!
Spyhouse Coffee Roasters has multiple locations throughout the city, and serves some of the best coffee in town!
My favorite is their chai latte since I’m not a regular coffee drinker. But I really love the Spyhouse at the Emery Hotel because it’s filled with greenery.
Head on into Spyhouse, bring a book, or your laptop to get some work done, or just sit down with a friend for a late-night coffee run.
11. Try Out an Escape Room
Escape rooms have taken the world by storm in recent years, and have given visitors a fun way to put their brains to the test to solve a puzzle.
From solving a murder mystery to breaking out of a prison cell, each room presents a unique challenge that will leave you feeling like a true detective.
There are a few different places to check out escape rooms, many of which are open until 9:00 or 10:00 pm!
The most popular locations are Escape the Room Minneapolis, Breakout Games, and The Escape Game at the Mall of America.
Most escape rooms are great for people of all ages, so it’s something fun that the entire family can enjoy!
12. Give Axe Throwing a Try
Axe throwing has become a popular activity to do with friends, and you can do it right here in Minneapolis at Bad Axe Throwing.
They have knowledgeable coaches who can help teach you the proper techniques and offer guidance throughout the session.
When I tried axe throwing for the first time, I got such a rush! It’s such a unique activity and I really thought I wouldn’t like it, but I definitely did!
While this isn’t your typical activity, it offers a great thing to do in Minneapolis at night, and to try something new with friends.
13. Go Bowling
This classic activity is something that almost everyone has done at least once or twice in their lives, and it honestly brings back a bit of nostalgia.
Strap on those (kind of ugly) colorful shoes, choose your bright-colored bowling ball and step up to the lanes to knock down the pins.
I’m not sure why, but we sometimes just get the random urge to go bowling and head out to our nearest bowling alley. It’s always a good time, even if it feels a little old school.
If you’re looking for something fun to do after dark in Minneapolis, then bowling with a group of friends can be just that for you.
You can even visit places like Memory Lanes, which is open late-night throughout the week (only 21+ after 10:00 pm).
Things to Do in Minneapolis at Night for 21+
If you’re over the age of 21 and are looking for something a bit more to do after dark, luckily, there are plenty of things to do! Here are some of the best.
14. Go Brewery Hopping
Minneapolis is home to some pretty fantastic breweries, and most of them are open late throughout the week.
Some local favorites include Modist Brewing Co., Fulton Brewing Taproom, Bauhaus Brew Labs, and Surly Brewing. Sociable Cider Werks is another popular spot.
Each of these breweries brews its own beer, and serves it either on tap or in bottles, so you can get a taste for all of the different flavors.
Brewery tours, whether is be self-guided or with a group, are one of the best late night activities in Minneapolis.
One of the best ways to do this is to book a brewery tour, where you’ll have someone to drive you from place to place and show you the best ones in town!
This all-inclusive brewery tour takes you around the city and allows for all-you-can-drink brews from some of the top locations. Plus, you’ll have a ride!
Note: Please never drink and drive. If you’re going to be brewery hopping, plan a ride to and from each brewery and a ride home. Have a designated driver or use a ride-share app like Uber or Lyft.
15. Hangout at a Night Club
While nightclubs are sort of sparse in Minneapolis, there are a few that are worthwhile, if you’re looking for some of that Minneapolis nightlife.
Ground Zero Nightclub is a 21+ venue that has a dance floor, featuring a huge mix of music played by a variety of different DJs.
It’s only open on the weekends, as well as some Friday nights if there are events happening.
Come hang out, enjoy some dancing, have a drink, and see what kind of nightlife this city has to offer!
16. Sing Karaoke at a Bar
Another great way to spend an evening in Minneapolis is by heading to a karaoke bar to have your few minutes of fame.
It’s the perfect combination of liquid courage and musical fantasy, where anyone can transform into a rockstar for three minutes.
In Minneapolis, you can sing karaoke in a few locations.
Vegas Lounge is definitely the most popular, where you can enjoy singing karaoke every night, starting at 9:00 p.m. You can also grab some food and a drink here!
The 1029 Bar is another great place to let it all out with karaoke Wednesday through Sunday nights. This bar was actually seen on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives!
So, grab the mic, choose your favorite tune, and let’s all pretend we’re famous for a moment.
17. Visit the Local Bars
Of course, as an adult, one of the best activities that you can do after dark in Minneapolis is to visit the local bars, as there are many!
Choose one or two that are close by and visit them to try out each place’s individual drinks.
Or order a few of your favorite drinks at each place, and compare which is better.
Bars are found all over the city, in the downtown area, Uptown Minneapolis, the North Loop, and just in random places.
A few of the best, which are some favorites, include Volstead’s Emporium, Up-Down, and Parlour.
Does Minneapolis Have Nightlife?
Yes, Minneapolis has a bustling nightlife that people of all ages can enjoy!
The city boasts numerous bars, nightclubs, music venues, theaters, and restaurants that remain open late into the night.
From the trendy bars in downtown Minneapolis to watching concerts and live shows, there is always something to do after dark in this vibrant city.
With so much to offer, Minneapolis is an excellent destination for anyone looking to explore and experience the city’s vibrant nightlife.
Is Minneapolis Dangerous at Night?
Any big city can be dangerous at night, and Minneapolis is no differnet, but it’s really no worse than other large cities like Chicago and Seattle.
Of course, there are neighborhoods that should be avoided and you should always use caution and never walk at night alone. It’s sometimes even best to avoid being alone during the day.
Stay on well-lit streets, walk with someone, and have your location on for friends and family.
But otherwise, Minneapolis is still a a pretty safe and nice city to visit, and if you’re doing some of the above, which are in lit locations, you’re generally going to be safe.
FAQs
There are many romantic places in Minneapolis, but the areas around the Chain of Lakes, the Stone Arch Bridge, and some of the rooftop hotels in Minneapolis are the most romantic.
The best places to walk at night in the Twin Cities are in lit areas, such as the downtown area. This is the safest way to do it, and please try not to walk alone.
While you can definitely walk at night in the Twin Cities as there are many lit streets, it’s best to avoid walking alone. It is a big city, and with that, there can be dangerous people. So always be cautious, walk with someone else, and stay in lit areas.
Wrap-Up: Things to Do in Minneapolis After Dark
So while you might think that after the sun goes down, you have to head back home and call it a night, there is still a whole lot of Minneapolis nightlife to check out.
From catching a show at one of the many theaters to exploring the city’s various bars and restaurants, there are plenty of things to do in Minneapolis at night.
My favorite thing to do is to go to a Broadway show or to attend a sports game! Now that you know what to do, check out some of the best places to grab a late night snack.
