Written by:
Courtney Becks
The Gopher State has a lot more to offer than grim winters, wolves and A Prairie Home Companion. The design- and art-conscious Twin Cities are undeniably the state’s crown jewels. Maybe you’ve even heard of the usual suspects: the very shiny Gehry-designed Weisman Art Museum (333 East River Rd), on the East Bank of the University of Minnesota campus and the terrifyingly hip Walker Art Center (1750 Hennepin Ave). Worthy institutions, both—but folks in the know have a different take on what must-see destinations are.
Hanging Out
Minneapolis and St. Paul are both very neighborhood-oriented cities. And no neighborhood is complete without a place to people-watch and just chill out. The Seward Community Café (2129 East Franklin Ave) is first or second on everyone’s list. An anchor of its namesake neighborhood, it offers not only delish veggie and vegan food, but also an eye-popping event calendar. Quadruple threat Bryant Lake Bowl (810 West Lake Street) is a bowling alley-restaurant-bar-theatre all rolled into one and can keep you occupied for hours—with the theatre often showing LGBT productions. You are sure to love the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden (726 Vineland Place) because it’s stunning and free. Also check out: Loring Park, (1382 Willow St) and Triple Rock (629 Cedar Ave).
Eat, Drink…Meet Women
If you find relaxing to be taxing, refresh yourself at the self-proclaimed dyke bar, Pi (2532 25th Ave South) This boozer is the kid sister, if you will, to St. Paul’s oldest LGBT nightlife institution, Town House Bar (1415 University Ave West). And you really can’t say you’ve been to the Twin Cities until you get your vittles on at West Bank stalwart, Hard Times Café (1821 Riverside Ave). All you veggies will be happy to know that the Twin Cities are extremely vegan- and vegetarian-friendly. Also check out: Blue Moon Coffee Café, (3822 East Lake St), Barbette (1600 West Lake St) and the queasily-named Wienery (414 Cedar Ave South)
Arty Girl
The Twin Cities—home of the non-profit artist housing development, Artspace—are obviously great places to do, make, say and think art. Get your fix at Patrick’s Cabaret (3010 Minnehaha Ave South), the space that makes a point of featuring artists of color, LGBTQ artists, and artists with disabilities. Intermedia Arts (2822 Lyndale Ave South), the community’s multicultural multidisciplinary arts center, has been around for more than 30 years. Franklin Art Works (1021 East Franklin Ave) is a contemporary visual and performing arts center that features the work of both local and national artists. Also check out: Bedlam Theatre (1501 South 6th St) and the Minnesota Museum of American Art (50 West Kellogg Blvd in St. Paul)
Reading is Sexxxy
A little bit of shh for the reader isn’t hard to find in these two supremely literate cities. Quatrefoil Library (1619 Dayton Ave in St. Paul) creates a safe space for the collection and circulation of LGBT materials. Or, you can support sisterhood at Amazon Bookstore Cooperative (4755 Chicago Ave South), which is owned and run by its workers. Visit the literary industrial complex, Open Book (1011 Washington Ave South), which houses independent press Milkweed Editions, the Minnesota Center for Book Arts, Rosalux Gallery, the Loft Literary Center, and Coffee Gallery. Also check out: Bat Annex Free School Library (3753 Bloomington Ave South) and Arise! Bookstore (2441 Lyndale Ave South).
Sound of Music
The Twin Cities boast an excellent music scene since local bands, like the Scandinavians that were many Minnesotans’ ancestors, turn the scourge of winter into a golden opportunity for music making. Check out the eponymous First Avenue (701 1st Ave North), and keep your fingers crossed for a Prince sighting. Flip corporate music the bird at Fifth Element (2411 Hennepin Ave South), which was started by local indie rhymesters and has your hip-hop needs on lock. Extreme Noise, the volunteer-run, punk record store (407 West Lake St), ups the anti-consumer capitalism ante.
Media
Utne Reader (crunchy goodness produced locally, distributed everywhere)
Rain Taxi Review of Books (for the hip bookworm set)
90.3/106.7 KFAI (community radio)
91.1 KNOW (Minnesota Public Radio)
89.9 KMOJ (urban community radio)
770AM KUOM (college radio)
www.doitgreen.com (helpful, interesting site about Twin Cities green living)
Unless otherwise noted, addresses listed are in Minneapolis.
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