Minneapolis after dark is seriously underrated. The best things to do in Minneapolis at night go way beyond your typical Midwest scene. I’m talking converted grain silos turned into wine bars, secret shows in warehouse basements, and rooftop lounges with views that’ll make you forget you’re in the middle of the country.
The city absolutely comes alive at night. The North Loop buzzes with energy, the Mississippi waterfront glows with string lights, and every neighborhood seems to be hiding another incredible late-night food spot. Let me show you why Minneapolis nightlife puts other Midwest cities to shame!
- 👉 Pro Tip: I HIGHLY recommend this all-you-can-drink brewery tour through Minneapolis’s craft beer scene! They drive you between top spots like Fair State and Modist Brewing, plus access to unlimited tastings at each stop. You also learn what makes Minneapolis beer special from guides who know the real brewers beyond the tourist spots. This tour is absolutely a must-do on a Minneapolis itinerary in my opinion.
Best Things to Do in Minneapolis at Night (2025 Guide)
Are you ready to explore the most unique things to do in Minneapolis at nighttime? As mentioned earlier, there’s a wide range of exciting activities in Minneapolis after dark. Keep reading to find where to go in Minneapolis at night!
1. See live music at First Avenue
First Avenue is honestly one of the best music venues in the country, and I’m not just saying that. This place has been the heart of Minneapolis music since 1970, and you can feel that history the second you walk in. Prince made this place famous, but it’s way more than just a tourist spot.
Tickets usually run $40-80 depending on who’s playing, and shows typically start around 8pm. The main room holds about 1,500 people, so it’s big enough to feel like a real concert but small enough that you’re actually close to the stage. I’ve seen everything from indie bands to major acts here, and the sound system is incredible.
The smaller 7th St Entry next door is perfect for discovering new bands – those shows are usually cheaper too, around $15-25. Just know that this is an 18+ venue, so bring your ID. The bar has decent drink prices for a music venue, and honestly, the whole vibe just works. It’s dark, it’s loud, and it’s exactly what a legendary music club should be.
2. Walk through Minneapolis Sculpture Garden at night
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is completely free and open until midnight every single day, which makes it perfect for nighttime wandering. I actually prefer it after dark because the sculptures look totally different with the city lights in the background.
You’ll spend about an hour here if you’re really looking at everything, but you could easily just walk through in 20 minutes. The famous Spoonbridge and Cherry is obviously the main attraction, but there are over 40 sculptures scattered around 11 acres. The blue rooster (Hahn/Cock) is actually pretty cool too, even though it sounds ridiculous.
Parking can be annoying – street parking is $0.50 per hour during the day, but it’s free after 6pm on most streets around the garden. The paths are well-lit and safe, though it does get pretty quiet after 10pm. I like bringing friends here before hitting up other spots in the area because it’s such a chill way to start the night. Just dress for the weather since you’re completely outside.
3. Eat dinner in the North Loop
The North Loop has seriously become Minneapolis’s food destination, and honestly, it’s not even close. This neighborhood is packed with restaurants that’ll make you forget you’re in the Midwest. I’m talking everything from Spoon and Stable (fine dining, expect $80+ per person) to Red Cow (great burgers, around $15-20) to Graze Food Hall where you can try five different places in one night.
What’s cool is that most places stay open until at least 10pm, with bars serving food until midnight or later. Borough does this seasonal menu thing that’s always changing, and Parlour has that famous burger everyone talks about. If you want something different, Maison Margaux feels like you’re eating in Paris underground.
The whole area is super walkable – you can easily hit 2-3 places in one night if you’re doing the small plates thing. Street parking is free after 6pm, or there are plenty of ramps for $8-15. I usually start with dinner around 7pm and then bar hop until late. Just know that weekends get busy, so make reservations if you’re going somewhere nice.
4. Take a nighttime Mississippi River cruise
Padelford Riverboats runs these evening cruises that are way better than you’d expect. Their dinner cruises run Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday nights from June through September, and tickets are around $55-75 including a full meal. The Margarita Cruises on Wednesday and Thursday nights are more my speed – $35-45 with a taco bar and 2-for-1 margaritas.
The boats leave from Harriet Island in St. Paul (not Minneapolis, but it’s like 10 minutes away), and most cruises are about 2 hours long. You’ll see the Stone Arch Bridge, downtown skyline, and if you’re lucky, some wildlife. The sunset timing is perfect during summer months.
I did the pizza cruise once and it was actually solid – way better than I expected from boat food. The cash bar isn’t cheap, but the views are worth it. Just dress in layers because it gets cold on the water, even in summer. The boats can hold a few hundred people, so it’s not intimate, but it’s a fun group vibe. Reservations are basically required, especially for weekend cruises.
✈️ My #1 Hack for Cheap Flights:
If you’re not using Going, you’re probably overpaying for flights. I’ve scored roundtrips to Europe for under $300 - and I never would’ve found them on Google Flights.
Their free version is great, but Premium is where the real magic happens. I recommend doing the 14-day free trial. And right now, you can get 25% off Premium or Elite with my code: JON25.
Seriously, it’s the best travel upgrade I’ve ever made.
5. Try an escape room at The Escape Game Minneapolis
The Escape Game in downtown has six different themed rooms, and they’re all pretty well done. Tickets are $35-45 per person depending on when you go, and each game is exactly 60 minutes. I’ve done the Gold Rush and Prison Break rooms – both were challenging without being impossible.
You need 3-8 people per game, and they’re open until 10pm most nights, later on weekends. The staff actually gives you hints when you’re stuck, which is nice because some escape rooms just let you suffer. The themes are solid – think heist movies and adventure stuff, nothing too cheesy.
What I like is that it’s right downtown, so you can easily grab dinner before or drinks after. There’s paid parking in the area, but it’s not terrible. The hour goes by fast when you’re actually engaged, and it’s way more fun than I expected. Good for dates, friend groups, or even team building if that’s your thing. Just book ahead because popular time slots fill up, especially Friday and Saturday nights.
6. Play arcade games at Up-Down Minneapolis
Up-Down is genuinely awesome, and I say that as someone who’s usually skeptical of “retro” stuff. Every single game costs just 25 cents (one token), which is insane in 2025. They’ve got over 50 classic arcade games, pinball machines, skee-ball, and even Nintendo 64 setups with Mario Kart.
They’re open 3pm-2am Monday through Friday, 11am-2am on weekends, so it’s perfect for late-night gaming. The beer selection is massive – over 60 craft beers on tap – and they do house-made pizza that’s actually good. Thursday is double token night, so games are basically 12.5 cents each.
The space gets packed on weekends, but that’s part of the fun. I spent like $10 in tokens and played for two hours straight. The pinball machines are in great condition, which is rare for arcade bars. They’ve got three outdoor patios when the weather’s nice, and the staff knows their stuff. It’s in the Lyn-Lake area, so there’s plenty of other bars within walking distance. Definitely hit this place if you want to feel like a kid again.
7. Watch a show at Guthrie Theater
The Guthrie Theater is legit one of the best regional theaters in the country, and their building right on the Mississippi is pretty stunning. Tickets range from $35-104 depending on the show and seats, with student/senior discounts available. Their 2025-26 season includes classics like Macbeth and A Doll’s House.
I saw A Christmas Carol there once and it was way better than expected – they’ve been doing it for 50 years, so they’ve got it down. The Wurtele Thrust Stage puts you really close to the action, which makes even Shakespeare feel intimate. Shows typically start at 7:30pm with some matinees.
The building itself is worth seeing – there’s this cantilever bridge with amazing city views that you can visit during the day for free. Parking is available in nearby ramps for $8-15. The theater district has good dinner options before shows, and the whole experience feels more accessible than Broadway without losing the quality. Just dress a little nicer than your usual Minneapolis casual – it’s not black-tie, but it’s also not a sports bar.
8. Walk across Stone Arch Bridge at night
The Stone Arch Bridge at night is honestly one of those simple pleasures that just works. It’s completely free, always open, and the views of downtown Minneapolis are incredible after dark. The bridge is about a third of a mile long, so it’s an easy 10-15 minute walk across.
You can park at Mill Ruins Park on the east side or find street parking downtown on the west side. The bridge is well-lit and feels safe, plus there are usually other people around even late at night. I like starting from the St. Anthony Falls side because you get better photos of the skyline as you walk toward downtown.
The Mississippi looks completely different at night – all the city lights reflecting on the water. It’s definitely Instagram-worthy, but it’s also just a nice way to clear your head or have a conversation while walking. You can easily combine this with dinner in the North Loop or drinks downtown. In winter it can be brutal with the wind off the river, so dress warm. But summer evenings here are perfect.
9. Sip Sake on Moto-i’s Rooftop in Uptown
Uptown Minneapolis has some killer rooftop bars with great city views. Each spot has its own personality, from sleek and modern to cozy and intimate.
Moto-i is my favorite bar in the area. It’s America’s first craft sake brewery outside Japan, and their rooftop patio overlooks the Uptown skyline. You can drink house-brewed sake while eating Tokyo-style ramen and steamed buns. The rooftop has high-top tables perfect for people watching and catching sunsets over the city.
I recommend arriving early in the evening since it’s first-come, first-served seating on the rooftop. The sake is brewed right on-site, which you can actually see through the windows downstairs.
Other Uptown rooftops offer craft cocktails and city views, but Moto-i brings something totally different with the sake brewery angle. Located at 2940 Lyndale Ave, it’s open until midnight most nights.
10. Play mini golf at Can Can Wonderland
Can Can Wonderland is hands down the weirdest and most fun thing on this list. It’s artist-designed indoor mini golf, which sounds pretentious but it’s actually just incredibly creative and colorful. Tickets are $15-18 for mini golf, and they’re open until 11pm or midnight most nights.
Each hole is like a little art installation – there’s a carnival theme, weird sculptures, and stuff that changes as you play. The whole place feels like you’re inside someone’s fever dream, but in the best way possible. They also have vintage arcade games, live music sometimes, and a full bar with creative cocktails.
I brought a date here once and we ended up staying for three hours just goofing around. It’s in the Lyndale area, so there’s decent parking and other stuff to do nearby. The bar serves inventive drinks and local beers, and the whole vibe is just fun. You don’t have to be good at mini golf to enjoy it – honestly, the crazier the holes are, the more fun it is when you mess up. It’s definitely different from your typical Minneapolis night out.
11. Watch a movie at Riverview Theater
The Riverview Theater is this awesome 1950s throwback that shows current movies for incredibly cheap prices – like $3-5 tickets, which is insane. They’ve got digital projection now, so the picture quality is good, but everything else feels like stepping back in time. The old-school marquee, the red velvet seats, the whole thing.
They show a mix of new releases, indie films, and classic movie nights. Concessions are cheap too – like $2 popcorn and $1 candy. It’s cash only, which is weird in 2025, but there’s an ATM inside. The theater holds about 900 people, so it’s not tiny, but it feels intimate.
I love coming here for movies I want to see but don’t want to pay $15 for at regular theaters. The crowd is usually a mix of film nerds, families, and people who just discovered this place exists. It’s in South Minneapolis, with decent street parking. The experience is just so much more relaxed than a megaplex – no assigned seats, no pressure to buy $20 worth of snacks. Just a good movie in a cool old theater.
12. Grab beers at LynLake Brewery
LynLake Brewery sits right in the heart of the LynLake neighborhood and has this great rooftop patio that’s perfect when the weather cooperates. They brew everything on-site – their IPA is solid, and they usually have 8-10 beers on tap ranging from light lagers to bigger stouts. Pints are $6-8, which is reasonable for craft beer.
The rooftop is the real draw here, especially during summer. You get nice views of the neighborhood and it’s a great spot to people-watch. They often have food trucks outside, live music, and trivia nights. The indoor space is pretty standard brewery vibes – industrial but comfortable.
What makes this place work is the location. You’re walking distance to tons of other bars and restaurants, so it’s easy to make this one stop on a bigger night out. The crowd is mostly locals, which I prefer over touristy spots. They’re usually open until midnight or 1am depending on the night. I’ve never had a bad time here – it’s not fancy, but it’s reliable and the beer is good. Perfect for starting or ending a night in that area.
- Read Next: 12 Stunning Minnesota Destinations
