It used to be lawful that if the Twin Cities were twin Sister , Minneapolis would be the pretty , popular one , and St. Paul would be Barb fromStranger Things(thoughwe dearest Barb ) . While Downtown St. Paul ’s after - hours picture is still more low - tonality than most major metros , there are a lot of great , overlooked mail service - work and weekend - eve activities that should make your calendar . Whether you live or wreak in Minnesota ’s capital urban center , or you make a period of making a Nox of it , here are a whole slew of reasons to stay out in St. Paul .
Talk derby to me
Did you know Minnesota tout one of the constitute teams of the Women ’s Flat Track Derby Association ? Back in 2004 , theMinnesota RollerGirlsleague was born and presently became one of the first curler derby leagues to host a public bout . Now , over a decade by and by , the RollerGirls have four household team – The Atomic Bombshells , Dagger Dolls , Garda Belts , and Rockits – that vie Saturday Night at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium business district St. Paul . The skaters are all volunteer amateurs but you would n’t think that from the elbow room they do The RollerGirls ( whose on - skating rink alter - egos have nifty names like Bully Jean , Hurtrude Stein , and Terror Swift ) fight on the rink and acquire more than a slight militant . The costumes the cleaning woman wear are pretty amazing too – think coloured hair , face pigment , colored human knee - high , brightly painted helmets , and uniform patches . It ’s all - in - all crime syndicate friendly , and for $ 15 per mortal , way more entertaining to watch out than a movie .
See live jazz in Lowertown
Black Doghas been a Lowertown mainstay since before the region was “ nerveless . ” Formerly a coffee shop , then a casual live music goal , now Black Dog ’s Saturday Night Jazz is what draw well - heel St. Paulites in for music and a martini . Admission is innocent , though the Black Dog features some of the best veteran malarky player in the Twin Cities as well as up - and - coming talent . Black Dog has other type of bouncy music most every evening , including megrims , bluegrass , sure-enough time , and international acts , but Saturday Night Jazz is truly the cat ’s pajama .
Get your geek on
TheScience Museum of Minnesotaisn’t just for Thomas Kyd ’ class field trips ; it actually has some pretty cool exhibits geared towards adults . Embrace your inner Bill Nye at the“Social Science”night , which includes trivia , Omnitheater shows , food , a cash bar , and resilient banding or karaoke . ( you’re able to be a kid at nerve , but you have to be 21 + in ordination to get in . ) normally , Social Science has a motif of grownup interest , such as “ The Science of Love . ” entrance fee costs about $ 20 per person and given the amount to see in the nearly 400,000 substantial foot museum , that ’s a lot of rush for your buck . A few time a yr , Social Science even ill-use the experience up a nick further and hosts an Adult Camp - In , where meeter have the chance to sleep overnight amongst the display . It ’s the staring chance to get your flake on and feel like you got something more worthful than a hangover from your night out .
Ice, ice baby
Who postulate New York ’s Rockefeller skate rink when you haveWells Fargo WinterSkateset against the beautiful backdrop of Downtown St. Paul ? While small in size of it , the outdoor open - zephyr rink is right-hand in the heart of the metropolis next to the historical Landmark Center . During the day , it ’s wedge - full with families and kid practicing hockey move , but it ’s relatively quiet after dark and the twinkly Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree lights delineate nearby Rice Park also make the skate a small more romantic if you ’re on a engagement . Skating is strong work , so if you call for a break from repeatedly losing your balance , snug up in the rinkside warm house with a cup blistering chocolate . Admission is gratuitous with skate letting also complimentary for Wells Fargo customers , otherwise , it ’s $ 4 per person .
Keep it classy at the Ordway
Sometimes , you just want to brag to your coworker about the cool , hip “ cultured ” affair you did last dark while sipping bubbly in your best little black attire ( or suit . ) reverence not , we haveThe Ordway , one of the country ’s lead non-profit-making do arts shopping center , in good order in our backyard . The Ordway is home to theSaint Paul Chamber OrchestraandThe Minnesota Opera , two of the most universally classy cultural experiences we can think of . The complete time of year for appreciating all the Ordway has to offer up is approach ; the holiday will bring Handel ’s Messiah , The Hip Hop Nutcracker and Irving Berlin’sWhite Christmas , The Musical . Dressing up in what qualifies as finery and is the perfect antidote to the nights you last out in wear sweatpants and exhaust pizza rolls .
Scope out the underground scene
You make out if it ’s been on the History Channel , something is worth its Strategic Arms Limitation Talks . While yes , theWabasha Street Caveshave been on TV , they ’re much cool to see in mortal . For just six bucks , you may wander underground with a go pathfinder every Thursday and hear the history of the cave from the 1840s to present Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . During the 1920s , the 12,000 straight foot caves were home to a eating house and club known as the Wabasha Street Speakeasy , where gangsters John Dillinger and Ma Barker were rumored to be habitue . All we can say is you ’re literally only scratching the control surface of St. Paul if you miss this unparalleled peep below the city .
Make a stitch in time
A distinctive girls ' Nox out usually includes Instagramming and wine , but if you ’re looking to do something different , knitting is coolheaded again atThe Minnesota History Center’smonthlyKnitting Socials . These nights are always theme , such as the coming " Gridiron Glory , " where you make a scarf in your favorite sports team ’s colors . Knitting Socials take home monthly on Tuesday nights , and not only is the consequence free , but so is admission to all museum exhibits . BYO knitting needle and girlfriend for a chance to knit , sit , and catch up .
Get personal at a StorySLAM
Part slam poetry , part spoken give-and-take , The Moth StorySLAMis an open - mic storytelling competition held in 26 cities around the world . hold at theAmsterdam Bar & Hall , an eclectic outcome blank space that also hosts live euphony , The Moth take position monthly on Wednesday nights . You ca n’t sign up to contend in advance – rather , storyteller hopefuls put their name in a hat and 10 are clean to participate on the dark of the result . Each contestant person has five arcminute ( no greenback allowed ! ) to share a true tale based on the night ’s idea . They ’re scored by a team of judges also selected from the hearing and the winner advances to a GrandSLAM Championship .
Try the original greasy spoon
Whether you ’ve been out all night drink in beers with the boy or coming from a concert , Mickey ’s Dineristheplace to satisfy your late - night comfort food craving . The Art Deco style dining railroad car has been serve athirst patrons 24 hour a day , 365 days a twelvemonth for well-nigh seven decade . You ca n’t scramble Mickey ’s classics like a patty melt , chili , or fried chicken . Mickey ’s is n’t just illustrious locally – it ’s been in several TV show and moving picture , including theMighty Duckstrilogy . But beware the delay on Friday and Saturday at bar closing time ; the 10 or so booths fill up up quick and augury above them suggest a " 30 instant limit " so you ’d better eat up that burger fast .
Go wild at the reserve
There ’s nothing quite likeMinnesota Wildgame day , where downtown St. Paul is full of red and green jerseys as mass rain cats and dogs into the Xcel Energy Center . In fact , ESPN listeda Wild game at the X as one of the top bowl experience in North America . Games usually sell out to a crowd of more than 18,000 but there really is n’t a bad behind in the house . While you could still get a hotdog and beer in the sports stadium , local gourmet offer such as pulled pork poutine and lobster quesadillas really reign supreme . The sphere ’s main restaurant , The Reserve , used to be exclusively for suite ticket holders but recently opened to everyone . The luxuriousness restaurant offers cocktails and fare that includes fancy takes on stadium food like bacon beer nuts , meatball caprese flatbread , and goat cheese and tomato fondu .
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Minnesota Wild
Minnesota RollerGirls
Black Dog Cafe
Wells Fargo WinterSkate
Flickr/AnubisAbyss
GrandSLAM storyteller Cheyenne Barboza|The Moth
Minnesota Wild
