Last night my wife and I took our two sons to a Twins game and we arrived early, but not super-early. So we didn’t want to eat dinner inside Target Field, but we didn’t have time for a long sit-down dinner either.
Right by the Ramp A parking ramp downtown is First Avenue. And right next to First Avenue is (as far as I know) the best Happy Hour deal in the center of downtown Minneapolis.
The Depot Tavern, not to be confused with The Depot in Minneapolis, the event space, is great! From 3-6 p.m., domestic tap beer is $3, the craft stuff is $4, and all the small appetizers are half-price.
We ordered a couple Fulton Sweet Child of Vines, got the kids grape soda, and dug into some really nice small plates. The poutine is one of the best I’ve had in town—with the perfect Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery cheese curds, a not-too-salty-beef gravy, on some really delicious hand-cut french fries. The fries were crispy, the curds were melty, it was really great!
The Thai Turkey Skewer lettuce wraps were also pretty good ($4 at happy hour), although I don’t know why the turkey needed to be on a skewer, in a piece of lettuce. They sat a little too long, because the warmth of the turkey (in a round, oversized meatball, essentially) did wilt the lettuce a bit. Still, the flavors were good and my kids enjoyed them!
The food is good, the drinks are a bargain, and the location is ideal. Also, as we looked at the card listing the upcoming shows, I got to explain to my 8 and 6-year-old sons who the band Gwar is, so if that doesn’t make me the father of the year, I’m not sure what else I can do.
Kids GWARing. Photo by Jason DeRusha.
Next time you’re at Target Center for an event, or just looking for a place to unwind after a hard day’s work, put The Depot Tavern on your list. Is there a better happy hour downtown? If so—I don’t know about it!
The Depot Tavern
thedepottavern.com
17 N. 7th Street
Minneapolis
