The bitter cold shouldn’t stop you from enjoying date night with that special someone. Here are a few ideas for your next indoor date this winter.
Courtesy of Schram Vineyards
Board & Video Gaming
You’ll be treated to a library of board games at Fox Den Board Games Cafe in Burnsville. From classics to new-age options, Fox Den offers a range of RPG or traditional style board games. The cafe is a popular spot for TCG tournaments, too, and also has rentable spaces that are perfect for DnD campaigns.
Roseville’s Gamezenter is also a large space dedicated to board gamers and card collectors alike. The location boasts several events every month, including but not limited to new game releases and how-to-play sessions. Don’t forget to stop by the on-site shop for games, miniatures, collectables, and more. Badwolf Adventure Studios in Coon Rapids is a also great gaming location and additionally features a full-size menu.
Courtesy of Badwolf Adventure Studios/Facebook
Several of Minnesota’s breweries and restaurants have board games on-site, like The Chatterbox Pub in Minneapolis. The award-winning bar and restaurant boasts classic and vintage board games that guests can play while enjoying the cozy vibes with a local beer, custom cocktail, or unique food menu item. The pub owns several vintage video games, too.
Also in Minneapolis, Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative boasts a spacious taproom with room to play games, as well as the brewery’s highlight: the board game and card game vending machine. Hop over to Bad Weather Brewing Co. in St. Paul, housing a plethora of board games for adults. Guests also enjoy the onsite arcade, as well as board game nights which occur on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.
Courtesy of Bad Weather Brewing Co./Facebook
Museums
So many of the state’s museums offer events for adults in addition to engaging exhibits. The Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul offers Museum Nights every Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. After a stroll through the museum’s several interactive exhibitions, enjoy live science shows like “Lava Live” and “Trivia: The Science of Sex.” Adult beverages are also available at the on-site cafe. The Minneapolis Institute of Art’s Meet at Mia on Thursday nights include matinees, art classes, live music. and more.
The Foshay Museum and Observation Deck is the perfect romantic spot for both history and cocktail lovers. Tours provide the history of the 32-story skyscraper that was once the tallest in the Midwest. After, head up to the observation deck to get 360-degree views of the city.
Cooking Classes & Beverage Tastings
Discover some of Minnesota’s best beer, wines and spirits with a tasting. Schram Vineyards in Waconia opens its Winter Lodge every year, which includes wine tastings every Saturday (reservations required). If you do feel like bringing the date outdoors, the vineyard features trails that are perfect for hikes, skiing, and snowshoeing.
Enjoy the beauty of northern Minnesota from inside cozy Cantilever Distillery in Ranier. The distillery offers tours on Fridays and Saturdays (reservations required), which conclude with tastings of several of their award-winning spirits.
Courtesy of Cantilever Distillery/Facebook
Minneapolis’ O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. also offers distillery tours, where guests will learn how O’Shaughnessy creates its famous Keeper’s Heart Whiskey—and enjoy a tasting at the end.
If you’re looking for something more interactive revolving around food, Cooks of Crocus Hill offers cooking courses that are perfect for a winter date. From learning foundational skills to trying globally themed recipes like French or Indian cuisine, there are several classes to choose from.
Cocktail, pasta, espresso, sourdough, and macaron are just a few of the classes available at The Fox and Pantry in Plymouth. The cafe features an on-site storefront with several handmade and local gifts, in addition to its classes and private dining spaces. For those with a sweet tooth, Bakehouse in St. Louis Park offers options for both burgeoning and experienced bakers. They even host Date Day and Date Night specialty classes.
Courtesy of The Fox and Pantry/Facebook
Entertainment
The cold months make for the perfect time of year to see plays, concerts, and live shows. The Twin Cities is one of the top places to see local, national and even international shows, with top-notch theaters like the Orpheum, Guthrie, History Theatre, the Ordway and so much more. Check out shows on stage this winter, from Broadway to comedy.
Broadway and Regional Productions:
Guthrie Theater
- “Somewhere”—Through Feb. 1
- “Macbeth”—Jan. 31-March 22
Orpheum Theatre
- “Shucked”—Jan. 6-11
- “Chicago”—Jan. 27-Feb. 1
- “Les Misérables”—Feb. 17-22
- “Water for Elephants”—March 3-8
History Theatre
- “WHOOSH!”—Jan. 29-Feb. 22
The Ordway
- “Kimberly Akimbo”—Feb. 24-March 1
Comedy:
State Theatre
- Charlie Berens: The Lost and Found Tour—Jan. 30-Feb. 1
Courtesy of Charlie Berens/Facebook
Pantages Theatre
- Dude Dad’s Parent’s Night Out—Feb. 20
- Mae Martin: The Possum—March 17
Orpheum Theatre
- The Best of Steve Martin and Martin Short—Feb. 28
Concerts and Live Music:
Paramount Center for the Arts
- Folsom Prison Experience—Jan. 16
Pantages Theatre
- Stayin’ Alive: A Tribute to the Bee Gee’s—Jan. 17
Grand Casino Arena
- Rascal Flatts: Life is a Highway Tour—Jan. 23
First Avenue
- Atmosphere—Feb. 1
The Ordway
- Sounds of Blackness’ “Music for Martin”—Feb. 20
Target Center
- Brandi Carlile—Feb. 21
