The 2014 Inaugural NCHC Frozen Faceoff: This One's For All the Tostitos..

[SJHovey]

Re: The 2014 Inaugural NCHC Frozen Faceoff: This One's For All the Tostitos..

Opinions will vary but I think there are plenty of viewing spots at the The Loop (not super close to TC though), Huberts, Kierens, The Depot, not sure about O'Donovan's, Lyon's Pub, Cowboy Jack's and I can't think of the name of the place near the end of the rail line - maybe Sneaky Pete's?

I spent Saturday afternoon at O'Donovan's. It's a fun bar, and you can't beat the proximity to the TC. I'll probably be back this weekend. But if you're looking to watch basketball, I'd go somewhere else. It's a lot like the Liffey in St. Paul. More interest in Irish Whiskey and Guinness than basketball.

[Lawson_lunatic27]

Re: The 2014 Inaugural NCHC Frozen Faceoff: This One's For All the Tostitos..

Go Broncos!

[Dude Love]

Opinions will vary but I think there are plenty of viewing spots at the The Loop (not super close to TC though), Huberts, Kierens, The Depot, not sure about O'Donovan's, Lyon's Pub, Cowboy Jack's and I can't think of the name of the place near the end of the rail line - maybe Sneaky Pete's?

Bar 508 is also good. What's The Loop? Or are you talking about The Loon?

[Stauber1]

Re: The 2014 Inaugural NCHC Frozen Faceoff: This One's For All the Tostitos..

I don't know why I'm offering advice to you silly NCHCers...

There are a ton of places to stay, and watch sports, around the Target Center. You aren't going to find the same concentration of hockey fans as you did in St. Paul, meaning you will most likely have to share space with the Bouncy Ball fans, but your options are numerous.
The real benefit to the MPLS location is the proximity to other areas (Uptown, NE, UofMN Campus $10-$15 cab ride; and West End/Hwy394 $15-$25).

As already mentioned, there are a lot of hotels within walking distance, but they are pretty spendy. For some cheaper options downtown look into the Normandy and Hyatt PLACE. Both are about a mile from the rink; walkable, or a $5-7 cab ride. The Residence Inn Depot is a little further but still less than $10 cab fare and would be good to look at if you have a few people looking to share a room. Town Place Suites over in the North Loop may fit along those lines as well, but I'm not real sure about what their prices are.

A couple close-by but outside Downtown options are the Sheraton Midway, a $10-$12 cab ride away. Some of the more rural fans may be in for a bit of culture shock, but if you're just hoping in and out of the car you have nothing to worry about, and the hotel itself is just fine
There is also the Ramada on Industrial Blvd. in NE MPLS/Roseville. Probably $15-$20 cab ride. And there are a few places out 394 that are a quick ride in/out of downtown but would run $20-$25 by cab.

Catching cabs anywhere downtown is no problem at all, they are all over. Outside of downtown you will probably need to ask your hotel to call for you. I'd suggest using Rainbow. Quality drivers who won't take advantage if you don't know the area, and always show up when or before they say they will.

Have fun in Minneapolis. It won't be the same in St. Paul without all you fugly Sioux fans loping about....

[Slap Shot]

Re: The 2014 Inaugural NCHC Frozen Faceoff: This One's For All the Tostitos..

Bar 508 is also good. What's The Loop? Or are you talking about The Loon?

I didn't know about it either, but did a Google search to give you guys some ideas: http://theloopmpls.com/

I love the Loon btw, but don't think they have many TVs.

[Greyeagle]

Re: The 2014 Inaugural NCHC Frozen Faceoff: This One's For All the Tostitos..

A couple close-by but outside Downtown options are the Sheraton Midway, a $10-$12 cab ride away. Some of the more rural fans may be in for a bit of culture shock, but if you're just hoping in and out of the car you have nothing to worry about, and the hotel itself is just fine

Since the Sheraton Midway was torn down & replaced by a Target about 7 years ago I suspect you mean Sheraton Midtown.

[The Rube]

Re: The 2014 Inaugural NCHC Frozen Faceoff: This One's For All the Tostitos..

For cabs, I swear by Green And White (I think they also go by Suburban Taxi). Never a problem with them.

[thebrain]

Re: The 2014 Inaugural NCHC Frozen Faceoff: This One's For All the Tostitos..

I don't know why I'm offering advice to you silly NCHCers...

There are a ton of places to stay, and watch sports, around the Target Center. You aren't going to find the same concentration of hockey fans as you did in St. Paul, meaning you will most likely have to share space with the Bouncy Ball fans, but your options are numerous.
The real benefit to the MPLS location is the proximity to other areas (Uptown, NE, UofMN Campus $10-$15 cab ride; and West End/Hwy394 $15-$25).

As already mentioned, there are a lot of hotels within walking distance, but they are pretty spendy. For some cheaper options downtown look into the Normandy and Hyatt PLACE. Both are about a mile from the rink; walkable, or a $5-7 cab ride. The Residence Inn Depot is a little further but still less than $10 cab fare and would be good to look at if you have a few people looking to share a room. Town Place Suites over in the North Loop may fit along those lines as well, but I'm not real sure about what their prices are.

A couple close-by but outside Downtown options are the Sheraton Midway, a $10-$12 cab ride away. Some of the more rural fans may be in for a bit of culture shock, but if you're just hoping in and out of the car you have nothing to worry about, and the hotel itself is just fine
There is also the Ramada on Industrial Blvd. in NE MPLS/Roseville. Probably $15-$20 cab ride. And there are a few places out 394 that are a quick ride in/out of downtown but would run $20-$25 by cab.

Catching cabs anywhere downtown is no problem at all, they are all over. Outside of downtown you will probably need to ask your hotel to call for you. I'd suggest using Rainbow. Quality drivers who won't take advantage if you don't know the area, and always show up when or before they say they will.

Have fun in Minneapolis. It won't be the same in St. Paul without all you fugly Sioux fans loping about....

Also the Light Rail stop is about a block from Target Center and you can take it to Mall of America which has a bunch of hotels including a brand new Radisson Blu on the south side of the mall.

Don't forget to check Hotwire, Priceline, or Groupon. They often have good prices on 4-star hotels in Downtown Minneapolis.

The Loop Bar is pretty cool it's in the North Loop on Washington Avenue North. I want to say about the 500-block of Washington Avenue North. Other good places up there are the Smack Shack, Fulton Brewing, Be'Wiched Deli, Cuzzy's and Darby's. I've heard good things about Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza and Bar La Grassa. The North Loop would be a bit of a hike, especially on a cold night.

[thebrain]

Re: The 2014 Inaugural NCHC Frozen Faceoff: This One's For All the Tostitos..

Just pulled up the Priceline app found great prices Friday-Sunday.

Downtown:
Hilton $89 a night
Hyatt Regency $99
The Marquette $99
Doubletree $99

Or 4-star express deal downtown for $68.

[Slap Shot]

Just pulled up the Priceline app found great prices Friday-Sunday.

Downtown:
Hilton $89 a night
Hyatt Regency $99
The Marquette $99
Doubletree $99

Or 4-star express deal downtown for $68.

The Marquette is great. If staying with a lady ask for a corner room overlooking Nicollet.

[Red Cows]

Re: The 2014 Inaugural NCHC Frozen Faceoff: This One's For All the Tostitos..

I've guessed about 8000.. I figure 6000 Sioux fans or so, 2000 for the other 7 schools.

During the DU/UNO series this past weekend, I saw a few DU jerseys on Thursday night and NONE on Friday or Saturday.

Not a single one. It was so evident, I started looking for them, even.

[scsutommyboy]

Opinions will vary but I think there are plenty of viewing spots at the The Loop (not super close to TC though), Huberts, Kierens, The Depot, not sure about O'Donovan's, Lyon's Pub, Cowboy Jack's and I can't think of the name of the place near the end of the rail line - maybe Sneaky Pete's?

There are tons of places, but not good for watching a hockey or basketball game.. I will be at sneaky Pete's Friday afternoon after work with some friends. Smalley's is actually one of the better places downtown to watch a game.

[The Rube]

Re: The 2014 Inaugural NCHC Frozen Faceoff: This One's For All the Tostitos..

There are tons of places, but not good for watching a hockey or basketball game.. I will be at sneaky Pete's Friday afternoon after work with some friends. Smalley's is actually one of the better places downtown to watch a game.

If it's not packed all to hell. For the F4 after the Twins game, it was unbearable. Couldn't move at all. Trrrrble.

[Stauber1]

Re: The 2014 Inaugural NCHC Frozen Faceoff: This One's For All the Tostitos..

Since the Sheraton Midway was torn down & replaced by a Target about 7 years ago I suspect you mean Sheraton Midtown.

You are correct, sir.

[Dude Love]

If it's not packed all to hell. For the F4 after the Twins game, it was unbearable. Couldn't move at all. Trrrrble.

Yeah I've been to Smalley's once and it was wall-to-wall humanity. It sucked.