Schwan Super Rink – Bar Crawl

There are so many reasons to plan a visit to Minneapolis, Minnesota. From the Mall of America to Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, there’s a seemingly endless amount of things to do and see around the city. One of your reasons for heading out to Minneapolis might be to attend a sporting event at the Schwan Super Rink. This eight-rink sports facility brings many to the area for both hockey and figure skating.

Spending a day on the ice can be tough, and after such a long day, you deserve a night of fun and relaxation. Lucky for you, the Schwan Super Rink is close to Downtown Minneapolis, which means you have a wide variety of bars that you can visit. We’ve constructed a bar crawl that gets you into the city’s most popular bars.

As you prepare for this bar crawl, keep in mind that while some of these bars are in walking distance of each other, others require driving. To stay safe and responsible, we suggest using either a ridesharing service or public transportation.

TILT Pinball Bar

The first stop of the night is the farthest you will be from the Schwan Super Rink. TILT Pinball Bar is a half-hour drive from the venue, but with how much fun you will have at this quirky bar, it is well worth the drive.

TILT is Minneapolis’s complete pinball bar. There are over 20 machines to play while you enjoy a cold beer or cocktail. Some of the pinball machines are classics like Embryon while others have been produced as recently as 2019, such as the Deadpool and The Munsters machines.

This pinball bar also serves creative hot dogs that will definitely fill you up. You can order the Mac N Cheese Dog, which, as the name suggests, is topped with macaroni and cheese, breadcrumbs, and chives. Those of you who love spice should try the Volcano Dog. This hot dog comes with habanero Pepper Jack, TILT Hot Sauce, and pickled jalapeno. You can add chili as well. Vegan Sriracha Brat Dogs are available for vegetarians.

If you are visiting TILT Sunday through Thursday during their happy hour, you can get $2 off all rail drinks, beers on tap, and specialty hot dogs.

If you don’t want a hot dog, they also got sandwiches, tacos, mini pizzas, and chips and dips available. Or you can just wait to eat at the second destination on this bar crawl.

Brit’s Pub & Eating Establishment

Grab an Uber or Lyft from TILT to get to Brit’s Pub & Eating Establishment. This should take only a five-minute drive. Heading to this pub puts you in the direction of the Schwan Super Rink.

Brit’s Pub gives patrons a taste of the United Kingdom right in the middle of Minneapolis. You can drink an English beer like Fuller’s London Pride or Boddingtons with a classic like fish and chips. Enjoy your food and drink while watching soccer or rugby on the televisions. Or if you’re there during the winter, hang out by the fireplace. On warm summer nights, you can take part in lawn bowling on the rooftop deck.

Kieran’s Irish Pub

Kieran’s Irish Pub is your next stop. It’s just over 15 miles from the Schwan Super Rink but only a 12-minute walk from Brit’s Pub. An old-fashioned atmosphere with an upbeat attitude, this is an excellent place to keep the night going.

This pub is a favorite for live music and sports. You can grab a seat in front of the big screen to watch a sports game with an Irish brew like Harp, Guinness, or Smithwicks in hand. When it’s rugby season, expect Kieran’s to have a game on. There are many nights where you can sit back and enjoy live musical performances.

HopCat Minneapolis

Lovers of beer will be in heaven at HopCat Minneapolis because this establishment was created for one purpose: bring customers great beer. While this bar is also about 15 miles from the Schwan Super Rink, it’s only a five-minute walk from Kieran’s Irish Pub.

HopCat was part of Nicollet Mall’s renovations and opened in 2017. Since then they have been a hot spot for locals and visitors alike. When you walk in, you’ll be coated in color from the light shining through their blue-, red-, and yellow-tinted window panes. Find a seat at the bar or grab a table, and get ready to pick from a long list of beers. There are 80 beers on tap to choose from. Check their website to see the latest brews on tap and the list of upcoming events.

Bunker’s Music Bar & Grill

The next stop is Bunker’s Music Bar & Grill. There are a few ways you can get there from HopCat. You can either take a 19-minute walk, take a five-minute drive via Uber or Lyft, or hop on the bus.

Since 1976, Bunker’s has been the go-to music bar in Minneapolis. Yes, you’ll find beer, shots, and cocktails there, but more importantly, local bands perform at Bunker’s every night of the week. There’s even the occasional appearance from a major headliner. From rock to R&B, Bunker’s prides itself on being the venue for good music.

Hopefully you’re not ready to call it a night yet because after you’ve jammed out at Bunker’s, there’s still one more bar to visit!

The 1029 Bar

The 1029 Bar, which is your final destination, requires you to cross over the Mississippi River. It is about a four-minute drive from Bunker’s if you use a ridesharing service, or you can grab a 20-minute ride on a bus. This bar is around 14 miles from the Schwan Super Rink.

You’ll probably find more locals than tourists at this neighborhood bar, which is often referred to as the “Tenner.” It’s a laid-back bar to end your night out. You can watch sports on one of the many televisions throughout the bar. On select nights they host gambling events, such as pull tabs, tri-wheel, bingo, and meat raffles. So head in and enjoy your final pint among good company.