Walking Twin Cities

Uptown: Cool Place for Fun in the Hot Summer Sun

Uptown is the Twin Cities’ place for fun—especially during summertime. It’s not officially recognized as a neighborhood by the City of Minneapolis, and it’s actually composed of sections of the Calhoun, East Calhoun, East Isles, and Lowry East neighborhoods. It became a de facto second downtown after Calhoun Square opened in 1983, combining extant buildings and new constructions to create an urban shopping center. With its almost endless array of entertainment options—including bars, coffee shops, restaurants, music clubs, comedy clubs, movie theaters, art galleries, shopping, and tattoo parlors—the area attracts hip, young crowds. The proximity to Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles only heightens the cachet of the area during warm weather, when, after a day at the beach, locals enjoy the neighborhood amenities. Put all these together and it makes for a fun and often playfully raucous neighborhood— and a great place for a walk.

Begin at the west corner of Uptown Station (bus stop) and turn left heading north on Hennepin Ave. S. As you follow the gradual slope downhill, notice the funky grandeur of this stretch of Uptown, an often incongruent combination of architectural styles where beautifully restored storefronts sit uneasily beside cookie-cutter strip mall buildings. In recent years, more national chain businesses have appeared

Turn right on 26th St. W. and immediately turn right again going south on Hennepin Ave. S. Continue south on Hennepin as the avenue cuts through the grid at Girard Ave. S., passing the Mount Royal Apartments. On the left is Saint Sabrina’s, the professional tattooing and ear- and body-piercing parlor. After opening in 1993, the parlor moved to the new location in 2006 and slightly de-emphasized the purgatory and hell themes. Free coffee, tea, and movies are offered to customers in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.

Cross 28th St. W. On the left, as you continue on the east side of the street, the Tibet Store sells the best from the spiritual homeland of the Dalai Lama. The store stocks reasonably priced clothing, as well as jewelry and Tibetan Buddhist books. Just ahead down the hill is the Williams Uptown Pub & Peanut Bar. This popular hangout serves 300 different bottled brews and 70 different draft beers with good bar food upstairs. Free popcorn, peanuts, games, and darts are available in the basement. Kitty-corner on Lagoon Ave. is the marquee of the recently renovated Moderne-style Landmark’s Uptown Theatre, a gateway to the business district since 1939.

Turn left on Lagoon Ave. At the corner of Girard Ave. S. is the Uptown’s sister theater—Landmark Theatres’ Lagoon Cinema, with five screens specializing in art house, indie, and foreign films.

Turn right on Fremont Ave. S. To the left is the oddball color scheme of the New Traditionalist–style Uptown City Apartments.

Turn right on Lake St. W. Kitty-corner is Tum Rup Thai, a perennially award-winning restaurant with all the Thai standards such as spring rolls, pad Thai, and curries, plus numerous fresh seafood and vegetarian items. Adventurous lovers of seafood need to try the Bangkok Sea Breeze, a mountain of fresh shrimp, scallops, squid, and mussels in a spicy sauce—enormous enough to feed two, and even better with a beer or a mixed drink.

Cross Girard Ave. S. and go straight to get to Stella’s Fish Café & Prestige Oyster Bar. There you’ll get fresh seafood and plenty of alcohol in this lovely renovated restaurant with rooftop dining and lots of hip, young things in the summer.

Turn left on Hennepin Ave. S. where Calhoun Square is located. Uptown became an essential shopping destination after this retail center opened. Unfortunately, in recent years business has waned, and it has gone through a succession of ownership groups which have tried to reinvent the center.

Turn right on 31st St. W. and right again on Hennepin Ave. S. Just past the stunning and unusual Spanish Churrigueresque Revival façade of the now-closed Suburban World Theatre (1927) is the former site of the Uptown Bar and Café, once a popular performance space for local and national bands and now a big-box store.

Turn left on Lake St. W. after passing a half block of invading national chains. On the right is Mesa Pizza, a satellite of the popular pizza place in Dinkytown, selling cheap pizza by the slice until the late-night hours.

Turn right on Irving Ave. S. On the northwest corner of Lake St. is Barbette—fine dining for cool folks.

Turn right on Lagoon Ave.

Turn left on Hennepin Ave. S. and finish the walk at Uptown Station.