'''Northeast Minneapolis''' is a district in Minneapolis.
Understand
Once a working-class, largely East European neighborhood, the "Nordeast" has recently seen an influx of young professionals and artists. This demographic swing, combined with neighborhood revitalization efforts, have resulted in a resurgence of both commercial space and a thriving artistic community. Northeast Minneapolis, with its plethora of "neighborhood" bars and eating establishments, is becoming a nightlife hotspot for those wishing to avoid the cost and clientele of Downtown and Uptown drinking.
While Northeast is larger than you might think, a kind of 'downtown' Northeast has formed in the Old St. Anthony area (which technically occupies about equal areas of both Northeast and Southeast) and continues to develop around the triangle of Hennepin Ave, University Ave, and Central Ave. This area houses a thriving commercial district with new and developing urban residential buildings.
Along the river on the Northeast side is St. Anthony Main, signed in neon as such and visible from the Hennepin Ave bridge. St. Anthony Main houses several good restaurants, bars, a movie theater, and businesses. It can be quite lively on warm summer nights, and often deserted during winter.
The city has designated the area bounded by Lowry Avenue, Central Avenue and Broadway as the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. It includes most of the major studio buildings which are open during Art-a-Whirl every May: The Northrup-King Building near Central Avenue and 14th St NE, the California Building south of Lowry at 23rd and California, the Thorp Building just north of the railroad tracks 1t 1620 Central Ave, and the Grain Belt complex on the Mississippi River at Marshall Avenue and Broadway. There is also a small, arts-heavy commercial district on 13th Ave NE between 2nd Ave NE and 4th Ave NE, including several prominent galleries, the Ritz Theater (reopened in 2006 as the home of Ballet of the Dolls), and bars and restaurants including the Modern Cafe and Erte.
From Old St Anthony, keep heading up Central Avenue. At first you will pass through a bleak industrial area, but afterwards you will find a thriving commercial strip along Central stretching from 18th Avenue onwards. A hub of Indian groceries and stores is around 19th Avenue, and another hub of Middle-eastern and Latin-American restaurants and stores has emerged around Lowry Avenue and Central Avenue. Once you pass 27th Avenue, the activity drops off and the street turns mostly residential on the east side and with the Shoreham rail yards and Columbia Park (largely occupied by a golf course) on the west side. Commerce picks up again just north of the city limits of Columbia Heights at 37th Avenue.
Get in
From downtown Minneapolis, head north east across the Hennepin Ave bridge or the 3rd Ave bridge. The triangle formed by Hennepin Ave, 3rd Ave, and University Ave places you squarely in 'downtown' Northeast.
Northeast can be accessed from the freeway system via I-35W.
Get around
By car
Similarly to North Minneapolis, numbered avenues run east-west. Due to the geometry of the river, these numbers are lower than the numbers of the North Minneapolis avenues opposite them. This only comes into play when you are crossing one of the bridges. Plymouth Ave is equivalent to N 13th Ave, but becomes NE 8th Ave. Lowry Ave is equivalent to N 32nd Ave, but becomes the equivalent of NE 25th Ave east of the river. N 42nd Ave crosses the Camden Bridge to become NE 37th Ave. Except for a few numbered streets near the river and a few "half-blocks", the north-south running roads are called streets and are named after U.S. presidents in chronological order heading east.
The above rules break down in the area closest to downtown. The street grid turns from the strict compass-points grid to line up with the river, and a grid with both numbered streets (parallel to University Ave) and avenues (parallel to Hennepin Ave) holds sway. In the transition zone between the two grids, a brief mini-grid uses the names of the seasons.
Finally, streets in the industrial area on the eastern side of the area are more randomly named
By bus
Bus route 10 provides frequent (every 10 minutes weekdays, 15 on Saturday, and 20 on Sunday. Service also operates only every 30 minutes after 7pm.) north-south service along Central Avenue; useful if you are only heading to areas within walking distance of Central. Route 17 zig-zags a little further west, ending up at Washington and 27th Ave (service every 30 minutes from 5am-1am everyday). Route 11 (formerly the northern leg of Route 18) goes through the heart of the Arts District on 2nd St (Rt. 11 operates every 30 minutes all day except every 15 minutes during weekday rush), while Route 4 goes up Johnson St. (every 30 all week except 10-15 minutes weekday rush) East-west bus service in Northeast is practically nonexistent; service on route 32 (serving Lowry Avenue) is far less frequent; only every 30-60 on middays and every 30 during rush hour. 32 service operates from 7am-7pm, weekdays only; no Sat, Sun or Holiday service.(The other four routes mentioned here operate 365 days a year.)
For more complete details, visit [http://www.metrotransit.org Metro Transit], where you can get complete regional bus and train schedules and maps.
See
Boom Island Park. 00 Sibley St NE. A beautiful river-side park with walking/biking paths, a picnic area and plenty of parking.
Do
Art-A-Whirl. ttp://www.art-a-whirl.org. An open-studio and gallery tour held yearly in May.
St. Anthony Main. ttp://www.saintanthonymain.com.
Stone Arch Cinema. Theater on St. Anthony Main.
Segway Tours. ttp://www.humanonastick.com. Presented by Human on a Stick.
Pedal Indoor Cycling Studio. ttp://www.pedalstudios.com. Indoor Cycling Studio.
Buy
Surdyks. 03 E Hennepin Ave. 1 612 379-3232. ttp://www.surdyks.com. Surdyks is a Northeast landmark. They are known to suburbanites for their wine and cheese, but locals know that there are a dozen liquor stores within two miles that are better for the former; and a Lund's grocery two blocks away with six times as much of the latter.
Bibelot. 00 E Hennepin Ave. 1 612 379-9300. ttp://www.bibelotshops.com. Gifts, cards, and jewelry.
Dabble. 854 Johnson St NE. 1 612 781-0995. ttp://www.dabble-on.com. Gifts and things, near POP!
Pacifier. 10 E Hennepin Ave. 1 612 623-8123. ttp://www.pacifieronline.com. Gifts for the modern urban baby.
13th Avenue galleries, including '''Frank Stone Gallery''' at 2nd St and 13th Ave, '''212 Pottery''' half a block east of 2nd St, and '''Rogue Buddha Gallery''', half a block east of University Ave on 13th Ave.
Other notable Arts District shopping includes the '''PPL Shop''', '''Dunlaoghaire''', '''Icebox Gallery''', and '''Mobius Antiques''' in the Northup King Building at 1500 Jackson St; '''Creative Electric Gallery''' at 2nd St and 22nd Ave, and '''Clay Squared to Infinity''' in the Keg House Building of the Grain Belt complex, on 13th Ave at the Mississippi River (just north of Broadway).
Eat
Old St. Anthony
Fugaise. 08 East Hennepin Ave. 1 612 436-0777. ttp://www.fugaise.com. A highly creative French inspired chef-owned and operated restaurant.
Punch Neopolitan Pizza. 10 E Hennepin Ave. ttp://www.punchpizza.com. Traditional Neopolitan Pizza baked for 90 seconds in an 800 degree oven. Can be busy, but worth braving the crowd.
Kramarczuk East European Deli. 15 E Hennepin Ave. 1 612 379-3018. ttp://www.kramarczuk.com. A large, authentic East European deli with the best sausage in town.
Keegans Irish Pub. 6 University Ave NE. 1 612 252-0880. ttp://www.keeganspub.com. A traditional Irish pub, constructed largely in Ireland with good food and Guinness on tap. Live music often.
Pizza Nea. 06 E Hennepin Ave. 1 612 331-9298. ttp://www.pizzanea.com. Specializing in thin crust, wood fired pizza.
Pracna on Main. 17 Main St SE. aint Anthony Main. 1 612 379-3200. ttp://www.saintanthonymain.com/pracna.html. Older restaurant with traditional American food. On the expensive side, but nice for an appetizer and drink before heading next door to see a movie at the St. Anthony Main theater.
Kikugawa at Riverplace. 3 Main St SE. 1 612 378-3006. ttp://www.kikugawa-minneapolis.com. Upscale Japanese food. For sushi, Kikugawa probably offers Minneapolis' best combination of quality, atmosphere, price, and service, including private rooms for no extra charge.
Red Stag Supper Club. 09 1st Avenue NE. 1 612 767-7766. ttp://www.redstagsupperclub.com. The first LEED Certified restaurant in Minneapolis is also delicious, if a bit spendy.
Further up Central Avenue
Bombay 2 Deli. 840 Central Ave NE. 1 612 788-4571. ttp://www.bombay2deli.com. Small vegetarian Indian restaurant with rotation of 3 different curries every day. Closed Monday and Tuesdays.
Chiapas Restaurant. 416 Central Ave NE. 1 612 789-2971. Excellent family run Ecuadorean and Mexican restaurant with a huge menu with many types of items. The menudo is perhaps the best in the area.
Adelita's Mexican Restaurant. 405 Central Ave NE. 1 612 789-2526. ttp://www.adelitasmexicanrestaurant.com. AM-Midnight daily. Family owned and operated restaurant with some of the best food anywhere in the Twin Cities area. Wide selection of beer and numerous televisions that make soccer watching easy.
Crescent Moon Bakery. 339 Central Ave NE. 1 612 782-0169. One tasty Afghani restaurant with reasonable prices. The Afghan pizza is a legend in Nordeast for good reason. [http://www.citypages.com/databank/23/1121/article10432.asp]
Holy Land. 513 Central Ave NE. bout ? block north of Lowry. 1 612 781-2627. ttp://www.holylandbrand.com. Renowned Middle Eastern restaurant, bakery, deli, and grocery. Menu includes vegetarian options. A buffet is offered during lunch-time 7 days a week, plus dinner-time on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Some of their breads and hummus appear in grocery stores across the Twin Cities, but you can get them ''way'' cheaper right from the source!
Further Out
POP!. 859 Johnson St NE. 1 612 788-0455. ttp://www.poprestaurant.com/. A neighborhood restaurant serving upscale American fare.
Snap! Pizza & Ice Cream. 851 Johnson St NE. From the owners of Pop! and located two doors down, Snap! serves sandwiches, Pizza, and Ice Cream.
The Modern Cafe. 37 13th Ave NE. 1 612 378-9882. Try the pot roast at this nicer retro cafe.
Erte. 304 University Ave NE. 1 612 623-4211. Steakhouse with a modern twist and reasonable prices.
Jax Cafe. 928 University Ave NE. 1 612 789-7297. ttp://www.jaxcafe.com. A neighborhood institution serving traditional American fare, specializing in steak.
Gasthof zur Gemutlichkeit. 300 University Ave NE. 1 612 781-3860. ttp://www.gasthofzg.com. German restaurant and dance hall, popular with the drinking crowd for the 'boots' of beer served in the basement.
The Sample Room. 124 Marshall St NE. 1 612 789-0333. Specializes in sampler menus (multiple cheeses, multiple wines, etc. Interesting eclectic menu.
Mill City Cafe. 5 22nd Ave NE. 1 612 788-6188. ttp://www.millcitycafe.com/. u-F 8AM-3PM, Sa-Su 9AM-2PM. American bistro style menu, weekend brunch, full bar, live music Thurs-Sat. Cheapest tap beer in town all day.
Drink
Coffee
Audubon Coffee. 852 Johnson St NE. 1 612 781-0427. Located near POP!, Audubon is a small neighborhood cafe, usually full of locals. Free WiFi.
Lily's. 301 Central Ave NE. 1 612 781-7873. ttp://columbiagrounds.com. Cafe and garden center, pet friendly, kid friendly. Nice outdoor seating and frequent live music (Bluegrass, Jazz). free WiFi for those with wireless laptops.
Diamonds Coffee Shoppe. 618 Central Ave NE. 1 612 789-5282. ttp://www.diamondscoffeeshoppe.com. Numerous small rooms to foster easier discussion, live music every Saturday in the back, great pancake breakfast on 2nd Sunday of every month. "The place we call home"
Matchbox Coffee Shop. 306 2nd St NE. 1 612 259-0069. Probably the smallest coffee shop you will ever be in, Matchbox is a unique, communally run brew-house serving fair trade coffee exclusively. Their motto is, "Great coffee, no bosses."
The Wilde Roast. 18 E Hennepin Ave. t Central. 1 612 331-4544. ttp://www.wilderoastcafe.com/. Oscar Wilde themed cafe and restaurant. Plush surroundings with leather couches as well as tables and chairs. Free WiFi access and excellent food.
Alcohol
Keegan's Irish Pub & Restaurant. 6 University Ave NE. 1 612 252-0880. ttp://www.keeganspub.com/. -F 11AM-2AM, Sa 10AM-2AM, Su 10AM-Midnight. A traditional Irish pub with good food and Guinness on tap. Live music often.
Psycho Suzi's Motor Lounge. 519 Marshall St NE. t Lowry. 1 612 788-9069. ttp://www.psychosuzis.com. aily 11AM-2AM. A hip tiki bar with strong drinks and great 3/4-circle booths near the jukebox. In the summer the line for the patio forms by quitting time.
Mayslack's. 428 4th St NE. 1 612 789-9862. ttp://www.mayslacksbar.com. This neighborhood joint has live music and killer roast beef sandwiches.
331 Club. 31 13th Ave NE. t University. 1 612 331-1746. ttp://www.331club.com. Live music almost every night, and they never charge a cover. Le Cirque Rouge burlesque show happens here on Saturdays.
Nye's Polonaise Room. 12 E Hennepin Ave. 1 612 379-2021. ttp://www.nyespolonaise.com. A Minneapolis institution, Nye's is an eccentric, multi-roomed bar on Hennepin Ave just over the river from Downtown. Nye's features cheap drinks, Polish cuisine, a piano bar, and a separate room with live polka music on the weekends.
Spring Street Tavern. 55 Monroe St NE. t Spring. 1 612 627-9123. ttp://www.springstreettavern.com. Home to '''Club Underground''' [http://www.clubunderground.us], a live music venue in the basement of the Spring Street Tavern.
Whitey's. 00 E Hennepin Ave. 1 612 623-9478. Good beer and strong drinks. If you order without ice they make it a double rather than just watering it down more like most bars do. The basement is the seediest in town and the perfect place to take over if you have a few friends who want to shoot pool and not be bothered by anyone but the occasional staffperson coming through to change a keg.
Sleep
While the downtown hotels are hardly far away from Northeast, the Nicollet Island Inn [http://www.nicolletislandinn.com/] splits the difference. Located on Nicollet Island, in the middle of the Mississippi river between downtown and Northeast, the Inn provides luxury small hotel accommodations, as well as an excellent restaurant.
Contact
For coffee shops with internet access, see coffee listings.
<listing name="Minneapolis Public Library - Northeast Branch" alt="" address="2200 Central Ave NE" directions="" phone="+1 612 630-6900" url="http://www.mplib.org/" hours="Tu 12PM-8PM, W 10AM-6PM, Th 12PM-8PM, F-Sa 10AM-6PM" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax=""></listing>
<listing name="Minneapolis Public Library - Pierre Bottineau Branch" alt="" address="55 Broadway St NE" directions="" phone="+1 612 630-6890" url="http://www.mplib.org/" hours="Tu 12PM-8PM, W 10AM-6PM, Th 12PM-8PM, F-Sa 10AM-6PM" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax=""></listing>