Hey Minnesota locals! I’m going to be making the big trip from New Zealand for the Minneapolis & Chicago shows & hoping I can make it into the pit for a couple of shows at least! I’ve been something of a PJ tragic since ‘92 and been in the front row of the NZ shows since those insane ‘95 shows. Being in NZ I’ve only seen them 12 times over 30 years but was lucky to be in the pit both Home Shows!
If you’re interested in partnering up on tix or have any tips around my other passions I’ll be hitting up - record stores & breweries- flick me a DM 🙂
Can any of you fine folk help this Kiwi fly with a spare GA tix? I didn’t strike gold in the lottery but hoping someone is looking for a +1 who’s happy to share PJ stories and a few beers with a 30+ year die hard fan (Pearl Jam that is although great movie too 😉)…PM me if you may be able to help and thanks for reading 🙏
If any out of towners would like, I can put together a list of place to eat/drink/visit while in St Paul. For Minneapolis, you’ll need to get that info from those on the other side of the river.
where is the best Jucy Lucy?!
Shamrocks or The Nook(same menu, two restaurants) or Matt’s Bar in Minneapolis. Shamrocks is about a mile south of Xcel on West 7th St and has a bus that will drop off and pick up from xcel
Stoked to finally visit St. Paul/Minneapolis. I have 2 RES in 103 Row 5 I’d love to trade for GA. These will likely be better after the next reassignment. DM me if interested!
1998: Pitt
2000: Pitt
2003: Pitt, State College, Columbus,DC, Hershey
2004: Reading, Toledo, DC
2005: Pitt
2006: Cleve, Camden 1+2, DC, Pitt, Cinci
2008: Camden 1+2, DC
2009: Philly 3
2010: Columbus
2012: Philly
2013: Pitt, NYC 1+2
I was finally lucky enough to get two GA tix for the Chicago show on 9/5. Like an idiot, I realized after that fact that 9/5 is not good for me. Would anyone be willing to do a straight up trade for two GA tix for St. Paul on 9/2?
Any Locals know how the area is around Drury Plaza Hotel St. Paul-Downtown?
Safe area?
Restaurants?
Safe walk to Xcel?
It’s probably about 7-8 blocks from Xcel. It’d be a hike if you’re walking from there. Not a lot of restaurants around Drury.. Alery’s bar on 7th is a pretty decent dive bar. They may have a shuttle service going to Xcel also. I think there’s a Jimmy John’s across the street from the hotel also. The hotel itself is right next to the I-35/94 interchange so not a quiet location.
Post edited by moozeekfan on
Target Center - Jun 30, 1998
Allstate Arena - Oct 09, 2000
Xcel Energy Center - Jun 16, 2003
United Center - Jun 18, 2003
Fort William Garden - Sep 09, 2005
Xcel Energy Center - Jun 27, 2006
United Center - Aug 23, 2009
Xcel Energy Center - Oct 19, 2014 Xcel Energy Center - August 31, 2023 Xcel Energy Center - September 2, 2023
Any Locals know how the area is around Drury Plaza Hotel St. Paul-Downtown?
Safe area?
Restaurants?
Safe walk to Xcel?
It’s probably about 7-8 blocks from Xcel. It’d be a hike if you’re walking from there. Not a lot of restaurants around Drury.. Alery’s bar on 7th is a pretty decent dive bar. They may have a shuttle service going to Xcel also. I think there’s a Jimmy John’s across the street from the hotel also. The hotel itself is right next to the I-35/94 interchange so not a quiet location.
Any Locals know how the area is around Drury Plaza Hotel St. Paul-Downtown?
Safe area?
Restaurants?
Safe walk to Xcel?
I've stayed there for quite a few concerts when it was Embassy Suites. Was a very nice hotel(haven't stayed since the brand change over). Big rooms, clean. It's a safe area, getting to the X is a safe walk, back is sketchy. Very quiet area. I would stay there again but probably have a couple drinks at the Liffy and grab a ride back.
Like the previous poster said it's pretty bleak for reasturnts in that area but it's a 10-15 minute walk to 7 Street where all the restaurants/bars are.
Four a-holes from Virginia will be invading St. Paul Labor Day weekend for night 2. I'll try to keep the other three in line as best I can. Any breweries we need to hit up? I got: 103 Row 20 180xxx My buddy: 102 Row 16 141xxx
I approve of both of these lists. This is only the St Paul side of town. There's a whole 'nother set of breweries in Minneapolis to see as well. And don't forget about the distilleries...
Thanks, but for the good of all, we should probably keep to the lower abv stuff. Our hotel is near Barrel Theory. Any good?
Barrel Theory is decent, and Dark Horse next door has good food as well.
Thanks! Looked up Barrel Theory on Untappd and their rating is pretty high. Will definitely check out Dark Horse.
Four a-holes from Virginia will be invading St. Paul Labor Day weekend for night 2. I'll try to keep the other three in line as best I can. Any breweries we need to hit up? I got: 103 Row 20 180xxx My buddy: 102 Row 16 141xxx
I approve of both of these lists. This is only the St Paul side of town. There's a whole 'nother set of breweries in Minneapolis to see as well. And don't forget about the distilleries...
Thanks, but for the good of all, we should probably keep to the lower abv stuff. Our hotel is near Barrel Theory. Any good?
Barrel Theory is decent, and Dark Horse next door has good food as well.
Thanks! Looked up Barrel Theory on Untappd and their rating is pretty high. Will definitely check out Dark Horse.
Barrel Theory is my favorite brewery in the twin cities! If you like IPAs make sure to check out Blackstack as well!!!
If any out of towners would like, I can put together a list of place to eat/drink/visit while in St Paul. For Minneapolis, you’ll need to get that info from those on the other side of the river.
where is the best Jucy Lucy?!
Shamrocks or The Nook(same menu, two restaurants) or Matt’s Bar in Minneapolis. Shamrocks is about a mile south of Xcel on West 7th St and has a bus that will drop off and pick up from xcel
As far as juicy Lucy’s go—these recommendations are accurate. However the twin cities are running an insane burger game right now. Parlour (Minneapolis and St. Paul), Little Tijuana (Minneapolis), Chips Clubhouse (St. Paul) are some of my favorite burgers at the moment. If you luck out Angry Line Cook food truck may be out that weekend!
It'll be my first pearl jam concert and my first time in St Paul. How important is it to be in a hotel right by the stadium as opposed to staying somewhere 13 minutes away? The main thing I'm worried about is finding parking before for the show.
There are a lot of ramps that surround the arena. So there is lots of parking available. That being said I always take Ubers to the Xcel just so I can have a few beers. A 13 minute Uber will cost the same as parking anyways.
Will be my first visit to St. Paul. Friend of mine recommended Mancini's for a good steakhouse. Can others justify this? Any other recommendations are welcomed as well.
for what you're looking for i don't think you'd be diappointed at all by mancinis, and it's primary benefit is that it is less than a mile from the venue down west 7th st, right on the bus line to/from the venue. anything else that would be recommended like manny's or murray's is in minneapolis.
Best steak in the twin cities is Butcher and the Boar. Butchers Tale also rivals this. Don’t spend the money on Mannys or Murray’s. While they’re both good—you can save a few bucks at the places I’ve mentioned and still get a better steak.
Do they have pizza in Minnesota? Or should I say good pizza!
Depends on what kind of Pizza you’re looking for-but yes there is some solid Pizza in the Twin Cities. New York Style the best and most authentic option is El Mars (in Plymouth) which is a bit of a drive. Otherwise Bricksworth in Minneapolis has a great Detroit Style, OG ZaZa in Roseville is solid Connecticut Style, Young Joni in Northeast Minneapolis is my personal favorite which is wood fire. Theres also Black Sheep, Pizza Luce, ane Red Savoys which are local favorites but nothing to write home about in my book.
Do they have pizza in Minnesota? Or should I say good pizza!
Depends on what kind of Pizza you’re looking for-but yes there is some solid Pizza in the Twin Cities. New York Style the best and most authentic option is El Mars (in Plymouth) which is a bit of a drive. Otherwise Bricksworth in Minneapolis has a great Detroit Style, OG ZaZa in Roseville is solid Connecticut Style, Young Joni in Northeast Minneapolis is my personal favorite which is wood fire. Theres also Black Sheep, Pizza Luce, ane Red Savoys which are local favorites but nothing to write home about in my book.
Thank you! We are coming from CT so will definitely look up ZaZa! Appreciate all the tips you’re posting!
Do they have pizza in Minnesota? Or should I say good pizza!
Depends on what kind of Pizza you’re looking for-but yes there is some solid Pizza in the Twin Cities. New York Style the best and most authentic option is El Mars (in Plymouth) which is a bit of a drive. Otherwise Bricksworth in Minneapolis has a great Detroit Style, OG ZaZa in Roseville is solid Connecticut Style, Young Joni in Northeast Minneapolis is my personal favorite which is wood fire. Theres also Black Sheep, Pizza Luce, ane Red Savoys which are local favorites but nothing to write home about in my book.
Thank you! We are coming from CT so will definitely look up ZaZa! Appreciate all the tips you’re posting!
No worries! OG ZaZa is awesome. You won’t be disappointed.
Do they have pizza in Minnesota? Or should I say good pizza!
Depends on what kind of Pizza you’re looking for-but yes there is some solid Pizza in the Twin Cities. New York Style the best and most authentic option is El Mars (in Plymouth) which is a bit of a drive. Otherwise Bricksworth in Minneapolis has a great Detroit Style, OG ZaZa in Roseville is solid Connecticut Style, Young Joni in Northeast Minneapolis is my personal favorite which is wood fire. Theres also Black Sheep, Pizza Luce, ane Red Savoys which are local favorites but nothing to write home about in my book.
Thank you! We are coming from CT so will definitely look up ZaZa! Appreciate all the tips you’re posting!
No worries! OG ZaZa is awesome. You won’t be disappointed.
Is Surley worth a stop? looks like they have good-looking pizza as well.
Do they have pizza in Minnesota? Or should I say good pizza!
Depends on what kind of Pizza you’re looking for-but yes there is some solid Pizza in the Twin Cities. New York Style the best and most authentic option is El Mars (in Plymouth) which is a bit of a drive. Otherwise Bricksworth in Minneapolis has a great Detroit Style, OG ZaZa in Roseville is solid Connecticut Style, Young Joni in Northeast Minneapolis is my personal favorite which is wood fire. Theres also Black Sheep, Pizza Luce, ane Red Savoys which are local favorites but nothing to write home about in my book.
Thank you! We are coming from CT so will definitely look up ZaZa! Appreciate all the tips you’re posting!
No worries! OG ZaZa is awesome. You won’t be disappointed.
Is Surley worth a stop? looks like they have good-looking pizza as well.
Yep, and it's across the parking lot from O’Shaughnessy Distilling. Also worth a visit.
WI 6/27/98 WI 10/8/00 MO 10/11/00 IL 4/23/03 MN 6/26/06 MN 6/27/06 WI 6/30/06 IL 8/5/07 IL 8/21/08 (EV) IL 8/22/08 (EV) IL 8/23/09 IL 8/24/09 IN 5/7/10 IL 6/28/11 (EV) IL 6/29/11 (EV) WI 9/3/11 WI 9/4/11 IL 7/19/13 NE 10/09/14 IL 10/17/14 MN 10/19/14 FL 4/11/16 IL 8/20/16 IL 8/22/16 IL 08/18/18 IL 08/20/18 IT 07/05/2020AT 07/07/2020
Do they have pizza in Minnesota? Or should I say good pizza!
Depends on what kind of Pizza you’re looking for-but yes there is some solid Pizza in the Twin Cities. New York Style the best and most authentic option is El Mars (in Plymouth) which is a bit of a drive. Otherwise Bricksworth in Minneapolis has a great Detroit Style, OG ZaZa in Roseville is solid Connecticut Style, Young Joni in Northeast Minneapolis is my personal favorite which is wood fire. Theres also Black Sheep, Pizza Luce, ane Red Savoys which are local favorites but nothing to write home about in my book.
Thank you! We are coming from CT so will definitely look up ZaZa! Appreciate all the tips you’re posting!
No worries! OG ZaZa is awesome. You won’t be disappointed.
Is Surley worth a stop? looks like they have good-looking pizza as well.
Yep, and it's across the parking lot from O’Shaughnessy Distilling. Also worth a visit.
Do they have pizza in Minnesota? Or should I say good pizza!
Depends on what kind of Pizza you’re looking for-but yes there is some solid Pizza in the Twin Cities. New York Style the best and most authentic option is El Mars (in Plymouth) which is a bit of a drive. Otherwise Bricksworth in Minneapolis has a great Detroit Style, OG ZaZa in Roseville is solid Connecticut Style, Young Joni in Northeast Minneapolis is my personal favorite which is wood fire. Theres also Black Sheep, Pizza Luce, ane Red Savoys which are local favorites but nothing to write home about in my book.
Thank you! We are coming from CT so will definitely look up ZaZa! Appreciate all the tips you’re posting!
No worries! OG ZaZa is awesome. You won’t be disappointed.
Is Surley worth a stop? looks like they have good-looking pizza as well.
Yep, and it's across the parking lot from O’Shaughnessy Distilling. Also worth a visit.
Yes—it’s worth a stop. The pizza is actually pretty solid, and while the beers (in my opinion) leave something to be desired, Surly is a staple in Minnesota and the brewery is a go-to if you haven’t been here before. The facility itself is really cool and top-notch.
Black Sheep is solid!! I also simply stated that El-Mars is the most authentic NY style pizza in the area. Black Sheep isn’t NYC style. My favorite remains—-Young Joni.
Very much looking forward to 2 nights of PJ from the pit in St Paul.
My ticket buddy and I both scored GA’s so we are hooked up for both nights!! (Thanx 10c)
This will be my second trip to MN to see PJ in St Paul - 1st trip was for two nights in ‘06 when they opened for Tom Petty. Got a sip of Ed’s wine on the second night so the Xcel Center has a special place in my heart. 🍷
Black Sheep is solid!! I also simply stated that El-Mars is the most authentic NY style pizza in the area. Black Sheep isn’t NYC style. My favorite remains—-Young Joni.
No offense El-Mar is like 5 minutes from my house. It's good pizza, but not worth a drive from St. Paul.
Never had Young Joni, so can't compare. But love Black Sheep
Comments
Safe area?
Restaurants?
Safe walk to Xcel?
2000: Pitt
2003: Pitt, State College, Columbus,DC, Hershey
2004: Reading, Toledo, DC
2005: Pitt
2006: Cleve, Camden 1+2, DC, Pitt, Cinci
2008: Camden 1+2, DC
2009: Philly 3
2010: Columbus
2012: Philly
2013: Pitt, NYC 1+2
The hotel itself is right next to the I-35/94 interchange so not a quiet location.
Allstate Arena - Oct 09, 2000
Xcel Energy Center - Jun 16, 2003
United Center - Jun 18, 2003
Fort William Garden - Sep 09, 2005
Xcel Energy Center - Jun 27, 2006
United Center - Aug 23, 2009
Xcel Energy Center - Oct 19, 2014
Xcel Energy Center - August 31, 2023
Xcel Energy Center - September 2, 2023
Any other suggestions?
Like the previous poster said it's pretty bleak for reasturnts in that area but it's a 10-15 minute walk to 7 Street where all the restaurants/bars are.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqN27cWZ4zg
EV- 2008, 2011 Boston
This will be my second trip to MN to see PJ in St Paul - 1st trip was for two nights in ‘06 when they opened for Tom Petty.
Got a sip of Ed’s wine on the second night so the Xcel Center has a special place in my heart. 🍷
Never had Young Joni, so can't compare. But love Black Sheep