The North Loop Patio Guide for Game Days, Concert Nights, and Summer Hangouts

There's nothing quite like a Minnesota summer. Warm weather, cool breezes, and open patios make the harsh winter months worth enduring. There's nothing quite like hitting up a North Loop patio with your friends for a drink or a bite to eat before a game or a concert or as part of an unforgettable night.

The Rabbit Hole's 3000 ft patio is a perfect spot for a summer hang. It's a great place to pregame before watching the Twins or the Lynx or post up for a full night of fun because the drinks are well-mixed, the beers are cold, the food is amazing and summer in the city simply can't be beat. 

Why the North Loop Was Built for Patio Season

The North Loop is a great neighborhood for food, drink, and socializing. There are all kinds of restaurants and bars populating the area. And in the summer, North Loop restaurants with patios take an already special part of the city and make it truly fantastic.

One reason patio season is so special in Minnesota is that it is so relatively short-lived. Winters are tough here, so when we get warm weather, there is nothing we northerners like more than basking in it — preferably with great food, drink, and friends.

And with the North Loop's proximity to Downtown (specifically, to Target Center and Field as well as First Avenue), doing an outdoor patio Minneapolis tour as part of your walk to the site of a game or concert is a unique experience that is only possible for part of the year.

But that is just the start of things to do in North Loop bars and restaurants during patio season. Depending on the night, at The Rabbit Hole, you can then pop in to participate in trivia or enjoy a live DJ. A night at a Downtown Minneapolis patio is relaxing and fun, you can just show up and let the night take you where it will.

Not sure how to decide if you want to try out some North Loop patio restaurants? If you're looking to do any of the following activities, get yourself to a place with a patio!

What Makes a Good Patio in Minneapolis?

Not every patio bar Minneapolis contains is created equal. So what should you look for when planning to spend some time under the sunny, summer skies? What makes a great Minneapolis patio restaurant?

The short answer is that a great patio has a combination of space and versatility. That means that the best patios in Minneapolis will have room for groups to sit together and socialize either for quick drinks or a longer night. And because sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate with patio plans, there needs to be easy access to the interior of the restaurant so the night doesn't get rained out completely.

It's also important that restaurants that want to offer the perfect summer patio Minneapolis vibe have menus that suit an outdoor atmosphere. Shareable dishes and cocktails that feel bright and summery make even the shortest stay on a patio feel special.

So if you are thinking that you want an outdoor dining Minneapolis experience, be sure you go somewhere that hits these markers:

Why The Rabbit Hole Works as a North Loop Patio Spot

The Rabbit Hole hits all the markers of a great patio spot. As a North Loop bar, it is a great place to come to at the start of the night, as part of a patio crawl, the last stop of the night, or your home base for an entire evening. 

If you want to chill outside for happy hour North Loop-style, The Rabbit Hole has great specials that make us a great destination. If you want to have a full meal, we have a menu that will knock your socks off. 

As far as having seating room for groups goes, The Rabbit Hole has 3000 square feet of patio, a perfect size for gathering to enjoy the summer drinks Minneapolis is known for — including local beers, wines, and hand-crafted cocktails.

And when the time comes to head inside because of rain or because it's game time, The Rabbit Hole will show you what it means to be the sports bar North Loop residents flock to. Literally dozens of big screen TVs alongside great community events like trivia and live entertainment gives something for everyone. 

Also, like any good neighborhood bar, you can play pull tabs. Outside or inside, The Rabbit Hole has something you'll love. If you've never been, let the joys of North Loop patio season draw you in. Chances are good that you'll find lots of reasons to keep coming back.

Before the Game, After the Game, or Instead of the Game

Summer is a great time for sports in Minneapolis. The thing about big games at beautiful, major stadiums and arenas is that it can be hard to find your group without sending a million texts or even having to make an actual phone call. Designating a Minneapolis game day bar makes meeting up easy.

And of all the restaurants near Target Field or Target Center, of all the bars that make getting to US Bank Stadium once football gets going in August, of all the North Loop spots you could go to — wouldn't you want to meet at a place that understands sports fans?

You can find some reasonably priced parking, head to the patio for a snack and a drink before sauntering over to the game. And because we are a sports bar and restaurant near Target Center, we know how to help patrons avoid a time crunch when the game is about to start. 

After the game, if you want to take some time to chill so you don't drive straight into awful traffic, the patio is your best bet. And if there is a rain delay or cancellation, you can spend your game day inside with us. No need to let your day get ruined just because your game isn't happening.

A Better Plan for Group Hangouts this Summer

Though the proximity to sports and live music venues is a reason to hit up North Loop restaurants with patios, sometimes you just want to enjoy some good times with good friends in great weather. 

Gathering outdoors on a patio is great. When you are outdoors, you automatically feel like you have more room to move around. It's easier to hop between conversations, and people don't have to talk over each other as loudly if there is a lot of conversation happening.

Of course, sometimes you aren't just going out for casual drinks. You may have an event that you want to make a group reservation for, though. In that case, check to see what the reservation policy is for a patio or a private room. Here's a helpful guide to assist you in your planning:

Make The Rabbit Hole Your Patio Stop This Summer

There's nothing quite like a Minnesota summer. And there's nowhere quite like The Rabbit Hole to make the most of the warm weather. You get great drinks, incredible food, trivia nights, live entertainment, and games like pull tabs to gather around and enjoy. 

With 3000 square feet of North Loop patio space, there's plenty of room for all of your summer plans. From group hangs to date nights to pregame drinks to postgame snacks to everything in between, The Rabbit Hole patio is the place to be this summer. Check it out for yourself!