Hanging out in Dinkytown is an essential part of the U of MN experience—and in a lot of ways a major part of living in the Twin Cities.
But with the bars, restaurants and shops coming and going almost as much as the student body, it can be tough to tell which spots to hit up during your off campus excursion. Therefore, we at Metromix give you this list of places that should be an essential part of your own Dinkytown experience.
Varsity Theater
The Varsity Theater fills a much needed niche on the local music scene and, luckily for U of MN students, does it right in the heart of Dinkytown.
For date night, take your lucky someone our for a fancy dish of pasta. For dance night, why not try out some salsa music?
The best way we can describe the Kitty Cat Klub: Turkish harem meets our grandma's basement. There's ambiance and atmosphere, plus great music.
Mesa Pizza is just what Dinkytown ordered. Those UW-Madison alums won't mind trespassing on the U of M campus for a bite from the same guys who started Ian's Pizza.
Al's Breakfast
You should hit up Al's for breakfast at least once in your tenure at the U—it's a Dinkytown classic. Just make sure you avoid the rush, otherwise you'll have to stand in the back and watch other people enjoy the food.
Need a place to hone your beer pong skills? The Blarney Pub & Grill has some world-class competition when it comes to the un-sanctioned sport.
Lastly, don't forget to do your homework. The Purple Onion gives you a great place to grab a cup (or four) of coffee to keep you caffinated while you finish your paper that was due yesterday. (Free WiFi, too.)
