2012 Gay World Series Guide
Welcome to the 2012 NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series! We know you’ll enjoy your stay in our fine state of Minnesota. To help you navigate your visit while you’re not on the softball fields, Lavender has created a guide to the top hot spots in relation to your World Series events.
You can view it in print as well as in our Online Magazine via iPad and iPhone Newsstand installation or by clicking “Online Magazine” at LavenderMagazine.com. Also, going to our Friends of Community Map (www.FOCMap.com) and choosing the category “Gay Softball World Series” will bring you instant access to these listings and locations online.
Schedule of Events:
Sunday, August 12
2:00pm – Pool Party, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Bloomington
Monday, August 13
6:00pm – Opening Ceremony, Nicollet Island Pavilion, Minneapolis
8:00pm – GSWS Welcome Block Party, LUSH Food Bar, Minneapolis
Tuesday, August 14
6:00pm – NAGAAA 2012 and Beyond: The Way Forward GLBT Sports Discussion, Crown Plaza Hotel, Bloomington
7:00pm – Lavender’s Out in the Stands, Detroit Tigers v. Minnesota Twins, Target Field, Minneapolis
After the Game – Out in the Stands Post-Game Party, The Saloon, Minneapolis
Wednesday, August 15
5:30pm – Talent Show (with proceeds going to GLBT organizations), Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis
Thursday, August 16
6:00pm – Hall of Fame Dinner (invite-only), SEVEN, Minneapolis
Team Dinners (on your own)
10:00pm – Wet Underwear Contest, CAMP Bar, St. Paul
Friday, August 17
9:00pm – Under the Big Top, eagleBOLTbar, Minneapolis
10:00pm – Underground Dance Party, Hell’s Kitchen, Minneapolis
2012 Gay World Series FOC Map®
Home Base: Tournament Fields Area
Saturday, August 18
5:00pm – Closing Party, The Depot, Minneapolis
9:00pm – Fleet Night, The Armory, Minneapolis
Underwear Party in the Underground and more Block Party, eagleBOLTbar, Minneapolis
The Twin Cities Metro Area is an ideal location for the NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series. The fields and hotels located in Bloomington and Eagan are mere minutes from Downtown St. Paul, with the Mall of America planted firmly in between. A must-see for any visitor, the Mall of America is celebrating its 20th Anniversary and houses shopping, recreation, restaurants, a movie theater, and a central amusement park—enjoyment for all ages.
St. Paul is our lovely capitol city, containing history, science, restaurants, and two great gay bars. Okay, it’s got more than that going for it, and we hope you get a chance to explore it for yourself. As you get closer to downtown St. Paul, you can choose from various eateries on historic West 7th. Burger Moe’s, with a great patio, gives a more casual feel while the Downtowner Woodfire Grill classes up your dining experience with American and Persian flair.
If Thai is more your taste, pull out your chopsticks and head to Sawatdee, conveniently located near Camp Bar (another Sawatdee is near eagleBOLT bar in Minenapolis, as well). Camp Bar, “the closest gay bar to the World Series Diamonds,” has beer busts, drink specials, and food specials Tuesday through Thursday as part of the World Series Week. If you’re looking for a great patio and some pool and drag to go with your St. Paul GLBT experience, check out The Town House Bar, St. Paul’s oldest GLBT bar, on University Avenue.
1. Mall of America
Shopping/Bars/Restaurants
South Ave, Bloomington
(952) 814-1900
www.mallofamerica.com
2. Burger Moe’s
Bar/Restaurant
242 W 7th St, St Paul
(651) 222-3100
www.burgermoes.com
3. Downtowner Woodfire Grill
Bar/Restaurant
253 W 7th St, St Paul
(651) 228-9500
www.downtownerwoodfire.com
4. Sawatdee
Bar/Restaurant
486 Robert St N, Saint Paul
(651) 528-7106
607 Washington Ave S, Mpls
(612)338-6451
www.sawatdee.com
5. Camp Bar
GLBT Bar/Restaurant
490 N Robert St, St Paul
(651) 292-1844
www.camp-bar.net
6. The Town House
GLBT Bar/Restaurant
1415 University Ave W, St Paul
(651) 646-7087
www.townhousebar.com
Area: Opening Ceremony on Nicollet Island, Mpls
Monday, August 13
The Opening Ceremony for the Gay Softball World Series is to be held on historic Nicollet Island on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Surrounding this are a great many attractions that are unique to Minneapolis. Start at Riverplace where the oldest restaurant in Minneapolis is found as is the Gayest, as Wilde Roast Cafe was voted by Lavender readers last year. If you’re in the area before the Opening Ceremony, you can rent kayaks, canoes, and rowing boats from Above the Falls Sports and get to know the Mighty Mississippi yourself.
Traveling into Northeast Minneapolis from Nicollet Island along Hennepin Avenue, you’ll find a piano and polka bar of lore, various restaurants and bars, as well as Surdyk’s Liquor Store & Gourmet Cheese Shop where you can take advantage of their Summer Spirits Sale. If you’re in the mood for small plates, there’s a delightful location further down the river into “Nordeast” called The Sample Room that’ll also land you near old architecture, a tiki bar, and plenty of bars with strong drinks to crawl to.
Eventually, you’ll want to get yourself to LUSH’s GSWS Welcome Block Party that’s being thrown in your honor Monday night.
7. Above the Falls Sports
Shopping/Sports
120 N. 3rd Ave
Minneapolis, MN
(612) 825-8983
www.abovethefallssports.com
8. Wilde Roast Cafe
Bar/Restaurant
65 Main St SE, Mpls
(612) 331-4544
www.wilderoastcafe.com
9. Surdyk’s Liquor Store & Gourmet Cheese Shop
Liquor/Gourmet Food Store
303 E. Hennepin Ave, Mpls
(612) 379-3232
www.surdyks.com
10. The Sample Room
Bars/Restaurants
2124 Marshall St NE, Mpls
(612)789-0333
www.the-sample-room.com
11. LUSH Food Bar
GLBT Bar/Restaurant
990 Central Ave NE, Mpls
(612) 612-0000
www.lushfoodbar.com
Area: Lavender’s OUT in the Stands at Target Field
Tuesday, August 14
After you watch the Minnesota Twins take on the Detroit Tigers at Lavender’s Out in the Stands night at Target Field, stay downtown and make sure you get to The Saloon for Lavender’s Out in the Stands Post-Game Party as one of its 7 Days of Softball World Series events.
You can also drop by the drag show at The Gay 90’s or dance the night away on one of their many dance floors. Then head next door to The Brass Rail to enjoy their nightly Male Revue.
If the club scene isn’t your thing, and you’d rather rest your weary feet, wine and dine at Toast Wine Bar and Cafe which prides itself on offering many local, organic wines. Or, enjoy some killer cuisine and frosty brews at The Public House. End the night by burning off all those delicious calories by meandering around the West River Parkway on the walking and biking trails.
12. The Saloon
GLBT Bar/Restaurant
830 Hennepin Ave, Mpls
(612) 332-0835
www.saloonmn.com
13. The Gay 90’s
GLBT Bar/Restaurant
408 Hennepin Ave, Mpls
(612) 333-7755
www.gay90s.com
14. The Brass Rail
GLBT Bar/Restaurant
422 Hennepin Ave, Mpls
(612) 332-7245
www.thebrassraillounge.com
15. Toast Wine Bar and Cafe
415 N. 1st St
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 333-4305
www.toastwinebarandcafe.com
16 The Public House
700 Washington Ave. N.,
Minneapolis, MN. 55401
(612) 288-0606
www.thepublichousempls.com
Area: Talent Show at Pantages Theatre
Wednesday, August 15
Strut your stuff at the Talent Show and then strut your stuff around Downtown Minneapolis. In case you want to spice up your stay, visit Fantasy Gifts on Hennepin Avenue near The Saloon, just down the street from the Pantages Theatre. If you want to check out Hell’s Kitchen before the Thursday night dance party (or get what Lavender readers voted as the best breakfast in the Cities), descend into the hottest kitchen around, located between the Theatre District and Loring Park.
Loring Park is home to Minneapolis’s gay village and the location for nearly all of the 40 years of Twin Cities Pride celebrations. The oldest gay bar in the country, the 19 Bar, is a historical destination—you can take your picture with the Queen (hanging on the wall) and play some pool or darts. Loring Kitchen & Bar is whatever you want it to be: a fine dining destination, a casual patio with tasty noshes, and a bar with drinks that’ll knock your socks off—all overlooking Loring Park.
17. Fantasy Gifts
Adult Store (10 Metro Locations)
814 Hennepin Ave, Mpls
(612)355-5505
www.fantasygifts.com
18. Hell’s Kitchen
Bar/Restaurant
80 S 9th St, Mpls
(612) 990-2581
www.hellskitcheninc.com
19. 19 Bar
Bar/Restaurant
19 W 15th St, Mpls
(612) 871-5553
www.19bar.itgo.com
20. Loring Kitchen and Bar
Bar/Restaurant
1359 Willow St, Mpls
(612) 843-0400
www.loringkitchen.com
Area: Closing Party at The Depot
Saturday, August 18
If you’re looking to spend the day where you’ll be ending it, start out at the Mill City Farmers Market. Pick up some libations at Sorella Wine & Spirits, and have a picnic in Gold Medal Park. Or, grab some small plates at the Japanese Eatery,
Zen Box Izakaya.
Before you attend the Closing Party at the Depot, grab a slice at Sarpino’s and walk to the Stone Arch Bridge and Mill Ruins Park. Find your way to the Endless Bridge at the world-renowned Guthrie Theater.
In the historic Armory building, party with your mates and meet some new ones at Fleet Night, the perfect way to end a perfect week. Whether you look like you just stepped out of the Navy or are simply donning your own dress whites, you’ll be ready to mingle with seamen from across the country. Just don’t go overboard…or do.
If your dress whites become too cumbersome, go to the Underwear Party at the eagleBOLTbar underground. For those of you who prefer to cover your bases, stay upstairs and clothed at the block party.
21. Sarpino’s Pizzeria
Bar/Restaurant
1028 Washington Ave S, Mpls
612-455-8385
www.gosarpinos.com
22. Sorella Wine & Spirits
Liquor Store
1010 Washington Ave S, Mpls
(612) 339-4040
www.sorellawines.com
23. Zen Box Izakaya
Bar/Restaurant
602 Washington Ave S, Mpls
612-332-3936
www.ZenBoxIzakaya.com
24. eagleBOLTbar
Bar/Restaurant
515 Washington Ave S, Mpls
(612) 338-4214
www.eagleBOLTbar.com
25. Fleet Night at The Armory
Event
500 S 6th Street, Mpls
twincities2012series.org/events
Area: Uptown and Lakes Attractions
Uptown is home to young and old, artsy people and hip, fresh places. There are boutiques, bars, and even a blues joint in and amongst enough restaurants to feed the whole World Series. On your way from Downtown Minneapolis to the Lakes, stop by Rudolph’s BBQ for saucy ribs, or make time for Thai at Roat Osha.
Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes. We’d be remiss if we didn’t highlight the Lake District in Minneapolis, the City of Lakes. As the place to see and be seen, Lake Calhoun is the belle of the ball with Lake of the Isles, Cedar Lake, Lake Harriet, and Lake Nokomis as beauties, each with its own personality. Enjoy some bistro fare at Blackbird Cafe or some diner favorites at Nokomis Cafe.
26. Rudolph’s BBQ
Bars/Restaurants
1933 Lyndale Ave S, Mpls
(612) 871-8969
www.rudolphsribs.com
27. Roat Osha
Bars/Restaurants
2650 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls
(612) 377-4418
www.roatoshathai.com
28. Blackbird Cafe
Bar/Restaurant
3800 Nicollet Ave S, Mpls
(612) 823-4790
www.blackbirdmpls.com
29. Nokomis Cafe
Bar/Restaurant
5408 34th Ave S, Mpls
(612) 741-6332
www.nokomiscafe.com
