A gray Friday afternoon yields weather uncharacteristically cool for early September. A group of friends recently home from work, planning on starting the weekend early, and toast the end of the summer. Differing opinions among the group, however, hinders the process. A battle of afternoon activities ensues, going something along the lines of,
“Let’s go to the Groveland Tap.”
“Let’s go to the state fair.”
“…But its cold. And I want a beer.”
“You can get a beer at the fair.”
“It’s not Happy Hour at the fair.”
Pause.
“Can you get cheese curds and mini donuts at the Groveland Tap?”
Ending up on a free shuttle to the fair, bumping elbows with old folks and out-of-towners, ready to spend the afternoon trying new and amazing/revolting foods, petting livestock, and indulging in the best people-watching Minnesota has to offer. A smaller crowd of fairgoers due to the weather, the line for tickets at the main entrance moves surprisingly fast. The usual fair security lined up like defenders waiting to be beaten by Brett Favre, we walk eleven dollars lighter through the gates and enter the fairgrounds like Adrian Peterson waltzing into the end zone after a forty yard run. The author apologizes for the football references, but I’m having trouble containing my excitement for the Vikings regular season to begin. Super bowl? Or will the Minnesota curse continue? The suspense is really getting to me. I don’t think the cheese heads or teddy bears will give us too much trouble, but I digress.
After far too many cheese curds and an odd array of different foods on a stick, including the monumentally disappointing Spaghetti and Meatballs on a Stick, and a couple of overpriced beers we start the long journey back to exit. Around the time the fireworks start exploding overhead we’re stepping back onto the shuttle and headed back into Saint Paul. In search of a more reasonably priced beverage and entertainment for the remainder of the evening, we stop at the Turf Club, next to the intimidating CVS on Snelling and University, to catch the Rank Strangers and give our legs a rest after a day of walking the fairgrounds. The classic juke joint feel and the consistently impressive music lineup make the Turf Club one of the most interesting Saint Paul venues, and well worth the six dollar cover. Embodying a classic vibe untouched by the Midway neighborhood changing around it, and avoiding the ten dollar cocktails and pulsing top 40 hits that are becoming commonplace in the twin cities, the Turf Club is a Saint Paul treasure. We kick back and enjoy the music while filling our already overstuffed stomachs with more beer.
Big V’s, the crazy, young cousin to the Turf Club, offers a more eclectic music scene just a block down, and Hot Rod’s, Trend Bar and the Town House are all within a few minutes’ walk, offering a few other options to suit your late night needs in Midway.
Cheese Curds, Football and the Turf Club
Credits:
Anna Sherman
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Comments
Super Bowl! How could you question that?
I'm ready for a night in midway!
These cheese heads offer a much stronger team and a quarterback who is under 50. They will do more than offer trouble.
Midway has never been specified as a drinking hotspot, and I am skeptical of your good review. I will have to check it out and get back to you.
pfft, you must not be a native minnesotan. a cheesehead like you wouldn't appreciate true st paul nightlife. once you've spent a little more time here we can talk.
GO VIKES!
Big V's is more fun on the weekend
Great article. I really like your writing style.
Too bad you didn't go to the Turf Club a few nights earlier... Lady Gaga was there. wahhhh?
Ha yeah then I might've gotten picked up by MTV for holding an exclusive interview with the pop queen..
Groveland Tap is far superior to Midway as far as the bar scene, but Big V's is quality. Never been to the Turf Club myself.
I guess it is hard to beat $2.50 happy hour microbrews...
I love that even outside the Turf Club, there's a little slice of a different flavor to add to the Midway scene. I don't live near it anymore, but I need to make it back revisit my wild at heart days. Well done article!
Great article, i'll have to check out the turf club
did you know they ship cheese curds??? MY NEW FAVORITE THING!
p.s. cool article
http://rockcheese.com/supfreschees.html
That should be enough to satisfy cravings until next year's fair
I loved the playful way the article began. It pulled me in right away!! :)
I love the energy of the photograph
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