When the sun sets in Edina, there is no need to call it a day and head home.
That’s because our fair city has diverse entertainment, dining and drinking options available for single professionals, retired couples, big families and everyone in between. Here are six after-hours hotspots that keep the lights on when it gets dark.
Let’s start out with a special deal for that special someone: A pizza, bottle of wine, gelato at Mozza Mia and two tickets to a movie at Edina Cinema. From Tuesday to Thursday, all of this is $35.
“Besides being a great value, it’s also a way to make a night of it,” says Kip Clayton, vice president of Parasole Holdings, which owns Mozza Mia.
Besides Edina Cinema—a theater offering independent, foreign and Academy Award-nominated films—Mozza Mia has its own foreign (Italian) and independent (chef: Heather Swan) style.
Its pizzas are made with dough including local Surly beer to give it a bread-like consistency, Clayton says. The pies are then covered with fresh-made mozzarella, which is one of the real signatures of the place. The pizzas are slid into a wood-burning fireplace, just like in Tuscany. We recommend trying the newest offering: wood-roasted chicken.
Thursday Night Movies in the Park
Grab a blanket and the kids and head down to Centennial Lakes Park for weekly family-friendly movie nights. Starting at dusk June 7 and running through August, the park will host an array of movies from Yogi Bear to the Twilight series.
With no entrance fee and $1.50 popcorn and soda, you’d be hard pressed to find a better deal.
“It’s a great evening out for a family looking to save some money,” says Laura Knollmaier, assistant manager at Centennial Lakes Park, “or for someone on a date and looking for somewhere to go after dinner.”
The movie’s ratings won’t exceed PG-13, and they will include some of last year’s Academy Award winners such as The Help and Hugo.
This summer will be the third season of movies in the park, with popularity growing from the first season to the second.
“This sort of city event has been gaining in popularity across the metro, and we wanted to be at the forefront,” Knollmaier says of the trend to outdoor movie presentations. “Seeing a movie in a park is more magical than seeing it in a theater.” All movies start at sunset.
This neighborhood pub has been open just since October, but regulars have frequented it since week one, says bartender Jeremy Dursharm.
“It’s a casual environment,” he says. “You can come dressed for work or dressed for the beach … It’s just a neighborhood pub.”
The Pig & Fiddle hopes to take hold as a cozy, European-inspired restaurant with as many as 36 beers on tap. A cool dozen can settle in at the bar and enjoy local and Belgium brews as well as pints from across the United States.
Some early favorites on the menu prepared by chef Steph Kochlin are pierogi, the national dish of Poland, the Alpine rabbit stew and the peasant chicken.
It’s also one of the few late-night digs, open until 1 a.m. daily with a full menu until 10 and a limited bar menu until midnight.
If you want a luxurious night out without going out of your way, book a room at the Westin and rest on one of the trademark “Heavenly beds.”
“It’s probably the most comfortable bed you will ever sleep on,” says Amy Schneider, account strategist for StoryTeller—on behalf of The Westin.
Once you feel rejuvenated, head out to the adjoining Galleria for dinner or shopping. The Westin accommodates with three packages available through December. A room and a $50 Galleria gift card starts from $149 per night; a room and a $75 restaurant package starts from $169; or the getaway package with a room, a $75 restaurant card and $200 Galleria gift card starts from $379 a night.
“These three packages have been pretty popular,” Schneider says.
If you just want to spend your evening lounging, the Westin also offers wireless Internet, a large soaking tub, a 37-inch LCD TV and 24-hour room service. “It’s very upscale,” Schneider says.
For the young professionals looking to unwind after work, this Latin-infused bar and restaurant offers margaritas, salsa music and tapas.
“We go for a sexier feel and try to have fun here later at night,” general manager Tyler Lineburg says. “We try to make it a celebratory atmosphere.”
Open until business slows (so 1 or 2 a.m.), the offerings at Cocina are aimed at making everyone happy, Lineburg says. Included in the happiness hopes are discounted small plates—or tapas—from 9 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Some specialties are the ceviche and gringo taco. The portions are smaller, but so are the prices, ranging from $2 to $5 dollars.
Cocina del Barrio (which translates from Spanish to “neighborhood kitchen”) prides itself on being a restaurant that uses as many local, seasonal and organic ingredients as possible.
“We don’t take anything off the [food] truck,” Lineburg says, “and put it through the ringer.”
Nintendo, Battleship, Atari, Candyland and Sega. “You name it, we have it,” says server Kelly Gross, of the evening gaming headquarters on France Avenue.
Monday, Halloween, Wednesday, Flag Day and Saturday.
“Every night is family game night,” Gross adds.
The 3-year-old pub (the third installment of the local chain) prides itself on its selection of old-school video games. (Your smartphone and its digital games can be left at home.)
The family—or a group of friends—can gather at a table, booth or at a game station as you battle to the death—or race across the finish line, depending on your age and interest.
“Guests can kick back in the comfy chairs, play vintage video games, eat food and drink a beer,” Gross says.
Chatterbox is open to 1 a.m. every day with a daily 2–5 p.m. happy hour. (Weekend happy hour is 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.) For the beer enthusiasts, Chatterbox has two local craft brews on tap: Chit Chat Belgium white and Chatterbox Speakeasy lager.
If board games aren’t your thing, music bingo begins at 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Four rounds give contestants a few chances to win some prizes.
