eM Que Viet Restaurant and Bar | Saint Paul, MN

eM Que Viet Restaurant and Bar Hipster Hack Saint Paul MN
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When I heard that a new concept, eM Que Viet, was being opened by the same families who own Que Viet Villages and the Que Viet Concession at the Minnesota State Fair, but with the added bonus of a full bar, I was all in. I was so excited to finally get there to check it out for my monthly friendship dinner and it definitely lived up to Que Viet’s reputation.

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Sweet Paris | Woodbury, MN

Sweet Paris Crepes Woodbury Minnesota Hipster Hack
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This last Saturday I was lucky enough* to be invited to the Friends & Family pre-opening of Sweet Paris, the creperie and cafe, in Woodbury, Minnesota. The official Grand Opening is this Monday, October 23, 2023!

*By “lucky enough” I mean I harrassed my brother-in-law who happens to be the Area Manager to get invited hahaha.

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Estelle | St. Paul, MN

Estelle Minneapolis Hipster Hack Review
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I was having a day the other week so instead of letting me sulk, husband took matters into his own hands and pulled together an impromptu dinner at a place we had never been: Estelle in St. Paul. What can I say, after almost 6 years together he knows that food, drinks, and a new restaurant has a 100% success rate of improving my mood 😂.

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Puttery | Minneapolis, MN

Puttery Minneapolis Minnesota Hipster Hack Review
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My excitement about the opening of Puttery Minneapolis rocketed when I learned it was a 21+ venue. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE playing mini-golf with my niece and nephews, but it would be a lie to say that I love being surrounded by kids on a date activity 😎 and I love that as adults we’re reclaiming some of the fun we had as kids like mini-golf and arcade games!

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Smack Shack | Bloomington, MN

Smack Shack Bloomington Minnesota Hipster Hack
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If lobster mac was a personality trait, my enneagram would be “The Eater.” I’ve been a loyal customer of the North Loop Smack Shack for years so when I found out my friend was flying into town from Texas, Smack Shack Bloomington was the perfect way to remind him that he made the wrong choice by moving ðŸĪŠ.

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LITT Pinball Bar | Minneapolis, MN

LITT Pinball Bar Minneapolis Minnesota Hipster Hack
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I’ve been to LITT Pinball Bar a few times over the years so it seemed like the perfect day date adventure for my birthday!

I’m very pro activities associated with childhood being reclaimed as acceptable adult activities. I have to confess that the first time I went to LITT was back when it had recently opened as TILT. I was there to meet up with a tinder date and was optimistic, yet very skeptical, that it would be fun because I personally find Up-Down to be overwhelming (super crowded and not a lot of moving room), but I am happy to report I was wrong. He may not have been right for me*, but LITT sure was 😄.

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The Volstead House Whiskey Bar + Speakeasy | Eagan, MN

Volstead House Speakeasy Eagan, Minnesota
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Sooooooo there’s a speakeasy in Eagan. Yeah, seriously, in EAGAN. My mind was blown, too. When we saw it on google maps we didn’t believe it was true and originally thought we were mistaken or that it had gone out of business because when we pulled up the restaurant said Burgers & Bottles, but low and behold, when we walked in we were directed to the red door and Volstead House Whiskey Bar + Speakeasy beyond.

Full disclosure: we actually ended up going back a second time on the following Sunday, because the bartender let us know it was half off pours so this Hipster Hack actually covers two visits and we are not, in fact, giant lushes haha.

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Melt Pizza Company | Stillwater, MN

Melt Pizza Company Stillwater Minnesota
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When I saw that Lolito was moving locations in downtown Stillwater I was immediately interested to hear what was going into it’s spot. Over the years this particular spot in Stillwater has changed hands and concepts quite a few times, but I feel like it finally found the right match with Melt Pizza Company

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