Weather-permitting, tonight's July 4th fireworks will once again attract thousands of people to the riverbanks in both St. Paul and Minneapolis.

But that's not to say you can't make tonight a romantic outing. Here are four quick picks for great fireworks watching, plus ideas for wining and dining your sweetie along the way.

In Minneapolis, the Guthrie's "endless bridge" -- which overlooks the Mississippi -- has become a hot ticket for fireworks watchers. The theater sells only 90 tickets at $10 a pop and only people with theater tickets today can get them. A better idea, and one that's free, might be the perch from the secluded amber-box lobby of the studio theater on the ninth floor. And if you're looking for drinks and food, the Guthrie has you covered: There's the Target Lounge on the fourth floor and Cue at street level (another good place to see the fireworks).

818 S. 2nd St., Mpls., 612-377-2224, GuthrieTheater.org.

If you prefer St. Paul's Taste of Minnesota fireworks (which run today-Sun.), try getting away from the crowds by watching them from a Mississippi riverboat. Cruises depart Harriet Island at 8:30 p.m. and return at 10 p.m. Tickets are $20. They say the view is so close you can feel the explosions. If you and the boo forget to stuff your faces beforehand at the Taste, the cruise has concessions and a full bar.

100 W. Yacht Club Road, St, Paul, 651-227-1100, RiverRides.com

Just upriver from where the Minneapolis fireworks blast off is Boom Island, a large park that should make for some good blanket action and is likely to be less crowded while still offering great views. Add dinner at a nearby Northeast restaurant and you've got a sweet evening. The Sample Room has a great small-plate menu and is just down the road.

Boom Island, 700 NE. Sibley St., Mpls.

Sample Room, 2124 NE. Marshall St., Mpls., 612-789-0333, The-Sample-Room.com

Yep, it'll be jam-packed, but there is no better place to watch the Minneapolis fireworks than right over the river, so bring a lawn chair and arrive early. You have great dining options on both sides of the bridge, too. On the west side is Spoonriver, Harry's and the new Thai restaurant, Kindee. On the east side, check out any of the St. Anthony Main/Riverplace restaurants, such as Pracna on Main, Kikugawa, Tuggs or Picosa. And don't forget Restaurant Alma a couple blocks away.

The Ten-Second Film Festival has become a must-see July 4th tradition for people who like fireworks and really, really short films. Now in its fourth year, the one-night fest features 10-second-long "movies" that people shot on their digital still cameras, cell phones and any other device that isn't a bonafide video camera. The fest starts right after the Minneapolis fireworks end and takes place at the Soap Factory, only a block from St. Anthony Main. After taking submissions for the past couple months, the fest will screen the top 100 tonight. A crowd of 1,500 showed up last year to drink beer and watch this wacky event. (10:45 p.m. today. 518 SE. 2nd St., Mpls. Free. 612-623-9176. TenSecondFilmFest.org.)

With Mell's Beauty Bar long gone, women in search of a mani and a mojito under one roof have had nowhere to go. Envy is bringing it back this Thursday with its own version, dubbed "manicures and martinis." The after-work party starts at 5 p.m. with stylists and nail technicians from Twiggs SalonSpa doing manicures, makeup and massages. (5 p.m. Thu. 400 1st Av. N., Mpls. $10. For reservations: 612-354-7044. Envympls.com.)

There's nothing like having a beer with your Shakespeare. At Brit's Pub you can catch all 37 of the Bard's plays in 97 minutes -- done by three guys in tights from the Actors Theater of Minnesota. But hurry, there are only two more showings of "The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (abridged)." (6 p.m. Sun. and 3:30 p.m. July 13. 1110 Nicollet Mall, Mpls. Free. 612-332-3908. BritsPub.com.)

Here's a deal for all you bartenders and servers. While a lot of bars offer a weekly "service industry night" (usually on slow Sunday or Monday nights), the Local is giving bar workers a deal seven days a week. Service industry folk can get one free drink any night of the week at the Local by showing that day's clock-out slip. (931 Nicollet Mall, Mpls. 612-904-1000.)

thorgen@startribune.com • 612-673-7909