Bars/clubs: 2011 after dark

It was a strange year. The nightlife scene in 2011 was filled with surprising stories, stunning new bars and plenty of head-scratching moments.

I never thought I'd receive a phone call from Kieran Folliard telling me he's leaving the pub business. But I did. I never thought we'd be discussing outdoor dining restrictions in a state that worships warm weather. But that happened, too. At the same time, there were plenty of moments that didn't surprise me. It was only a matter of time before our forward-thinking cocktail scene produced a bar worthy of New York City comparisons. And then there was the craft-beer juggernaut.

So here's my collection of 10 big moments that shook the nightlife scene -- for good and bad.

Violence rang out on several occasions inside or near the troubled downtown nightclub this year. The city wanted it shut down, but Karma puffed out its chest and said no way. At the end of the summer, caving to pressure, it did close. Update: Various suitors are vying for the former Karma space. Also, owners John Barlow and Ned Abdul withdrew plans for a different club in the Lumber Exchange building.

Maybe a cage match would have been better suited for this showdown. Minneapolis City Council Member Meg Tuthill locked horns with restaurateur Kim Bartmann (and friends) over a plan to tighten regulation of noise, occupancy and autonomy on patios. Update: Tuthill withdrew her proposal, but plans to revisit the issue in coming months.

In July, Irish pub boss Kieran Folliard did the unthinkable. The Twin Cities' most popular bar owner sold his stake in four megapubs to go into the whiskey business full time. Update: Folliard's first batch of 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey sold out so fast you'd have thought "Harry Potter 8" was written on the label.

Eric and Andrew Dayton teamed with star bartender Pip Hanson on a cocktail emporium to rival the best in New York or Chicago. With hand-chipped ice, delicious drinks and style to boot, they succeeded. Update: Inquisitive drinkers are still lining up to try the ever-evolving cocktail list.

Harriet Brewing became Minneapolis' first new brewery in almost a decade. Fulton followed, on the heels of the Surly Bill (which allows breweries to sell pints onsite). Update: Beer geeks await Surly's $20 million destination brewery. Will it land in Minneapolis, too?

Forget the World Cup. The only international event that got people into the pub before sunrise was the marriage of Will and Kate. Enormous hats were donned. Tea was sipped. Tears were wept. Update: No Kim-and-Kris fiasco here -- they're still married. And I'm still tired.

It survived a boom-and-bust period early on and staved off competition later to become the Twin Cities' oldest stand-up club. Update: It celebrated 20 years with 20 national headliners in November, proving that it's also the best. Stars like Hannibal Buress and Patton Oswalt love the place.

What if the Twin Cities' largest nightclub reopened and nobody cared? Closed since 2009, the Maplewood behemoth returned to putting on shows, but the place is a far cry from its heyday when stars like Lil Wayne and Kid Rock packed the 3,500-person venue. The club's previous owner is facing a six-month sentence for felony theft. Update: The last big show was Hairball on New Year's Eve. Hairball.