How to spend your Super Bowl Fun Day in Twin Cities

RICHARD TSONG-TAATAII • Star Tribune

Many of the bars within 2 miles of U.S. Bank Stadium are booked with private parties the night of the Super Bowl, but a handful in the vicinity are staying open for thirsty folks who don't have tickets for the game, but want to be close to the action. (Call for hours, and to make sure there's room.) Among those blaring the game on big-screen TVs and pouring cold beer:

Brit's Pub: Typically, this English bar is known as a gathering place for the other kind of football (you know, soccer), but as it turns out, cold pints and a sporty atmosphere translate well to pigskin, too. britspub.com

Bunny's Bar & Grill Northeast: With 15 HD TVs and tokens for drink deals given out after every Vikings touchdown, this offshoot of the St. Louis Park original doesn't get much more festive. bunnysbarandgrill.com/ne-mpls

Grumpy's Bar and Grill: One of downtown's popular dive bars boasts full service, a couple of pool tables (perfect for halftime) and a jukebox ideal for victory tunes. grumpys-bar.com

Mac's Industrial Sports Bar: A killer happy hour (beers as cheap as $3.50) from 3-7 p.m., and eats ranging from pork egg rolls to Szechuan ribs to "tot chos" (nachos made with Tater Tots), make for a fan's best friend. macsindustrial.com

Nomad World Pub: Fire pits, TV screens indoors and out, food-truck cuisine and drink specials make this sprawling Cedar-Riverside pub tough to beat for game watching. nomadpub.com

Stray Dog: The former Bulldog location (now owned by its longtime chef) may have a different look, but there are still TVs and over-the-top burgers. What else do you need to know? straydogmpls.com

AMELIA RAYNO • Star Tribune

Throw a Minnesota-themed party complete with Jucy Lucy sliders and purple cocktails featuring Minnesota's heritage spirit: aquavit. And be sure to check out our full guide with more recipes at startribune.com/taste: Your guests will be doing touchdown celebrations, no matter what's happening on the TV.

Makes about 20 sliders.

Note: Inspired by the Jucy Lucy at Matt's Bar in Minneapolis.

• 1 lb. ground beef

• Salt and black pepper, to season

• 2 tbsp. vegetable oil, divided

• 20 small slider-style rolls

• 40 thin dill pickle slices

Unwrap the cheese and cut one slice in half to achieve 2 pieces. Fold each of those pieces three times to create a small cube of cheese. Repeat with the rest of the cheese; set aside.

In a large bowl, season the ground beef with salt and pepper and knead the beef to combine. Form the beef into 20 balls, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, then press a cube of American cheese into each and form the beef around the cheese so it's hidden in the middle.

Pour 1 tablespoon oil in a large cast-iron pan, and use a brush to spread it around evenly. Turn the heat on medium-high. When the pan is very hot but just before it begins to smoke, add the balls of meat, working in batches. Allow each ball to sear for 30 seconds, then smash it down with a spatula, being careful to avoid exposing the cheese. When the meat has browned on the bottom (about 2 to 3 more minutes), flip the sliders. Continue to sear for another 2 to 3 minutes, depending on whether your desired temperature is medium or well-done.

Remove the sliders and set on a plate covered with paper towels. Meanwhile, set the oven to broil. Open each roll and dip the open ends in the grease on the cast-iron pan. Plate the roll, grease-side up, on tin foil or a sheet pan; broil for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the bread has browned slightly. Place a burger inside each slider roll, top with two pickles each and serve.

Makes 4 cocktails.

• 1 c. water

• 1 c. sugar

• 3 to 4 whole cinnamon sticks

• 8 oz. (1 c.) aquavit

• 4 oz. (1/2 c.) fresh lemon juice

• About 4 oz. (1/2 c.) red wine such as cabernet franc

• Freshly grated nutmeg, optional

Directions

To make the cinnamon syrup: Combine 1 cup water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir until combined. Add the cinnamon sticks and bring to a boil. Allow to boil for 2 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat and cool.

To make the cocktail: Shake the aquavit, lemon juice, port and 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) cinnamon syrup in a cocktail shaker. Strain into 4 cocktail glasses and pour about an ounce (2 tablespoons) of the red wine on top of each. Garnish with grated nutmeg, if desired.

They don't come cheap, but there are a few notable tailgate parties kicking off the big game:

The Players Tailgate: Blocks from the stadium, a specially constructed, climate-controlled tent is taking over a surface lot at 3rd Street and Portland Avenue S. It'll be jam-packed with current and former NFL players and celebrity chefs, including Guy Fieri, from noon until kickoff. Tickets are $750. bullseyeeventgroup.com

Blitz Tailgate 52 Party: Featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet and bar with premium beer, wine and spirits and celebs of its own, this bonanza at Rock Bottom on LaSalle Avenue will be no slouch, and slightly more affordable. Tickets for the event, which goes from noon to 4 p.m., are $450. blitztailgate.com

NFL alumni official game-day brunch: Fill up on eats at Fogo de Chao , bottomless mimosas and bloody Marys, and take advantage of autograph and photo opportunities with NFL alums. Tickets for the 11 a.m.-2 p.m. event start at $500. eventbrite.com

BRE McGEE • Speicial to the Star Tribune

Hallmark Channel photo

Not many channels want to compete with the Super Bowl, always one of the biggest TV events of the year. But there are a few options.

The Kitten Bowl: The same concept as the Puppy Bowl, but with even more adorable players. For all the fluff and none of the hard-hitting analysis, tune into the Hallmark Channel, starting at 11 a.m.

"This Is Us": This fall, the Golden Globe-nominated series, which follows one family through generations, will move to Thursdays. But on Super Bowl Sunday, a new episode will air — after the game.

Get Oscar-ready: The Academy Awards are coming up, so use this opportunity to check out a likely nominee or two. Then you can intelligently analyze the picks and impress all of Twitter when the awards are handed out on March 4. You can watch these movies on demand:

"Dunkirk": Witness the evacuation of Allied soldiers from France after being surrounded by Germans in World War II.

"Wonder Woman": Step aside, Batman and Superman. It's time for a female superhero to have her moment.

TIMOTHY NWACHUKWU • Star Tribune

That big game isn't the only party in town. In fact, there's never been more to do in the Twin Cities. In February. Check out these events to feel like you're part of the Super Bowl without stepping inside the stadium:

Gwen Stefani will be performing the night of the game at the events center at Mystic Lake Casino. Tickets start at $69 and doors open at 9 p.m. mysticlake.com/shows-and-events/gwen-stefani

The City of Lakes Loppet continues with competitions and access to the wintry vendor village. loppet.org/cityoflakesloppet

The St. Paul Winter Carnival's Ice Palace is a 70-foot-tall structure built of 4,000 blocks of ice. wintercarnival.com

The Minneapolis Institute of Art's Ice Maze, a frozen labyrinth featuring some incredible icy artwork, will be celebrating its final day, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. new.artsmia.org

The Art Shanty Projects, a temporary community of artistic exhibits and performances set on Lake Harriet, will awe art lovers willing to endure a little windchill artshantyprojects.com

JEFF WHEELER • Star Tribune

Young Joni: No one knows pizza like chef/owner Ann Kim. In her newest eatery, she manages to make the food feel comforting and elegant. Check out the back bar for a nightcap. youngjoni.com

Spoon and Stable: Considering all the national coverage Gavin Kaysen's North Loop gem has gotten, it's no wonder it's perpetually full. Eat like a king in one of the city's loveliest dining rooms. spoonandstable.com

Burch: Known for its steaks, this Lowry Hill eatery boasts much more — from excellent seafood dishes and small plates to the wood-fired-pizza nook in the basement. burchrestaurant.com

Alma: Enjoy a reasonably priced prix fixe menu ($59 for three courses) at this elegant Minneapolis staple, or venture next door to the cafe for delightful cocktails and small dishes. almampls.com

Visit an ice bar: They're just like they sound — with bars, sometimes even seats and glasses made of ice. These three cold spots will be serving on Super Bowl Sunday. For a full list of ice bars go to startribune.com/taste.

Freight House: An ice bar and Stillwater's ice castles within spitting distance of each other? Winter activities, done. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. thefreighthouse.com

MartinPatrick3: A New York-style alleyway with string lights twinkling overhead and servers dressed in fur will set the mood. See website for hours. martinpatrick3.com

Lace up your skates: Try out the popular outdoor rink at the Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis.

Enjoy the arts: Take in some culture with some first-rate exhibitions:

Walker Art Center is hosting "Adios Utopia," an ode to Cuban art continues. walkerart.org

The Science Museum of Minnesota's Omnifest features "Jane Goodall's Wild Chimpanzees." smm.org

CARLOS GONZALEZ • Star Tribune