Nightlife: Take me out to the pregame

There's nothing like having a hot dog and a beer at a Twins game. But if paying $6.50 for a Bud Light sounds totally insane, maybe a pre-game trip to one of the Metrodome's surrounding bars is in order.

What bars, you ask. Indeed, the quiet concrete wasteland around the Dome isn't exactly teeming with watering holes. But this guide should help.

Right across the street from the stadium, this sports bar -- now in its 25th season with the Twins -- has basically had a monopoly on pre-game partying. Like the Dome, not much has changed here. The place is still packed, the beer is still cold and sports memorabilia still covers every square inch. What more can you ask?

601 Chicago Av., Mpls., 612-332-6062

The light rail has worked wonders for Twins fans hoping to diversify their drinking options. Sneaky Pete's is almost 10 blocks down 5th Street from the Dome, but about five minutes by light rail. Opened last year, this party bar quickly become a favorite for its crazy happy hour, which includes $2 beers and appetizers starting at $1 (3:30 to 7 p.m. daily).

14 5th St. N., Mpls., 612-333-8820, www.myspace.com/ultimatefunbar

This came out of left field, but the folks at this nearby wine bar said they do pull in a few Twins fans before games. It makes sense. Baseball fans seem a tad more sophisticated than your average beer-guzzling, tailgating Vikings nut. (No offense, Vikings nuts.) For a nice tasting, check out a wine flight.

Nothing says baseball like sushi and sake, right? OK, maybe not. But this stylish Japanese restaurant is only two blocks from the Dome and has a happy hour that's gotten the attention of Twins fans (4:30 to 6:30 p.m.). There's also a late-night happy hour for post-game fun (10 p.m. to 2 a.m.).

903 Washington Av. S., Mpls., 612-339-6688, www.wasabimn.com

If you hadn't heard, this West Bank staple has a new name and a new look (see ya, Sergeant). Its new owners reopened the bar in February, and yes, they still have those 100-ounce fish bowls. Right now you can get $7 beer pitchers before games, and in the summer they'll grill brats and burgers on the huge patio.

221 Cedar Av. S., Mpls., 612-338-6146, www.prestonsurbanpub.com

You can always rely on the good ol' Wagon to be a comfy, friendly place to hang out before games. It has a regular happy hour and after the game you can bring your ticket stub and get two drinks for the price of one.

If it's beer you desire, look no further than Town Hall. Beer geeks abound at this brew pub, which features house-made beers and plenty of seating.

1430 Washington Av. S., Mpls., 612-339-8696, www.townhallbrewery.com

What more is there to say about Grumpy's? Just three blocks from the Dome on Washington Avenue, the bar with a bad (meaning good) attitude is always a fun time.

1111 Washington Av. S., Mpls., 612-340-9738, www.grumpys-bar.com

Vikings center Matt Birk has a slick bar and restaurant. Before games you can get a 20-ounce stadium cup of beer for $3.

If you're looking for a gourmet burger, Harry's has you covered. The restaurant also has a nice-looking bar with a cool Grain Belt-bottle chandelier.

500 Washington Av. S., Mpls., 612-344-7000, www.harrysfood.com

Twins fans saw a favorite pre-game hangout go up in smoke when Maxwell's burned down in February. But if rebuilding goes as planned, the place should reopen by June, said co-owner Chris Diebold. Game on.

1201 Washington Av. S., Mpls., 612-338-1980, www.maxwellsbar.net