Tickles in northeast Minneapolis. Photo by Tom Horgen
Tickles. Whatta name. Whatta concept. The gay piano/sports bar opened a year ago in a quiet corner of northeast Minneapolis. Maybe a little too quiet. Its general manger, Joel Janssen, says Tickles is leaving Nordeast for downtown.
Tickles will move into the space once occupied by the legendary Little Wagon. The Wagon, if you'll remember, was a bar stuck in time. The old-school joint, located near the Metrodome, closed in May.
Janssen said the driving force behind the move is a requirement in their current liquor license that says food and drink sales must be split 50/50. "We just can't do it," Janssen said. That requirement won't apply in downtown Minneapolis, he added.
The Wagon space is about double in size, so Janssen said Tickles will expand its entertainment offerings. It'll still be a piano bar (and a sports bar), but Janssen might offer dancing in another part of the restaurant.
The bar will also offer lunch (and a full brunch on the weekend).
Tickles's last night in Northeast will be Dec. 28 -- for the Minnesota Vikings' Monday night football game. It will open in downtown on New Year's Eve.
More info on Tickles here.
