Secrets of the City

There used to be a really good pizza place there… I think it was called the Down Under or the Lower Landing. A few business came and went after that went away, and I hadn’t realized one place managed to hold on for nine years. Impressive run.

Only been there a couple times. I was there not too long ago, having a drink before a Gopher hockey game.

This is sad. Whiskey sours, nosh and pool after sending the MN Daily to the printer. Wednesday 80s music night. Great bands on the weekend. Food until 4 a.m. Bloody marys and brunch on the weekend. Adam, the quirky bouncer.

I remember getting egged outside there. Had a nice bruise right square in the center of my chest. Egger had good aim at least.

I have a beef with today’s journalism, and this article exemplifies this beef. Since when did the “where” become superfluous? If you wanted to go to the Dinkytowner, and had never been, you have to search some other source. How hard would it have been to link to their page or give an address or just tell us where this place is? While I realize this is just a blog post, it happens all to often.

Excuse me, who is speaking? (g)

Read my byline Bob!

I blame the Internet. I don’t know how much attention Internet News sites (those outside standard newspaper and news magazine) pay to basic style elements and fundamental reporting. I suppose it varies, you read some pretty sloppily written stuff.

I worked across the street at the Espresso Royale for, like, two years in the mid-90s, so our close-shift ritual always included a couple pitchers of beer at the Dinkytowner, then I think called The Underground, but basically the same bar. Meaning: I virtually lived there for two years-ish. Lots of extremely good memories there. And a couple bad ones, too — I remember once, my legs fell asleep while I was sitting, and when I stood up I fell on my ass, which led the bartenders to think I was stumble-drunk. So they threw me out! Nice. Also: first date with my ex was there, so yeah, maybe not so great there either. But mostly I remember hazy drunken summer evenings laughing over a pitcher — sad that it’s just CLOSING this time.

I somewhat agree Rat. The problem is that the internet should make it easier. Link to a Google map of the location — that is all I’m asking.

My friends watched the OJ chase there when it was the Underground and I don’t think I ever finished a whole Tex-Mex breakfast.

Most memorable time there: two friends and I went there with a 4th guy, roommate of one of the friends. This was before we found out the roommate was nuts, with major anger issues. Something set him off and he wanted to leave, so he shouted “WAITRESS!” at the top of his lungs. The waitress was understandably scared to come over, and we three were mortified. He shouted it a few more times, then stomped out.

I always grouped the Dinkytowner with the Kitty Kat as the two reasonably cool bars in Dinkytown. It’ll be missed.

Read my byline Bob!

I know, I know. Just pulling your chain a bit…

Lately, I have stopped at the “new” Purple Onion for breakfast. It’s pretty good. Had their version of the Eggs Benny today, it was good & cheap.

SO sad. I just love their greasy breakfasts, ripped up booths, and memories of Sunday mornings after nights out drinking…

This was the first bar I ever hung out in here. They used to do a film series, so before I knew anyone in my first weeks here, I’d go by myself and get drunk and watch “Punch Drunk Love.”

Later on, the first set up of people I hung out with always went on Monday nights for “Ladies Night,” so there I was, every Monday night, for probably a whole year. Learning to become a Minneapolitan!

…the “new” Purple Onion… isn’t that the place that had the DOUGNUTS! sign?

No comment.

This is the place, jane.

I remember taking kegs down those steep stairs and always worrying I’d lose them and break the glass doorway at the bottom…thank god that never happened.

I only ever went for Cinema Slop and the occasional Friday “Soul Power happy hour” – which probably meant I was a Joel stalker. The first time I went, it was a twin bill of all the Kenneth Anger films Joel had on VHS and “Xanadu” – so all the kids who wanted to see “Xanadu” were unhappy they had to sit through all this other stuff, while all the artsy folks who were only interested in Anger films left just before “Xanadu” started. I’m still not even sure if there was even a connection those two.

Also, my first “panko fries” experience – and second, and third…

I love both Kenneth Anger AND Xanadu!

Lots of greasy tex-mex breakfasts, lots of great bands and beer, and I had a bunch of goofy short films screened during DV Cinema. Good times.

Lots of great shows for In the Garage, followed by karaoke on Sunday nights….

One time I ate a hit of acid off the floor of the men’s bathroom at The Dinkytowner…true story.

Double blow. We played a show there with Jeff Hanson a few years back…