Does anyone have any plans for Sunday, March 26? Bars, or non-bars for the underaged. Lately I heard that the Xcel Center has been voted as having the BEST sound system of any venue in the USA (it was built within the last five years.) Is anyone going to the pre-concert buffet at the X? Will the band members be there? Last I read, it is $32 each, and you have to buy two tickets.
I'm heading up from Des Moines on Saturday night, but I know little to nothing about St Paul... anyone else have an idea?
Not going to the buffet, but I doubt anyone from the band will be there.
Anyone else want to meet up somewhere, a la Chicago?
RedSpecial1979 wrote: I'm heading up from Des Moines on Saturday night, but I know little to nothing about St Paul... anyone else have an idea?
Not going to the buffet, but I doubt anyone from the band will be there.
Anyone else want to meet up somewhere, a la Chicago?
I sent an email to the Xcel Energy Center about the buffet and got this answer back.
"Thank you for your e-mail. Yes, you may purchase one buffet. This is in our Headwaters Bar and Restaurant on the club level of the Xcel Energy Center. No, the band will not be at the restaurant.
Thank you,
Kelly"
_______
Here is some info on St. Paul.
Some driving directions:
DIRECTIONS The following directions will take you to the vicinity of the Xcel Energy Center and the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Coming from the south
Take I-35 north to the Grand Avenue exit. Turn right and follow Grand Avenue to West Seventh Street. Take a left on West Seventh Street; turn right on Kellogg Boulevard.
Coming from the north
Take I-35E south and exit on Wacouta, follow seven blocks to Kellogg Boulevard. Take a right, Science Museum is on the left.
Coming from the east
Take I-94 west and exit on Sixth Street. Turn left on Kellogg Boulevard.
Coming from the west
Take I-94 east, exit on Fifth Street. Xcel Energy Center is two stoplights from the exit ramp, straight ahead. Turn right on West Seventh, then left on Kellogg Boulevard for the Science Museum.
Minnesota Highway Information - click here or call 511.
Here is a map link to downtown St. Paul. The three connected gray-illustrated buildings quite near the center of the map are the Xcel Energy Center (or as we natives call it - the "X",) the RiverCentre (for conventions), and The Roy Wilkins Auditorium (for small entertainment venues.) The map zooms in very well for details. link
As far as parking goes, click on the same link and choose "parking". Zoom in and you will see lavendar circles that designate parking. Event parking is sometimes $10. I think parking should be no problem as the concert is on a Sunday night, and any conventions, etc. in town seem to pack up and leave around 4 or 5 pm.
Now, where to meet/eat. Go back to the link and choose maps downtown St. Paul. Zoom in twice, and in the left lower corner you will see West 7th Street which actually goes by the X going to the right or east. If you go to the west or left when looking at the map, on West 7th Street, you will see some cross streets named Walnut and Chestnut. There are three restaurants I would recommend, all within walking distance of the X. The furthest away is:
Downtowner Woodfire Grill 253 West 7th Street 651 228 9500. If you want fireplace elegance, sedate, pricey, this is the place for you. You will need reservations. It is not, however, a good place to meet Queen fans you don't know. There is on-street parking and a lot across the street. link
Patrick McGOVERN'S Pub & Restaurant 225 West 7th Street 651 224 5821. Casual. This is where Minnesota Wild hockey fans gather before and after the games at the X. There is a sports bar upstairs which would be a good place to meet. McGOVERN'S, I believe, only has on-street parking. There is a parking ramp on the same block, but on the Smith Street side. It does not show up on the downtown parking maps because it is used primarily for United Hospital (across the street) employees/visitor. However, by Sunday early evening, there should be some adequate availability. link
Cossetta Italian Market & Pizzeria 211 West 7th Street 651 222 3476. This place is adorable. Casual. No alcohol served (?), so it is good for underage Queen fans and is family-friendly. It is kind of cafeteria style where you t