Alcohol-Free Activities in Minneapolis
Whether you’re alcohol-free year-round, consider yourself sober curious, or are partaking in Dry January or Sober October, you don’t need to miss out on all the excitement that Minneapolis has to offer. For many people, eschewing alcohol is a powerful form of self-care—and so is treating yourself to adventure, discovery, and relaxation when you travel. While Minneapolis may be known for its craft breweries and vibrant nightlife, it also offers an array of exciting alcohol-free activities for adults. From cultural experiences and artsy adventures to restaurants that specialize in non-alcoholic mocktails, there's something here for everyone to enjoy.
Visit Marigold, Minneapolis’s First Alcohol-Free Bottle Shop
There’s never been a better time to explore sober living in Minneapolis, thanks to the huge variety of alcohol-free spirits, wine, beer, and mixers on the market. Sip your way through them all at Marigold, a totally alcohol-free bottle shop and event space highlighting the delights of sober-curious living. The space hosts regular tastings and small business pop-ups, as well as talks from experts in the growing alcohol-free drinks community.
Get Artsy with Free Thursday Nights at Walker Art Center
Every Thursday night, the Walker opens its doors for free and stays open until 9 p.m., allowing you to explore the galleries, peruse the book and archive collection, and take a free guided tour. While you're there, don't miss the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, open until midnight every day, where you can admire (and take selfies in front of) iconic artworks like the Spoonbridge and Cherry and Robert Indiana’s Love sculpture.
Hone Your Knife Skills at a Cooking Class at Cooks | Bellecour
Learn to prepare delicious dishes from expert Minneapolis chefs (and enjoy your culinary creations without the need for alcohol pairings) at this North Loop collab space operated by Cooks of Crocus Hill and chef Gavin Kaysen’s Bellecour Bakery. The full class calendar includes food focuses ranging from Persian cuisine and handmade pasta to Thai and Scandinavian fare.
Share an Indugent Post-Dinner Marvel at Edwards Dessert Kitchen
Why settle for a liquid dessert when you can indulge in the real deal at Edwards Dessert Kitchen? Here, the elegantly plated seasonal ice cream sundaes, dessert jars, cookies, and bars steal the spotlight and it’s a deliciously sweet retreat from the typical night out. (P.S. Many Minneapolis ice cream spots are also open late, like Bebe Zito and Sebastian Joe’s, if you’re more of a double-scoop-in-a-waffle-cone kind of person.)
Laugh Out Loud with Improv Comedy Shows at HUGE Theatre
Laughter is a universal elixir, and at HUGE Theatre, it flows abundantly. The theater provides a welcoming, inclusive space where the focus is on comedy and connection rather than drinks, allowing all guests to comfortably enjoy a night of unscripted humor.
Surf the Stacks at Magers and Quinn Bookstore
Who needs a wine list when you can get lost in a good book? Minneapolis’s indie bookstore Magers and Quinn offers aisles of literary adventures, whether you’re looking for an inspiring memoir or cookbooks to inspire a new culinary adventure. Open until 10pm every night, this bookstore is a haven for those seeking an engaging alternative to the bar scene, inviting you to toast to your imagination instead.
Art Hop with Open Saturdays and First Thursdays at Northrup King Building
Indulge in art appreciation and “studio hopping” at the Northrup King Building, providing a creative alternative to bar hopping and pub crawls. Open Saturdays and First Thursdays offer weekly opportunities to connect with the building’s 300+ maker tenants, including an eclectic mix of painters, sculptors, photographers, and artisans.
Take in Broadway Shows and National Headliners in the Hennepin Theatre District
From national comedy acts and big-name concerts to Broadway shows, the historic theatres along Downtown Minneapolis’ Hennepin Avenue—the State Theatre, the Orpheum, and the Pantages—are the epicenter of major entertainers in Minneapolis. While drinks and small bites are available at Jack Link’s Legend Lounge before shows at the Orpheum, the real focus is always on the stage.
Team Up to Unlock Minneapolis Escape Rooms
Puzzle your way through an evening of intrigue and excitement at Minneapolis escape rooms designed for sober, sharp wits. With mind-bending quagmires and enigmatic challenges, who has time for a drink? Your focus will be on cracking codes and discovering secrets in these interactive experiences. The puzzling fun is waiting at Escape the Room Minneapolis, Trapped Puzzle Rooms, The Great Escape Room Minneapolis, and The Escape Game at the Mall of America.
Challenge Your Strength with Indoor Rock Climbing at Vertical Endeavors
Indoor climbing is a great way to stay active, build strength, and have fun with friends in every season. Vertical Endeavors offers climbing options suitable for all skill levels—and climbing culture is all about reaching new heights with clear eyes and steady hands, providing exhilarating fun without a drop of the hard stuff.
Get Messy at a Ceramics Class at The Workshop MPLS
This Woman-owned and Queer-operated pottery community is a great spot to take a class in an environment that’s welcoming to all levels of the ceramic-curious. The class lineup includes an intro to hand building, wheel throwing fundamentals, planter carving, ornament painting, and build-your-own teapot workshops.
Immerse Yourself in Cinema at one of Minneapolis’ Indie Movie Theaters
Ditch the standard blockbusters and embrace the avant-garde at Minneapolis’ independent cinemas. The Main Cinema in St Anthony Main is home to the MSP Film Society and the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, so you’ll be sure to find screenings you won’t see anywhere else. Riverview Theater is known for art house films, fun sing-along events, and throwback screenings. And nonprofit Trylon in the Longfellow Neighborhood is a cinephile’s paradise showing classic and international films six nights a week, primarily on Century Model SA 35mm projectors.
Head to a Coffee Shop with Live Music
While much of Minneapolis’ music scene takes place in bars, you can also enjoy local bands live at coffee and tea shops. Check out Pillar Forum Cafe, boasting house-roasted beans, skate culture vibes, and a full calendar of live music. Cedar Cultural Center is also a great bet for larger shows and concerts without a focus on the bar.
Treat Yourself to a Spa Day at Tula Spa for Sober Self Care
This organic day spa is a relaxing destination tucked away in the quaint Tangletown neighborhood, making it the perfect spot for enjoying a massage, holistic facial, reiki session, or lash service before exploring the neighborhood’s restaurants and bakeries (like Patisserie 46 and farm-to-fork Wild Acre Eatery).
Take a Walk Around Bde Maka Ska or Lake Harriet at Sunset
The setting sunlight kissing Minneapolis’s tranquil lakes is nature's finest toast to the end of the day. Walkways are maintained through all seasons, so you don’t need to let a fresh snowfall (or sober living) keep you indoors.
