Romance, Reality TV and Local Gems: ‘Love Is Blind’ Showcases Love in Minneapolis

Top Date Spots to Explore Any Time of Year
A happy couple enjoys an intimate dinner at a romantic restaurant, smiling and toasting with wine glasses.

For Immediate Release

(Minneapolis) Feb. 11, 2025 - When Netflix's "Love Is Blind" premieres Season 8 on Feb. 14, the city of Minneapolis will be the backdrop as the show follows a new set of singles to find out whether love is truly blind. While locations have been top secret*, social media gave plenty of clues during on-location filming. In the meantime, Minneapolis has romantic date night spots for everyone--blind date or not.

For Classy Dates That Impress:

  • Spoon and Stable: Rustic brasserie meets cosmopolitan urban hotspot at Chef Gavin Kaysen’s North Loop institution that tops many best-of lists in Minneapolis.
  • Bar La Grassa: Dark, cozy, and perfect for a romantic night out, this brick-walled Italian destination offers a storied menu of pasta dishes and a great wine selection.
  • Restaurant Alma: This romantic dinner destination (which shares space with a casual cafe and seven-room hotel) offers a selection of seasonal fare, including 12 individually plated/shared dishes and small tastes served over four courses, along with optional wine pairings.
  • Kado no Mise: Sushi meets fine dining at this chic and modern, light-filled North Loop space. Sit at the sushi counter in the main restaurant for a curated chef’s choice omakase meal filled with seemingly never-ending exquisite bites.
  • Café Lurcat: Sophisticated American comfort food in a romantic dining room next to Loring Park (where you might want to arrange for an after-dinner horse-drawn carriage ride to seal the deal).

For Casual Dates:

  • Bryant Lake Bowl: This happening spot is a true 3-in-1 deal — part late-night bar and eatery, part theater, part bowling alley. A Date Night special every Monday at 6 p.m. includes two entrees, two tap beers each or one bottle of wine (NA options available, too), and a round of bowling.
  • Momo Sushi: “Sushi” and “affordable” aren’t often used in the same sentence, but Momo’s Japan-meets-Tibet menu in Northeast certainly delivers.
  • Surly Brewing: This famous Minneapolis brewery is a great spot for a laid-back date night. Grab a craft beer, then head upstairs for specialty pizzas.
  • Up-Down Arcade: Throwback arcade meets neighborhood bar, complete with more than 50 vintage arcade games from the 80s and 90s, pinball machines, classic skee-ball, Nintendo 64 console gaming, plus life-size Jenga and Connect Four.
  • Berlin: The North Loop's European-inspired jazz bar is the hottest new date night spot in town. Enjoy this intimate lounge with instrumental acts from electronic, jazz and artier rock ensembles while nursing classic martinis, old fashioneds and Negronis.

For Active Dates:

  • Upstairs Circus: Put a little DIY into your date night at this crafty North Loop bar with a Project Menu packed with 25+ crafts, from concrete coasters and wine bottle tumblers to beaded jewelry and nail-and-string art.
  • Bad Axe Throwing: While the name doesn’t necessarily instill a lot of confidence, you can still learn a new—and definitely edgy—skill together. Afterward, head over to Norseman Distillery’s cocktail room for a post-throw Jungle Juice (rum, pineapple, lime, hibiscus, cranberry soda).
  • Vertical Endeavors: The sky’s the limit on a rock-climbing date, where you can build trust, show off your strength and problem-solving skills in three bouldering areas, climbing walls up to 58 feet, and over 150 routes.
  • Comedy Corner Underground: If laughter is the key to your heart, this standup comedy club hosts an open mic night every Friday at 10 p.m. Attend as an audience member, or head on up with your own set and show off your stuff to wow your date.
  • Five Iron Golf: For serious or not-so serious golfers, impress your date with your swing on the Trackman simulators while enjoying cocktails and tasty bites, table games and free parking.

More date night ideas,, as well as romantic weekend itineraries, are all at Minneapolis.org.

‘Love is Blind’ information:

Starting Feb. 14, new sets of episodes (totaling 12) will premiere each Friday through March 7.

The hit reality series selected a set of singles from Minnesota to go into “pods,” to meet, saying they are “all ready to cut through the static of modern dating and forge authentic relationships, sight unseen.” The show says it is a less conventional approach to modern dating, where singles will choose someone to marry without ever meeting them. Meet the cast and then watch to see where in Minneapolis the couples will meet, get engaged and maybe more.

*Some Minneapolis locations have been spotted by fans on social posts, including:

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PHOTO
Bûcheron in Minneapolis.

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