Northern Spark in Lowertown - June 8, 2013

We are so excited for summer in the city. Lowertown is such a great place to be during the best season of the year.

This weekend is a perfect example, as Northern Spark takes over Lowertown for a night of art, experiencing community, and simply enjoying the creativity and beauty that the Twin Cities have to offer. A free, outdoor arts festival that is open and welcoming to patrons of all tastes and ages, Northern Spark 2013 will take over Lowertown with hundreds of artist projects in many different venues from local and national artists all in one night.

"Northern Spark is a portal to a new experience of the Twin Cities. Throughout the night we each pick a route accompanied by friends or in the companionship of familiar strangers. Together we look at art, experience community in a new way, and see the cities in a new light."

Join with fellow friends of the arts in your community on Saturday, June 8, beginning at 8:58pm. The festival runs over night until dawn (5:26am) on Sunday morning, June 9. There is plenty to see, do, and of course eat, with many food options interspersed throughout the festival. Plus, Cork's is open until 1am for your refreshment needs.

To enhance your enjoyment of the evening, Northern Spark has information to plan your night and create your own Northern Spark experience on their website. From there, you can select one of their suggested journeys, but deviation from the plan is always encouraged! Let the night take you where it will.

For a full schedule of events/exhibits, please CLICK HERE.

If you're feeling that staying up all night just isn't your thing, but you want to take part in the festival, make the Embassy Suites St. Paul - Downtown (conveniently located just blocks from all the Northern Spark happenings) your home base for the night. To reserve your room for the evening, simply CLICK HERE.

Catch a few ZZZ's and then grab Brunch (and/or some famous BYO Bloody Mary's at Cork's)  before heading home.

We hope to see everyone at Northern Spark tomorrow night!

Top 10 Things to Do in the Twin Cities - Fall

Fall has arrived, and in a hurry no doubt. From the rapidly changing colors to the sub-freezing overnight temperatures, it's that time when we, as Minnesotans, buckle down and prepare ourselves for what we know is coming, the big S-word. Snow.

However, before those flakes fly, it's the perfect time to get out there and take advantage of some of the best our Twin Cities have to offer in the fall. We've kept you posted on a few of them, but make sure you round out the season with the rest of our list. That way, you won't feel guilty hibernating those dreary, cold winter days away.

Top 10 Things to Do in the Twin Cities - Fall Edition

1. Check out the gorgeous fall colors. From Afton State Park on the beautiful St. Croix River to Minnehaha Falls Park in Minneapolis to the phenomenal landscape offered at Mounds Park, foliage viewing is plentiful. Given our state's commitment to natural resource preservation, we'd be willing to wager that there is some good park space for leaf watching near you!
2. Cheer on some runners. (Or even get into the game yourself already!) From the world-famous Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon to Minnesota's own costume-encouraged Monster Dash races, October is the season for some good running. Watching the winner of a marathon cross the finish line or the outfits that some people can run an entire half marathon in are both equally entertaining. 
3. Head back to the Fair. The Minnesota State Fairgrounds host more than just the Great Minnesota Get Together. From car shows to book festivals, swap meets and auctions, there are often quite a few fun (and occasionally free) events to check out. 
4. Get your shop on. From Grand Avenue to the Mall of America and everything in between, fall is a great time to get a jump start on that holiday shopping. Beat the crowds (and the weather) and enjoy the peace of mind of being ahead of the game. 
5. Celebrate learning new things. Both the Science Museum of Minnesota and Minnesota Children's Museum are located in close proximity to one another in our beautiful capitol city. With Tornado Alley showing in the Omni Theater at the Science Museum to crawling around in an "ant hill" at the Children's Museum, two entire afternoons of fun await your whole family! 
6. Apples, apples, apples! Visiting the apple orchard has to be the quintessentially Minnesotan fall activity. From hayrides to getting to pick your own apples, visiting the apple orchard is a fun way to spend a beautiful fall afternoon. Then, you can use your freshly picked bounty to create a homemade apple pie, apple crisp, or even just some baked apples. Think of how great your house will smell as that pie finishes baking during the Vikings game. 
7. Skol Vikings! Speaking of Vikings, they're really on a roll aren't they?! (Knock on wood, of course). Catching tickets to a game at Mall of America field and tailgating the time to kick-off away is another fun fall activity. 
8. Zoo it up. From St. Paul's very own Como Zoo and Conservatory to the Minnesota Zoo, a visit transports you worlds away from Minnesota. Both zoos have tropics exhibits, where the warm humid air and brightly colored animal residents will have you forgetting all about winter's approach. Plus, visiting during the fall months means not only are there less crowds, but the animals are often more lively since they're not hot and sleepy as in the summer months.
9. Embrace the arts. We're so lucky here in the Twin Cities to have so many great art museums in our community. From the Minneapolis Institute of Arts to the Walker with its outdoor sculpture garden (Cherry on the Spoon ring a bell?), our art community is first-rate! Another great art museum is the Weisman on the U of M Campus. Make a day of it or have a scavenger hunt and try to find much-loved pieces at each site.
10. Enjoy a meal out. Now's the time when most restaurants are transitioning to their new Fall/Winter menus, highlighting the best the season has to offer. Look for more root vegetables and lots of delicious pumpkin, butternut squash, and spiced options. (Note: Also look for Cork's new menu in the next few weeks too!) 

We hope our list gives you a great starting point to a fabulously, fun fall. Make sure to let us know in the comments section if we've left anything out! 

Twin Cities Marathon Fever

It's that time of year again, when marathon fever descends on St. Paul. This weekend marks, "The 31st running of The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America®." Over three decades in the making, the race features an entire weekend's worth of activities.

Beginning on Friday, October 5, the Health & Fitness Expo takes over the lower level of the Saint Paul RiverCentre. Not only can race participants pick-up their race packets, but there are also product exhibits and sales, visits and talks from famous athletes and experts, and even product demos and samples. Then, on Saturday, a 5K, 10K, and family races take place on the State Capitol Grounds. (The Expo continues as well if you didn't make it on Friday).

Then, Sunday, October 7 is the big day! With the famous Medtronic TC 10 Mile kicking things off, the 'Shortcut to the Capitol®' circumvents most of the Minneapolis portion of the race, heading down the Mississippi before crossing into St. Paul from the race's start at Mall of America Field. Spectators come from all over to position themselves along the way, cheering and encouraging runners.

The full Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon participants start less than an hour behind the 10 Mile gun, also at Mall of America Field, but their 26.2 mile journey brings them down through Minneapolis and around the Chain of Lakes before heading back to St. Paul. Both race courses boast a picturesque final descent from Summit Avenue to the finish line on the State Capitol Grounds. The elite marathoners are so fast that they finish the full marathon and cross the finish line before all of the 10 Mile participants finish. It's an amazing sight to behold.

If you're headed downtown to race, cheer, watch, or even just check out the Expo, stop in and see us! It's supposed to be a chilly weekend, and we're happy to warm you up with a hearty meal and friendly service.

Post-race on Sunday, feel free to stop in and celebrate too! We'll have $5 Bloody Marys all day and a build your own Bloody Mary Bar from 11am-4pm. Couple that with our famous brunch and that's a meal worthy of the champion you know you are! 

A hearty s'lainte and our best well wishes to all of the participants this weekend!

For more information on the The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America, feel free to visit their website: http://www.mtcmarathon.org/.

National Night Out - Tuesday, August 7, 2012

As proud members of our downtown St. Paul community, we're thrilled to participate in the Wacouta Common 2nd Annual National Night Out celebration once again.

Held each year, National Night Out is a community-based program that promotes "neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships in our fight for a safer nation."

This year's downtown celebration will be held on Tuesday, August 7th from 5pm to 7pm. The party will be held in the field on the corner of Temperance Street and 10th Street, (just about a block from our parking lot).

Cork's will be serving up root beer and bottled water and just like last year, Black Sheep will be providing their delicious coal-fired pizzas. There will also be music from KFAI radio Deejay Larry Englund, and we're sure many of our neighbors will be coming out to get to know one another better and celebrate the strengthening of our community.

So, stop on by tomorrow night for some root beer, pizza, or even just a water, and a great time with your neighbors! We'll see you there!

Lowertown First Fridays

Did you know that the first Friday of every month, local artists open their studios and host a gallery opening or event for the general public? And that's not even the best part....Most of the time these events, openings, parties, and more are FREE! That's right, you can come out in support of local artists and still not break the bank.

Throw in Happy Hour at Cork's first, and you have one very reasonable, very fun Friday night planned!

This Friday, August 3, AZ Gallery is presenting Friends with Benefits. This free and open to the public show is centered around friends of the gallery members and the inspiration they've lent those members. The First Friday gallery opening kicks off at 5pm with the reception and party running from 5:30 to 10pm. Food, music, and a cash bar are available.

If you do happen to miss the First Friday party, you can still see the show at the AZ Gallery through September 2.

If you're scouring for things to do, head into St. Paul for some great local art and Cork's is always happy to provide the refreshments.

See you Friday!

Trivia Mafia Returning August 1

We're pretty excited to report that after a brief hiatus for summer, Trivia Mafia trivia will be returning on Wednesday nights starting next week!

A longstanding pub favorite (and tradition to boot), we're looking forward to Martin Devaney, our unofficial mayor's, return.

So mark your calendars and hold on to your hats, ladies and gents. 8pm on Wednesdays just got a whole lot prettier!

Cork's & The Embassy Suites St. Paul - Summer Staycation Destination

As we're sure you're aware, Cork's is nestled inside the beautiful Embassy Suites St. Paul - Downtown, making us the ideal destination for a summer staycation!

When you stay with us overnight, you're treated to not only pristine accommodations, but also our evening Manager's Reception and Complimentary Cooked-to-Order Breakfast. Our Manager's Reception is offered nightly in our beautiful garden atrium, where you can unwind and enjoy complimentary cold beverages and maybe even catch a glimpse of our famous ducks.

Then, the morning following your stay, we'll even make you breakfast, cooked to your specifications. From assorted fresh fruit, yogurt, and cereals to hot items, such as pancakes, eggs, bacon, and our world-famous omelets, we've got you covered.

In close proximity to the Xcel Energy Center, The Science Museum of Minnesota, the Minnesota Children's Museum, the Minnesota History Center, and all the shopping and attractions that downtown St. Paul has to offer, Cork's is happy to serve you lunch between outings, show you why we've got the best happy hour in St. Paul, or even whip you up a late dinner or dessert when you get back.

This summer, don't fret about nothing to do! Stay with Cork's and the Embassy Suites St. Paul - Downtown and take advantage of the best St. Paul has to offer.

Happy staycationing!

Twin Cities Jazz Festival

The 14th annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival begins today (June 28) in Mears Park. Running through Saturday, June 30, the festival features some of today's best jazz artists in what remains the Twin Cities' largest jazz event.

This free outdoor, all ages festival has a killer line-up again this year, and all they ask is that, "if you're already a big jazz fan, bring along a few friends who don't yet know they are jazz fans." Therefore, we think it would be a grand idea to make a date of it. Gather a few friends, plan on meeting at Cork's for Happy Hour drinks and apps or even dinner. Then, take a less than 10 minute walk through beautiful downtown St. Paul to Mears Park.

Metro Transit is even offering FREE rides to the festival. (You can certainly hit up Cork's responsibly on the way home in that case).

Great food, fun drinks, and even better jazz music. What more could you ask for?!

For more information on the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, please visit their website or 'Like' them on Facebook.

Enjoy the festival!

Music in Mears 2012

Nine years running, the fun, outdoor summer live music festival that is Music in Mears is back for 2012.

Hosted in Mears Park, this year's concert schedule runs on Thursdays from June 7 to August 30, with a by on July 5. The music typically goes from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, with multiple acts performing throughout that period.

Then, on July 19th, Comcast sponsors six weeks of movies in the park that begin at 9:00pm (once the music concludes).

For the full schedule, visit the Music in Mears' website or 'Like' them on Facebook.

Feel free to stop at Cork's for a pre-show meal or post-show beverage. We can't wait to see everyone there!

Summer In the City

We're so excited for summer around here, as we're sure you are too! The heat, the sun, all the hustle and bustle in the city, it's all great. To help you get your summer off to a great start, we've compiled a list of the top five things to do at Cork's in the summer.

1. Sit outside at one of our awesome sidewalk tables. People watch and nosh in style!
2. Join us for Weed Wednesdays, where Jeremiah Weed Sweet Tea Vodka and any mixer is just $3 all day. 
3. Try our Grilled Salmon Salad - Mixed greens tossed with a poppy seed dressing topped with
   toasted almonds, fresh strawberries, and a salmon filet. Don't just take our word for it, though. According to local rap group, Heiruspecs, "That salmon salad is from another world. and that world is better than the one we live in."
4. Grab one of the bar tables that overlooks the atrium for Happy Hour. Not only will you be getting a ridiculous deal on food and drinks, but you might even see our famous ducks hanging around in their habitat.
5. Take in a show at the X, browse the neighborhood, and make sure you soak up all St. Paul has to offer before spending the night at the Embassy Suites - St. Paul. Adjoined to Cork's, you can hang with us until you retire for the night, and we'll even make you breakfast in the morning. 

Happy Summer, friends!

Cork's & Hive Cares - April 21, 2012

Cork's on the Big Screen at Last Year's Hive Cares Game

As you know, we're pretty much besties with our local NLL team, the Minnesota Swarm. As only true friends can, we love to support one another, host events together, and sometimes, we even like to complete one another's sentences.

That's why we're really excited to be a part of the Swarm's 3rd Annual Hive Cares game. As the game presenting sponsors, we'll be handing out Cork's Clappers (oh yeah, your favorite little hand-shaped noise makers) to the first 1,000 fans through the doors at Treasure Island Field (aka Xcel).

As the Swarm battle it out against the Philadelphia Wings, they'll don commemorative black jerseys, with proceeds from the event going to the Randy Shaver Cancer Research & Community Fund. It should be a great time (and a great chance to see Cork's featured) for a great cause, working to support the local cancer community.

Then, post-game (celebrating a Swarm victory, we hope), attendees will score a $5 Cork's coupons to swing by and see for themselves how awesome we are.

You have a few options if you want to get involved:

1. Get a ticket and attend (Game starts at 7pm), 
2. Donate a ticket (to be used by cancer patients, families, and survivors), and/or
3. Become a corporate partner. 

We'll see everyone on Saturday! Go Swarm!

April Music Line-Up

Happy April! We hope everyone had a great Easter and are ready to ring in Spring with some fantastic live music. Cork's presents Wine & Music Lover Thursdays every Thursday night where you get not only a great live show, but half-price bottles of wine to boot. As always, our shows are no cover and validated parking with any purchase.

April's Thursday Line-Up

Shows start at 7pm

April 5 - Locklin Road

We had a great show this past Thursday, and as of then, Cork's will be welcoming pub-favorite Locklin Road on the first Thursday of every month! 

April 12 - Nick Leet

April 19 - Ben Aaron

April 26 - The Teddy Holidays 

The happiest night of the month is back with half priced bottles of wine AND $3 Crispin Cider drinks. 

Well, that's it for April! Can't wait to see everybody on Thursday!

Light It Up Blue for Autism Speaks - 2012

All this week (from April 2 - 8, 2012), all proceeds from sales of Blue Moon will be donated to Autism Speaks as part of their Light It Up Blue campaign!

In celebration of the fifth annual World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, 2012, Light It Up Blue seeks, "To shine a light on autism by raising awareness in communities across North America."

Additionally, many individual communities, businesses, and even just families will be hosting their own events to raise awareness as well as funds for Autism Speaks.

Affecting one in every 110 children (and one in every 70 boys), autism prevalence figures continue to grow. Founded in 2005, Autism Speaks is now the United States' largest autism science and advocacy organization. Autism Speaks remains, "Dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families."

 

With a cause like that, how can you not raise your glass with us?

On the Run

This Sunday marks the 30th running of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. One of the biggest sporting events in our community, the Twin Cities Marathon is dubbed, "The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America."

The 26.2 mile course begins at Mall of America Field, winding down around the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes before heading up Summit Ave to the finish on the state capitol grounds in St. Paul. In addition to soaking up the natural beauty, runners get to bask in the cheers of 300,000 fans and more than 12 entertainment acts along the way.

Located less than a mile from the finish line, Cork's can't help but get a little excited about all the action!

If you're not running, feel free to stop in for some brunch before you head over to the capitol grounds to cheer on not only the elite runners, but everyone else who took steps to complete such an amazing journey!

Good luck runners!