I'm just glad you're such great salesmen that you're being sent to the land o' lakes. HAhaHAha.

I have no idea what that last poster means.
The Mall is a big mall--very big, but just a mall in the end unless Camp Snoopy holds particular appeal for your inner child. Also, it's a 30 min drive from your hotel--skip it.
The Walker Art Center, newly rebuilt, is a world-class museum of modern art with a fine gift shop. If that's your cup of tea, go for it, but I'm not sure if the hours will be late enough for you. There's also a nice outdoor sculpture garden.
The area around your hotel includes Block E, a newsih entertainment complex housing chain restaurants,bars, a movieplex and Gameworks, which is a giant bar/arcade--noisy but fun. There are also a couple of theaters and nightclubs on the block--you could check startribune.com to see if anything you might like will be playing.
For fine dining, try D'Amico Cucina near your hotel. For that large a group, make a reservation.
If you can take cabs, the Uptown neighborhood has better bars and restaurants than Block E. Minneapolis is actually a hip town--hope you enjoy your stay!

The mall is huge but if you're looking for a fun night out, it is not the place to be.

E has some good sugestions but also check out citysearch.com. I like to hit Brit's English pub for a few pints when I'm in town (they have lawn bowling on the roof).

Try Rossi's in dwtn Minneapolis. They have a little jazz club called the Blue Star Lounge that has the wonderful menu of Rossi's and great jazz every night.

Enjoy Minnepolis!

p.s. The Walker is great...

The warehouse district is the place to go for bars, restaurants, and night life. Its near the Target Center. Its hip and popular. Forget the Mall of America unless you really want to shop your brains out! It makes my head spin just thinking about it.

fehgeddaboudit, You obviously have no idea what you are talking about.

Jimmy9, If you give us a bit more information about the kind of dining/drinking experience you want, we can give you more specific ideas.

Bellanotte is the hot spot downtown right now. As is Zelo. D'Amico Cucina is top shelf dining. McCormick and Schmick's is a good spot for beer, also Brits and The Local or (if micro brew is your thing) Rock Bottom Brewery. Palamino is one of my favorite downtown spots for great food and good drinks. Cafe Lurcat is on the edge of downtown (near the Walker Art Museum) and a very cool place with good food and atmostphere.

In the Uptown area (not far from Downtown and easy to get to), Chino Latino is hot with fusion food, Campiello is great Italian but a bit more laid back atmosphere or Williams Uptown Pub for beer.

In the warehouse district of downtown try Babalu for wonderful Latin food (amazing mojitos) and music for salsa dancing. Strictly for music in downtown try The Fine Line Cafe.

Lots more info here:
http://www.mspmag.com/feature.asp?featureID=3191

Jimmy-
I agree with the other posters-- skip the mall. It's just a big mall- nothing else.

You've gotten some great suggestions already. I'll add my 2 cents...

Check and see if there is a Timberwolves game going on. The Target Center is right across the street from your hotel. That might be a fun way to spend the evening.

Le Meridien is attached to Block E and has a few venues which might be fun. Bellanotte (mentioned by TC) is on the first floor. I'd say just do appetizers and cocktails at Bellanotte-- I'm not impressed with their food. Cosmos (Le Meridien's restaurant) has a trendy bar and great food (also upscale). Le Meridien has a bar with no name on the first floor-- an NYC vibe with outrageous cocktail prices...$10 beers, etc. But might be worth checking out.

You are in walking distance of almost everything downtown has to offer. In your immediate area are some restaurants worth mentioning. Nami (sushi) is good. Others have mentioned D'amico Cucina (spendy). For more casual places, check out Ike's (burgers). Lots of bars in the area too so you won't be lacking for places to drink.

Have a great time!
Jane

IMO the only difference in the MOA and any other large mall is the fact that the Lerners has a rollercoaster (and not a very good one) right around the corner!

I second the suggestion for Ike's as well as Rossi's. Rossi's Blue Star Lounge has a 2 for 1 happy hour until 8pm and great food, from burgers to expensive steaks and seafood. You may have fun spending one night downtown in the Warehouse District and one night in Uptown.

And do skip the MOA, nothing but a big mall and there aren't many options for dining or entertainment anymore.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Their will be about 120 of us descending on your city. We will have one maybe both nights free.
How far is the warehouse district from the Meridien? After the different groups have dinner and do their thing the warehouse district would be a good late evening gathering spot. I'll be sure to pass your suggestions on and any more are welcome.

I'm sorry, but I just can't help but comment that everytime I see that tile of this thread and I clicck on it - somehow, I thought there would be a punchline.

The warehouse district is real close to where you are staying - actually you are at the gate of it.

Everything you need to know (including map) of the Warehouse District. Enjoy.

www.mplswarehouse.com/index.cgi

Minneapolis is a world class city that is under-appreciated. The bar at Le Meridien (up 1 level from the street) is spendy but a cool place to have 1 drink. Chino Latino in Uptown is a fun venue for a crowd for dinner. The warehouse district has plenty-o-bars.
For a Minneapolis unique dining experience the Nicollet Island Inn sits on an island in the Mississippi River. It is not a party place; depends what you are looking for. Enjoy your trip!!

Oh, jorr, don't get yer panties in a bundle over something so simple as life imitating art in the film: Glengarry Glen Ross.

Alec Baldwin: "First prize is a Cadillac. Second prize is a trip to Minneapolis. Third prize is, 'You're fired'".