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Last year was a tough one for Minnesota sports fans.

Last year was a tough one for Minnesota sports fans. It all began with a string of losses for the Timberwolves and then continued with painful Joe Mauer-less baseball season. And don't even get me started on the Minnesota Vikings.

Even after all of the major athletic disappointments, I remain a firm Minnesota fan. It must be some form of innate masochism, because why else would I continue cheering on a group of teams that always seem to let me down? But even as I grumble about the sad state of Minnesota sports, I'm always the first one to show up to watch another painful Vikings game.

Minnesota losses are a little easier to take when you're in the company of friends at a local hole-in-the-wall sports bar and grill. There's something about that “Cheers” atmosphere that can convince a disappointed sports fan that things are going to look up. I've taken to rotating between a handful of spots in Minneapolis. Each one has its own distinct atmosphere, but they’re all great places to commiserate with fellow Minnesota fans.

My recent favorite pit stop has been Sporty's Pub and Grill. Located in southeast Minneapolis, this cozy pub has redefined the whole concept of bar food. Several of the menu items are made from scratch and perfected with plenty of delicious, artery-clogging fat. I usually visit Sporty's on Sundays for Vikings games, but the bar can be a fun place to chill out during the week as well. My second-favorite time to visit is definitely Thursday night, as this is when hosts Mark and Kyle hold Team Trivia. This weekly event makes for a hilarious start to the weekend.

I’m also a major fan of Mac's Industrial Sports Bar. With 13 huge flat screen TVs, it is the perfect place to watch NFL teams duke it out. There's a full menu available for nearly every hour of the day, as well as a vast selection of beers.

Minnesotans are used to being disappointed in the sports arena. But when things get rough, there's nothing like a good beer, some cheese curds and a kind friend to help pull you through.



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