Bills Mafia, pack your gear and get ready to take over another NFL city! The Buffalo Bills are headed to Minneapolis to face the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football, November 9, at U.S. Bank Stadium. But for those of us traveling in for the game, the fun starts long before kickoff.
Whether you’re making your first trip to Minnesota or returning for another road-game adventure, there’s plenty to keep you entertained throughout the weekend.
From gathering with fellow Bills fans and reliving one
of Josh Allen’s earliest signature performances to sampling Minnesota’s famous cheese-stuffed burgers, here’s your guide to making the most of your time in the Twin Cities.
Eat like a Minnesotan: Foods you absolutely have to try
The Juicy Lucy: Minnesota’s famous inside-out cheeseburger
If there’s one food you absolutely must try while visiting Minneapolis, it’s the Juicy Lucy, sometimes spelled Jucy Lucy. Unlike a traditional cheeseburger, the cheese is stuffed inside the beef patty, creating a pocket of melted goodness that comes pouring out when you bite into it. But consider yourself warned: That first bite can be dangerously hot!
Every NFL city has its own personality, traditions, and local food favorites. Buffalo has its wings and beef on weck. Philadelphia has cheesesteaks. Kansas City has barbecue. And Minnesota? Well, they’ve figured out how to put the cheese inside the burger.
Where to try one:
- Matt’s Bar: A Minneapolis institution dating back to 1954, famous for its original Jucy Lucy.
- 5-8 Club: Another legendary Minneapolis burger destination, offering several variations of the cheese-stuffed classic.
- Crooked Pint Ale House: A convenient option for visitors who want a stuffed burger in a sports-bar setting.
Fun fact: Matt’s Bar and the 5-8 Club have been locked in a friendly rivalry for decades, with both claiming to have invented the famous burger. So here’s my challenge to Bills Mafia: Try a Juicy Lucy while you’re in Minneapolis and decide for yourself which version deserves the crown.
Tater Tot Hotdish: Minnesota comfort food at its finest
If you’ve never heard of hotdish, you’re not alone! But I got a little Midwestern education today so now you will too. Hotdish is Minnesota’s answer to a casserole, typically made with ground beef, vegetables, a creamy sauce, and a crispy layer of tater tots on top!
Event List
Saturday, November 7: Let the Bills Mafia festivities begin!
Fans of Buffalo welcome gathering
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Location: Tom’s Watch Bar, 609 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN
What better way to kick off a Bills road trip than spending Saturday night with fellow members of Bills Mafia Fans of Buffalo will be gathering at Tom’s Watch Bar in downtown Minneapolis, and all fans are welcome. With massive television screens, plenty of football atmosphere, and Bills fans arriving from across the country, it’s a great opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces, meet new friends, and start the weekend off right.
Sunday, November 8: Football, hockey and a little basketball?
Sunday offers plenty of options for Bills fans looking to fill the day before Monday night’s matchup.
Buffalo Sabres watch party and NFL Sunday football
Time: 2:30 p.m. CT
Location: Buffalo Wild Wings, 2001 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN
Just because we’re on the road supporting the Bills doesn’t mean we have to forget about our other Buffalo teams! Join fellow fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for a Buffalo Sabres watch party, with NFL Sunday afternoon games also on the televisions.The location is a gathering spot for the Minneapolis/St. Paul Bills Backers, making it a natural destination for visiting fans looking for a little Buffalo atmosphere in Minnesota.
Relive the 2018 Bills–Vikings upset at Tom’s Watch Bar
Time: 6–10 p.m. CT
Location: Tom’s Watch Bar, 609 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN
Before Buffalo and Minnesota meet again on Monday night, why not revisit the game that introduced the Vikings to a young quarterback named Josh Allen?
Tom’s Watch Bar will be replaying the Bills’ unforgettable 27–6 victory over Minnesota from 2018, along with Sunday afternoon games and Sunday Night Football.
Want something different? Catch a live NBA game!
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Utah Jazz
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Location: Target Center, downtown Minneapolis
Bills Mafia, if you’re looking to switch things up and experience another professional sporting event while you’re in town, the Minnesota Timberwolves are hosting the Utah Jazz on Sunday evening.
Target Center is located in downtown Minneapolis, making it a convenient option for visitors staying in the city. It’s a chance to enjoy some live NBA basketball before turning your attention back to the football field Monday night.
Monday, November 9: It’s game day!
Fans of Buffalo Minnesota Tailgate
The main event is finally here!
Fans of Buffalo will be hosting its Minnesota tailgate ahead of Monday Night Football, bringing together Bills fans from near and far for a pregame celebration.
Whether you’re traveling from Western New York, Florida, or somewhere in between, there’s nothing quite like walking into an opposing team’s city and finding yourself surrounded by red, white, and blue.
Tickets and event information: Fans of Buffalo Minnesota Tailgate on TickPick
Be sure to check the event listing for the latest tailgate details and ticket availability.
Buffalo Bills vs. Minnesota Vikings
Kickoff: 7:15 p.m. CT
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Monday Night Football. A primetime audience. Josh Allen. And Bills Mafia invading Minnesota. What more could we ask for? Well, besides a Bills victory, of course.
More things to do while visiting Minneapolis
Explore the Mall of America
If you’ve never been to Minnesota, the Mall of America is one of those places worth seeing at least once.
Located in Bloomington, just outside Minneapolis, it’s much more than a shopping mall. Inside, you’ll find hundreds of stores, restaurants, attractions, and even an indoor amusement park. Yes, an amusement park inside a mall. For fans arriving early or looking for something to do before game day, it’s a popular stop.
Visit Minnehaha Falls
Want to see a little of Minnesota beyond the stadiums and sports bars? Minnehaha Falls is one of Minneapolis’ most recognizable natural attractions, featuring a 53-foot waterfall surrounded by parkland and walking paths. It’s a beautiful place to explore if the November weather cooperates… and it looks like it will!
Walk along the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River runs directly through Minneapolis, and the city’s riverfront offers scenic views, walking paths, historic landmarks, and the iconic Stone Arch Bridge. It’s a great option for anyone wanting to get outside, stretch their legs, and see a different side of the city.
Check out the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Home to the famous Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is another recognizable local attraction. And yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like: an enormous spoon with a giant cherry balanced on top.Because apparently putting cheese inside hamburgers wasn’t enough creativity for one city.
A few things to know before heading to Minnesota
Dress for the weather. November in Minneapolis can be unpredictable. Check the forecast before packing, and bring layers for walking around downtown.
Plan your transportation. Minneapolis has light rail service connecting Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, downtown Minneapolis, and U.S. Bank Stadium. It’s worth considering if you don’t want to deal with game-day traffic.
Remember the time difference. Minnesota operates on Central Time, one hour behind Buffalo and the rest of the Eastern Time Zone. All event times in this guide are listed in Central Time.
One more road trip, one more chance to make memories
For so many of us, following the Bills isn’t just about the three hours spent watching football. It’s about the people we meet, the places we visit, and the memories we collect along the way. Every road trip brings a different city, a different experience, and another opportunity to show the rest of the NFL what Bills Mafia is all about.
So whether you’re spending Sunday watching football, cheering on the Sabres, catching an NBA game, or hunting down the perfect Juicy Lucy, enjoy everything Minneapolis has to offer.
