It's been some years since I was able to go to a game or a bar to watch a game, but I used to love going to both of Tom Reid's Hockey City Pub and Bennett's Chop and Roadhouse in St. Paul. You can walk to the game from Tom Reid's. Bennett's is further away, but has a shuttle to the game and back. I've met good people in both places. Honestly, you can't go wrong with going to most places on W 7th St. (the street the Xcel Energy Center is on)
If you're looking at staying more toward Minneapolis than St. Paul for that part of the night, I'm not sure what the best locations for games/sports fans are, but for drinks I have enjoyed going to Volstead's Emporium. Really weird place, feels shady until you get inside; they're going for that old hidden speakeasy feel and are serious about it. It's such a strange place that it's worth trying at least once. Look for the red light above an unmarked door.
My favorite places to sit down for locally made beer, cider, and spirits are Sociable Cider Werks, Tattersall Cocktail Room, Dashfire's Elusive (right next door to Tattersall, same building and same type of drinks, stiffer, but also more hidden away), Indeed Brewing Company, and Fulton Brewery. I've found these places to be more for speaking and drinking than for watching games. Great drinks, though! Hopefully someone else can be of more help in regards to sports bars in Minneapolis.
