Spots I'd recommend

---in general, I like Uptown & Lyn/lake area. Short cab ride---lots of restaurants, rooftop bars and the lakes.  You might like Chino Latino for food in uptown.  Tilia is a great restaurant in linden hills---close to uptown.

Downtown---depending on where u are at couple of the spots to hit..marvel bar if u are looking for a good drink, bar la grassa, bachelor farmer, nami (sushi), seven (sushi), king and I Thai for restaurants.

Here's a website to help if u are looking for happy hours: www.thriftyhipster.com

Have fun!!!

Seven -- located on Hennepin in downtown has the closest to a South Beach vibe.  Great atmosphere, decent food, and turns into a hipper, more crowded scene late on weekends.  It''s also close enough to a lot of other spots, so that if it' not really your cup of tea, you walk and check out other places, or even if you're looking for a change of pace after you're done with Seven.