MIAMI VIKES - So Fla MN Vikings Fan Club Returns to Ocean Manor Resort for Homecoming Event After Downtowner Saloon Closure. Starting October 20, 2024
Fort Lauderdale, FL – The MIAMI VIKES, the official Minnesota Vikings Fan Club of South Florida, is excited to announce its return to the iconic Ocean Manor Resort after the closure of the Downtowner Saloon. Founded in 2009, MIAMI VIKES has long been a gathering point for Vikings fans from all over South Florida, and this move marks a homecoming to the venue that helped shape the club's legacy.
To celebrate this much-anticipated return, the MIAMI VIKES will host a Homecoming Event at the Ocean Manor Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, where fans will be able to watch the Vikings play and reconnect with fellow supporters. The event will take place in the fan club's dedicated viewing area known as "The Vikings Hut," a special space designed for diehard fans to come together, share the excitement of the game, and celebrate the team’s victories.
Over the years, the MIAMI VIKES has grown into one of the largest Vikings fan clubs outside of Minnesota, drawing a diverse membership that includes conservative multi-millionaires, passionate football enthusiasts, and supporters from various backgrounds. Many members, while not originally from Minnesota, have developed a strong allegiance to the Vikings through the club’s spirit of camaraderie and fun.
Fans are encouraged to join the MIAMI VIKES for the Homecoming Event and be part of the vibrant community that has become a South Florida staple for Vikings football. With the move back to the Ocean Manor Hotel, the MIAMI VIKES is eager to continue its tradition of uniting fans through their love of the game in a welcoming and exciting environment.
October 6, 2024 - Victory & Emotional Farewell The Downtowner Closes for Good!
It was a long, somewhat emotional yet great Sunday The day started at 9 a m with the Minnesota Vikings Fan Club of South Florida - Miami Vikes event at the Historic DownTowner, and today marked the last day the Downtowner was in business Built in 1925, one more year would have made it 100 I hope long-time Fort Lauderdale residents with deep pockets will vote wisely and voice their concerns to the city Fort Lauderdale is a world-class city, but there seems to be a level of greed and misallocation of funds to certain entities I believe the Historic DownTowner should have been added to the National Register of Historic Places and preserved
On a brighter note, the Vikings won, and we are now 5-0! Let’s keep it up! I had some passionate, productive discussions with other top contributors to the club Many members who attended the MIAMI VIKES events at the Downtowner came not only because they love the Vikings but also because they live in the Las Olas or downtown Fort Lauderdale area, or are good friends with fans who do Considering the closure of our venue, we reached a consensus Moving forward, the Minnesota Vikings Fan Club of South Florida - Miami Vikes will have two venues to choose from Both are in Fort Lauderdale but on opposite ends of the city, which is larger than people realize The Ocean Manor Hotel, located in Galt Ocean Mile, is convenient for fans in the Pompano Beach, Deerfield, and Boca Raton areas. The Fitz Ritz is perfect for those in Miami, Hollywood, Davie, and of course, downtown Fort Lauderdale. The Ocean Manor is great for nice-weather days and special events. We have our own private Tiki hut, luxury cabanas with showers, and a pool available plus fine dining. The Fitz Ritz is an artsy, classy, yet industrial-style bar near where the Downtowner was located, somewhat reminiscent of the warehouse district bars in Minneapolis.
Walking out of the Downtowner after the end of the game was thought-provoking though in my typing, I accidentally wrote "thought proViking," which I found quite magical!
Thank you to Luke and Stephanie, Christine and RC, James, Melissa, Harry, the Kroegers, Kitty-the-bartender (most of all!), and ALL of the fans who brought great energy, good vibes, and effort into our gatherings
Going forward, I’ll allow members to post in the group about both of our venues Posts must be respectful, and no post should be designed to compete with the other venue
SAM DARNOLD NAMED NFC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Vikings QB Sam Darnold has been named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for the month of September, the NFL announced today. Leading the Vikings to their first 4-0 start since 2016, Darnold was 73-of-106 (68.9%) for 932 passing yards and 11 touchdowns in four games in September. He leads the NFL in touchdown passes, percentage of touchdowns thrown per attempt (10.4%) and passer rating (118.9), and ranks second in yards per attempt (8.8), trailing Brock Purdy (9.3). Darnold’s 11 touchdown passes to start the season are three more than any other quarterback in the NFL (Baker Mayfield, eight), and tied Tommy Kramer (1986) and Kirk Cousins (2023) for the second-most touchdown passes through the first four games of a season in team history behind Daunte Culpepper’s 2004 performance (13 touchdown passes). Darnold was the only quarterback to record multiple passing touchdowns in every game to start the 2024 season, including recording four touchdown passes in Week 3 against Houston and three at Green Bay in Week 4. Darnold, who became the first quarterback in franchise history to post a 100+ passer rating in each of the team’s first four games of a season, led a Vikings offense that averaged 29 points per game during the month of September. It marked the most points per game by Minnesota in Weeks 1-4 since the 2009 season (29.5). The award is Darnold’s first Player of the Month accolade. He is the 13th different Viking to win NFC Offensive Player of the Month honors and the second player under Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell, joining WR Justin Jefferson (November, 2022). ALL-TIME VIKINGS NFC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE MONTH 1995 Warren Moon, QB November 1997 Jake Reed, WR September 1998 Randall Cunningham, QB October 1999 Cris Carter, WR November 2000 Robert Smith, RB November 2003 Daunte Culpepper, QB September 2004 Daunte Culpepper, QB October 2009 Brett Favre, QB November 2012 Adrian Peterson, RB December 2015 Adrian Peterson, RB November 2017 Case Keenum, QB November 2019 Kirk Cousins, QB October 2020 Dalvin Cook, RB November 2021 Justin Jefferson, WR November 2022 Justin Jefferson, WR November 2024 Sam Darnold, QB September NFLOMG.co
Vikings Elevate RB Myles Gaskin and S Bobby McCain to Active Roster in Week 5 (Oct 5, 2024, 9:00 pm)
Vikings Open with 28-6 Victory Over the New York Giants
MIAMI VIKES fans packed the house at the last season opener at the Downtowner Saloon
The Minnesota Vikings had an impressive start to the 2024 regular season with a 28-6 victory over the New York Giants. The team's performance set a strong tone for the season ahead.
Sam Darnold made a solid debut for the Minnesota Vikings, throwing for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Aaron Jones, Justin Jefferson, and Jalen Nailor each contributed a touchdown, while Andrew Van Ginkel added a defensive touchdown. The Vikings' defense dominated, sacking Daniel Jones and the Giants five times. The performance was so commanding that, by the fourth quarter, departing Giants fans at MetLife Stadium were replaced by the sound of Vikings fans doing the Skol chant, audible on the TV broadcast.
Vikings fans in South Florida gathered at the Historic Downtowner Saloon for the venue's final season opener event. The Downtowner Saloon is set to close on October 6, 2024, and until then, the MIAMI VIKES - MN Vikings Fan Club of South Florida will continue watching games there. After the closure, the fan club will move to the Ocean Manor Hotel in Fort Lauderdale's Galt Ocean Mile. The Ocean Manor Hotel features several venues, including The Tiki Bar, Casa Calabria, The Indoor Piano Bar, and the Tiki Hut Banquet Area, where the Vikings fans will meet after the transition. Interestingly, MIAMI VIKES was originally founded in 2009 at The Ocean Manor Tiki Bar, which has since undergone several renovations and improvements.
Rancher (cowboy) from from MN travels to Florida and Meets Cowboy from Mississippi at Football Watch Party at the Downtowner Saloon
Two conservative businessmen recently met at the Downtowner Saloon in November, 2023. One of the businessmen owns a ranch in Minnesota and the other owns a ranch in Mississippi and Colorado. Both were donning cowboy boots, both shared the same business views and most importantly both of them are lifelong VIKINGS FANS!!!
It was clear as soon as they met that they would become lifelong friends!!!
