Twin Cities' Best Happy Hour 2008

The Radisson’s downtown eatery dresses up Midwestern fare, but keeps prices reasonable.

Reviews:

• “A Great Restaurant for Lunch”
• “Not worth it”
• “Great service and great food”
• “Wood Smoke Aromatherapy”
• “Awkward setting, mediocre service, OK food”

Tips: Try the flaming coconut flirt, a tropical punch-like concoction made with passion fruit liqueur and served in a coconut shell with a flaming sugar cube stirrer.

FireLake Grill House or email FireLake Grill House

It’s more pretty patrons and less Lake Calhoun vista that make for a great view at this hot spot.

Reviews:

• “Not as great as I expected”
• “great food, even better deserts”
• “Avoid eating dinner in the bar.”
• “GREAT SERVICE, INVITING ATMOSPHERE”
• “wonderful experience”

Tips: Free parking tokens are available in the restaurant for the
garage at 2900 Thomas Avenue South. For only $3, you can have their
valet park it for you.

View Restaurant & Bar or email View Restaurant & Bar

An old-fashioned Irish pub inside the glass-and-granite confines of downtown Minneapolis’ Towle Building.

Reviews:

• “Great place in the city!”
• “A Relaxing Hangout”
• “love it”
• “Good stuff!”

Tips: The bar hosts an occasional concert by prominent Irish musical acts such as Tommy Makem.

Kieran’s Irish Pub or email Kieran’s Irish Pub

Ambitious fare a step ahead of the usual Italian dishes, delivered by servers who tell you the biz.

Reviews:

• “Not so great customer service”
• “LOVE! ATTENTIVE SERVICE AND EXCELLENT FOOD!”
• “Jazz + Italian = A great Friday night”
• “Hidden Jem”
• “Valentine’s Day Delight”

Tips: Jazz musicians serenade diners on Friday and Saturday nights.

Trattoria da Vinci or email Trattoria da Vinci

Billiards, beer, burgers and bowling are all at this downtown favorite.

Reviews:

• “Over Priced”
• “AVOID: Bad service…family unfriendly. Go and you’ll be fleeced.”
• “Bad, Bad Place to Go!”
• “Worst Service in Mpls”
• “good for friends to go and relax and have a good time”

Tips: Snuggle up by a fireplace in the winter, or steal a patio seat overlooking downtown in warmer months. Smokers: Head to the rooftop deck.

Brit’s Pub or email Brit’s Pub

Tip back a Guinness and indulge in good Irish grub in this downtown Minneapolis pub.

Reviews:

• “Unsanitary”
• “Always a good time.”
• “Horrible Service”
• “Great Irish Beers on tap. Very neat architecture!”
• “Great music, place to meet people”

Tips: Smoking is permitted on the outdoor patio.

The Local Irish Pub or email The Local Irish Pub

Right across from Target Center and First Avenue nightclub is a friendly bit of Gaelic charm.

Reviews:

• “Best bartenders, fantastic food”
• “Feels like a cleaner Dublin”
• “Excellent beer selection, good karaoke”
• “Good place for a pint laddie boy”
• “Karaoke is not good, boring host”

Tips: If you back Manchester and don’t have cable, this is the hot spot to watch football, rugby and Gaelic games broadcast live from Ireland and Europe.

O’Donovan’s Irish Pub

Since 1975, this Lyndale landmark has been smoking and serving the best ribs around.

Reviews:

• “not like it used to be "
• “Mediocre, overrated BBQ”
• “Best cole slaw- EVER!!!”
• “Best Bar-B-Que in the Twin Cities”
• “Best Sunday Lunch Ever”

Tips: The restaurant’s private Marlene Dietrich Room accommodates 20 to 80 people.

Rudolph’s Bar-B-Que

This chic Italian restaurant is always packed like an olive jar, with more hopefuls thronging the bar.

Reviews:

• “Excellent Gnocchi with Bolognese "
• “Great pasta and desserts!”
• “Great Birthday Dinner”
• “Never Valet Unless You Want Something Stolen”
• “Great Potential”

Tips: It’s a good idea to make a reservation. Events at the Ordway or Xcel have a way of suddenly filling the tables.

Pazzaluna Urban Trattoria & Bar

Clubby corporate restaurant draws seafood lovers with fresh daily catches and posh atmosphere.

Reviews:

• “Cocktail server was rude and a disaster, but food was okay.”
• “Remarkably Average”
• “yummy”
• “Overall great restaurant”
• “Food is great – Service is not”

Tips: All restaurant locations offer McCormick & Schmick’s seafood cookbooks for sale, as well as gift certificates in denominations of $50 and $100.

McCormick & Schmick’s

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