Twin Cities' Best Neighborhood Bar

Surprisingly good gourmet grub melds seamlessly with jazzed-up bar food at this cozy neighborhood fave.

Reviews:

• “Good Food – Poor Service”
• “Check it out!!!”
• “Avoid Monday Nights”
• “Just love this place! Great food! great service!”
• “Love Eli’s!!”

Tips: This is one of the only places in Minneapolis that serves food until 1am seven days a week—perfect for a classy nibble after seeing a show down the street at the Orpheum.

Eli’s Bar & Grill

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

This Northeast throwback to an old-fashioned tiki bar is kitschy, cheap and just plain fun.

Reviews:

• “Rum is my friend”
• “great envoirment”
• “Not all it’s cracked up to be”
• “30 minutes for a drink????”
• “Bitter. Party of one? Bitter. Party of one?”

Tips: If the few spots in back and under the old drive-in roof are full, try the large lot behind Tony Jaro’s River Garden on the opposite corner.

Psycho Suzi’s Motor Lounge

This St. Paul landmark serves traditional food and hearty libations—and packs in music fans like sardines.

Reviews:

• “Live Entertainment”
• “Great Service great atmosphere.”
• “Quintessential neighborhood bar”
• “What a dump”
• “comfortable”

Tips: Reliable pub food includes salads, sandwiches and burgers, plus heartier fare like steak, chicken and ribs.

O’Gara’s

North Loop bar attracts a neighborhood crowd and downtown partiers with gourmet grub and cornucopia of beer and specialty cocktails.

Reviews:

• “Wish there were more places like this in Minneapolis”
• “They’ve drastically lowered the food quality”
• “Bad Service”
• “Great new bar”
• “Very below average with Upscale price”

Tips: Start celebrating early. Happy hour is from 3:30pm to 6:30pm and features half-price martinis, rail drinks and appetizers. Plus, there’s $2 domestic taps and $3 import taps and house wines.

The Loop Bar & Restaurant

A neighborhood oasis for beer and burgers.

Reviews:

• “Horrible service & expensive”
• “A Twin Cities Staple”
• “great place”
• “Sweeney’s is great!”
• “Horrible Service on Grand Old Day”

Tips: Tables are crowded together in and around the bar, but there’s a quieter dining room for those who want to hold a conversation. Or, score a table on the spacious patio—it’s a favorite summertime spot.

Sweeney’s Saloon & Cafe

This romantic Cathedral Hill institution’s primarily Mediterranean cuisine has aroused appetites for 30 years.

Reviews:

• “What a special evening”
• “Best patio in the twin cities”
• “best service, top notch flavors, cozy romantic ambiance”
• “Impressive Chef’s tasting menu and a great date night location…”
• “Great location and ambience.”

Tips: While the bar is open through all the hours listed, the restaurant has set lunch and dinner hours. Lunch hours Monday-Saturday are 11:15am-1:30pm, dinner hours Monday-Thursday are 5:30pm-10pm, dinner hours Friday-Saturday are 5pm-11pm. Sunday brunch hours are 10:30am-2pm and Sunday dinner hours are 5pm-10pm

W.A. Frost & Company or email W.A. Frost & Company

Reviews:

• “Great food!”
• “Great ambience, but it stops there.”
• “Very Nice”
• “Excellent Service & Selection”
• “Best Spot in White Bear Lake”

Washington Square Bar & Grill

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