Are you looking to discover the best bars in Saint Paul?
Then we have you covered!
On this page, you’ll find the official shortlist of all the bars in Saint Paul. (More in-depth further below). And, each with why it’s best to go.
Feel free to check out each bar’s official profile to find out more and to find out which is best for you.
We’ve also created separate shortlists for each genre you might like to visit on your time out.
So check out these articles as well:
- The Best Irish Pubs in Saint Paul
- The Best Dive Bars in Saint Paul
- The Best Sports Bars in Saint Paul
- The Best Most Fun Bars in Saint Paul
- And finally: Our Complete Guide to Saint Paul’s Nightlife
Furthermore, you can get on the guest list or book a table with bottle service on some of the more exclusive bars. We are happy to help you out with either.
11. Burger Dive
Burger Dive is a cozy spot providing breakfast & burgers along with other American eats, plus cocktails. There are numerous Dive Bars in this area of town, but start the day with this one, which offers breakfast alongside beer and alcohol. Burger Dive stepped into this historic location and enhanced the menu with its eponymous burgers. Still, the crunchy fried chicken wings with giardiniera sauce are the menu’s hidden star, along with reasonable cocktails and a pleasantly dark setting. Burger Dive is a busy bar and restaurant in Roseville and St. Paul, Minnesota. They utilize the greatest products and have a wonderful atmosphere. As a result, they are excited to host you soon! It’s been a while since I’ve gone entirely insane over a new restaurant. I’ve lost it again over Burger Dive. I’ve now gone to BD three times.
I visited the first time wanting to sample their chicken-fried steak and eggs, but they were sold out. So I ordered the corned beef hash. They were big hunks of tender corned beef with onions and green peppers atop hash browns, not little minced meat, and taters. My wife and I also bought pierogies from them (because I can never say no to pierogies). Another unique twist: they were topped with corned beef, onions, sour cream, and kraut. Amazing! When I returned the second time, I saw their monthly special was a chili cheeseburger. Chili cheeseburgers are my absolute favorite! And it did not let me down. Once again, it was a somewhat different take – their chili is black and appears to contain chocolate or coffee, similar to molé.
That was unexpected, but it worked great with a burger. This morning, I returned and finally received my chicken-fried steak and eggs. Oh my God. The cutlet was crispy and flavorful, and the sausage gravy was out of this world. I’ve never had anything better. I’ll have to return so I can finish their entire menu! I eventually made it to Burger Dive for my first burger encounter. I began with the deviled eggs. They were tasty but not my favorite deviled eggs I’ve ever had. Then I ordered the House Burger, which has American cheese, chopped onion, and pickles. I enjoyed it and would return to try the other burgers. I enjoyed the ambiance, and everyone was kind! So, this is one of the best bars and eateries Saint Paul has to offer!
10. Grand 7
Grand 7 is a comfy bar. It has served West 7th for more than 40 years. Because Grand 7 is close to downtown, it may become a little boisterous before events, but that’s OK. Get a cheap beer and sit in for a lengthy sip. Their specialty is robust, inexpensive cocktails with a small-town feel. This bar first opened its doors in 1980. The Heine family has been running the tavern for almost 30 years. It’s a terrific neighborhood bar with variable hours and a bustling atmosphere on event days/nights. Note: This is also listed without a review as “The Grand” (as regulars refer to it). So let me start from the beginning. Classic cocktail bars with hand-carved ice cubes and ingredients I would never expect to find together are my favorite.
Irish pubs where you become a regular after just one visit are recognized worldwide as the best bars in town and Up North style dive bars. The Grand nailed that final one. Strong cocktails, a lot of locals, Heggies Pizza, excellent food on game nights, classic bubble hockey (wait for a second, that last one may have been me fantasizing about excellent bars, and what do you know, it’s right there at The Grand). Come here for fun but not too many of you because if this place gets trendy, it might somehow change. I love it all. This is a hidden gem. I have stopped in here before and after hockey games. There is plenty of space in the old traditional dive bar in MN or WI. Wood paneling completes the hometown field.
I was coming back into town, and the food had always caught my curiosity given seeing the food and chef. Well, I dived and had the western burger and fries. We live about 15 minutes away. When I got home, my wife and I were excited to try things out. WOW. The burger was done perfectly with great flavor. I guarantee if we had stayed, the fries would have been perfect. We can’t wait to try out more burgers and sandwiches. The Grand is a classic neighborhood bar with a lot of regulars. The prices are low, and the staff and owners are fantastic. The kitchen is usually only open on event nights at the Xcel, but their limited menu is surprisingly good. A steak sandwich made with filet mignon? Yes, please! Heggie frozen pizzas are always available.
9. Half Time Rec
Half Time Rec is a lively sports bar with Irish pub fare, rotating taps, live bands, a pool & indoor bocce ball. The bar dominates the Half Time Rec as you walk in. That’s how it should be. Years of drinking have left their mark on the aged bar top. Pull up a chair and get a low-cost beer or beverage. There’s a whole food menu worth investigating, loaded with fried treats to help you recover from a few beers. The basement bocce court is usually a fun time for people who enjoy a drinking activity. 2015 twin cities burger-battle winner & 2016 runner-up – judges choice! Welcome to The Half-Time Rec! Going strong for decades, they have been one of the most popular places in the Twin Cities to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day each year. They are also well known for being the bar in the movie Grumpy Old Men and our bocce ball tracks in the basement.
Recently named Best Dive Bar & Best Irish Bar by MSPMag, they offer bocce ball, pool, bean bags, and more. Enjoy live bands Fri and Sat, and a fun, comfortable vibe every day. Named 2015 “Best Dive Bar” and “Best Burger” in City Pages! Top Ten French Fries by Thrillist 2015! Join them for the finest Happy Hour in town! Happy Hour is available daily from 3–6 pm and 9–11 pm. They have Game Day Happy Hour Specials Throughout all Vikings games. It consists of $7 Cheeseburger Baskets, $3 Tacos, and $5 Wings (6). They offer a total of 20 beers on tap! Today, try a new local beer or an old favorite! Standard Happy Hour: 3-6pm EVERY DAY AND SATURDAY – SUNDAY, 10am – 12pm / $1 Off All Drinks! Late Night Happy Hour: Monday through Friday, 9 pm to 11 pm / $1 off all domestics and rails.
One of the most popular bars in the Twin Cities is receiving a spectacular and long-overdue makeover. Paddy Shack is coming to The Rec! They are delighted to provide their clients with a more substantial food alternative. The meal is among the best traditional Irish dishes available in the Twin Cities. Some of their distinctive dishes include fish and chips, bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, and the award-winning Paddy Shack and Paddy Melt burgers. Please also check out: www.paddy-shack.com. Kitchen hours are Sunday – Wednesday, 11:00 am – 9 pm, and Thursday – Saturday, 11:00 am – 10 pm.
8. Joe & Stan’s
Joe & Stan’s is a typical neighborhood bar with a casual vibe for watching games & chowing on classic comfort food. So, Joe & Stan’s is a family sports lounge and grill specializing in food, drinks, sports, and laughter. They provide a casual vibe for watching games & chowing on classic comfort food. Joe & Stan’s Bar would win if sports bars could play sports! Watch the game on their massive TVs, comfortable booths, and excellent home-style food. Its objective is to be the finest bar in town by providing the most easygoing, pleasant, and comfortable sports lounge with the best and most cheaply priced food and beverages. They are located off 7th Street and W James Ave in St. Paul. Joe and Stan’s has been operating for almost 60 years and is worth checking out if you’re looking for a comfortable location to watch the game or grab lunch with friends.
This bar’s best feature is that it serves well-cooked pizza, prime rib roast, and ribs. Take your chance to taste delicious beer. Joe & Stan’s is famous for its excellent service and friendly staff always ready to help you. Prices at this place deserve attention as they’re affordable. The foreign environment may entice you to remain a little longer than you had anticipated. Joe & Stan’s was renovated a few years ago, so it’s not nearly as divey as it was, but the neighborhood spirit remains strong. Joe & Stan’s, located just outside of downtown, is a sports pub with a daily happy hour worth leaving work early for. If sports bars could play sports, they would be unstoppable!
Watch the game on their massive TVs, comfortable booths, and excellent home-style food. Their objective is to be the greatest bar in town by providing the most relaxed, pleasant, and comfortable sports lounge and the best and most reasonably priced food and drinks. Their BAR: They are a family sports lounge and grill, and they specialize in food, drinks, sports, and laughter. THE OWNERSHIP: Joe & Stan’s has been owned by the KELLY FAMILY since 1997. (John Kelly Jr. and sisters Colleen, Patty, and Peggy). THE NAME: Joe and Stan’s have been around for as long as anyone can remember! Their best estimate is roughly 60 years. They couldn’t break the mold! THE BUILDING: The beginnings of 949 West. So, this is one of the best bars Saint Paul has to offer you!
7. J.R. Mac’s
J.R. Mac’s is a down-to-earth burger joint offering draft beer, pub grub, sandwiches & a small patio. The existence of Heggie’s Pizza is a good litmus test for a decent West 7th bar. And, while J.R. Mac’s offers a complete menu with burgers and the like, nothing beats late-night sharing of one of these thin-crust bar pizzas with a friend. J.R. Macs is now open for limited capacity dining, curbside Takeout, and delivery (via Uber Eats & Grubhub). Due to the uncertainty of COVID-19 regulations: their hours of operation may vary. For Takeout, please call them at: (651) 224-8482. This place has delicious food, and even though there’s usually only one waiter, she works hard! Whenever I’m there, the Beatles are usually playing.
I love this neighborhood bar. It’s quiet and cozy. So, the food is phenomenal for being such a small place. I like the fried flour tacos. You can choose chicken or beef. The tacos are packed full and very fulfilling. The mozzarellas are a must-try. It’s like a sausage, pepperoni pizza in an egg roll. Def super yummy and good. The Burgers are huge, delicious and there are wide different varieties you can choose from. This place is excellent. We come here regularly. So, bartenders are hilarious and just a joy. Seriously, Amy, Brian, and Landon are some of the best you’ll see. We had a terrific time every time we came here. Amazing all around. This restaurant offers excellently grilled hamburgers, tacos, and bacon.
Beer, according to the visitors’ opinions, is good. J R Mac’s Bar & Grill is well known for its excellent service and friendly staff always ready to help you. Most guests suppose that the dishes have fair prices. Clients like the lovely atmosphere at this place. They want to come here again and again. Takeout is available daily 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Payment Instructions are as follows: at this time, credit card payments over the phone are the recommended mode of payment. Upon pickup, they will also take cash or credit card payments. Pickup Instructions: Please phone the bar at (651) 224-8482 to notify the staff that you have arrived. The employees may then deliver the meal to your vehicle and perform any necessary transactions. So, this is one of the best bars Saint Paul has to offer. If you are in the city, we recommend going with your loved ones!
6. Shamrocks
Shamrocks is an Irish hangout for pub grub such as burgers & hand-cut fries, plus TVs & frequent live music. Shamrocks is an Irish restaurant and pub that entertains the whole family with delicious meals, daily deals on food and beverages, and lively live acts. Try any appetizers, soups, salads, flatbread pizza, sandwiches, and, of course, the Shamrock Burgers. They provide their distinctive Butcher Cut Ground Black Angus Chuck burgers to deliver a fresh joy to downtown burger enthusiasts. Shamrocks also feature outside dining and many flat screen TVs for your favorite sporting events. But why watch the TVs when Shamrocks offers a complimentary shuttle to all Wild and Vikings home games? Please go check it out! On game days, the wait staff inside this lively West 7th restaurant and bar is a sight.
Shamrocks never stop dropping off beverages, taking orders, or serving its famed burgers as the booths and chairs fill up. Shamrocks is a well-known sports pub with a welcoming dive bar vibe. Shamrocks have been serving delicious cuisine since 2012, with a menu inspired by its sister site, The Nook. Shamrock’s enlarged cuisine, live music, and shuttle service to nearby events make this family-friendly establishment unique. You can’t beat the location in the middle of historic St. Paul. See for yourself! It all started with The Nook, a modest restaurant with huge burgers. Shamrocks, the Irish Nook, their second location, debuted in 2012, offering the same fantastic burgers and fries that made them renowned and an expanded menu.
They aspire to be your first option for your next party with a full-service bar, a shuttle to numerous St. Paul events, a family-friendly attitude, a capacity for 200 people, and live music on weekends. They look forward to serving you in the future! – The Runyon and Casper families. May you always be filled with love and beer in your bellies. Excellent cuisine tastes even better when shared with good people. Take the Paddywagon for a trip! Excellent meal and service! The cuisine is delicious, especially the jalapeno poppers, the second best I’ve ever tasted. If you think second best is a bad grade, consider that they are competing for that honor against a grandma—root beer of wonder. The waitress was fantastic. I am overjoyed. Thank you very much. And thank you, Mike, for operating such a fantastic establishment. So, this is one of the best Irish bars Saint Paul has to offer!
5. Minnesota Music Cafe
Minnesota Music Cafe is a down-home live music venue that hosts blues, R&B, and rock events and a full bar and pub grub. Voted the second most excellent musical venue in Minnesota! Minnesota Music Cafe is a down-home live music venue that hosts blues, R&B, and rock events and a full bar and pub grub. Minnesota Music Cafe is a famous pub and nightclub that can be reached anywhere in the city. You may have one of the best nights of your life at Minnesota Cafe. This nightclub features R&B music as well as live rock events. It also has a huge bar, a large room for live music events, and one of the most substantial dance stage sets in Saint Paul. In addition, you may enjoy an enormous backyard to enjoy additional special events and happy hours.
Minnesota Music Cafe offers the greatest in jazz and Latin music, as well as international DJs performing some of the top hip-hop tracks of the decade. You may also sing along with your buddies on karaoke nights. Along with private parties, you may also throw special parties, dinners, and get-togethers in Minnesota. Minnesota Music Cafe is the place to go if you’re searching for a nightclub that’s easy to get to and has some of the finest musical evenings. The Good, the Bad, and the Funky – the band, not the customers – rock the Minnesota Music Café on a usual Sunday night. On a recent Sunday, the rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia on the walls of the Minnesota Music Café took the night off. Wrapping paper and bows were used to make the glass-enclosed displays housing Eddie Cochran’s guitar, a Bob Dylan set list, and yellowing Lamont Cranston press articles appear like huge wedding presents.
The MMC has three unique sections where patrons may hear the music while conversing, either near the bar or in the billiards room. The actual music room features comfortable seats and a high ceiling. There’s also the dance floor, which was packed. Given that the Minnesota Music Café mostly bookings R&B and blues acts, some may mistake it for St. Paul’s version for Bunker’s. On Tuesdays, the MMC All-Stars perform in the style of the original Dr. Mambo’s Combo. The MMC also delivers a feeling of Minnesota music heritage and lively music. So, this is one of the best bars and live music venues Saint Paul has to offer!
4. Turf Club
The Turf is one of the most incredible places to see a local act, and the basement clown lounge is a local drinking legend. Since the 1950s, this no-frills tavern and lounge have hosted live weekly rock concerts. There is music every night of the week, including larger traveling concerts. Check the calendar for local band nights, strong cocktails, and Saint Paul swagger. So, Turf Club is one of Saint Paul’s oldest clubs. Since 1950, this vintage nightclub has been a favorite location for the best nightlife. Even though it may appear antique, Turf Club has one of the top lighting and audio systems for the ultimate nightlife experience. You may listen to Latin music in this nightclub as an international DJ spins some of the decade’s biggest singles. It also has a terrace where you may smoke with your buddies while sipping your favorite beer, whiskey, or cocktail.
A fully equipped bar is also available where you may sample some of the most excellent alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. You may also groove to the live bands’ musical performances or let your inner party animal loose on the dance floor. The Turf Club also organizes corporate and private gatherings and provides table service for those who wish to relax and enjoy their evening from the comfort of their table. If you’re searching for a nightclub with one of the top musical nights, go no farther than Turf Club. The Turf Club is a pub, restaurant, and performance venue in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Originally a dancing hall in the 1940s, the Turf Club has been famous with Twin Cities musicians since the 1990s, a significant change from earlier years when most local bands mainly performed in Minneapolis venues.
The club is also a popular stop for national and international touring performers. Shonen Knife, a Japanese indie rock band, performed their 1,000th gig at the Turf Club. In late 2013, the Turf Club was sold to the proprietors of First Avenue. The arena seats around 350 people. The Clown Lounge, a smaller bar and performance room in the club’s basement, is utilized for jazz performances. The Turf Club is on the northside of University Avenue, near Snelling Avenue, and across the street from the Green Line’s Snelling Avenue light rail station. The club had a significant renovation in 2014, including an updated sound system and the reappearance of a painting depicting five racehorses that had been covered behind curtains for decades.
3. Bev’s Wine Bar
Bev’s Wine Bar is a well-known winery center in St. Paul. This lasting wine bar exudes a comfortable elegance with exposed brick and lofty ceilings. This wine bar provides tourists with both historic and elegant exteriors and interiors. When you first enter the bar, you will be impressed by the towering ceilings constructed of exposed brakes and an overhanging stand that spells out the words Bev’s wine bar. When it comes to the services this excellent wine bar provides, you may sample some of the best-tasting wines. Bev’s Wine Bar is already a hidden gem, but if you enjoy cheese, check out their cheese selection menu. Bev’s Wine Bar allows you to sample some of the greatest wines alongside your favorite cheese.
The North Loop’s most laid-back wine bar serves a small cuisine of cheeses, salads, and pizzas. From the patio/loading dock, you can see the Minneapolis skyline. Bev’s Wine Bar has an intimate ambiance. This well-known neighborhood bar serves beer, wine, and cocktails. Because of its views of the Minneapolis skyline, the patio is ideal for a romantic evening. Food is also available, including a beautiful chocolate torte. This wine bar, operating since 1995, features skyline views and an intimate environment punctuated by muffled applause from adjacent Target Field. Bev’s provides a variety of New World and Old World wines that suit even the most discriminating palette. A concentrated nibbles menu rounds off this Warehouse District winner’s selections.
Bev’s is a locally owned wine bar in Minneapolis’ Warehouse District that serves wine, beer, and cocktails. Private Events are welcome. Bev’s has been a local hotspot for Warehouse District residents for more than 20 years, delivering exquisite pours of house-selected wines, beers, and cocktails. Bev’s is located on Third Avenue N, a half block south of Washington Avenue, within walking distance of Target Field. It has an intimate setting with views of the downtown skyline and a welcome change from the raucous clubs and pubs. So, this is one of the best wine bars Saint Paul has to offer you! If you are in town and looking for the perfect wine bar, this is your spot! Have a great time with your family, friends, or loved ones!
2. Peppers and Fries
Peppers and Fries is a kitschy sports bar & eatery with a baseball theme whipping up burgers, burritos & other pub grub. Peppers & Fries is a renowned sports pub where people share a passion for baseball. Peppers & fries, run by Marie and her father, Steve Frias, provide a friendly atmosphere to enjoy handcrafted beer and other alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. This baseball-themed sports bar also serves handcrafted burritos and tacos, a bar, and a choice of burger options. If you and your pals are die-hard baseball fans or searching for a casual sports pub, Peppers and Fries is undoubtedly one of the top options in Saint Paul City. The most excellent burritos and burgers in Minneapolis, MN, can be found at Peppers & Fries Sports Bar. To fulfill everyone’s appetites, they combine scratch-made, juicy burgers and handcrafted burritos!
They provide a variety of artisan beers and refreshing beverages to wash down that burger, burrito, or other fresh meals. Their sports bar in Minneapolis also offers games on one of their 16 HDTVs! A father-daughter duo, Steve and Marie Frias have been serving specialty burgers and burritos in Minneapolis since 2015. So, Award-winning house-made recipes, a wide beer selection, specialty drinks, and more make for an easy choice. Steve Frias (nicknamed “Fries”) was raised in a restaurant. Steve learned his trade at Boca Chica Restaurante in St. Paul, which his parents, Guillermo and Gloria Frias, started about 60 years ago. The Peppers & Fries burritos are still created the way Steve’s mother and father taught him. “Everything tastes better in a tortilla,” Steve is renowned for saying. Steve also has a weakness for hamburgers.
Steve enjoys various burgers, but his favorite is the classic COLT burger, which consists of a large, juicy patty smeared with cheese and topped with Onion, Lettuce, and Tomato snuggled between two fluffy buns. As Steve’s daughter, Marie, got older, the two frequently searched for the most incredible burger in town. Wherever Steve and Marie went, they had to discover the most significant local burger establishment. Steve combined his two eating passions and his love of baseball under one roof in 2014. He invited his daughter Marie (whom he adores) to join him, so Peppers & Fries was formed. They hope you like their burgers and burritos as much as they do. They both go well with one of our local artisan beers!
1. George and the Dragon
George and the Dragon is a renowned tavern known for its welcoming environment. It is a low-key bar with craft beers on tap plus pub grub such as fried fare & sandwiches. After a long day at work, this is the ideal place to unwind with your friends or sweetheart. You may sample some of the most outstanding wine, beer, and cocktails that are well worth your money. Indeed, on their menu, you can discover some of the most delectable cuisines produced with spices and herbs. Craft beers on tap and bottles of good wine are available here. Despite being a casual tavern, George and the Dragon exudes a timeless and authentic ambiance. That is why most locals like to spend their nights at this great tavern—looking for a fantastic pub where you can torture yourself with traditional craft beers and smoking ribs.
Their culinary philosophy is straightforward. Everyone deserves delicious meals. They source their ingredients with exceptional flavor, local items from family-owned businesses, and all-natural or organic components in mind. Their menu features recipes they feel individuals would prepare at home if they had the time. For guests to enjoy, they have brought pub classics and their treasured family recipes. In the summer of 2011, they began production on George and the Dragon. They quit their long-term employment in the restaurant sector to pursue their dream of working with people they like in a relaxed yet professional setting while cooking delicious meals. The design of George and the Dragon is inspired by an English bar or public house.
The bar used to be more than just a place to drink a beer. It was also a communal meeting place, a place for a tourist to obtain a hotel for the night, and, of course, a place to enjoy a beautiful home-cooked meal whether you were a visitor passing through town or a resident treating yourself to a night out. They desire that George and the Dragon will become a gathering place in the hearts of our community’s residents. So, George and the Dragon is one of the best bars and culinary experiences Saint Paul has to offer you. If you are in the city, we highly recommend visiting this venue with your family, friends, or loved ones. We ensure that you will have a time full of merriment and laughter!
