The Best Venues in Minneapolis

Are you looking to discover the best bars in Minneapolis? 

Then we have you covered! 

On this page, you’ll find the official shortlist of all the bars in Minneapolis. (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: 

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. Brit’s Pub Bar Minneapolis

Open here for over thirty years; Brits Pub is a little part of the UK in Minneapolis. In the winters, they have fireplaces for you to sit by; in the summers, there is lawn bowling. They also show soccer and rugby events on their TVs for you to gather here with a bunch of other fans. The bar is open all seven days of the week, from early mornings to nighttime. The restaurant closes a bit earlier than the bar.   

There’s a happy hour every day from 4;30 to 6 pm. Other events include trivia, football matches, pub quizzes, and many more fun activities. Lawn bowling is a big hit everywhere as it’s a game that does not rely on age, gender, or physical power. It is on a first-come basis, with reservations only for bigger groups two weeks in advance. The bowling league is two days a week on Mondays and Tuesdays. For reservations, you can get the long room, mezzanine, garden deck, veranda, and clubhouse. Here you can host an event or a celebration with many loved ones.  

The menu offers starters, chippies, salads and soups, fish and chips, pies, sandwiches, and other favorites. You can go for classic cheeseburgers or shepherd’s pie if you want to play it safe. Otherwise, there’s almond-crusted walleye or the impossible burger to devour when you visit. They have beer on tap or in cans and bottles to pair with these. There’s also a wine list to choose from or whiskey if you want a more decisive kick. The cocktails include ‘Big Ben’s Bloody,’ ‘Brits Old Fashioned,’ ‘brits Bootleg,’ and ‘The King George Old Fashioned’. They are priced from $8 to $12, which is an excellent pre-dinner choice.  

10. Up Down Bar Minneapolis

Volstead’s Emporium is the perfect speakeasy for you to drop by. You might have to work a bit to find the entrance near the rear end of the parking lot, but as soon as you step in, you won’t regret it. The steel door with the red light looks shady, but you step into a different era as soon as you knock and enter. You’re transported to the 1930s with velvet curtains, chandeliers, dim, moody lighting, jazz music, and multiple lounge rooms for you to sit in.  

If it’s your lucky day, you might even see a live performance with the grand piano and vintage microphone. There are two-way mirrors and hidden rooms for you to enjoy your food. There are risottos, canapes, steaks, and many other delicious dishes for you to choose from. The menu is limited, but the options here are curated well. The cocktails here are made with the freshest components from all around the place. With some exciting mixes that result in the best concoctions you have tasted, this place is an experience to remember.  

The speakeasy is open from Thursday to Monday, so plan something this weekend! Their music performances are displayed on their website with all the artists and bands that are performing in the near future. You will be surprised at how many people you will find in this place even though it is hidden and very discreet.  

9. Up Down Bar Minneapolis

An arcade, bar, and restaurant in one place! Up Down bar opened its doors after a long wait and has been such a big hit from the first day. The first floor is dedicated to pinball and arcade games of all sorts. The place features over 40 vintage arcade games. There’s Jenga, Skee-ball, mini golf, and many other fun games you can all participate in and have a great time with your friends! There’s black and white graphic art scattered all across the space featuring game characters, music icons, and more.  

There’s a window to grab pizza slices, which is the best food combo with games. You can also get pies of flavors ranging from cheese to pepperoni to other specials. You might not want to wait in line to get a slice, which is not the case here. As soon as you step at the window, a slice is prepared for whatever flavor you prefer. The bar, at its core, encaptures all sorts of nostalgia. This place will make you feel like a kid. Open throughout the week; you can give dance dance revolution a go to see if you still have what it takes to win. There are a lot of beer options available for you to choose from. 

The rare patio has a hidden bar, and servers are allocated to each area, so you don’t have to leave your game to order a drink. There are fun, quirky posters hanging behind the space, adding more character to it. Many people are bored of going out to eat with no other activities available. This place offers the best value for money with a fun activity and hangout spot. 

8. Parlour Bar Minneapolis

With the soul of a dive bar and high-quality drinks, Parlour bar welcomes you to its space. It’s divided into three distinct spaces. One space opens up to the waiting area; the other is a very sexy-looking bar space, and the third area opens up to an old-school diner-style space with a stool for you to sit at. The space is cozy and intimate, with large windows to let the light through. The tables are small, but the bar also has seating available.  

This place is a hit amongst the locals with its fantastic food, especially the burger that is such a big hit amongst all the people here. With a side of fries, you will savor each bite you take. Or, if you’re in the mood to experiment with your taste buds, try out their curry with scrambled eggs and avocado. Who would’ve guessed that this would make a good combo? 

To pair with these, order some cocktails with a fantastic mix of old-fashioned and modern drinks that are familiar yet keep you on your toes, like the Old Fashioned with a kick of raspberry juice. They have the perfect balance of solid and fruity flavors. Other cocktails include ‘Cloud Rider,’ ‘Coffin Nail,’ ‘The Last Barman Poet,’ and ‘Co-Pilot’. Co-Pilot includes a mix of gin, aperitif, maraschino, grapefruit, lime, sugar, coconut tincture, and chartreuse. Other options include beer and wine options. Each drink is presented beautifully in short, tall glasses on ice or neat. Stare at it for a while, and then let your palette enjoy each sip.   

7. Moto-i Bar Minneapolis

Being the only sumo-themed bar in Minneapolis, you won’t find an atmosphere like this anywhere in Minneapolis. The simple yet elegant decor on the roof of the place with lamps, glass blocks that also have lighting inside, and wooden stools as well as the bar, just like the one you would find in Japan. There are TVs behind the bar where you can watch sumo matches. The place provides an American twist on traditional Japanese drinks and food, which is why it is considered one of the city’s best bars. 

Moto-i has been brewing American Sake since 2008, and they also have traditional Japanese sake but slightly changed to give it that American touch. They have a variety of sake by bottles, such as ‘Junmai Nigori Nama’, which is made from ripe watermelon and mushrooms to give it that earthy feel, and ‘Another Dalliance’, which has orange blossom and rose petal aroma served with apricots and pears which gives it a sweet and fruity vibe, and their ‘Junmai Kimoto Daiginjo’, which consists of rich flavors of nectar and caramel with a bold finishing touch. Order one of their specialty cocktails if you want to mix their sake with other flavors. Try the ‘Striker’s Best Buddy’, ‘The Golden Gai’, or the ‘Fujiyama Mama’, which have different spirits and ingredients mixed with sake to give you something you’ve never tasted. Now the Japanese theme wouldn’t be complete without some traditional dishes. For starters, choose from Rangoons, Gyoza, Okonomiyaki, Karaage and more. Then try their different noodles, served with rice bowls, like Mushroom Ramen and Pork Abura Ramen, along with a few more. If you’re in the mood for steamed buns, they serve fresh, house-made buns like Agedashi Tofu, Pork Belly, and Mock Duck Bun. You won’t be disappointed if you’re more of a salad person as they also have a few options. They also accommodate groups in their three different lounges, The Big Boy Lounge gives off a night club type vibe, and you have a bartender making your cocktails and a DJ setup. The Ramen Alley is a traditional Japanese-themed lounge with bamboo walls and Japanese art. You can be served both drinks and food here. Then finally comes the Stryker’s Lookout, a rooftop setup with a larger seating space where you can enjoy the views of the city from up top and enjoy with your family and friends. 

Stop by Moto-i to get a change of environment from the traditional bars and restaurants and enjoy your time in the Japanese style 

6. TILT Pinball Bar Minneapolis

Come to the TILT Pinball Bar and relive your childhood once again. With 25 pinball machines in different eras, you can enjoy your time with a drink in hand. They also have a couple of vintage machines, which date back to 1993, and only a few were produced. It doesn’t matter what age you were when you played these; they have it all. The place has a beautiful black aesthetic with leather stools and low-hanging lamps, and then comes the brightly colored machines to break the contrast. Don’t worry about the drinks; they are as impressive as the pinball machines. 

Start off with some classic American snacks like tortilla chips, available with different dips like tomato salsa, chili cheese, and smoked onion. Then go for a hotdog, depending on what you like, such as the ‘Second City, ‘Ruby Slippers’, ‘Don Pickles’ or the ‘Social Club’, all of them have different sauces and extra ingredients added to make the hotdog even tastier. If you prefer tacos, grab a ‘Tilt Taco’ with a choice of chicken tinga or pulled pork and pair it up with nachos. They’ve got you covered if you’re looking for some sandwiches. Order a ‘Muffaletta’, ‘Cubano’, or a ‘BLT’, all of which will leave you wanting more. It can’t be a bar with just food, can it? Get yourself a chill, refreshing beer from their draft section to pair up with your meal. Grab a cool can if you prefer that from their collection, where you will find one to your liking. If you’re in for drinks alone, why not try their featured cocktails, where they make new cocktails now and then? Customize it to your liking by choosing the spirit, and then let the bartender do their magic. If you want a safe bet, go for their famous ‘Batman’s Secret Gadget’, which has cherry-infused bourbon and sweet vermouth orange bitters.  

Let your inner child come out at the TILT Pinball Bar and enjoy what they offer with your friends and family. 

5. Psycho Suzi’s Bar Minneapolis

Known to be one of the best tiki-themed bars in America, stop by Psycho Suzi’s to have a good time with your friends and family. Once you step in, you’ll be shocked by the number of tiki-themed items in this place. Everything is tiki-themed in chairs, benches, tables, lamps, decor, wall prints, and glasses. You’ll literally feel as if you’re having a vacation on a peaceful island. The inside seating isn’t the only thing impressive. If you visit the patio, you’ll see the Mississippi river flowing beside you with beautiful greenery and stone heads for decor. Best believe, they’re not wrong in saying, Welcome To Paradise.  

Looking at their drinks menu will leave you amazed. The signature cocktails are so beautifully made and taste even better. Grab yourself one from the ‘Evil Headhunter’, made up of rum, pineapple, fresh lime, and almonds; the combination of rum with these fruits makes the cocktail a very sweet one, ‘Paralyzed Politician’, made of four different types of rums with grapefruit and citrus, the bitter and sweet combination gives the drink a perfect neutral level for you to enjoy, or the ‘Psychotic Suzi Shipwreck’, consisting of amber rum, Sailor Jerry, Trader Vic’s and a whole lime, this is a perfect drink for you to freshen up and liven your mood. If you’re alongside a group, you have to try their party drinks, which serve to up to four people. They have two options for this, and both contain different types of rums mixed with fruits, one of which is named ‘Leilani’s Fireball’, which is lit up before being served to add that extra bit of glitz. If you’re looking for more of a chill drink, then grab yourself a pint from their tap collection and just sit back and enjoy. The menu doesn’t end on just drinks; grab yourself some wings, meatballs, calamari, or wontons to start the meal off. Then go for the ‘Psycho Suzi’ or classic cheeseburger, both mouth-watering. Don’t forget to try their famous pizza pie, which has many flavors for you to choose from so you can order to your liking. 

Take a breather at Psycho Suzi’s and enjoy the drinks and food it offers with a beautiful view on the outside patio and the brilliant ambiance in the indoor seating with your friends and family. 

4. Hewing Hotel Bar Minneapolis

Don’t be fooled by the name; although the place is primarily a hotel, The Hewing Hotel has an indoor bar on the upper floor and a rooftop bar known to serve some beautiful drinks and delicious food. The indoor bar has an elegant and rustic vibe with brick walls, different shaded brown tiles, a deer head right behind the bar, brown leather stools, and beautiful racks for holding bottles. The rooftop has a more relaxed style with cane chairs, candles, dim lighting alongside the grills, and its full-fledged bar. If you decide to grab a seat at Hewing Hotel, you may want to dress formally.  

As the bars are on top of a hotel, the chefs make beautiful-looking dishes to start you off with. Order the ‘Chef’s Board’, where you will be served a rotating selection of house-cured meats and cheese with accouterments, ‘Duck Fat French Fries’, ‘Foie Meatballs’ or a ‘Sweet Corn Fritter’, all of which will make you want to try what else they have to offer. Next up, choose from their mouth-watering burgers, which are the ‘Hewing Burger’, ‘Lil Clucker’ and the ‘Hidden Streams Lab Burger’, all of which have the perfect combination of meat with other ingredients to make the taste as delicious as possible. Before ordering some drinks, you might want to try their Vanilla Swirl Chocolate Sorbet to end the meal on a sweet note. Start from their cocktail section when ordering drinks and order a ‘Sacrificial Siren’, ‘Spill The Tea’, or the ‘Hewing G&T’ as the cocktails are considered the best drinks here. If you prefer some carbonated water added to your spirit, go to the Highballs section, pair your favorite spirit with some carbonated water, and add some grapefruit, honey, blackberry, or strawberry essence. If that piques your interest, various red, white, and sparkling wines are available. If you want to relax on the rooftop and enjoy the weather, grab a beer from their draft collection, sit back, and relax. 

Visit the Hewing Hotel to have some fine drinks and food, enjoy the ambiance of the rooftop bar with your significant other or family, and end your day on a good note. 

3. Betty Danger’s Country Club Bar Minneapolis

Don’t be fooled by the name; Betty Danger’s Country Club has an eccentric touch and is nothing like a standard country club. The bar is known for the tasty drinks it serves. The place is heavily decorated with colorful lights all around the place and stools surrounding all sides of the bar. There are also TVs set up on each side of the bar to keep you entertained while sipping on a delicious cocktail. Another reason to visit the place is its famous Ferris wheel ride. What could be better than having a drink in hand and viewing the surroundings from high up? 

The bartenders are mainly known for their art of making beautiful and yummy cocktails. Choose from ‘Anarchy Cherry Bomb’, ‘The Rasberry Republican’, ‘Helpful Propaganda’, ‘Indoctrination’, and ‘The Monarchy’ along with many others’ All cocktails are made using your choice of spirit plus some fresh fruit, sugar syrup, lime, and mint. All the cocktails are to die for, so you can’t possibly go wrong with any choice you make. The Socialist Slushie is a unique drink that might catch your attention. It is made using a frozen prickly pear and tequila slush, which some people have labeled as a must-try combination. If you want to stick to your usual drink, choose from their canned and bottled beer and wine collection, where you might find what you’re looking for. If you’re also in the mood for some food, then no need to look any further. To start it off, try the ‘Sloppy Cow Food’, ‘Buttered Benjamin’, ‘Chicken Mcdangers’ or the ‘Crinkled Fries’, all of which are exciting names for snacks such as nachos, pretzels, fries, and tenders. Then go for sandwiches or burgers such as ‘Squeaker’, ‘Mr. Sloppy Jones’ or the ‘Love Is A Battlefield Burger’ to end your meal.  

Betty Danger’s Country Club should be a must-visit on your list, not just because of the quality food and drinks but the ambiance and the Ferris wheel ride, which is all worth it. 

2. The Monte Carlo Bar Minneapolis

If you’re lucky enough to find a seat, visit The Monte Carlo. This bar has a classy look to it. Beautifully patterned walls and roof, a bright chandelier hanging in the middle, leather sofas and stools for seating, and proper dining furniture for when you’re in the mood to eat, the place has it all. Have a seat, order some classic cocktails, and enjoy a game of the Minnesota Twins alongside your family and friends. Make sure to visit the beautiful crafter patio whenever you come here, as that is a must.  

Start the visit with some ‘Calamari’, ‘Shrimp Cocktail’ or ‘Soba Noodles’. Although the place is famous for the Monte Carlo Wings, the rest of the starters are equally tasty. Then move on to the sandwiches and hamburgers section and get yourself a ‘Grilled Reuben’, ‘Cajun Chicken Sandwich, or the ‘Billy Reed’s Caesar Burger’, all of which have meat cooked to perfection and served with a side of fries and coleslaw. If you’re in the mood for some pasta, grab a ‘Scallops Basilic’ or the Lemon Herb Chicken, which are yummy. If the situation is for something fancy, get one of their special steak, chicken, or fish dishes like the ‘Charlie’s Petite Filet’, ‘Panko Fried Shrimp’, or the ‘Moules Frites’. For a sweet ending, try their chocolate cake or sundae. When you jump onto the drinks, the cocktails are a must-have. Go for a ‘Rob Boy’, ‘Aperol Spritz’,’ Southside’, or the ‘Sazerac’. If you’re having trouble deciding, name the spirit you prefer and let the bartender show you their skill. Draft beers and red, white, and sparkling wine are also available if that is what you’re in for. 

The Monte Carlo should be high up on your list of places to visit as the fine dining and drinks will  

make you come back again and again. 

1. Grumpy’s Bar Minneapolis

Grumpy’s is the place for you if you’re looking for a good dive bar in Minneapolis. This bar has a very chill and relaxing vibe to it and is known in the neighborhood to be the place to take a break at. What used to be a very basic and simple-looking bar is now renovated and given a cozy, modern look. TVs have been displayed; the decor has been updated, new furniture and the whole look is now different. Have a seat here, and you will come to know more about the place from the friendly bartenders or a random stranger living nearby. 

The place is known for its beers. Have a seat and grab a fresh, refreshing pint of ‘Hamm’s Premium’, ‘Lonely Blonde’, ‘Reaper Cushion’, and a few more from their easy drinker section. If you’re in for some IPAs, ciders, ale stout, or fruit beer, then don’t worry; that is also available such as the ‘Verbal Tip’, ’14 Degree’, ‘Cider Rose’, ‘Roselle’, and many more which you will find to your liking. If you’re looking to order a glass of wine and enjoy the conversation, then their decent collection of wine has you covered. White, red, and sparkling are available here from different brands, and you can also have a bottle to yourself if you like. If you would like a straight spirit, you can order whiskey, bourbon, scotch, tequila, vodka, and rum. The impressive collection of spirits will have what you’re looking for; you might even go for another round when you take a second look at the menu. 

When you want to relax and have a break, head over to Grumpy’s and just sit back and enjoy the time there, as you’ll definitely leave in a better mood. 

Conclusion:

Well, you’re in the mood for a good drink just like we are. Don’t you worry about it, the city has all sorts of fun and lowkey bars. There are arcades, speakeasies, dive bars, and others that just really make the most amazing drinks ever. If you’re looking for a night out in this sprawling metropolis, then this is one of the favorite activities the locals indulge in. So get your glitz and glam on and drop by a bar! 

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