Paul Kushner
St. Paul, Minnesota, is an excellent place to find a bar, whether you are looking for a place to have drinks with friends or hoping to meet new people.
There are many fun places to get drinks throughout the “Pig’s Eye,” so whether you’re in town to visit Minnehaha Falls, learn at the Science Museum of Minnesota, or just explore the city, you’re sure to find a bar that suits your taste.
To help you out, we’ve put together a list of some of the best bars in St. Paul, Minnesota — check it out below!
Turf Club
1601 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104
Phone: (651) 647-0486
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Turf Club is a popular music venue and bar between Hamline-Midway and Union Park. I love going to this historic venue when I’m ready to jam out to some amazing rock performances.
It has an intimate yet lively vibe and a fair selection of strong, tasty drinks.
Spot Bar
859 Randolph Ave, St Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 224-7433
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In the West Seventh – Fort Road area near Palace Park, Spot Bar is a small chipper bar offering live music outdoors.
Given the wood building and outdoor jams, it feels like I’m going to a friend’s house whenever I go to Spot Bar, which I love.
I recommend getting beer on tap, grabbing some nuts, and hanging out for hours.
Lawless Distilling Company
2619 28th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Phone: (612) 276-1000
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Lawless Distilling Company is a decorative and intimate craft cocktail bar that uses in-house spirits to create tasty concoctions.
Their Tarot Tonic, Knives Out, and Pollywog Lemonade are my favorites, but the bartenders at this Seward spot can make you anything your heart desires.
Joe & Stan’s Pub & Grill
949 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 293-0571
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Joe & Stan’s is a pub, grill, and sports bar near Fountain Cave by the Mississippi River. I love going here to watch games in a casual and comfortable setting or participating in karaoke nights when I’m feeling bold.
They have tasty tacos and pizza and a great happy hour, especially on wine and tap beer.
Half Time Rec
1013 Front Ave, St Paul, MN 55103
Phone: (651) 488-8245
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Half Time Rec, between Como Park and South Como, is an Irish pub and sports bar that offers a fun, easygoing environment for friends and families to hang out.
I appreciate that they have an indoor bocce ball setup so my friends and I can play even if the weather isn’t too nice. I enjoy their daily specials, like Fish n’ Chips Friday or Wing Wednesdays.
Young Joni
165 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Phone: (612) 345-5719
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Young Joni is a popular restaurant and bar in the Sheridan area near Boom Island Park. It has an intimate, classy, speakeasy vibe that attracts upscale cocktail lovers and hip, reel-to-reel audio lovers alike.
I love their unique food options, like cauliflower pizza and Japanese sweet potato, but I keep coming back for their Cobbler cocktail.
Colita
5400 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Phone: (612) 886-1606
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Colita is one of the best restaurants with a bar in town because of its elevated meals and creative drink presentations.
I love going to this spot near Armatage Park if I want a tasty meal. Try their seared scallops, charred eggplant tostada, or lamb barbacoa tacos with one of their signature cocktails.
P.S. Steak
510 Groveland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Phone: (612) 886-1620
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P.S. Steak is an elegant steakhouse serving crack cocktails near the Walker Art Center. This place is an ideal date night spot because both its food and drinks are highly impressive and memorable.
You can’t go wrong ordering their shoulder steak, baked Alaska, and Yellow Pages whiskey cocktail.
Merlins Rest Pub
3601 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Phone: (612) 216-2419
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Merlins Rest Pub is a traditional-styled bar with British fare and drinks.
Located between Longfellow and Brackett parks, this watering hole is one of my favorite places for a great selection of scotch and British eats like fish and chips or bangers and mash.
Skinner’s
919 Randolph Ave, St Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 291-0146
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Skinner’s is a counter-serve pizza joint near Monroe Memorial Park. You can get a specialty pizza pie like a “Taco Pizza” or the “PIzza Buffet” and eat it alongside an ice-cold domestic beer like Miller High Life.
I love their pizzas, but I also recommend trying their “Totchos,” a mountain of tater tots loaded with nacho-style ingredients like cheese and salsa.
Brit’s Pub
1110 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Phone: (612) 332-3908
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Like Merlin’s Rest Pub, Brit’s Pub caters to those who love British fare, like pot roast and Cornish pasty, but it has its unique appeal.
It’s located in Central Minneapolis near the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business, and I love frequenting this spot to play games with friends, especially lawn bowling.
Sweeney’s Saloon
96 Dale St N, St Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 221-9157
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If you’re hoping to stop by a casual spot that will have all the familiar choices, don’t hesitate to go to Sweeney’s Saloon, located in the Summit-University area near The University Club of Saint Paul.
This relaxed bar has what I need on a casual night — a great selection of beers and appetizers. I tend to get the Summit Saga IPA with mac and cheese bites or chicken fingers.
Parlour St. Paul
267 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 207-4433
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Parlour St. Paul is one of the best bars in St. Paul, Minnesota, due to its delicious selection of bar bites and burgers and its stylish space that’s simultaneously hip and cozy.
They have a good combination of classic bar food like mac & cheese and unexpected options like bone marrow. The best time to go is for happy hour from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm each day (and all day on Mondays)!
The Commodore Bar & Restaurant
79 Western Ave N, St Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 330-5999
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The Commodore Bar & Restaurant, near Cochran Park, is one of my favorite spots to go to because of its jazzy, classy feel.
I like drinking cocktails in this 1920s-themed space with decorative art and munching on elevated bar snacks with my friends or on a date.
The Monte Carlo
219 N 3rd Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: (612) 333-5900
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The Monte Carlo, in the Warehouse District, offers a friendly, inviting atmosphere, especially on the outdoor patio.
Martinis are my drink of choice here, especially the Pear Martini, and pairing them with dry rub wings makes for an excellent night!
Burger Dive on Bay Street
731 Randolph Ave, St Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 294-3240
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Burger Dive on Bay Street is a relaxed and cozy place to get beer, cocktails, and, as you might’ve guessed, tasty burgers!
I love going to this unfussy tavern near Palace Park and ordering an onion burger and tap beer like the Modist Dreamyard Hazy IPA.
Grand 7
315 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 222-6104
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Grand 7, near Irvine Park, may seem small and unassuming, but it’s a great place to go for a night of debauchery with your friends.
It’s a little bit divey, which I appreciate, and it brings in a friendly, lively crowd, especially when they present live bands.
I like to play darts and pinball there too, and I recommend ordering their steak sandwich.
Betty Danger’s Country Club
2501 Marshall St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Phone: (612) 315-4997
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Betty Danger’s Country Club is an eclectic, retro-styled bar by Tony Jarod River Garden with delicious cocktails and a huge Ferris wheel!
Perhaps due to the Ferris Wheel and mini golf areas, this is one of the most fun places to get drinks in town, especially during the holidays when it’s lit up with kitschy Christmas decor.
J R Mac’s Bar & Grill
1420 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 224-8482
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J R Mac’s Bar & Grill, near Victoria Park, is a simple, humble burger and beer joint. While they specialize in burgers and sandwiches, you’d be remiss not to try their chicken wings as well!
This place has a friendly dive bar vibe, and I typically order domestic beers or ciders with my meal.
Skarda’s Bar
728 Armstrong Ave W, St Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 224-0658
Skarda’s Bar is a small, straightforward bar in the same area, near Victoria Park.
This bar is one of my favorite spots to challenge my friends to a friendly pool table or darts competition while drinking an affordable beer or glass of whiskey.
Emerald Lounge
455 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 410-1650
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Emerald Lounge is near the Large Green CHair tourist attraction but has a very local and intimate vibe.
I love this cocktail lounge for its innovative creations, such as The 455, a cognac drink, or the Green Lotus Grogg, which incorporates three different rums.
Brunson’s Pub
956 Payne Ave, St Paul, MN 55130
Phone: (651) 447-2483
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Brunson’s Pub in Payne-Phalen is one of the best gastropubs in St. Paul because of its no-frills setting that emphasizes drinks, food, and not much else.
I love their cheese curds more than anything in this world, and I love eating them while hanging out and drinking a nice beer like the Rosetta Sour Cherry on the outdoor patio.
Red Cow St. Paul
393 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 789-0545
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Red Cow St. Paul is a hamburger and craft beer locale near Boyd’s Park. This spot has rave reviews, and for good reasons — their craft beer and cocktails are excellent, and their creative burgers are even better!
I love the double barrel burger the most, especially when I’m very hungry, and I like to pair it with their “Cocktail of the Moment.”
White Squirrel Bar
974 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
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White Squirrel Bar, between Fountain Cave and St. Clair Playground, is a compact space with a dynamic vibe.
I like drinking simple cocktails like their Sage Gold Rush on the patio or enjoying a cold beer while listening to live music on select nights.
Shamrocks
995 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 228-9925
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Shamrocks is one of the best Irish pubs in St. Paul because of its traditional pub setting, traditional Irish fare offerings like Irish stew, and incredibly lively vibes.
The Juicy Lucy is an incredible burger, and I love pairing it with one of their many beers or cider options, like the harp Lager or Sierra Nevada Hazy Little IPA.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know where to get a drink in St. Paul, choose your first pick and stop by the next time you’re in town.
Did I miss any of the best bars in St. Paul, Minnesota? Let me know what you think are some fun places to go out in this city in the comments below.
Best Bars in St. Paul
- Turf Club
- Spot Bar
- Lawless Distilling Company
- Joe & Stan’s Pub & Grill
- Half Time Rec
- Young Joni
- Colita
- P.S. Steak
- Merlins Rest Pub
- Skinner’s
- Brit’s Pub
- Sweeney’s Saloon
- Parlour St. Paul
- The Commodore Bar & Restaurant
- The Monte Carlo
- Burger Dive on Bay Street
- Grand 7
- Betty Danger’s Country Club
- J R Mac’s Bar & Grill
- Skarda’s Bar
- Emerald Lounge
- Brunson’s Pub
- Red Cow St. Paul
- White Squirrel Bar
- Shamrocks
Paul,
You missed Bennett’s Chop and Railhouse.