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Seven Dives to Try On Northeast's Quirkiest Drinking Street

This street is a drunkyard's dream if we ever did see one.

by Eater Staff
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by Eater Staff

Just a short drive up University Avenue from the sleek, shiny heart of Northeast’s Minneapolis booming nightlife district lies 4th Street NE, arguably the neighborhood’s most curious stretch of bars and restaurants. The mile-long, otherwise wholly residential segment between 13th Ave NE and Lowry Avenue features a half-dozen unpretentious establishments, mostly independent dives (Jimmy’s, the Knight Cap) and dive-ier outposts of beloved, multi-location Twin Cities drinking and dining establishments (Grumpy’s Northeast, Northeast Social). So lose the title, clear your schedule, and spend an afternoon — or, more realistically, an afternoon and evening — crawling 4th Street NE in style.

-by Brian Martucci

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Northeast Social

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A narrow space with a high ceiling that blends the vibe of a 19th-century parlor with the best elements of an urban barroom. Come during brunch and pair a light dish like mixed greens with leeks, feta and walnuts with a or not-so-light meal like thick-cut sirloin with two eggs, hash browns and toast. Pair with a classic mimosa or one of dozens of craft beer bottles behind the bar. [Photo courtesy Northeast Social Facebook Page]
359 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 877-8111
(612) 877-8111

Mayslack's

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Roast beef, cold beer and live music: That’s the Mayslack’s way. Find a booth and grab a cheap, fresh tap (light lagers and local IPAs fly out the door here ) as you peruse a menu. Follow the house-made waffle fries with the original roast beef sandwich, an intimidating mountain of a meal. If it’s nice out, stretch your legs on the spacious patio out back. [Photo courtesy Yelp]
1428 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 789-9862
(612) 789-9862

Knight Cap Bar & Lounge

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Just across 15th Ave NE sits the Knight Cap, Mayslack’s more athletic, less musical cousin. After a recent renovation, the place is brighter, airier and sportier than ever, with big-screen TVs in every corner and impressive game-day specials.
1500 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 789-5233
(612) 789-5233

Jimmy's Bar & Lounge

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Jimmy’s is four blocks north of the Knight Cap, and you’ll need every step of that distance to prepare yourself for the impending time warp. From the wall-length, leather-backed bench seating to the intimate, well-worn half-oval bar framed by black-and-white pictures of “Old Northeast,” this place is old school, full stop. Order a Premium (or Nordeast, if you’re feeling really adventurous) and swap stories with friendly regulars, then throw down a few bucks for a screen-printed souvenir shirt and hit the trail.
1828 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 788-1383
(612) 788-1383

Grumpy's Bar

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Grumpy’s Northeast is a cozy, haphazardly decorated barroom filled with rowdy regulars and questionable smells. Squeeze into a tattered plush-foam booth and knock back a Northeast-made brew (some combination of Indeed, Fair State, Bauhaus and 612 can always be found on the tap list here), or mingle on the small but lively garden patio out back. [Photo courtesy Grumpy's Facebook Page]
2200 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 789-7429
(612) 789-7429

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Northeast Palace

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With a well-worn stage, dance-friendly open layout, disco lights and periodic karaoke bashes, the NE Palace is the perfect place to let your hair down after a long crawl. Craft beer isn’t the Palace’s forte; we’re all about cheap, straight-ahead rail cocktails here. And that’s just fine, as long as you’ve got a safe ride home.
2500 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 788-2305
(612) 788-2305

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Stanley's Northeast Bar Room

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If the Palace’s grand finale doesn’t do you in, here's a bonus spot. Just two blocks east, ever-popular burger and beer bar Stanley’s is doing its best to bring back Cheers chic. Grab a massive plate of crispy Polynesian wings to share and peruse the 30-plus, mostly regional taps on the bar’s well-curated beer list. Looking to splurge? Ask your server what’s in Stanley’s beer cellar, a rotating collection of three to five European and North American cask ales that’ll set you back up to $30 per 750 ml bottle.
2500 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 788-2529
(612) 788-2529

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Northeast Social

359 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
A narrow space with a high ceiling that blends the vibe of a 19th-century parlor with the best elements of an urban barroom. Come during brunch and pair a light dish like mixed greens with leeks, feta and walnuts with a or not-so-light meal like thick-cut sirloin with two eggs, hash browns and toast. Pair with a classic mimosa or one of dozens of craft beer bottles behind the bar. [Photo courtesy Northeast Social Facebook Page]
359 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 877-8111
(612) 877-8111

Mayslack's

1428 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Roast beef, cold beer and live music: That’s the Mayslack’s way. Find a booth and grab a cheap, fresh tap (light lagers and local IPAs fly out the door here ) as you peruse a menu. Follow the house-made waffle fries with the original roast beef sandwich, an intimidating mountain of a meal. If it’s nice out, stretch your legs on the spacious patio out back. [Photo courtesy Yelp]
1428 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 789-9862
(612) 789-9862

Knight Cap Bar & Lounge

1500 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Just across 15th Ave NE sits the Knight Cap, Mayslack’s more athletic, less musical cousin. After a recent renovation, the place is brighter, airier and sportier than ever, with big-screen TVs in every corner and impressive game-day specials.
1500 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 789-5233
(612) 789-5233

Jimmy's Bar & Lounge

1828 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Jimmy’s is four blocks north of the Knight Cap, and you’ll need every step of that distance to prepare yourself for the impending time warp. From the wall-length, leather-backed bench seating to the intimate, well-worn half-oval bar framed by black-and-white pictures of “Old Northeast,” this place is old school, full stop. Order a Premium (or Nordeast, if you’re feeling really adventurous) and swap stories with friendly regulars, then throw down a few bucks for a screen-printed souvenir shirt and hit the trail.
1828 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 788-1383
(612) 788-1383

Grumpy's Bar

2200 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Grumpy’s Northeast is a cozy, haphazardly decorated barroom filled with rowdy regulars and questionable smells. Squeeze into a tattered plush-foam booth and knock back a Northeast-made brew (some combination of Indeed, Fair State, Bauhaus and 612 can always be found on the tap list here), or mingle on the small but lively garden patio out back. [Photo courtesy Grumpy's Facebook Page]
2200 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 789-7429
(612) 789-7429

Northeast Palace

2500 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
With a well-worn stage, dance-friendly open layout, disco lights and periodic karaoke bashes, the NE Palace is the perfect place to let your hair down after a long crawl. Craft beer isn’t the Palace’s forte; we’re all about cheap, straight-ahead rail cocktails here. And that’s just fine, as long as you’ve got a safe ride home.
2500 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 788-2305
(612) 788-2305

Stanley's Northeast Bar Room

2500 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
If the Palace’s grand finale doesn’t do you in, here's a bonus spot. Just two blocks east, ever-popular burger and beer bar Stanley’s is doing its best to bring back Cheers chic. Grab a massive plate of crispy Polynesian wings to share and peruse the 30-plus, mostly regional taps on the bar’s well-curated beer list. Looking to splurge? Ask your server what’s in Stanley’s beer cellar, a rotating collection of three to five European and North American cask ales that’ll set you back up to $30 per 750 ml bottle.
2500 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 788-2529
(612) 788-2529

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