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 Apr 21, 2015, 11:31am CDT

View as Map

by Eater Staff Apr 21, 2015, 11:31am CDT

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

Northeast Social

Copy Link

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]

Open in Google Maps

359 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

(612) 877-8111

Visit Website

Mayslack's

Copy Link

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]

Open in Google Maps

1428 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

(612) 789-9862

Visit Website

Knight Cap Bar & Lounge

Copy Link

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.

Open in Google Maps

1500 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

(612) 789-5233

Jimmy's Bar & Lounge

Copy Link

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.

Open in Google Maps

1828 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418

(612) 788-1383

Visit Website

Grumpy's Bar

Copy Link

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

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Northeast Palace

Copy Link

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

Visit Website

Also featured in:

The Most Iconic Minneapolis Dive Bars

Stanley's Northeast Bar Room

Copy Link

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

Visit Website