14 Essential Bars of the Twin Cities

From top shelf to comfy dives in Minneapolis and St. Paul

by Joy Summers@JoyEstelle Updated Oct 5, 2018, 12:08pm CDT

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by Joy Summers@JoyEstelle Updated Oct 5, 2018, 12:08pm CDT

Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities

A great bar is a refuge from real life. Whether seeking comfort in commiserating or a little liquid courage, a perfect neighborhood bar meets every need. The Twin Cities are dotted with a long list of phenomenal watering holes. Every bar below has comfortable bar stools, astute bartenders who serve a well-poured drink quickly and an unparalleled atmosphere.

All bars are listed in geographical order from West to East.

Martina

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Linden Hills’ gem Martina’s bar is overseen by Marco Zappia, who fast becoming the darling of the international drink-making world. Marvel at the beauty of these drinks and then enjoy the other-worldly good flavors. In addition to the boozy concoctions, there are also several impressive no-proof drinks here, too.

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1555, 4312 S Upton Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55410

(612) 922-9913

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CC Club

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The CC Club opens early every day and serves cheap pitchers of beer alongside proper good bar food. Immortalized in a Replacements song this watering hole is a part of the fabric that makes up Minneapolis.

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2600 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN

(612) 874-7226

Lyn 65

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The humble exterior of Lyn65’s suburban location belies the gorgeous drinks found at the vintage wood bar inside. Try the Iron Range Beach Club, a drink name that’s even funnier if you’re familiar with that part of the state. It’s tart, floral and spicy.

6439 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55423

(612) 353-5501

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19 Bar

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It's the oldest operating neighborhood gay bar in Minneapolis and it still fits like a favorite old pair of Levis. With great pool tables, old school video games and cheap drinks.

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19 W 15th St, Minneapolis, MN

(612) 871-5553

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Parlour

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This subterranean bar serves high-end cocktails, but feels about as welcoming as any neighborhood joint with an easy bar for leaning into. Grab a few friends and settle into the couches in the dim light and while away hours sipping and enjoying the cool comfort of this room.

730 Washington Ave N, Minneapolis, MN

(612) 354-3135

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Dusty's Bar

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Whiskey drinks like water inside this Northeast fixture. Buy a couple of pull tabs to while away the minutes while waiting for one of those famous Dago sandwiches.

1319 Marshall St NE, Minneapolis, MN

(612) 378-2118

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Spoon and Stable

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This stunning bar is perpetually packed inside Gavin Kaysen’s tony North Loop restaurant for good reason. Classic cocktails are made with stunning precision, seasonal drinks push boundaries and show off cutting edge techniques, plus, there’s a captain’s list available for the serious cocktail aficionado.

211 N 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401

(612) 224-9850

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A master class in cocktails and bar service

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The Bachelor Farmer

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The upstairs bar inside The Bachelor Farmer is commonly known as the Norsten Bar, named for the painter’s tape style mural by artist Todd Norsten decorating the walls. While its downstairs speakeasy sibling Marvel Bar is hailed as one of the top cocktail bars in the Twin Cities, the upstairs bar is a gem. Service is easy, friendly, never intimidating, whether ordering an aged cognac from the extensive brandy collection, top shelf bottle of wine or a mass-brewed beer.

50 2nd Ave N, Minneapolis, MN

(612) 206-3920

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Young Joni back bar

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This wonderfully dark speakeasy always feels like a basement of someone’s parent’s super cool cabin with vintage Bose stereo playing reel to reel tunes. The cocktails overseen by Adam Gorski changes often with wildly entertaining menus, but always deliver subtle and strong balances of flavors with something to please every kind of drinker.

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1172, 165 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

(612) 345-5719

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Little know fact: flamingos are very picky drinkers

Centro at Popol Vuh

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Mescal has become the spirit-of-the-moment, but few handle this powerful agave with more verve than the new taco shop in Northeast, Centro. Belly up to the bar for perfect margaritas, spiked slushies and other seriously fun to sip drinks.

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1414 Quincy St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

(612) 345-5527

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Three brightly colored cocktails in a highball, lowball, and tulip shaped glasses on the wood bar inside Centro. The background shows a bright pink and red cross stitched styled mural. — Slushies, margaritas and a tasty selection of agave spirits in Northeast

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Tattersall Distilling

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It’s not easy for a cocktail room attached to a distillery to achieve top shelf level drinks: all the ingredients have to be made on site. Tattersall’s library of spirits is impressive, but the bartending prowess is even more so. Dabble in the experimental drinks for serious fun like a cocktail that tastes just like a beer, but in a good way, or something drawing on the earthy sweetness of burned honey to draw out the complexity of their spirits.

1620 Central Ave NE #150, Minneapolis, MN 55413

(612) 584-4152

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Bees Snacks in Northeast’s distillery bar

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Republic

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Beer fans know that this is ground zero for a truly astounding collection of draughts. There’s also an impressive selection of cider plus wine and cocktails. The food menu is all the stuff that pairs well with a long night of drinking.

221 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN

(612) 338-6146

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Merlins Rest

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The whisky bible inside this Lake Street dive is legendary, as is the minister of culture. On any given night inside Merlin’s Rest there might be bagpipers, geek trivia or a collection of neighborhood regulars who appreciate the English pub fare. One thing is always true: there is no such thing as a boring night spent at this bar.

3601 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN

(612) 216-2419

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Do these guys know how to party, or what?

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Mancini's Char House & Lounge

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The bar is a slice of American history that lives and serves great Old Fashioneds. Elvis wouldn’t look out of place in this 70’s Vegas styled room. An architectural ode to days gone by, the bar makes everyone who drinks here look and feel primed for long, great nights.

531 7th St W, Saint Paul, MN

(651) 224-7345

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Still run by the Mancini Family, the steakhouse barroom is a glory to behold.

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14 Essential Bars of the Twin Cities

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Martina

CC Club

Lyn 65

19 Bar

Parlour

Dusty's Bar

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Spoon and Stable

The Bachelor Farmer

Young Joni back bar

Centro at Popol Vuh

Tattersall Distilling

Republic

Merlins Rest

Mancini's Char House & Lounge

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Martina

CC Club

Lyn 65

19 Bar

Parlour

Dusty's Bar

Spoon and Stable

The Bachelor Farmer

Young Joni back bar

Centro at Popol Vuh

Tattersall Distilling

Republic

Merlins Rest

Mancini's Char House & Lounge

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