Matt's Bar is a neighborhood favorite boasting one particularly famous and beloved specialty: the Jucy Lucy. This Minneapolis favorite is a cheeseburger with the cheese stuffed on the inside of the burger instead of melted on top. Matt's has been featured on the Travel Channel's hit show, Man vs. Food, with the spotlight on, you guessed it, the Jucy Lucy. This dive bar has been a favorite of locals and visitors alike for over 25 years. If you are looking for the opposite of a stylish, swanky bar and food experience, Matt's is your ideal place for a bite and a beer.
Nothing beats the combination of fresh, healthy American food and an array of American beverages and drinks specials. Icehouse, which is a deli located in Whitter, offers just that and much more for the fun loving foodies. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, just what you'd expect from a deli. However, the popularity of this eatery is due to the range of scrumptious delights which are made exquisitely from scratch by the expert chef. This includes the small plates delicacies like foie gras burgers and scallops, as well as the special brunch items like Po Boy sandwiches and pastrami and eggs. In the end, you can wash it down with the drinks specials like Mothership Rita and Butterfly Kiss, or a glass of Cedar Ridge Bourbon or George Dickel 12 year from its splendid whiskey bar. Jazz and rock bands pack a punch with their performances every night, so make sure you reserve your table at Icehouse in the evening, to enjoy a satisfying American meal.
The Summit Brewing Company has come a long way since it first came into business in 1986 - its beers are now some of the most popular in St. Paul. Some are seasonal (such as the Summit Maibock and the Summit Oktoberfest), while others are available all year round. You can tour the brewery from Thursday to Saturday, but reservations are required for group weekend tours.
This classy bar and grill has been a pioneer among local restaurants by offering regional, home-produced food. This casually chic establishment has evolved into the best place to hear local and national jazz acts. An intimate stage separates the bar from the dining room. The acoustics are considered some of the best in the Upper Midwest. The menu features trout from a Wisconsin farm and local game fowl, mushrooms, and wild rice. It is all put together with the utmost care and a lot of imagination. The wine (including some by local wineries), beer and liquor selection is impeccable.
Enjoy samples of Japanese delicacies offered at Moto-i brewery and restaurant on Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis. This Japanese eatery boasts of being 'the first sake brewery restaurant outside of Japan' and backs it up by serving their own sake varieties, much to the delight of avid drinkers. Sip on sake served along with small portions of rice preparations and dumplings while seated on the rooftop terrace of this eatery. This brewery also has a selection of beers and tasty Japanese appetizers to get you started on your meal.
The Saloon is one of the Twin Cities' main gay bars. From the Tank to the Chicken Coop to the Stand, this is where the action is. Leather is a necessity to enter the Tank. A dress code is enforced. Thursday is under-21 night, Tuesday features karaoke and Sunday is 1980's retro. On weekends, the club becomes the hottest dance party in town, straight or gay. The music is loud, the patrons rock until 3am, and the place is packed wall to wall. If the dance floor is too crowded, try pool, pinball, darts or video games. Burgers, sandwiches, salads and deep fried appetizers highlight the limited menu. The saloon has an excellent beer list, both domestic and imported.
Pizzeria Lola is charming, intimate and quirky, making it the perfect place for a one-of-a-kind date night. Inside, you will find a disco ball and photo booth, making this a date that's about more than just the pizza - although the pies are pretty noteworthy as well. Try the Korean BBQ or Sweet Sausage pizzas to get a taste of Pizzeria Lola's eclectically brilliant recipes.
The Café Lurcat is a trendy restaurant with a titillating menu of cold appetizers (mussels, oysters, shrimp). Bar Lurcat is a lush lounge with live entertainment and delectable teasers, such as fried calamari with citrus dip and French fries with Béarnaise sauce. You can enjoy a wine list of over 200 bottles. If you're lucky and it's the right season, then you have the option to sit outdoors. Both these innovative eateries are run by D'Amico and Partners.
Northbound Smokehouse and Brewpub is a casual place to eat, drink and be merry. The best items on the menu are all perfected in house, from the smoked meats to the five house-brewed beers. Food items include smoked wings, chili, onion rings and even a banh mi sandwich. There is also outdoor seating and a few TVs around so you can still catch the game.
This joint rules the Twin City music scene. As a converted bus depot, the large two-story room offers excellent acoustics and sight lines. If live music is on the agenda, get there early and grab a table on the balcony. The music runs the gamut from reggae to punk to rock to country. If a local or national act is not scheduled to play, a DJ takes over and gets the dance floor jumping. Pool tables, pinball machines or video games offer quieter amusement.
Indeed Brewing Company, locally owned and operated in the North Minneapolis area, creates a wide selection of beers every year. With everything from seasonal and special-occasion brews, to its two flagship beers, you can be sure that you'll find something delicious and special at Indeed. Tours and tasting are available onsite, and can be booked online or over the phone. Indeed also has a great happy hour, and often hosts a rotating selection of food trucks.
When you serve 10,000 steaks a year, it is obvious you are doing something right. The home of the Silver Butter Knife, this place with its low lights, smoked mirrors and pink linen tablecloths is your destination for delectable steak. At Murray's, the ambiance is that of a 1950s supper club. Coupled with efficient service, you know you are in for a first class evening. Start your culinary adventure with an appetizer of hickory-smoked shrimp, wrapped in bacon and served with cocktail sauce. The salads and baked potatoes are huge, but dwarfed by the Silver Butter Knife steak or the Porterhouse. The classic New York Strip steak or Broiled Salmon will surely satisfy those who are looking for a lighter meal. No one leaves without having a slice of Lemon-Angel Pie - a meringue crust with a tart custard-lemon filling, topped with whipped cream. The wine list is impeccable and the beer selection is first rate.