Lyndale Tap House in Minneapolis

Went to Lyndale Tap house with some guys for monday night football last night. This Bar is an all time favorite and I go here often. Monday nights are great with 2.50 pbr and a free taco bar. Not only that but the people are always cool, and its usually packed. The food here comes in great portions and they have a wide variety of beers. A little side note is that you can tell that this is a guys bar with all of the pictures of half naked women in farm settings. Even though that makes this place sound like a crummy old man bar, the decor actually looks great and gives an unique neighborhood feel. Also I have found that the crowd is actually generally good looking. Sundays are great here with Trivia night, and they have a great $3 dollar weekend special at 10 pm!! Overall I would give this place a strong 8...maybe a 9! Great bar!

Captain's Deck at Target Field

So I haven't blogged about the bars that I have been hitting latly because there was nothing that really stuck out. Last night however I went to the Twins game against the Royals with my Company. We went upstairs to the Captain Morgans Deck, and even though it is not technically a bar it felt like one. I will be honest and say that most of the people there were having so much fun that they were hardly watching the game. They even have the statue of Captain Morgan to match the neat decorations. Warning though, don't buy a round of drinks for everyone at this place because your going to walk out of Target field having spent way more than what you thought you would of. Either way, it has a great view and the women are very diverse. I must say that a chick in a baseball hat is always hot though. This place ( bar or not) is an 8 out of 10!

Solera in Downtown Minneapolis

Solera is a Tapas Bar and Lounge that is close to seven in downtown minneapolis. A friend of mine knew the DJ from Envy ( Jake) and was told that he is working a few nights at Solera on their rooftop. The bar was very interesting, to say the least. It was very trendy and the people are nuts. The bar is really supported by the Gay community, but most people there were straight and there was ALOT more women there than men. The rooftop though was very nice. The picture above is the view that you will have. The food is fun and they have a late night happy hour. So alot of great qualities ( then again we were getting shots from the DJ ). Only downside is that the service sucked and the servers were kinda boring. So I give it a 6 for now...but who knows...maybe they will start hiring more interesting people if they see this post.

Library Bar in Dinkytown

Went to Library bar last night after a few fish bowls at Prestons. I had been to Library bar once before and wasnt impressed, and so lets just say I didnt have high expectations. However, I will say that if you are looking for the cheapest drinks in the twin cities, dinky town is the way to go. Of course we felt like a pedifile because of all the barely 21 year olds, but again the drink specials might be worth it. After you have a few drinks you can go down stairs to the dance floor. Again, it felt like a high school party, but legal....hopefully. This is one of the most popular bars in dinkytown, but if your over 27 you still might not be feeling the scene. Overall, 4 out of 10...blah!

Red Dragon off of Lyndale in S. Minneapolis

Last night I went to Red dragon, a little chinesse bar and restraunt that can start your night off right. Though it is small and may not look like much, it is adored by locals because of the really strong drink. I had one wonderous punch, which comes in a giant glass for about 10 bucks. These drinks will F*ck your shit fast, and you dont have to be there that long to be ready for a long night. From there you can head downtown, or to lyndale bars with CC club on the way. Overall I give this place a 7 out of 10 ..but as a starter bar to give you a night to remember. Or...not remember!

Aura Restraunt and Bar on Hennepin & Lake

Went out last night and found that Cafeteria ( as great of a bar as it is) closes early during the week. So we left at one to head over to Aura, because it is not a typical bar we think of in uptown. It is on the side of Calhoun square by JJ. Here we found a small pleasant bar full of local bartenders after they had just gotten off. The drinks really arent that cheap, but the food is great and it has that old school set up that looks like it is from a movie. You know, the type with a bunch of guys talking about how shitty work is and that their wife doesnt put out. Either way, this isnt the place to usually pick up chicks, but the ones that do show up are usually pretty down to earth. I give this bar a 6 out of 10, and it is worth checking out once at least.

il Gatto on Lake Street

Since I went to Slims last night, and that place is not worth blogging about. So I am going to write about where I went to monday, IL Gatto. This bar is under independent, next to Cafeteria. Surprisingly the happy hour during the week is very good ( $3 bucks!) . But the biggest thing is that I would argue that they make the strongest drinks in Uptown. You really get your money worth at this place and will get drunk fast. They also have the best pizza because of how they cook it over the fire. If you are looking for a good place to rent out a room, I would choose here. This place is always over looked, so always keep it in mind for an after work venue or an date spot. Overall, I give this place a 7 out of 10.

Wild Onion Bar & Restraunt in St. Paul

I went to this bar after hitting a Saints game friday night. I have never been to Grand ave before, but I was told to go to Wild Onion and Billys. We walked into Wild Onion and immediatly noticed the amount of large guys in Ties controlling the crowd (already a bad sign). The next problem was the amount of skanky girls in this bar was worse than infamous Sneaky Petes in Minneapolis. It was like Jersey shore girls from the Styx...not a good combination! Trying to start a real conversation with these girls is like trying to talk to a deaf person from Uganda. Of course, where ever there is skanky girls, there are douche bag guys. I think these guys stare at them self in the mirror more than the girls do. Of course there were a few exceptions, and I hate generalizing, but it was a large majority. There were some groups of St. Thomas people, and you can point them out right away because they were the loud 21 yr olds who have excitement in there eyes like they are at a bar for the very first time. The good points.. good music..kinda. But the music videos are fun and the people watching is entertaining. Its like mating rituals of animals. Overall...2 out of 10, and thats if your drunk.

Sauce Spirits & Soundbar on Lynn and lake in Minneapolis

Ended up at Sauce sound bar and even though I don't remember much, but I liked what I do remember. The thing about sauce is that one side has the music, the other side is just a small bar. Though this place is packed on weekends, there is free cover on sundays. The drink selection is good and that people are pretty diverse. One thing to remember though is that it is a lynn lake bar, so don't look like a skanky ass like this chick did that sat behind me. Overall I would give this a 8..but if the performer sucks ( which these wanna be Snoop dogs did that night) then I would give it a 5. In that case jump across the street and hit Taphouse for a laid back night, or Cowboy Bar for a good story.

Oak City in Bloomington, MN

After work some of my co-workers and I decided to go to Oak City. Though I have heard that the Brooklyn Center Oak City is better, Bloomington's location was still a pretty good venue. The happy hour before 6:00 is worth getting early for. They had $3 sky and anything , along with 22 oz pints that are on tap. The appetizers really are appetizers. For example two mini burgers and fries for two bucks. The patio isnt that big, but at least they have one. When we were there, one of the umbrellas on the table came right out and barely missed all of our heads. So be careful of flying umbrellas. The people that seemed to be there were mostly in business attire and in their early thirties. One thing I will say is that I was expecting a little more after all of the radio advertising I hear from them. Overall, I give it a 6 out of 10 on the Streeter Meter.

The Herkimer of Lynn Lake Bars in uptown

Went to Herkimer last night with a few friends for their happy hour. Sunday is the first day of a long week of great happy hours at Herkimer. I have been to this place a few times and really like the atmosphere. The people are always really cool and easy to mingle with. On the northside of the buidling there is a great outside seating arrangement with lights and a great bean toss set up. Inside has a shuffle board and leagues to go with that, if your all pro. Since I happen to suck at shuffle board, I come for the great local brews and cheap apps. The bar is usually a good alternative to the crazy uptown bars by Calhoun Square. Plus they have the award winning $10 deal after 10 pm set up. Which is the best sweet potato and mini burger combo with a great local brew. Anyone that loves Williams, would love Herkimer ( because its better). Rating on the Streeter meter is going to be 8 out of 10!

Cooper Irish Pub

Last night I went with a buddy to Cooper Irish Pub. If you havent heard of this pub, it is located in West end and one of many irish pubs owned by the same company ( Kierans, local and the Liftey). West end is in St.Louis park in a new development area right off of 100 and 394 (about 10 minute drive from uptown). Cooper is a laid back pub with alot of class. The picture below is of the ceiling and the scene is mostly sit down tables inside and outside. The pub food is great, and the low lights give a relax atmosphere. If you like Jameson, you will love this place. The happy hour specials arent that great, but the appetizers are amazing. The people that go to this place are top notch, and its great for a place to catch up with old friends ( not a place to meet people). Overall, I would say this is one of the best Irish pubs in the twin cities and should receive a 7 out of 10. The beauty of this place is incredible and it is completly original, designed in Ireland.

Preston's Urban Pub of east Minneapolis

Last night I went with a few friends to the seven corner bar area, next to dinky town Minneapolis. We went to Preston's pub for the infamous fish bowl drinks. I thought the Long beach flavor was the best, but all of them were strong. If you get there before Midnight they are only 15 bucks, and can do major damage. The outside area is nice, and though their wasnt alot of people inside, the dance floor was bumping (with the 4 drunk asses making a fool of themself). The atmosphere was fun and laid back, but the crowd wasnt the cream of the crop. Either way, I would give this place a 5 out of 10. Worth going to for the fish bowls!

Lucky 13's pub off of 494 in Bloomington

Went to Lucky's last night for a drink after work, great Atmosphere. They have a open area with the bar in the middle. Low lighting, and free popcorn. Tuesday nights are 2.50 Coronas with many other great specials. The best part about this pub, is its variety is Burgers and sandwiches. For a night out, I would give it a 4 out of 10. But for a pint and food after work, I would give it a 7!