Barrio
925 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.; 612-333-9953
Did somebody say "tequila"? The brains behind Barrio sure as heck did, 145 times. Yup, 145 tequila selections line the wall at this tiny bar, which is stumbling distance from other hot destinations on Nicollet Mall. Not only will the drinks warm you, but so will the company of the 20- and 30-somethings who are packed into this two-level slip of a space. Must try: The tequila-accompanying comadre drinks and made-to-order guac. Spicy.
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Barrio St. Paul
235 E 6th St., St. Paul; 651-222-3250
Like its Minneapolis sister bar, Barrio St. Paul is all about tequila. With 154 choices available, there is no doubt Barrio is the reigning champion of the tequila scene in the Twin Cities. With a late-night happy hour six days a week and a kitchen that operates from lunch until midnight, Barrio is a great choice any time of the night. Different cocktails go on special each night of the work-week for happy hour, along with daily specials on tap beers and rail drinks. Caliente.
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Beaujo's Wine Bar
4950 France Ave. S., Mpls.; 952-922-8974
Beaujo’s is casual, fun, and slightly hip. There tend to be a lot of ladies, which could bode well for smart men who like wine. It’s small, but not cramped, and the food is as good as the service is friendly. Beaujo’s offers half-glass pours, so you can try several wines. The menu is restaurant-style, meaning short in small plates and items built for sharing. The wine list is basic with a few gems so ask for a recommendation. This is one of the most expensive wine bars in town, but consider the neighborhood.
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Bev's Wine Bar
250 3rd Ave. N., Mpls.; 612-337-0102
Tucked away in the Warehouse District, this spot is classier than many of its neighbors and carries a wide array of bottles for the choosey wine lover. Food here isn’t the main draw—the menu is small, but works well with the wine selection and includes cheese plates and other wine-friendly appetizers. Sit outside on the patio and enjoy the weather while you can, but beware the often heavy and loud local traffic.
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Biff's Billiards Sports Bar & Grill
7777 NE Highway 65, Fridley; 763-784-9446
At the northern edge of the second-ring suburbs, two bright-red billiard sticks shoot like alien antennae toward the heavens. Welcome to Biff’s, a large, well-built pool hall-cum-sports bar popular for its darts and billiards leagues. The regular denizens tend toward well-made-up college-age gals and somewhat older guys with curious patches of facial hair. If you find yourself there on a Tuesday, a tiny crew of karaoke aficionados will high five you even after you defile Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way.”
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Billy's on Grand
857 Grand Ave., St. Paul; 651-292-9140
Billy’s is a family-friendly restaurant for burger and rib lovers during the day, but as the night wears on and the kids go nighty-night, it turns into a friendly neighborhood sports bar—the sort of place where Vikings and Packers fans alike can share their joys and drown their sorrows. Inside, there are three separate bars with thirty-five televisions, six plasma screens, and two large screens, so the onscreen action is never very far away. The clientele is more eclectic and boisterous during the summertime, when the Billy’s patio scene kicks into high gear. Weekend evenings are especially crowded, but if you like beer, cheap eats, lots of bustle, and no frills, head to Billy’s.
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Black Forest Inn
1 E. 26th St., Mpls.; 612-872-0812
An Eat Street institution since 1965, everyone seems to have a story that begins with: “One time at the Black Forest Inn . . .” The restaurant features variations on the German meat and potatoes theme, and the helpings are generous enough to split three ways. Indoors, the atmosphere is appropriately dark, but the Black Forest really gets going during the summer, when its outdoor beer garden is in full swing. Beers from all over the world are available from the bar, and the occasional live band keeps the conviviality going all through the night.
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Blue Door Pub
1811 Selby Ave., St. Paul; 651-493-1865
Word on the street--this St. Paul pub makes a good juicy lucy, and the Blue Door has become an instant neighborhood classic. The cost of its runaway popularity can result in lots of people waiting in line for not so many seats, but patience is an easier virtue when combined with the bar’s proud Minnesota-flavored tap that stocks local favorites from Surly, Lift Bridge, and Summit.
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Blue Nile
2027 Franklin Ave. E., Mpls.; 612-338-3000
Enhanced with colorful East African décor and friendly service, the Blue Nile remains a hip, multicultural nightlife spot despite its relatively low profile in the Twin Cities. Patrons love the spicy Ethiopian and Mediterranean fare, especially when accompanied by the long list of beers on tap (including Surly, Bells, Sam Adams, and several imports). Located in Minneapolis's Seward neighborhood, the Blue Nile also features a nice outdoor patio and a dimly lit lounge, which houses live international music and dancing most nights of the week.
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Blue Point (Wine Bar)
739 E. Lake St., Wayzata; 952-475-3636
Nestled on Lake Street in Wayzata, this New England-style restaurant features green and white checkered tablecloths and a cozy vibe with lake views and a warming fireplace. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is a snoozy suburban bar, because come happy hour you'll be lucky to find a table. Double pours on wine and rail drinks, tall beers for the price of normal beers, and an excellent bar menu is what sets this suburban outpost apart. The mussels and Blue Point Oysters are a must as well.
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