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The 11 Best Happy Hours in Downtown Minneapolis

  • Updated January 12, 2023

best happy hour downtown minneapolis

It’s been a long work day and you’re ready to head out early.

You need a happy hour!

Thankfully, downtown Minneapolis has tons of fantastic spots for when you need an early start to the evening. In this guide, we’re sharing all those best spots for happy hours near downtown.

Map of the best happy hours in downtown Minneapolis

Best All-Around Happy Hour: The News Room

Hard to go wrong with this Twin Cities icon located right in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. Upscale enough for a business happy hour yet casual enough to enjoy with friends, it’s always an excellent happy hour choice. Their curbside summer patio is one of the more popular spots on Nicollet Mall. Happy hour runs 3:30–6:30 PM, Monday through Friday, with drink and app deals daily.

  • Address: 990 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403
  • Website: The News Room

Come for the Apps, Stay for the Drinks: Red Rabbit

Not every happy hour has to be just about drinks. Sometimes we’re in the mood for a top-notch menu and maybe have a drink alongside. North Loop mainstay Red Rabbit has been a go-to happy hour spot anytime we need comfort food right after work. Happy hour here happens Tuesday through Friday from 2–5 PM with discounts on apps and house wines and taps.

Best Spot before the Big Game: Kieran’s Irish Pub

Located right next to Target Field and Target Center, Kieran’s has long been the spot where the downtown crowd grabs a drink before heading to the game. Enjoy a pint of Guinness and a Reuben sandwich during their generous happy hour starting daily at 4 PM.

P.S. – We also featured Kieran’s in our article about the best Irish bars in the Twin Cities.

When You’re In the Mood for Sake: Moto-I

Whether it’s after work (3 – 6 PM) or late night (10 PM – 2 AM), the ramen and sake bar at Moto-i offers something different than the standard bar fare elsewhere on this list. You’ll need to venture a bit out of downtown, but for one of the best Japanese spots in town, it’s worth it.

  • Address: 2940 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
  • Website: Moto-i

Best Bloody Mary Happy Hour: Hell’s Kitchen

One of our favorite happy hour spots before the pandemic, we couldn’t wait to get back into the underground lair at Hell’s Kitchen. It’s our go-to spot whenever we need a bloody mary and chaser to end a demanding workday. Open Tuesday through Saturday with $5 happy hour drinks from 3–6 PM. The dining rooms are also a great spot to book a private happy hour for an upcoming work event.

For All Day Happy Hour: Fogo de Chao

Sometimes happy hour needs to start before noon. And for that, we’re grateful for Fogo de Chao. While the Hennepin Avenue chain is well-known for its spendy dinners, we favor the All Day Happy Hour at Bar Fogo. It features $4 beers, $6 South American wines, and $8 Brazilian-inspired cocktails for those ‘5 o’clock somewhere’ days.

  • Address:  645 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
  • Website:  Fogo de Chao

For the Hotel Conference Crowd: Constantine

In town for a conference and looking to have happy hour with the locals? Check out the menu at Constantine. Located in the basement of the posh Hotel Ivy and near the Minneapolis Convention Center, it’s a popular spot for conference-goers and the downtown crowd alike. The 1 for $5, 2 for $9, or 3 for $13 menu means you’ll have plenty of options to max out that per diem as well.

  • Address: 1115 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55403
  • Website: Constantine

Best Place to Finish A Little More Work: The Office Pub & Grill

You won’t need to feel bad about telling the boss or your partner you’re ‘still at the office’ if you’ve stopped in for a happy hour at The Office in the North Loop. A well-known sports bar, tables here are surrounded by big screens and equipped with USB ports to finish up those last few emails as you wind down the day. $4 apps and $5 local taps from 3–6 PM and 9–11 PM.

Best Happy Hour Margarita: Barrio

Nothing kicks off Taco Tuesday better than $6 margaritas and $4 tacos. Add in a few small plates and house-made guac, and you’ve basically described everything we need in life. Located on Nicollet Mall, Barrio is one of the most popular spots for after-work drinks downtown. Check out their full summer patio for happy hour from 3–6 PM daily.

  • Address: 925 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402
  • Website: Barrio

To Celebrate A Milestone: Murray’s

We’re not exactly sure if happy hour was a thing in 1946, but if it was, we’re confident Murray’s would’ve been the spot to be. Their $4-6 specials on beer, wine, and cocktails are available open to 6 PM and are the perfect kick-off to a high-end dinner celebrating a big deal or landing that new promotion. Follow up happy hour with the famous Silver Butter Knife Steak. It’s been one of the best steaks in town since 1946.

An Award-Winning Happy Hour: Spoon and Stable

Although you won’t find a long list of discounted drinks and rail calls here, you will arguably find one of the best bar menus in all of Minnesota. Spoon and Stable’s James Beard Award-winning team has created a perfectly curated cocktail, wine, and beer list to pair with their seasonal menu of small plates and seafood bites served only at the bar. So if the epitome of fine dining brings you joy, we promise you’ll find the happiest of happy hours here.

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About the Author
Amy

Amy

A rural-Wisconsin transplant, Amy's called Minneapolis & St. Paul her home since 2005. Since then, she's lived and explored all over the Twin Cities, and she can't wait to share her experiences with you!
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