Best bars in MSP? Liquor stores?

[Ted Wright]

Thanks

[frittering_away]

Best bars for what?

For vodka I go to Moscow on the Hill in St Paul, which also has tasty Russian food.

We tend to end up at the Bulldog NE for Burgers and Belgian beer because, we like the beer and we frequently slide into Surdyks (half a block away) while we are there.

For liquor stores we typically start at South Lyndale liquor or Surdyks and then branch out to Haskells on 394, France 44 or The Cellars.

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Surdyks Liquor and Bistro 2go
303 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55414

Bulldog NE
401 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55414

surdyks
minneapolis

bulldog
minneapolis

South Lyndale Liquors
5300 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN

[MplsM ary]

Perhaps they've improved since I moved out of the neighborhood five years ago but South Lyndale Liquors is pretty iffy when it comes to wine. And their prices for everything are at least a buck more than Richfield Municipal Liquor stores. I really like the proprietor Joe, but walking distance was the only reason I bought anything at So Lyn.

[frittering_away]

We typically only buy wine and liquor from any stores in the area during the sales or from their wine clubs. SLL is so convenient to Kowalski's which if you get the 10% discount on your checkout slip, coupled with the gas and time savings seems far more sensible for us than Richfield. They've also increased their spirits selection.

It's also hard to resist the St. Bernard.

[getgot211]

for liquor, I usually go to Surdyks.

for wine, The Cellars, Solo Vino, Thomas Liquors, and Haskells are all good. Surdyks isn't too bad.

for beer, Heritage Liquor, Blue Max and sometimes Surdyks.

bars can be pretty varied, kinda depends what you are looking for in a bar.

[jsyx]

Let me start by saying this thread could become a formidable can of worms

I agree with most on the bar thing... Bars are good (and bad) for so many different reasons.

Major Variables could include: neighborhood, cost, size of party, weather/season, type of event(i.e. - friends, date, work), taste, atmosphere... ad nauseam.

My personal top picks:

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Grumpy's Bar & Grill
1111 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55415

Surdyks Liquor and Bistro 2go
303 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55414

Eli's Bar & Grill
1225 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403

France 44 Wines & Spirits
4351 France Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410

Zipp's Liquor Store
2618 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN

Bryant Lake Bowl
810 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN

Grumpy's Bar
2200 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN

331 Club
331 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Cuzzy's Grill & Bar
507 Washington Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Hennepin Lake Liquor Store
1200 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN

[tipitina]

For cocktails, I love the Monte Carlo. I am always on the lookout for good cocktail bars myself. Other ones with good drink menus are Cafe Maude on 54 and Penn and La Belle Vie (same bar chef - less expensive at Cafe Maude. I also just had a good Sidecar at the Red Stag.

I too am a fan of Surdyk's and have also had thoughtful help at France 44.

[keg]

Blue Max. Beer and Single Malt.
Four Firkins. Beer.
Wine Thief. Wine.

[meljohns]

The best wine shop is Hennepin Lake Liquors. It's a tight fit and they don't take plastic but for an amazing selection and price, it can't be beat. Plus they have a very helpful staff.
South Lyndale Liquors is only worth going to if you live close by. It's truly limited in imagination.

[pillzsix]

I'm sorry but Hennepin Lake has one of the worst quality wine selections in the city. Instead of having someone help me while I am there, I get a bunch of hipster dorks sitting on beer boxes and staring at me like I am a thief. South Lyndale on the other hand has a friendly staff that know their stuff. Not to mention one of the best wine shops in the city. Also, the liquor selection is better than I've seen anywhere and they have really expanded the beer isle in the last few months. I highly recommend shopping there. I also like Surdyk's downtown.

[jsyx]

pillzsix-

nice name, but i couldn't disagree more...

I walked into Henn-Lake two days ago looking for a Viognier to pair with some crab legs, and within a minute (or less) i was greeted by a competent and friendly employee, who promptly showed me to the Viognier, the Pinot Blanc and something else that I didn't even know about... Despite their despotic laws against credit card use, I'd say they are one of the better places to buy wine on the south side... hipsters or not.

As far as South Lyndale goes, I think it certainly has it's merits. It is family owned and carries a great selection of spirits and warm beers. But I don't think you could possibly compare South Lyndale's wine selection to Henn-Lake's?

Even with that said, I would rather go to France 44 if i'm already that far south... They definitely trump the selection and service of both aforementioned establishments...

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France 44 Wines & Spirits
4351 France Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410

[Danny]

If you're looking to get your drunk on in a fun environment, there's nothing quite like Nyes. Especially when the piano bar and polka lounge are rockin. Avoid the food, however. Esquire Magazine named Nye's the Best Bar in America, and for good reason.

[Davydd]

Nye's is an experience everyone should try once whether it is your thing or not. It is a truly unique place.

[wineglas]

For wine Hennepin Lake and talk to Taylor Stein. H.L. has been mentioned a few times and has the best prices by far unless someone is having a sale.

Taylor is one of the best at recommending wines. Surdyks when having a sale will be a good fit with service and pricing.

[jsyx]

Watch out for Hennepin Lake though..
They are CASH ONLY.. no credit cards!!

[golferjl]

It's probably too late but here goes.
Liquor Stores- Minneapolis
France 44 (huge selection, very knowledgeable staff)
Zipp's (fair selection, low prices)
Apple Valley (Their new store will have a huge selection)
St. Paul
Thomas Liquor(huge selection, very knowledgeable staff, family owned)
Chet's (nice selection, huge beer cooler, family owned)
Morelli's (nice selection, lowest prices on spirits,wines and beer, plus an Italian food market,family owned business over 100 years) Note:they do not take credit cards.
advertises in both papers