Best Rainy Day Bars In Minnesota
April showers bring May flowers, and those showers often mean more happy hours. You're stuck inside anyway, right? No need to stay dry on a wet day. These are the bars that let you leave the dreary gray skies and cold rainfall behind. Hop over a few puddles and belly up.
The Spot
859 Randolph Ave.
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 224-7433
www.facebook.com/TheSpot
Keeping people warm (but not dry) since 1885, The Spot is exactly the kind of place you want for a rainy day. The dive carries the no-frills charm of a well formed establishment. You can hang out here and forget all about the sheets of rain pouring down outside. This is the place you go where you don't care (or even want to know) what time it is. Enjoy cheap, cold beer, friendly bartenders and the aura of 100 years of serving drinks to weary St. Paul workers who came rain or shine for that pint of Hamm's.
Rival House
411 Minnesota St.
St Paul, MN 55101
(651) 255-0645
www.rivalhousestpaul.com
Remember back in elementary school when recess would get rained out, so all the school kids had to stay stuck inside? Now that we're adults, inside can be as much fun as the playground. The variety of games at Rival House, from the new shuffleboard table to skee ball, and a whole room dedicated to table tennis to board games, Jenga and Cards Against Humanity. No sun? No problem. You can play all day long, enjoy a few beers and a pizza, and wonder why you ever cared about getting stuck inside.
Liquor Lyle's
2021 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 870-8183
facebook.com/liquorlyles
Drink specials. If you're stuck inside all day hiding out from the rain, you don't want to run up an insanely high bar tab. At Lyle's the "World Famous" happy hour will keep you smiling at keep your bill to a minimum. How, you ask? Two for 1s on any cocktail (yes, any cocktail) is a good start, and it's only 50 cents to upgrade to top shelf if you're feeling fancy. The food is reasonably priced as well, featuring daily specials. Find yourself a nice spot at the bar, or hide out at a booth in the back, and let the sun shine through tall glasses of beer as they keep coming and coming… You're stuck inside, may as well enjoy it.
Related: Best Bars For Billiards In Minnesota
Tavern On The Avenue
825 Jefferson Ave.
St Paul, MN 55102
(651) 227-6315
www.tavontheavenue.com
Whether it's the spacious yet homey atmosphere, the multitudes of games (including some of the best pool tables in St. Paul) or the comfort food menu that includes items like bacon-wrapped jalapenos, broasted chicken, burgers and more, Tav on the Ave, as it's lovingly called, will keep you happy and warm on a wet day. There is a covered patio, so you'll be safe from the rain if you need some fresh air. It's something about the community feel that makes this such a great place to hang all day.
Washington Square
4736 Washington Ave.
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
(651) 407-7162
www.washingtonsquareonline.net
Happy hour here will truly leave you happy. Not only are the phenomenal chicken wings three for $1.50, but you can get $4 small plates and drink specials galore. Plus, you can get breakfast every morning (with fantastic Blood Mary's). So, if it's going to rain all day, you can stay here all day. Hang out until the music starts later in the evening. There's a little bit of everything at this popular joint in quaint White Bear Lake, but mostly there is a feeling of family. It's raining on outside, but no one here seems to care. There's no reason to get your shoes wet when you can enjoy great specials, live music, and an always-lively atmosphere.
Adrian Schramm is a resident Saint Paul writer with a passion for all things local. Through his work with Saint Paul Almanac and Minneapolis Examiner at Examiner.com, as well as in the kitchens of bars and restaurants around town, he has discovered what truly makes the Twin Cities tick.
