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A selection of popcorn chicken, fried green beans, noodles, and cocktails on a wooden table. Daniela Shella-Stevens

The Best Speakeasy-Style Bars in the Twin Cities

Look for the red light in the alley at these speakeasies around Minneapolis and St. Paul

by Justine Jones and Alex Lodner Updated
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by Justine Jones and Alex Lodner Updated
Daniela Shella-Stevens

During the Prohibition era, when selling alcoholic beverages was illegal throughout the United States, speakeasies quenched the public’s thirst for a smooth cocktail in dark, smoke-filled basements. Prohibition ended in 1933, but almost a century later, speakeasies — now operating under lower stakes — have been steadily gaining steam in bar scenes across the country. Slink down narrow alleys and slip through unmarked doors to find a not-so-secret world in these eight hidden bars around the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area, listed geographically (not ranked) as always.

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Volstead's Emporium

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Tread down the alley and keep an eye out for the red light above a door. Not only does Volstead’s pour some excellent drinks, but it has an extensive food menu — expect burgers, rich desserts, and classic cocktails. Come for live jazz music on the weekend.

711 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408

L2 @ Tii Cup

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Wander up to the second story of the former Saint Sabrina’s space on Hennepin Avenue and you’ll find L2 @ Tii Cup, a speakeasy-style bar pouring dragonfruit mojitos, bloody mango margaritas, and creamy ube cocktails, finishing them with sweet, chewy boba. Even better, there’s a sunny upstairs patio overlooking Hennepin Avenue and a menu of Taiwanese street food (think popcorn chicken, grilled prawns, noodles bowls, etc.)

2645 Hennepin Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408
612-913-8685
612-913-8685
A Manhattan cocktail served with a small dish of brown sugar boba on a small wooden plate. Daniela Shella-Stevens

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Prohibition Bar

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Prohibition Bar isn’t exactly hidden, but considering it’s tucked away on the 27th floor of the Foshay Tower, it has the hush-hush feel of a classic speakeasy. Try a vintage cocktail like the Wilbur’s Manhattan, finished with bitters and tart amarena cherries. The bar drips with the ornamental charm of the 1920s and 1930s.

821 South Marquette Avenue 27th Floor, Speakeasy in the Sky, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 215-3700
(612) 215-3700

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Billy Sushi ビリー寿司

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Billy After Dark is the clandestine complement to chef Billy Tserentbat’s swanky North Loop sushi restaurant, Billy Sushi. Wander down the alley to the right of the building, and find the back door market with a neon sign. B.A.D. is both sleek and cavernous, the ceiling flecked with L.E.D. stars. Gaze on the collection of fine Japanese whiskies encased in an elegant, back-lit wall display. This spot has been quite popular since its opening, so it’s best to make a reservation in advance.

116 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 886-1783
(612) 886-1783

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Cobble Social House

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Look for the mysterious golden eye painted on the dark brick building next to Monte Carlo’s parking lot. This swanky little bar serves drinks and snacks for those clever enough to get in and snag a seat. Try the Sweet Dreams cocktail, a creamy, chocolately rum and fernet concoction finished with sea salt and an Andes mint.

213 3rd Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 345-5463
(612) 345-5463
A tattooed hand holds a cocktail garnished with a citrus slice stamped with an eye outline
A pour from Cobble Social House.
Cobble Social House

Young Joni’s Back Bar

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This hidden bar behind Young Joni is just as popular as the award-winning restaurant it’s attached to. Sneak down the alley and look for the red neon light, which indicates if the bar is open (a limited number of customers are allowed at a time inside). This intimate room, cloaked in dark florals and velvet, feels like your chic grandma’s basement setup. (That is, if your grandma had a 1970s-era reel-to-reel playing in the background.)

165 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 345-5719
(612) 345-5719
Dark floral wallpaper covered with small wooden-frames, old tables, and even older loveseats.
The back bar at Young Joni.
Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

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The Hardware Store Speakeasy

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During Prohibition, the success of speakeasies was due in part to their creative disguises as everyday businesses. The Hardware Store revives that clandestine tradition in Anoka. Come for live jazz, blues, and guitar music and cocktails with modern twists. Note the specials: Old Fashioneds are $6 on Wednesdays, and Thursdays feature Old Fashioned flights.

201 Jackson St Suite 101, Anoka, MN 55303
(763) 316-6118
(763) 316-6118

The Velveteen Speakeasy

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Descend a tight staircase in a nondescript building in Stillwater, and you’ll enter a dusky room filled with stylish seating and romantic corners. Sneak onto the secret garden patio and enjoy a Prohibition-style classic cocktail, like a Hemingway daiquiri with tart ruby red grapefruit.

123 2nd St N, Stillwater, MN 55082
(651) 342-2571
(651) 342-2571

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Volstead's Emporium

711 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Tread down the alley and keep an eye out for the red light above a door. Not only does Volstead’s pour some excellent drinks, but it has an extensive food menu — expect burgers, rich desserts, and classic cocktails. Come for live jazz music on the weekend.

711 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408

L2 @ Tii Cup

2645 Hennepin Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408

Wander up to the second story of the former Saint Sabrina’s space on Hennepin Avenue and you’ll find L2 @ Tii Cup, a speakeasy-style bar pouring dragonfruit mojitos, bloody mango margaritas, and creamy ube cocktails, finishing them with sweet, chewy boba. Even better, there’s a sunny upstairs patio overlooking Hennepin Avenue and a menu of Taiwanese street food (think popcorn chicken, grilled prawns, noodles bowls, etc.)

2645 Hennepin Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408
612-913-8685
612-913-8685
A Manhattan cocktail served with a small dish of brown sugar boba on a small wooden plate. Daniela Shella-Stevens

Prohibition Bar

821 South Marquette Avenue 27th Floor, Speakeasy in the Sky, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Prohibition Bar isn’t exactly hidden, but considering it’s tucked away on the 27th floor of the Foshay Tower, it has the hush-hush feel of a classic speakeasy. Try a vintage cocktail like the Wilbur’s Manhattan, finished with bitters and tart amarena cherries. The bar drips with the ornamental charm of the 1920s and 1930s.

821 South Marquette Avenue 27th Floor, Speakeasy in the Sky, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 215-3700
(612) 215-3700

Billy Sushi ビリー寿司

116 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Billy After Dark is the clandestine complement to chef Billy Tserentbat’s swanky North Loop sushi restaurant, Billy Sushi. Wander down the alley to the right of the building, and find the back door market with a neon sign. B.A.D. is both sleek and cavernous, the ceiling flecked with L.E.D. stars. Gaze on the collection of fine Japanese whiskies encased in an elegant, back-lit wall display. This spot has been quite popular since its opening, so it’s best to make a reservation in advance.

116 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 886-1783
(612) 886-1783

Cobble Social House

213 3rd Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Look for the mysterious golden eye painted on the dark brick building next to Monte Carlo’s parking lot. This swanky little bar serves drinks and snacks for those clever enough to get in and snag a seat. Try the Sweet Dreams cocktail, a creamy, chocolately rum and fernet concoction finished with sea salt and an Andes mint.

213 3rd Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 345-5463
(612) 345-5463
A tattooed hand holds a cocktail garnished with a citrus slice stamped with an eye outline
A pour from Cobble Social House.
Cobble Social House

Young Joni’s Back Bar

165 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

This hidden bar behind Young Joni is just as popular as the award-winning restaurant it’s attached to. Sneak down the alley and look for the red neon light, which indicates if the bar is open (a limited number of customers are allowed at a time inside). This intimate room, cloaked in dark florals and velvet, feels like your chic grandma’s basement setup. (That is, if your grandma had a 1970s-era reel-to-reel playing in the background.)

165 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 345-5719
(612) 345-5719
Dark floral wallpaper covered with small wooden-frames, old tables, and even older loveseats.
The back bar at Young Joni.
Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

The Hardware Store Speakeasy

201 Jackson St Suite 101, Anoka, MN 55303

During Prohibition, the success of speakeasies was due in part to their creative disguises as everyday businesses. The Hardware Store revives that clandestine tradition in Anoka. Come for live jazz, blues, and guitar music and cocktails with modern twists. Note the specials: Old Fashioneds are $6 on Wednesdays, and Thursdays feature Old Fashioned flights.

201 Jackson St Suite 101, Anoka, MN 55303
(763) 316-6118
(763) 316-6118

The Velveteen Speakeasy

123 2nd St N, Stillwater, MN 55082

Descend a tight staircase in a nondescript building in Stillwater, and you’ll enter a dusky room filled with stylish seating and romantic corners. Sneak onto the secret garden patio and enjoy a Prohibition-style classic cocktail, like a Hemingway daiquiri with tart ruby red grapefruit.

123 2nd St N, Stillwater, MN 55082
(651) 342-2571
(651) 342-2571

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