Jason DeRusha
I love cocktails and I’ve never seen so many stellar spots in so many different corners of Minnesota. Here’s my current list: My top three are pure cocktail plays, minimal food really other than snacky stuff, and I couldn’t help but put three Stillwater restaurants owned by the same team in the No. 6 slot. What’s your favorite? Where are you most looking forward to visit? Drop your knowledge in the comments!
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Meteor Bar, Minneapolis
A semifinalist for best bar program in the nation, with amazing cocktails in a dive-bar setting. It’s affordable, too! -
Jade Fountain, Duluth
I love this stunningly beautiful and balanced cocktail in West Duluth. Quality competes with anywhere I’ve been in the upper Midwest. -
Anoka Hardware Store, Anoka
Nationally known for bourbon selection, this speakeasy gives you a password when you reserve, it’s so good and so fun. On Wednesdays, there’s a $6 Old Fashioned. -
Emerald Lounge, St. Paul
Find some of the best martinis in town here, and the vibes are just right in this West Seventh Street spot. -
Public Domain, Minneapolis
There’s no printed menu at Public Domain, I love the fact that you get to have a conversation with a server or bartender about flavor profile, and then they create the drink. -
Stillwater Proper, LoLo American, Lolito, Stillwater
These are the most underrated cocktails in the state. Creative, hits all flavor profiles, and has enough booze to taste like a cocktail.
Honorable mentions
Bitter & Pour, Rochester (perfect speakeasy vibe); Parlour Bar, Minneapolis (still doing excellent work); Hai Hai, Minneapolis (rum); Butcher’s Tale, Minneapolis (bourbon); Estelle, St. Paul (creative); Maison Margaux, Minneapolis (sexy vibes); Bar + Cart, St. Paul (late night); Mr. Paul’s Supper Club, Edina (party); Flora Room, Minneapolis (speakeasy below Porzana)
Distilleries
Earl Giles, Minneapolis; Vikre, Duluth; Tattersall, River Falls, Wisconsin; Skaalvenn, Brooklyn Park; J. Carver, Waconia.
