We are hungry for the holidays. The first weekend of December, my wife and I hit Uptown in Minneapollis, which looked amazing with street lights everywhere! We saw two-hour waits at Red Cow’s Red Nose Room in Uptown, full reservations and a line out the door at Nico’s Tacos up the street, and a total sellout at the Grinch’s Lair at Hotel Emery.
So what’s the inside trick to get in to these places? And how many local bars and restaurants are scrambling to buy cute glassware and Christmas lights right now? Hopefully all of them!
Red Cow’s Red Nose Room
Reservations: No, walk-in only, Tuesday-Sunday
Best time to try: Lunch, mid-day, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Sundays. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are the busiest
Jason’s pro tip: The cocktails are served in awesome themed glassware, and don’t think based on the descriptions that they’re sugar-bombs. Beverage director Ian Lowther knows balance, and we loved the Gingerbread White Russian (vodka, Du Nord Freida coffee liqueur, and gingerbread cream) and the Abominable Snowman, with whiskey that’s been cinnamon-infused for eight months! Smooth. Red Cow Uptown is sort of my IYKYK spot – always steady but never super-busy. It’s AWESOME to see it bumpin’! So be prepared to wait.
Nico’s Tacos (Uptown Minneapolis)
Reservations: Yes (tock) and they’re widely available for lunch and dinner.
Best time to try: The prime time is booked (5-7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays) but otherwise you are good to go. Nico’s is open daily.
Jason’s pro tip: Nico’s has some of my favorite Mexican food in town with spectacular salsas, nixtamal tortillas made in house, and just good vibes all around. Because the Uptown location is a former house, it feels like a crazy Christmas house with a lights explosion. When we were there, they weren’t playing Christmas music, which, frankly, I appreciated. The cocktail list includes some of their standard, excellent margaritas with holiday-themed names as well as some special wintery drinks.
Hell-a-Dazzle at Hell’s Kitchen
Reservations: Not required, but recommended
Best time to try: Wide availability, although some Sunday brunch times are filling up.
Jason’s pro tip: The basement vibes of Hell’s Kitchen along with the lovely holiday decor is a clear winner for a family holiday trip. You’ll get a free photo booth token with ANY purchase through the entirety of “Hell-a-Dazzle”
Hell's Kitchen Instagram
Grinch’s Lair at Hotel Emery
Reservations: Reservations are completely sold out other than Jan. 7 (Tock), but they do take walk-ins.
Best time to come: It’s open 4 p.m.-midnight Thursdays and Fridays; 2 p.m.-midnight Saturdays and 2-10 p.m. Sundays. My tip: show up right at opening or later in the evening. Why not try 10:30p on a Thursday/Friday or Saturday!
Jason’s pro tip: Bring a new unwrapped toy to donate to Twin Cities Toy Drive! I recommend having dinner upstairs at Giulia (it’s great!) before popping down to try the Cindy Lou Who, a pear and pomegranate cosmopolitan or the 7000’ Up: Boulevardier served in an ornament poured on dry ice!
Miracle on Pinz Street, Oakdale
Reservations: Ticket required at many times but walk-ins are availabe noon -3 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays and 11 a.m.-noon Sundays
Best time to come: Widely open ticketed reservations
Jason’s pro tip: Miracle is a Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bar that serves holiday cocktails in a festive setting. With kitschy holiday décor, and cocktails like a Snowball Old Fashioned, your $20 ticket includes a souvenir glass and a two-hour reservation time slot.
Tinseltown at O’Donovan’s Minneapolis
Reservations: Ticket required ($10/$15) includes one drink
Best time to come: Wednesdays and Sundays have openings, many of the Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays time slots are sold out
Jason’s pro tip: This is a nationally touring event, split across two rooms. It’s also 21+.
Holiday Basement at Travail Kitchen
Reservations: Ticket required (starts at $69 with NYE at $99, required beverage pairing adds $55 per person, plus you’ll prepay a 21% fee and tax)
Best time to come: Mostly sold out, spots for two on Dec. 6, 10, 13, 14, 28, 29, 30 at 8 p.m.
Jason’s pro tip: Travail knows how to bring the fun with cool cocktails and a multi-course tasting menu showcasing Pan-Asian and Polynesian-inspired cuisine.
Lola’s Jingle Bar in Waconia
Reservations: None taken – it’s walk-in only, daily starting at 4pm
Best time to come: Thursday/Friday/Saturday it’s jammed! Try Sunday-Wednesday 4pm-9pm
Jason’s pro tip: More than just cocktails, Lola’s Lakehouse has a special menu including Mistletoe Munchie Cheese Curds and the ‘Oh What Fun It Is To Eat Mussels’ small plate!
