The Pillbox Tavern is an absolute MUST STOP if you're in downtown St. Paul!!! What a fantastic…read morebar/restaurant that has a little something for everyone. If Jenn and Chad are bartending, you're In for a treat. Fantastic customer service, bartenders that smile and seem to enjoy their craft as they work. I was in St. Paul for 5 days and spent 3 of my dinners there. N/A beer selection was a nice plus. They carry an impressive line of Tap beers from all over the country and their kitchen backs its reputation with great quality food! (Full bar, plenty of liquor and a great wine selection also) There's plenty of outdoor seating available also along the street, which is an open-air compliment to the restaurant. TV's cover every spot you could ask for, with a MONSTER main screen on the bar wall.... Not sure its size, but it would be calculated in feet, not inches! There is not a plethora of options in St. Paul for restaurants, especially in the downtown area. The Pillbox is walking distance to the Grand Casio Arena which is fantastic and most downtown hotels are only a 5-7 minute walk away. I spent 19 years in the restaurant business. From doorman, to buss boy, server, to bar tender, bar manager to general manager, I've managed restaurants similar to the Pillbox Tavern. I openly and publicly give them a huge shout out for their customer service, food quality and atmosphere....and additional kiddos for the upbeat environment their staff portrays. If Jen and Chad ever move to Chicago, they could write their own tickets In restaurant management or ownership. If you're looking for a place because your visiting, this is YOUR ONE STOP SHOP! If you are local and haven't tried it yet, you need to establish a new watering hole! If you're lucky enough to meet regulars like Tony and his wife at the bar, you Might just be rubbing elbows with some of the nicest people in St. Paul! Cheers to enjoying a smile on the rocks with new friends at The Pillbox Tavern. -Brad

Great spot for a lovely dinner in downtown St Paul. My friend and I sat at a high top table on the…read moreedge of the inside portion of the restaurant. It was a drizzly evening so we opted for inside but with garage doors were all open. Our waitress was great. She was helpful and nice. The food/drinks were quickly served to us. I ordered the margarita (comes with a buzz button) and the Big Bang Shrimp Tacos (gf). Everything was absolutely delicious! The tacos are served on corn tortillas (3). The sauce on the tacos is to die for. Marg was great and came with a buzz button which I've had before elsewhere but that was a fun addition to my cocktail. It kind of tingles the inside of your mouth when you chew on it. It lingers for a couple of minutes (the tingle sensation). I'm looking forward to coming back cause their menu looks ahhmazing. Cheers!

This place is 3 stars. The bartender was lovely. The beers were cheap and tasty, I had the organic…read moreBlack IPA and the Cherry Chouffe which comes in a 8 oz pour because it has a high ABV. Both were delicious. I like dark beers and these two didn't make me feel fatigue or heavy / bloated. The vibe is a little grunge, a little beer hally, and a little rock all combined into one. They have a ton of live music throughout the month although my trip, which was 530pm on a Tuesday didn't include any. They have a garden / smoking section out back with 3-4 picnic benches that felt really huge. I could definitely come back and would even consider a show here. Reason why I knock it down from 3 stars to 2 is because when we walked in, one of the managers gave us such a dirty look. And when we said hi, he gave a half hearted smile and turned back to doing his audits. Sure, everyone has a bad day. And perhaps he was reacting to something different. Nevertheless, I was ready to get my drink and be out. Was hungry and wanted food but decided rather spend my money elsewhere.

Great bar and intimate concert venue to visit for local talent! Drinks are cheap and the venue has…read moreboth standing and sitting room. Bar and concert hall are somewhat divided, and there is a cover for concerts (usually $10-$15). Service with the bartenders was great, I'd definitely visit again to see some local talent or go for happy hour!

The only breakfast option is the buffet for $25 and the options available were a grand total of 4…read morehot items. Less than you get for free at Holiday Inn. Cold eggs, dry muffins, under ripe melon. Service was good, not their fault the buffet was so lame.

We decided to stop in for dinner before a concert at Grand Casino Arena. It was within walking…read moredistance and had reservations open so it ticked all the right boxes. The food itself was pretty good considering it is a hotel restaurant. Our server was very friendly. Our drinks were a little slow coming out and one of my friend's glass was cracked which thankfully we noticed before she drank from it. The crispy Brussels sprouts elote was my favorite dish! The serving sizes were large enough for us to share but I wish that my Porchetta sandwich had some sort of sauce on it to help liven it up. The place was modern and cool but you do need to ask for a keycard to use the bathroom (located outside of the restaurant in the hotel lobby area). I'd probably try it again if I was looking for a place before a downtown event.

St. Paul, wild games, grape apes and right next to everything !…read more Zamboni is a classic spot , usually the last stop for a shot or a quick drink right before you enter the game or a concert or anything at the X!!!! Their food is good. Their apps come out fast. I tried the wings and enjoyed them with a lonely blonde !! They have a great selection of beers on tap and all of your classics! This please had fast service! If you see an open table with drinks, take it they'll clean it up quickly and I'll get you some drinks! It's a quick in and quick out kind of place!

My friend and I were trying to find a bar to stop in and watch the Vikings game and stumbled upon…read moreZamboni's because the other places around it were full. At first, it looked like small from the entrance but it expands all the way to the right and even have more space going down another floor. The food was delicious and we got a great spot to watch the game. Food came out fast and the waiters were pretty attentive as we were in the middle of the room we were in. I would definitely go again to watch a sports game here because everyone there is friendly and welcoming!

A very versatile bar! An intimate setting, more so when a…read moreband is on stage. Would definitely play here again!

The White Squirrel Bar was just okay to me. There was live music going on, which was a nice touch…read moreand probably the highlight of the visit. The inside of the bar is pretty small and felt a bit cramped, especially with how busy it was on a Sunday. They do have a back patio that is fairly large, which I appreciated, but during the day it did not feel very inviting. Without lighting or much going on, it came off a bit plain. As for drinks, I tried a non alcoholic half and half with lemonade and iced tea, which I actually really liked. I also had a mojito style cocktail that was not my favorite and tasted a bit too strong for me. The overall vibe just was not really my thing, but I could see it being more fun at night or with a bigger group.

Camp Bar: Where cabaret meets community, and every night feels like a little celebration…read more Camp Bar isn't just a place--it's a mood. Tucked into the heart of downtown St. Paul, this spot is equal parts cozy neighborhood hangout and glitter-dusted cabaret lounge. Whether you're here for a comedy show at Laugh Camp, a cocktail with friends, or just vibing solo at the bar, Camp makes you feel like you've arrived somewhere special. The energy? Warm, welcoming, and just the right amount of theatrical. The bartenders serve up strong drinks and stronger banter, and the crowd is a beautiful mix of queer locals, theater kids, trivia nerds, and folks who just wandered in and never wanted to leave. The cabaret space hosts everything from DJ Didi's dance party to stand-up comedy to open mic nights that feel like group therapy with a spotlight. And when the show's over, the party doesn't stop--there's a jukebox, a pool table, and an open garage door to the sidewalk perfect for people-watching and deep conversations. It's the kind of place where you can wear sequins or sweatpants and still get a compliment. Where birthdays are toasted with shots and strangers become fast friends. Where the vibe is always "come as you are," and somehow, you leave feeling a little more fabulous than when you walked in. Camp truly is a family for so many downtown peeps !

Used to go dancing here back in the day when it was Rumors. Then I moved to the West Coast. It was…read morethen Tricks and now Camp. Nice enough now, kind of a Cheers for a mixed queer/straight crowd , but not as it was. Still, friendly bartenders and patrons. Glad I popped in!

I went to this place cause I was invited for a friend's birthday party. Never been, my first time…read morethere. I think most people there might have been regulars, or it at least seemed that way. First time I ordered drinks, it was kind of a wait even though it wasn't very packed, the staff was in no hurry though. Second time, my friend tried to go to the bar to order a drink and she gave up after a while of not being served. I decided to give it a shot. I go to the bar and probably was there for 20 minutes watching everyone get served around me. They didn't even look my way. Music was good and so was the chicken my friend ordered, but this was by far the worst service I've ever had in my life. I left shortly after and I guess I fight broke out. I won't be going back.

I had the most aggressive pat down of my life upon entering. The drinks were pretty good. A little…read moreover priced but that seems to be everywhere these days. The bartender was attentive and friendly. The food was honestly a joke 0/10 do not recommend. They have no kidding 5 things on the menu. The chicken nachos were not even edible. The chicken was dry, flavorless and the chips were super stale. They have a small bathroom but yet they can fit a bathroom attendant in it. THE DJ PLAYED ALL THE HOTTEST MUSIC SO THAT WAS A PLUS. Overall it's a decent outing.

A true dive bar. We didn't eat but the food looked good. Drinks super cheap. Staff is amazingly…read morefriendly and fun. NB: this is absolutely a cop bar, something we didn't know. Take that info as you wish

The place has a bad smell whe you walk in. Was there for BBQ before they switched the menu…read more The new menu is too expensive for the food being served a d quality. Especially the Chicago Dog. Bartenders aren't very friendly either. Not trying to make a new friend but don't be so pompous.

We went to this restaurant before going to a show at the Park theater. I appreciated the discount…read morewhich was offered to ticket holders. I think our server may have been new? I ordered a drink and never received it. However, it could have been a misunderstanding as I also ordered a pop. I ordered the walleye sandwich and my cousin got the steak sandwich. She reported that it was delicious! My sandwich was good but the tartar sauce had jalapeños mixed in it so I got it on the side. However, I was charged extra for having it on the side?! The fries that came with the sandwich were OUTSTANDING! 10/10! Overall, I would definitely recommend!

Honestly if I could have given a negative star review I would have…read more We met up with friends, didn't see a server for a solid 15 minutes. Mind you there were only maybe 25 guests in the whole place. From what we could tell most of the staff was either outside or nowhere to be seen, including the bartender. After waiting that 15 minutes we were able to place our food and drink orders (2 beers and 3 lemonades). Food came out relatively quick, quality was average. Didn't give us silverware with our food, and waited a solid 5 minutes. Didn't see any staff. Friend went to go find someone, and instead was yelled at by the bartender. Took 20 minutes for the server to come back and one of my friends was able to order their second drink. After 30 minutes and still no lemonades, my friend had to complain to the bartender. The bartender then replied very rudely with, "oh, well I'll tell your sever". No apology or attempt to remedy the situation themselves. Mind you we could see the half full pitcher of lemonade the whole time (being completely ignored). Finally lemonades were brought out - just in time for us to be done with our meals. Lemonades were comped - thankfully otherwise I would have spoken to the manager. All in all the entire staff was very rude. With one exception, one of the kitchen staff was actually expo-ing food more than the servers. And he was the only one to ask us how are food was.

I unfortunately have to give Parlour a 3.5 based on this last visit, but typically I truly would…read moregive them closer to a 4. I love the vibe, cocktails, service, and food here, but my recent visit the food was unfortunately a little too salty for my taste. We started with the fried pickles and aioli which were extremely salty - so much so that it was hard to keep eating them. This was a bummer though because the batter and the flavor of the pickles themselves was perfectly crispy. The burger and crispy chicken sandwhich were good! The sandwhich was a little dry but flavor on both were still good! Truly still a solid place for a burger and a bite but I was disappointed by the saltyness of everything. Drinks and mocktails were delicious!

It delivered! The food was delicious and the staff was…read morefriendly. The food was classic American, but elevated throughout. We left happy! Burger, chicken sandwich and Brussel Sprouts all yummy!