Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Volstead's Emporium

    4.1 (256 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)

    Volstead's Emporium Photos

    Business Info

    VOLSTEAD'S EMPORIUM ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Intimate
    Classy

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Volstead's Emporium

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos - Volstead's Emporium

    Lemon head cocktail
    Micah L.

    Long time fan of this place, decided to go last weekend. Definitely wanna make reservations when going here, it was packed. Door is kind of hidden in the alley and have to find street parking. Knock on the door and they greet you through a peep hole. If you dont have reservations, could be waiting outside for a bit. Staff always super friendly and helpful with food and drinks. Old school speak easy vibes inside, and they had live music the night I went. Sat in a booth and you press a button for service. Booth is cool but they dont really check on you much so sometimes it felt like a wait for service. Could have been cause they were so busy. Drinks were great and this was my first time trying rhe burger and it was delicious! Will be going back.

    Darlene B.

    So after the Twins game, we wanted to check out at least one speakeasy bar in Minneapolis. A local friend recommended this one. We did have some trouble finding the entrance but thanks to Google and Yelp photos, we were able to decipher where the door is located! You knock on the door once you find it, and I wish they had some secret word or whatever, but they didn't. You just tell them how many people in your party and then you wait. Fortunately they were able to get a table for us (party of 5) even without a reservation. Once we got downstairs, there's a door that lets you into the bar - the ambiance is very much speakeasy - dim lit, kinda rustic, kinda dingey... there was a jazz band playing and we were seated right in front of the stage. We ordered two rounds of drinks to explore their menu and most of us were pretty happy about it. Good enough to reduce the anxiety we had about going back to our haunted air bnb

    Burger, flatbread, and mocktails
    Ciboney R.

    I've never been to a speakeasy before, and this was a great place to introduce me to them! I loved coming here. We had reservations on a Sunday evening. They accept walk ins, but reservations are probably the best idea. I went with a friend that lead the way to the entrance but without them, I would not be able to find this place I fear, though I know it's in the design and history of speakeasies. We got our own little booth that had curtains. To order, we pushed the button and the mirror on the wall opened to the kitchen for a waiter to take your order and bring your food! Super cool. They had a good selection of cocktails, but I'm a mocktail person at heart. We got the Phony Espresso Negroni and Dilly Dally. I'm not a Negroni person so I didn't really enjoy but mine was good! The food can be hit or miss. The Grilled 'Niman Ranch' Cheeseburger was honestly the best burger I've ever had. It had a great combination of different flavors that all meshed together so well. We also got the Grilled Vegetable Flatbread, Crispy Roasted Potatoes, and Handmade Potato & Cheese Pierogis. The flatbread was a bit salty for me, the potatoes didn't really stick out to me, and the pierogis were nice but I wish the dip was a bit more flavorful. We ended with the Creme Brûlée which tasted so good. Overall, I really loved everything we ate! The music was lovely, the place itself also had a nice ambiance. We had the option to tip the artists via Venmo, which is very appreciated. I will definitely come back again!

    Forgot the name of this drink, but it was grape flavored and good
    Rob C.

    The entrance alone gives it at least four stars. I thought i was Frank Sinatra or Al Capone for a second The ambiance blew me away. The food was cool, service was superb. My advice would be to sit in a booth if you can get one. Live music - jazz style. Would recommend.

    Cocktail
    Ben P.

    It took us a while to find the entrance but once we did, it did NOT disappoint. Such a fun experience. Great food, great drinks and a great atmosphere. Would highly recommend

    Old Fashioned, Kyoto Sour, The Lost Empire
    J B.

    Definitely the speakeasy vibes. Reservations suggested. Good old fashioned and Kyoto Sour. Kind of dingy looking but nice for a quick cocktail.

    Herby fully loaded
    Tatyana C.

    I am obsessed with this place! The atmosphere is incredible--so many thoughtful little details make it feel like you're stepping back in time. I've been here twice now, and somehow, I love it even more each time. The drinks are amazing, and the food is just as impressive. I found out today that the chef changes the menu almost daily, which makes every visit feel special. The bar manager served us tonight, and she was fantastic--super knowledgeable and great to chat with! Now, onto the drinks: * My partner got the Hot to Go and said it had a perfect balance of flavors. * I had the Herby Fully Loaded, which was so good. The basil wasn't overpowering, and the shrub wasn't too vinegary. The ice really mellowed everything out beautifully. * My second drink was the Blossom, and it was my favorite--sweet, fresh, and absolutely delicious! For dinner, we had the burgers, potatoes, and pierogies. The pierogies were the standout for me--the dill and cabbage salad made them so fresh and flavorful. Don't expect your typical bar food here; the chef clearly puts so much thought and love into every dish! And of course, we couldn't skip dessert. We got the churro crème brûlée and the devil's chocolate cake--both were phenomenal. Truly, everything here is top-notch. Can't wait to come back!

    Jane B.

    Wow. This speakeasy has all the vibes. Doorway in alley complete with sliding peephole to verify guests. The ambiance was excellent and we were sat next to a hidden room which you gained access through a bookshelf. Most important were the cocktails! We each had two and each one was perfectly balanced and expertly created. My naked and famous was the best version I've had. I had another pear forward drink from the menu and it was delicious. My husband went with dealers choice which was bourbon based. He loved it!

    Gold Digger cocktail
    Jill T.

    A unique dining experience. The food is very good with a cozy atmosphere. We have always had very good service. I'd recommend making reservations though so you're sure to get a spot without waiting too long.

    What a find! A sweet Speakeasy. You must enter from the back parking lot. Drinks were great! Band was awesome

    Lucy L.

    Absolutely loved it. The drinks were nice and the service was good. What a nice vibe and they had a live band. Would 10/10 recommend

    Bitter Butterfly
    Danny A.

    While a password isn't required for entry, Volsteads Emporium may be the best, most true to theme, "speakeasy" in the cities. From the back alley entry that leads you down into a basement of a 100 year old building, to the trap doors and passages taking you to hidden rooms, and the food and drink menu disguised in hard bound books - this place will have you taking a step back in time. The service was outstanding and made the entire experience in my opinion. The bartender took time to answer any questions I had about the cocktail menu and explained where some of his inspirations came from in building the menu. Beyond that, the manager took time to show my buddy and I around, giving us a little tour of the space and all the fun hidden areas. I had two different drinks and loved them both. Then my friend and I shared some mulled wine and that was also fantastic. We didn't eat on this visit but given the amount of passion I got from the bartender and manager I am guessing the food is also very good.

    See all

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tim S.
    389
    1246
    6885

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 3
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J B.
    5
    459
    1453

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jane B.
    1386
    283
    574

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bee H.
    0
    26
    0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jill T.
    3
    50
    144

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Judy A.
    29
    72
    37

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Abby P.
    1189
    747
    566

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mark M.
    803
    87
    25

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lee B.
    0
    12
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Caroline S.
    61
    176
    617

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Volstead's Emporium

    Do you need to be 21+ to get in? We have a 20yo in our group who we would hope could join for mocktails

    Your younger friend is welcome up until 9 pm. NA cocktails and beer are available.

    Since it's a speakeasy, does anyone every dress up for it? (Great for a theme party)

    Hi Jennifer! People very often dress up to visit Volstead’s, and we’ve even had whole groups come in all in period 1920’s attire! Theme parties, murder mysteries, you-name-it, it happens at Volstead’s.… Read more

    Is there an elevator? My aunt uses a cane and the stairs heading downstairs might be tough for her.

    Yes there is. Ask the doorman and he will direct you

    Do they do happy hour? When is it?

    They do not offer happy hour.

    Is this place still open? No telephone number, no website. Want to be sure before I head over. Thanks.

    They are still open! Go to their "very basic" website that Jordan L. provided in his answer above. They have an email address listed that you need to use to make a reservation. It's the only way. Give them as much lead time as you can. They will… Read more

    View All 7 Questions

    Review Highlights - Volstead's Emporium

    and I were really excited to go so we walked down the alley and found the mysterious door with the red light!

    Mentioned in 19 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    La Estancia

    La Estancia

    4.2
    (38 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    Stopped by La Estancia for steak and drinks and I have to say, the staff here are some of the…read morefriendliest people I've ever encountered at a restaurant. Everyone was incredibly welcoming, kind, and attentive. The food was excellent and the steak was absolutely delicious. Honestly, you can go to a high-end restaurant and spend a lot more money and still not get a steak that tastes any better. Great flavor, cooked well, and very satisfying overall. There's also ample parking. Definitely recommend checking this place out.

    Overall great experience. Service was great, parking lot in the front, and they take reservations…read more We came on a Sunday and not too busy. Table for 4 and we ordered the beef empanadas and tomahawk steak with some wine and beer. Empanadas were delicious. Flaky and nice amount of stuffing. Just wish they were bigger! Only one comes in an order. We ordered the tomahawk and were told that it can take up to 45 minutes. It wasn't a problem for us since we were ok with taking our time with the empanadas and conversations. Steak was huge with a large bone. Fragrance of rosemary. Also came with a side of 4 sauces/chimichurri. The steak comes with a choice of two sides. We ordered the sautéed veggies, mashed potatoes, and added garlic mushrooms. Sides were standard, nothing special but serving size was small in comparison to the size of the steak. Overall everything was good! Not mind blowing and our overall tab for the steak, 2 empanadas, 3 glasses of wine and 3 beers was around $230.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    La Estancia
    Outside plenty of parking

    See all

    Outside plenty of parking
    Du Nord Cocktail Room

    Du Nord Cocktail Room

    4.4
    (8 reviews)
    2.7 mi

    I had the best experience here !!…read more Such a great cocktail room with the most delicious food I've had in ages The menu is shared with their new restaurant Laginappe(next door) and is New Orleans Creole style food and let me tell you it was fantastic Having traveled to NOLA in the past I can attest that this is the best style closest to authentic that I know of in the cities - sorry Mr Paul's!! The redfish is sooo delicious and I'm not usually a "greens"fan but those southern greens alongside the fish were a match made in heaven The charbroiled oysters were good- just make sure u squeeze the lemon as it makes them taste better The crispy boudin balls were a hit, that sauce was yum The cast iron jalapeño cornbread was out of this world!!! The apple bread pudding was soo good !! I need that recipe Now the cocktails were all delicious- the Bee Sting, Hurricane, Chicken Hawk were perfection Service was fabulous- and this place is amazing for their price point, I'll definitely be back!! Parking - available in the small lot next to the building *love that this is a community based operation and reopened after the MPLS riots- I hope they stick around for a while!!

    Welcome back Du Nord! I've had many wonderful evenings and wonderful drinks with Du Nord back in…read morethe old cocktail room, so I could not wait to join them in their new space. It's been awesome seeming all the progress pics and leading up to opening day. I absolutely LOVE the new space in the Coliseum. It's comfortable, modern, and memorable. I really enjoyed looking at all the photos they have up. Onto the main event. Whereas I do miss a giant pickle along with my drinks, Du Nord staff has really upped the game on their food offerings! The jalapeño cornbread had the perfect texture and just the right amount of sweetness. My watermelon salad was refreshing and done just right. And the drinks, as always, were divine. Congratulations on your new chapter, Du Nord!

    Photos
    Picture of their bar
    Picture of their bar
    The bar
    The bar
    Dining area

    See all

    Dining area
    Neon Tiger

    Neon Tiger

    4.6
    (8 reviews)
    2.6 mi

    Saw this place pop up on the North Loop Instagram, so wanted to try it out while we were in the…read morearea! They described it as an upscale dive bar which I laughed at for sure, but when I went I would say that exactly how I would describe it. It's dark and moody, but very funky and hip with the neon walls and lights. It's very small, behind the new Public Domain space. Seems like the hostesses direct people waiting on a spot there to Neon Tiger while they wait. We were able to snag one of the last tables after we ordered (there are about 5 tables for 2, and 3 standing bar tables from what I remember). The menu isn't large - it has a couple of beers, some basic cocktails and lists spirits and mixers. The only new and exciting thing on the menu is their slushy cocktails. Good news is that this place isn't very pricey, but the portions aren't huge. My small espresso martini was $12, my boyfriend's beer didn't quite look like a full pint but was only $4. We did laugh that it was called Tiger piss. The espresso martini is good, but beware there's no actual cream liquor in the drink - they seem to squirt some foamy concoction from an unmarked squeeze bottle in a fridge on top, which was interesting. Overall, would come back here if I was bar hopping for cocktails - but wouldn't go out of my way to try it again. Great idea to send people here while waiting for Public Domain!

    Went here for a drink this past weekend, overall good experience! It was not busy at all which was…read morea little weird. I had a rum and coke that was very strong and my friend had an alocholic slushie that was really good. A fun place to go with friends!

    Photos
    Espresso Martini, Tiger Piss Beer
    Espresso Martini, Tiger Piss Beer
    Sweet potato fries
    Sweet potato fries
    Spicy mango slushy and espresso martini

    See all

    Spicy mango slushy and espresso martini
    Nightingale

    Nightingale

    4.1
    (373 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Nightingale always provides a wonderful experience. My spouse and I stopped in on the Friday…read moreevening of Memorial Day weekend, thinking it wouldn't be crowded. Wrong. Nightingale was packed, but fortunately, once two patrons saw my face from the bar, they quickly paid their bill and left. My face often compels people to vacate crowded establishments in Minneapolis, and we often find seats. After grabbing the two seats, we ordered wine and a wonderful Amaro-based cocktail. Jules was our bartender/server, and although he was crazy busy, he found time to be gracious to us. We ordered the meatball appetizer, halibut, and the Nightingale hamburger. My halibut was sublime, cooked perfectly, and it wasn't drowned in sauce. Bravo! The meatballs were tender and delicious, but the hamburger was not memorable. It was good, not great. Despite all the accolades above, when the bill came, I was charged two dollars after requesting a cucumber slice for my Pimms Cup. Perhaps the source of this pettiness came from the kitchen, but it wasn't smart, because the $2.00 charge placed a shroud over my experience. The bill was $125, and because of the petty two-buck charge, I only left a $25 tip. I was going to leave a $30 tip. I will sadly remember those 2 bucks forever. It was a myopic move and a passive-aggressive way to handle my request. In my birthplace home of NYC, a bartender would have said, "Getting a cucumber slice is a pain in the rear, would you mind skipping it?" My response, "Sure, it's not a big deal."

    Nightingale has the ambiance down pat - it's a quaint, inviting space with thoughtful interior…read moredesign that makes you want to love the place. The service was genuinely friendly and pleasant throughout our visit, which went a long way. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the setting. I tried the NY Strip special, which was fine but nothing memorable - exactly what you'd expect, no more, no less. The oysters were disappointing for the price point; the quality just wasn't there. The mushroom bruschetta similarly underwhelmed - it felt like it was missing something to make it stand out. The bright spot? The drinks were solid and well-crafted. I wanted to rate this higher based on the atmosphere and service alone, but at the end of the day, the food has to deliver. With so many great options in Minneapolis, Nightingale needs to step up its culinary game to match its lovely setting. I'd consider returning for drinks, but probably not for dinner.

    Photos
    Decorations on the wall and rope lights.
    Decorations on the wall and rope lights.
    Squash Bruschetta
    Squash Bruschetta
    Rosé and olives

    See all

    Rosé and olives
    The Rooftop Bar

    The Rooftop Bar

    4.3
    (3 reviews)
    2.7 mi

    My best friend and I love coming here. Today there were a couple of group parties so it was extra…read moreloud and a little bit of annoying.. It was not the usual calm & collective North Loop vibe lol. It was too loud (not the music... the people were loud AF) so I had to leave because it was so extremely loud with some obnoxious loud groups of parties. I haven't tried the food here since we came here for after brunch drinks.

    Could be the MN's best rooftop patio... but it's not!…read more I have to share my experience because I truly think management could use this feedback to help support and educate staff. Upon entry, there's no host stand or sign telling guests to seat themselves. Our group of 3 sat down at a dirty table and waited 15 minutes without anyone acknowledging us or clearing it off. I finally went to the bar to ask if we had a server, and the bartender pointed to a staff member on their phone behind the bar. Our waitress eventually came over to take our drink order, but she didn't bother to clear the table or introduce herself. After bringing our drinks, she then informed us dinner service had ended 30 minutes earlier. This information would've been nice to know upfront! The Rooftop Bar is so cute, great views, and has SO much potential because the space itself is great. I just hope management sees this as an opportunity to improve the guest experience because the service was honestly shocking, and not in a good way!

    Photos
    The Rooftop Bar
    Cheers!
    Cheers!
    The Rooftop Bar

    See all

    Volstead's Emporium - cocktailbars - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...