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!

Amsterdam is a pretty cool place to go. I haven't had the pleasure of going for a show yet but I…read morehear it's a decent venue for smaller shows. The layout of the bar is cool and it's nice that you can hang out at the bar without going back into the concert space. Service has always been friendly when I've gone. It's a bar so don't expect table service, just head up to the bar to order. I haven't gotten around to trying anything on the menu yet but I've heard decent things about the food. I mostly go for the cool atmosphere and cheap drink options. I'll definitely be back, especially during the summer when I can ride my bike into downtown more easily!

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!

Citizen is a solid hotel restaurant in St. Paul. I have been here for both breakfast and lunch…read more Their omelets are great - I made my own with asparagus, goat cheese and sausage. It was cooked to perfection and served with potatoes. For lunch, I would highly recommend the burgers or the prime rib slider. They also have some nice $10 specials, which will surely fill you up! We stopped in for drinks after dinner one weekday evening and boy was it packed! Citizen has a wide array of wine, beer and cocktails to satisfy every member in your group! Great for date night or a larger group! The staff is always friendly and attentive. I look forward to coming back to Citizen the next time I'm in St. Paul.

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.

Stopped in prior to a Wild game. Bar area was full so sat in lobby. Waitress was very busy so it…read morewas a little slow to order a drink. Probably more than person is needed for before Wild games. The drinks were very good. I had a Manhattan that was probably the best Manhattan I've had in a long time. Not too sweet, and a generous size.

Nice place to meet friends and have a drink. Staff is very nice-they all wore masks…read more Drinks were great, Moscow Mule, Margarita. Thought the Starters were a bit overpriced.

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.

Cute bar! Feels like a fun, slightly elevated dive bar. Definitely a local place, lots of friend…read moregroups and people hanging out in the booths/ at the bar, I went on a Monday during the holidays and they had live music, a comedy show, and a lively crowd until I left around midnight. Fun cocktail options, and a good beer selection as well. The bartenders were great, it was busy but they were helpful and quick to get drinks, water etc. The bartender was also willing to keep my drinks behind the bar when I used the restroom (I was alone and unwilling to leave my drink unattended) which was extremely nice. Check this place out if you're looking for a fun, bright dive bar vibe!

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 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.

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.

Alary's is a classic dive bar that is perfect for a drink before the Saint Paul Saints game. Good…read morefood and even better vibes service was very friendly and quick!

Loved the big round table - 10 of us fit. Hamburger was really good. Bun was grilled which made it…read moreextra tasty. Fries were just ok. We weren't sure if they were Cajun or regular . Our server was attentive and kind.

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!

We took refuge from the cold weather at The Loon Cafe before an event down the street. I ordered…read morethe grilled cheese and of course a grape ape. The grilled cheese was delicious, but begs the question where is the line between a grilled cheese and a panini. We were able to get a table without a reservation and found street parking not too far away.

From out of State to visit Family & friends. Not one to pop into a bar alone being a female to…read morehave a beverage. Brandy, the bartender was so welcoming and within 5 mins he made me feel comfortable and welcome sitting at the bar. He engaged in conversation with me and checked on me to make sure I was ok. My french 75 cocktail was THE BEST and I stayed and had two. The two men at the door were SO kind and deserve a shout out as well. Thank you Brandy & staff for making my time in Minnesota even better. I will be back.

My friends and I went to visit here for our monthly restaurant night and it just happened to be a…read morevery snowy night. There was only one guy waiting tables and working the bar and he did such a great job on such a snowy night. We started with some apps; the French onion dip with homemade chips, loaded fries and Brussel sprouts. Those were all tasty and I enjoyed the homemade cheese dip that was on the fries and wanted to eat it with a spoon. We then each got a burger; funny is that we all chose a different one. We like to stay and chat and catch up about what has happened since last month so we decided to order dessert. My two friends each got a slice of pie and I only wanted a bite of my sisters pie and made a joke that I only wanted a bite and the waiter over heard me and he actually brought me a small slice on the house; he was so nice and I wasn't expecting that at all. It was such a nice booth that we were in and the restaurant wasn't very busy so we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. I could sit there for hours and just chat and relax. I can't wait to go back and try more food next time.