10 Best Rooftop Bars In Minneapolis, Minnesota

rooftop bars in minneapolis
Nicole
Nicole 
Updated
| 5 min read

Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota, and with the capitol city of St. Paul forms the area known as the Twin Cities. This artistic, mid western city sits along the Mississippi River and offers its visitors plenty to do and see. If you like to be outside, go for a walk or bike ride along the Chain of Lakes, seven lakes that are connected by trails. If you’re arty, you can peruse the contemporary artworks at the Walker Art Center. You can even catch a play at the Guthrie Theatre or a concert at First Avenue. Minneapolis also has a thriving bar scene, including plenty of rooftop bars, which are great to hang out on in the warmer months. Here’s a list of the best rooftop bars in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

1. Uptown Tavern & Rooftop


The first stop on our list is Uptown Tavern & Rooftop, a tavern and grill offering American fare. You’ll find American bar classics like deep fried pickles, burgers, and mac and cheese on their menu. They also have a large list of craft beers on offer, including ones local to Minnesota, so if you’re a beer lover you’ll have plenty to choose from. The bar is also home to a number of events, including trivia nights and paint nights, so do keep an eye on their website to see what’s happening during your visit. And, of course, they’ve got a rooftop bar which overlooks the vibrant Uptown neighbourhood.

Uptown Tavern & Rooftop

Address: 1400 Lagoon Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408, United States

Website: Uptown Tavern & Rooftop

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 3pm - 2am; Sat - Sun: 10am - 2am

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2. Brit's Pub

Brit's Pub (2255816834)
Source: Photo by user Tony Webster used under CC BY 2.0

If you consider yourself an Anglophile, then you must visit Brit’s Pub during your trip to Minneapolis. This bar serves up English food and pints, so you can enjoy fish and chips or bangers and mash, in the heart of Minneapolis. They’ve been around since 1990, and are known for a cosy atmosphere inside — in the cold winter months, people love to relax next to a fireplace as they enjoy their meals and drinks. But, perhaps what Brit’s is most known for is, its rooftop. In addition to tables where you can sit with your drink, they have lawns for bowls, a classic British game similar to bocce ball. It’s one of the most popular spots to sit in the warm summer months, and offers beautiful views over downtown Minneapolis.

Brit's Pub

Address: 1110 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403, United States

Website: Brit’s Pub

Opening hours: 11am - 2am (daily)

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3. Seven Steakhouse Sushi & Rooftop


Seven Steakhouse Sushi & Rooftop has been a staple of Minneapolis’s downtown area. Historically it was a classic American steak joint —slightly upscale and a popular date night spot. But, within the past few years, it’s had a bit of a revamping, and while you can still get a delicious steak, it’s also got a much more hip vibe. The restaurant is massive, with multiple floors. So, you can enjoy your steak, or head up to the sushi floor and enjoy some Asian fusion. Whether you’re going for steak or sushi, one thing people love in the warm months is their rooftop. It overlooks the bustling Hennepin Avenue, making it an excellent spot to people watch as you enjoy your meal.

Seven Steakhouse Sushi & Rooftop

Address: 700 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403, United States

Website: Seven Steakhouse Sushi & Rooftop

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 4pm - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 4pm - 2am

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4. Moto-i

We hope everyone is having a great Labor Day weekend! We're spending ours on the rooftop patio, of course!

Posted by moto-i on Sunday, 4 September 2016

Up next we have Moto-i, a popular Japanese restaurant located in Uptown Minneapolis. It’s perhaps most known for brewing their own sake. In fact, it’s the first sake brewpub outside of Japan. But, it’s not just their drinks that shine, they’ve got an excellent food menu, as well. From delicious dumplings to filling rice bowls to comforting noodle dishes, they’ve got plenty to offer. Inside the restaurant has a cool, dark vibe with pops of color brightening it up. And their rooftop desk has fairy lights to create a charming atmosphere as you look out over the neighborhood.

Moto-i

Address: 2940 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408, United States

Website: Moto-i

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 12pm - 2am; Sat - Sun: 11am - 2am

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5. Up-Down Minneapolis

Greetings, programs
Source: Photo by Flickr user Michael Dunn used under CC BY 2.0

Calling all gamers! This bar is for you. Up-Down Minneapolis is an arcade bar located in Uptown Minneapolis. They’ve got loads of arcade games and pinball machines, as well as Nintendo 64 consoles and even life-size Connect Four and Jenna. On top of all that, they’ve got a large selection of craft beers and pizza sold by the slice, so you can eat and drink while you play. And of course, they’ve got an excellent rooftop, where you’ll find the life-size games as well as group games. It’s a great place to get competitive with friends!

Up-Down Minneapolis

Address: 3012 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408, United States

Website: Up-Down Minneapolis

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 3pm - 2am; Sat - Sun: 11am - 2am

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6. Bells


4 Bells has a stylish patio, with dark woods and bright yellow chairs, which overlooks the green Loring Park. The restaurant and bar gets its name from the maritime tradition of letting sailors know it’s time for a break by ringing four bells. And, it’s a fitting name for this seafood restaurant. They overnight fresh fish from the coasts, and use fish caught in Minnesota’s many lakes and rivers, to serve their customers the best seafood. They run a happy hour from Tuesday through Friday, and also offer brunch on Sunday, which is perhaps a perfect time for enjoying their lovely patio.

4 Bells

Address: 1610 Harmon Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403, United States

Website: 4 Bells

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 5pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 5pm - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 2pm (closed on Mon)

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7. Stella's Fish Café & Prestige Oyster Bar


One of Minneapolis’s most well-known rooftop bars is Stella’s Fish Café & Prestige Oyster Bar. It’s a staple of Uptown Minneapolis, and as you’d guess from the name, is a seafood restaurant. They’re committed to serving up fresh and sustainable seafood, and some of their most popular dishes include Maine lobster and oysters. Inside, the restaurant has a cool, industrial vibe to it. Outside, their famous rooftop has multiple levels, providing plenty of space to enjoy your meal and look out across Minneapolis.

Stella's Fish Café & Prestige Oyster Bar

Address: 1400 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408, United States

Website: Stella’s Fish Café & Prestige Oyster Bar

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11:30am - 11pm; Sat - Sun: 11:30am - 2am

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8. LynLake Brewery

Kris Lindahl Must Be Stopped
Source: Photo by Flickr user Tony Webster used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Up next, we have LynLake Brewery, a microbrewery housed in an old theatre. Inside, this bar has a hip, contemporary vibe, with unique light fixtures, visible piping, and graffiti artwork on the walls. They serve up a large range of craft beers, and they even have non-alcoholic options, including craft root beer for those looking for a softer drink. They serve up food, as well, in a pop-up kitchen, with a rotating schedule of guest chefs and food trucks. And of course, their rooftop is a perfect place to spend an afternoon on a warm sunny day. Benches and tables line the deck, providing plenty of space for groups of people to hang out and look over the city.

LynLake Brewery

Address: 2934 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408, United States

Website: LynLake Brewery

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 5pm - 10pm; Fri: 4pm - 12am; Sat: 12pm - 12am; Sun: 12pm - 10pm (closed on Mon)

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9. Union Rooftop

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Posted by Union Rooftop on Tuesday, 19 June 2018

The rooftop space at Union Rooftop is unique in Minneapolis. It’s completely enclosed in glass and heated, meaning that even in the cold Minnesota winter, this rooftop space can be enjoyed. In fact, it’s the only year-round rooftop bar in the city. They serve up American dishes, including a decent amount of vegetarian dishes. In addition to excellent food and craft cocktails, they also have a range of hip events, including a popular drag show brunch in their rooftop space.

Union Rooftop

Address: 731 Hennepin Ave #1, Minneapolis, MN 55403, United States

Website: Union Rooftop

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 3pm - 9pm; Fri: 3pm - 2am; Sat: 11am - 2am; Sun: 11am - 9pm (closed on Mon)

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10. Cowboy Slim's


We’ll finish our list off with Cowboy Slim’s, a popular and busy bar with a rustic interior, located in Uptown Minneapolis. They serve up American food, with menu items like burgers, pizzas and wings. They host happy hours, 2 USD burger nights, and even live music. It is a large space with three floors, so if you enjoy hanging out amongst a large crowd, this bar might be right up your alley. And, they have a rooftop which overlooks the vibrant Uptown neighborhood.

Cowboy Slim's

Address: 1430 Lagoon Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408, United States

Website: Cowboy Slim’s

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11am - 2am; Sat - Sun: 10am - 2am

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Enjoy some high-elevation drinking in Minneapolis

Minneapolis is chock-full of rooftop bars, and with brutal winters, it’s easy to understand why Minnesotans want to make the most of the summer. Whether you’re after something quirky spot like an arcade bar or a traditional American bar, there’s a little something for everyone. So, get a group of friends together and enjoy a few drinks on the rooftop!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Nicole is an American expat living in London, England. When she moved from the midwest to London in 2012, it was her first time leaving the US. She has traveled steadily since then, making trips...Read more

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