Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Empire

    3.1 (18 reviews)
    InexpensiveBars
    Open 8:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

    Empire Photos

    Business Info

    EMPIRE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Divey
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Empire

    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

    a man walking down a snowy sidewalk in front of a neon sign
    Brian J.

    My wife and I visited here as a friends father liked this watering hole. I can see why!! Great service on a busy Saturday night, good strong drinks served fast and with a smile! I'm from out of town, and drank water this visit as my wife enjoined the empire famous mug shots. I 100% will be back at any visit to Fargo. And god bless the regular sunday visitor that was kind enough to take care of the less fortunate. The empire is a step back in time, in a very good way!!! If you're new in town this is a must stop!

    Kyle O.

    If you're looking for fun this is the place! Got ourselves a death reaper and a pussy licker squirter for just $5 a piece! And a whiskey raffle tickets!!

    Grain Belt options...bottles or bottles
    Matt W.

    I have good memories of this place from a couple of years back, but there is a definite urine smell in there now. They have a Grain Belt sign outside, but there is no Grain Belt on tap....disappointing. Also it is cash-only, even though they have a new touch-screen cash register that has a card swiper...disappointing. This place needs a "bar rescue", or at the very least some disinfection.

    The Bar at the End of the Universe.
    Christopher S.

    Last call before the end of the road. The Dirty E. We all go here at the end. .. scholars artists bums...

    Ouch!

    See all

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Trying to order food,to go I hear it's delicious.Can you provide me a number?I love the home town feel of this bar

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    $7 draft beer and $5 for a mix drink in a shot glass crazy overpriced, people are crack heads

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tony J.
    0
    58
    86

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kyle O.
    125
    14
    9

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Matt W.
    6
    27
    27

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sean S.
    128
    22
    5

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M L.
    0
    37
    0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Leif D.
    0
    46
    17

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Empire

    Review Highlights - Empire

    Not the classy, expensive place but a great place to get your drink on.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Bars 435 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Blarney Stone pub - Hotel Donaldson - Fibbers Shore Lunch

    Blarney Stone pub - Hotel Donaldson

    3.9(33 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    There is a specific kind of comfort found in the weight of a heavy wooden door and the gleam of a…read morewell-polished bar. At the Blarney Stone, located within the historic bones of the Hotel Donaldson, the stage is set for a masterclass in the traditional Irish pub experience. It is a space that feels curated rather than accidental--a sanctuary of dark leathers and flickering light that promises an escape from the biting North Dakota wind. The Canvas The location is undeniable. Sitting at the corner of Broadway and 1st Avenue, it occupies the literal and figurative heart of downtown Fargo. Inside, the architecture does the heavy lifting: the high ceilings and segmented seating areas offer a sense of intimacy that is rare in the era of open-concept dining. It is a "big room" that manages to feel like a collection of private snugs, perfectly suited for a long afternoon of market watching through the street-side windows. The Draught and the Plate The selection here is the establishment's strongest suit. With over 30 beers on tap, the menu moves fluidly from the essential Guinness pour to local craft favorites. For those looking for something more fortifying, the whiskey and Scotch collection is arguably the most respectable in the region. * The Fare: The menu is a dependable lineup of "pub grub" with a Celtic leaning. The Irish Nachos--waffle fries topped with a signature "Dublin Dip"--are a crowd favorite, and the Shepherd's Pie offers the kind of starchy, savory warmth one craves in this latitude. The food is decent, hitting the expected marks of a high-end tavern without necessarily aiming for culinary reinvention. The Human Element However, a pub is more than the sum of its architecture and its inventory; it is a living organism fueled by its staff. While the "bones" of the Blarney Stone are magnificent, the soul of the experience currently rests on the shoulders of the team. In a space this grand, the atmosphere requires a certain intentionality from the staff to bridge the gap between "a place to sit" and "a place to be." There are moments when the energy in the room feels dormant, waiting for a spark of hospitality to fully activate the historic surroundings. The difference between a good night and an unforgettable one here often comes down to the engagement of the crew--the small gestures of "pub culture" that make a guest feel like a regular before they've finished their first pint. The Verdict The Blarney Stone has everything it needs to be the definitive crown jewel of Fargo's pub scene: a premier location, a stellar drink list, and a gorgeous interior. It is currently a very good spot that is only a few degrees of "team-driven energy" away from being truly legendary. If the atmosphere can be brought to the level of the architecture, it will be hard to beat.

    "Let's walk over rainbows like leprechauns The world would…read morebe one big Blarney stone" (John Lennon) A very cool restaurant with a huge menu, and one of the coolest servers we've had in a while. Jan was a hoot! Funny, personable, and just immensely fun to interact with. Four of us explored downtown Fargo and decided on the Blarneystone Pub for lunch. What a great decision that was. The bartender said we could sit anywhere we wanted to, so we chose a booth on the right side of the dining room right next to a gorgeous mural that covered the wall from floor to ceiling. It was a multi-media piece, with paint, bits of metal and glass, and all sorts of material. The next thing we admired was their deep, deep menu. Many of the listings had Irish accents like Emerald Island Dip, Irish Nachos, Mussels Malone, Pound O'sheamus Fries, Wings O'Malley, Belfast Barnyard, Blarney Dip, Emerald Chicken, Fibbers Fish Sandwich, Irish BLT, Donaldson Burger, Dubliner, Hot Headed Irishman, Smokie O'Leary, Black and Tan Sirloin, Fibber Flanagan's Fish and Chips, Guinness Irish Stew, Kilkenny Cod. And those don't include Corned Beef and Creamed Cabbage and Shephard's Pie! We ordered a Guinness ($7.75), an IPA ($7.75), a Margarita ($7.99), a Strawberry Pecan Salad ($18.99), a Classis Pub Cheeseburger ($16.99), a Taco Salad with Chicken ($17.49), and a Reuben Sandwich ($17.99). The burger and Reuben came with great waffle fries. My Taco Salad was quite delicious. A generous portion of fresh crisp lettuce, seasoned chicken, shredded Jack cheese, pico, jalapenos, a cilantro lime dressing. It was served with salsa and chips. We really enjoyed our visit and Jan's company. Not a bad way to start our visit to Fargo.

    Photos
    Blarney Stone pub - Hotel Donaldson - Interior

    Interior

    Blarney Stone pub - Hotel Donaldson - The Donaldson Burger

    The Donaldson Burger

    Blarney Stone pub - Hotel Donaldson

    See all

    Empire - bars - Updated May 2026

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