There's something missing at Public Domain. The concept makes sense, and I've seen it work at cocktail bars in Milwaukee, Portland, and Seattle where cocktails made to order are no big deal. In corporate Minneapolis, there's supposed to be a prescribed cocktail menu. Structure and Minneapolis go hand in hand. This ain't no New Orleans or Portland, Oregon. However, walking into Public Domain was like entering into a bubble where soul was left on the sidewalk. Alma does not exist at Public Domain. It has no character giving the place an identity. Public Domain's warehouse, early twentieth century decor looks fine. It's not my taste, but it fits a lot of people's concept of design in the North Loop. The bartenders are pleasant and can mix a drink, but everything is just blah. There's no pizz zazz. It's like eating a baked potato with nothing on it. I feel bad, because I liked my bartender, but I left after one drink, feeling like a man lost in a wilderness of plastic trees. Maybe I should I have checked out their tiki bar in the back, but that might not be in my age bracket. read more

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A friend invited me to check out Public Domain, so I absolutely couldn't say no! Located on the busy Washington Ave, in the heart of the North Loop, paid, street parking is your best shot but be prepared to drive around a bit and maybe have a walk! The interior of the space is elevated, with a mix of modern and retro aesthetic! A large bar dominates the space, but there are booths and tables available for slightly larger parties. The dim lighting and upscale ambiance make this perfect spot for a date night or casual meet up with friends before a show. Public Domain has no menu, but instead you tell the bartender your favorite drinks, styles, flavors, etc and they build a cocktail for you! I loved the adventure and both of my drinks were spot-on with my desires! It was clear the bartenders are experts at their craft and care a lot about understanding you and what you like! This is not a one size fits all establishment! During this visit, there was also a kitchen pop-up serving some of the best Asian-inspired fusion items including dumpling ravioli, a Korean fried chicken sandwich, and a secret menu hot dog. These made for the perfect pairings to our yummy drinks! I can't wait to come back and try out more cocktails! read more

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First time here but have heard multiple friends speak highly of Public Domain! Everything ordered I asked for 'your version of...' and loved every single drink! Ordered the following: - P0rn star martini -- delicious citrus flavor - Manhattan -- alcohol forward and well balanced - Espresso martini -- Crema omg Miles, our bartender, was outstanding! Took his time with each drink and I could definitely tell he is an excellent bartender with the combinations and proportions he served. Even if there's no seating readily available, put yourself on the wait list! It is worth the short wait! HIGHLY recommend and will definitely be back for more! read more

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I had high hopes of this pace but fell flat for me unfortunately I like the concept of this bar, walk in , no menu - tell the bartender a description of what cocktails you like with what ingredients and they curate something for you We had the most arkward bartender- not friendly or sociable at all , literally made drinks infront of our face for 15 mins without any acknowledgment - he didn't even look at us or say "welcome in I'll be right with you" It was dead silence , finally he helped us and made 2 "okay" drinks Nothing special at all, It appears that all these cocktails they come up with are from the prohibition area(so he said when I asked how they come up with the idea) and they basically just make your average cocktails but change an ingredient or two- nothing that special I've been to some of the best voted bars in the world and this does not compare at all Atmosphere was off, staff could use some social skills- and learn how to multitask This bar is maybe geared more to 20 something's as they haven't experienced much in life Also 2 cocktails were overpriced- plenty of other bars to have a better curated cocktail with nicer staff in the cities read more

Public Domain - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Public Domain is such a unique and fun experience for anyone looking for a great twist on a cocktail bar. They don't have a set menu and you basically talk with your bartender about what sort of things you like and what vibes you're looking for (sweet, refreshing, etc). The bartender then takes that information and comes up with a cocktail for you. They did an awesome job of hitting it exactly on the head for everyone in our group! Each cocktail was tasty and made to the liking of each of us. They were all unique as well so it was really fun to try new drinks that I otherwise might not have. They also did a really good job of making a fun N/A drink which we were impressed by and helped make everyone feel included in the experience. read more

Public Domain - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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He Said: This review is for Kapok, the restaurant (on residency) located in Public Domain. The person behind Kapok is the same person who started Bao Bao Buns. The restaurant is located in the back of the bar, in their tiki lounge. As for the food, there is a small but thoughtful menu. The food is shareable size, and the food represents the diverse background of the owner. The food, ambience, and service are all stellar. Pros: - Chill spot in Minneapolis North Loop - Unique food offerings Cons: - No free parking - Some food items' flavor could use a little more "pop". read more

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Great bar with good service and delicious cocktails. One of the coolest things is that they don't have a menu--you can simply tell the bartender what you like or let them get creative, which makes the experience really fun and unique. The only downside is that drinks can take a while when the bar gets busy. I waited over 20 minutes for my last cocktail. Other than that, I had a great time and would definitely come back. read more

Public Domain - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

We have been here many times. There have been ups and downs, but definitely more ups. First thing to note is there is no cocktail menu. The bartenders ask you a few questions to get a feel for the profile of the drink they should make you. The more specific you can be, the better the drink. So think of your favorite flavors or textures in a cocktail. Or even give them examples of what you usually drink. The bar is so cool looking and the booths are nice and roomy, even for six people Going there Thursday-Saturday you are pretty much guaranteed to get amazing drinks. We have been there early in the week and the experience was not the same, not sure if it's just different mixologists on the busier days or what. The main reason this is not a five star review is the food. It's really nice to get snacks with your well crafted beverage but since the food menu changed to a Polynesian theme a while ago, we no longer order food. When it was a Cuban style menu, it was really good. But now, not just the style of food is different, but so is the quality. But we keep coming back for the drinks. They always seem to know just what I like. read more

Public Domain - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Public Domain is upscale and full of character. This bar has been around for 100 years and they give you a post card to show it. I love the post card as a keepsake for your night out. The cheese lumpias were a good snack, my fav part being the hot honey. But would pass on ordering these in the future. All the drinks are made to order, they do not have a set menu. I was looking for something unique and my drink ended up being a little off the mark but I think there is so much potential with this concept. I will definitely be back to enjoy this beautiful space soon! read more

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THERE IS NO MENU HERE. This is intentional and by design. Public Domain is a bartender's wet dream. You, the customer, take a seat, and the bartender asks you what flavors and vibes you're feeling. You give them some answers including if you tend to lean towards specific liquors. They then craft up a cocktail from their memory bank of 150-600 cocktails and serve it up to you. The service is probably my favorite part of the experience. As they serve it, they tell you every ingredient in it as well as the cocktail name. (Every drink they've served I've been able to Google and find the recipe, so they're legit "accepted" cocktail options.) They've also been surprisingly accepting and knowledgeable about my dumb questions - like why a specific drink is served in a specific glass or why they chose that type of ice for it. Attention to every detail of your cocktail here is the name of the game, and the service here is pretty much textbook from the "how to be the best cocktail bartender". As soon as you sit down, you're greeted with a napkin and glass of water - even if the bartender is busy on the other side of the bar. When the bartender serves you, it's like their full focus is on you - even if it's a bar full of people. I got to chatting with a couple of the bartenders on a couple of my visits, and it was really interesting to learn how long they "train" to be allowed to work up here. It sounds like at least 3-6 months of working and excelling at the Tiki Bar in the back (which has a pre-set menu) while memorizing recipes and the reasons behind them before you're allowed to work up at Public Domain's bar. I will say that this is a place to expect a bit of a wait. I've only seen the bartop full (with none of the tables full), and we had a bit of a wait to cash out or ask for a new drink. This is not a place to rush in with a work deadline afterwards; this is a place to chill, relax, and socialize in the best of ways. This is seriously a high-end cocktail bar, and if you're a cocktail person, it's going to be hard to drag you out of here. If you like cocktails but aren't a "cocktail person", their attached Tiki bar (in the back) is a great fit too with a menu full of balanced and well-mixed drinks (not just sugar bombs) but with a menu to choose from to not scare you off. Two unisex, single-stall restrooms. Most of the seating is high top chairs/bar stools. There are a few booths. I don't remember seeing any low-top tables that would be wheelchair accessible. read more

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Stopped by for a drink. The host was not super friendly and there was a bit of a spooky vibe in the restaurant. They have a menuless bar which was interesting. I did have a good drink though. I was able to tell the waitress what I liked and they brought me something. I would definitely go back and try it again. We got the sweet potato fries which were pretty good! Parking is metered street parking, which can be a little bit tricky to find on a Friday night. read more

Was taken by a friend and it was amazing. Told them my favorite drink I ever had and the drink I got back was even better. Julian hit it out the ball park! Haven't stopped telling my friends about it. read more

Public Domain - tequila mojito I had in El Salvador. the build of the cocktail had white rum, blanco tequila, cucumber, muddled mint, lime, simple syrup... - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

We scored a booth for our group of 6 when we got there but a line formed pretty quickly. Definitely seemed like a popular spot! The drinks and food that our group got were all delicious. I recommend being specific about your description of what you like in a drink and mentioning anything you definitely *don't* want (ex: dairy, smokiness, or certain fruits). The atmosphere is cozy and the service was perfect. read more

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Such a great spot for delicious drinks with a unique atmosphere in Minneapolis. No drink menus, just tell the bartender what you're in the mood for (whether a specific drink, or just a flavor profile) and they will mix pretty much anything. If you've ever been to Attaboy in either NYC or Nashville, this spot is almost the same! Definitely recommend it for a unique date night, or just a fun thing to do in a weekend. read more

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Amazing service, great drinks and chill environment. Little pricey per drink but a fun place to go for before dinner drinks. read more

Public Domain - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

It's a cocktail bar with no menu! You actually have to talk to your server/bartender. For example, you could choose a spirit or an ingredient to start ("I want a drink with: gin/cucumber/coffee") or give a general description ("I want a drink that is herbal and fruity/ smokey and with fall flavors/ citrus and spicy"). Them the bartender might ask you some more questions about what you like/don't like, or want/don't want and will disappear behind the bar to get to work. Since every drink is a craft cocktail, don't expect your drink to come out immediately. Instead, enjoy chatting with you companions while you pretend you are all secret FBI informants waiting to do an information drop (it is super super super dark inside of the bar). Did I mention it was dark? If you go while there is any daylight left and are sitting facing the door you will not be able to see anything because of the contrast between the light outside and the extremely dim interior. While not as bad at night, it is still very very dark. Cocktails are on the expensive side (approx $17-22) but I don't begrudge it because they are each carefully made. I have been twice, and everything I ordered has been delicious. 5 stars for quality of drinks, 4 for ambiance because sometimes I like to see people's faces when I am speaking to them. There is a small snack menu available. 4.5 stars overall. read more

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Such a fun experience! There is not cocktail Menu, the mixologists/bartenders are amazing here and will craft fully custom cocktails made exactly to your taste. The bar is cozy, but still classy adding to the full experience. The appetizers/bar snacks were good, but are not the main reason to come here. If you have ever been to Attaboy in NYC or Nashville, this is a very similar experience! read more

Public Domain - The front bar - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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You'll love this speakeasy style cocktail bar. Drinks are creative and strong. Staff is friendly and attentive. Pricing is transparent - $17 for cocktails with lower price points for beer and wine. Don't sleep on their $10 small plates menu. Enjoyed your yuca fries, Mexican queso spring rolls, and empanadas. read more

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My boyfriend and I decided to stop in here the other night while trying to find a bar and this was a great stop! They run off no menu and make your drinks based off what you're in the mood for. The drinks were amazing and absolutely worth it but it was nerve wracking not knowing what they cost. It would be nice if that was mentioned before we get the bill. It's a cute moody spot that was fun for a spontaneous date night. read more

Public Domain - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I can see walking in how this place has so many high reviews, it's beautiful. Overall the service was great. I was a bit disappointed in the lack of flavor of the food but maybe my expectations were different. There's a cozy dim light vibe that would be perfect for a date. But not my go to spot for a place for dinner. Parking can also be a hassle trying to find something in the street but I believe they have valet. read more

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Our first time here. We waited for our table in the neon tiger room, it's a back bar used for overflow, they offer limited drinks and slushies. Once we got to our table, the personalized service was great! They don't have a drink menu, but they will make you anything you want. The server asks what kind of drink you typically go for and they concoct something for you. I said I liked smoky drinks. The waiter returned with the "Huntsman" cocktail. It was amazing!! Two of the ingredients were scotch and fernet. It was exactly what I wanted. We will definitely be back!! read more

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Despite a fully empty bar minus one booth, our group of 7 was rejected because they "don't take groups over 6". I then suggested we would break into two groups, one group of 4 and one group of 3, and they still refused us entry. They sent us to their tiki bar behind. We walked 30 minutes here so we didn't have any other options. Very disappointed in the service (or lack of, therefore). It seemed excessive to even refuse our smaller group. read more

This place just opened up in North Loop and is a cute spot for cocktails and snacks! We walked in right when they opened which I recommend as it filled up pretty quickly. The bar has no cocktail menu, you explain the types of drinks / spirits you like and they craft something for you. Personally not my favorite experience as more often than not the drinks are just okay and they don't have vodka for those that are vodka drinkers. The ambiance is dark and casual, so don't expect anything super fancy. Cute place to checkout but wouldn't go out of my way for it! read more

Public Domain - Menu - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Went here during the soft opening with a party of 4. We decided to wait since it's new so we got our names on the list while we sat at other bars. When we got seated (over an hour, which wasn't a big issue) the service itself took a long time. Also, it's incredibly dark in there but some folks like that. I enjoyed my drinks fine but the server we had seemed annoyed to be there and would just talk over us. They would check on almost every other table they had except us. Just trying to get water was a pain. We didn't taste the food so I've no review on it. I think if you're into trendy stuff, this is for you. We each got 2 drinks and left to watch Scooby Doo at home. Definitely not my favorite but I would like to try it again sometime down the line after they've been open a while. See if they've improved things. read more

Public Domain - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Just meh. Good place to go if you want to keep it real low key. Difficult to get service at peak times.

A friend told me I should try public domain because they curate the drinks... honestly a concept of you tell me what I'm feeling and you come up with the drink was dope to me and they did not disappoint. I also love the fact they don't serve vodka lol!! I opted for a tequila, strawberry crush type drink. Her's was French 75 inspired, the bartender rocked these! They even give you your recipe to take home if you like, no menus! read more

Public Domain - 2 Besties enjoying their cocktails - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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One of my new favorite cocktail bars in Minneapolis. We went on a Friday night after dinner and sat at the bar. I love how the bartenders curate drinks based on your personal taste. The first drink I had tasted like a strawberry milkshake and it was amazing. The bartender was so nice and answered some questions we had about different spirits- they even made us a complementary shot! To end the night they wrote down the names of the drinks we had on a postcard so we could remember for next time. Will definitely be back! read more

Public Domain - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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I have been here twice now and my second time is likely the last. The service was absolutely atrocious - we were told they were much less busy than usual, yet we only saw our bartender/waiter twice throughout the entire night and went at least an hour without seeing him. We could not flag anybody down as we were in the back room which had one bartender who did not attend to our table. For the price and the "vibe" of the place, we were incredibly disappointed. The drinks were good, but it was almost impossible to get them. read more

Public Domain - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

The ambiance here is great and the concept of picking the flavor profile for your cocktail and being surprised with the drink is fun and whimsical, but it can also be a bit of a gamble depending on what you get. We had a group of 4 arrive early evening on a Saturday. Given they do not take reservations there was understandably a bit of a wait. They directed us to an attached dive bar to get a drink while we waited. What was weird was that we passed numerous empty tables on our way to this attached dive bar while we waited for our actual table to be ready. This makes me think that they are either understaffed or have some issues with flow/organization. Also the attached dive bar is a completely different, somewhat downgraded vibe than public domain itself. As far as drinks go-I went for a citrusy mezcal cocktail. It was good but the foam was a little excessive. My husband also went for a more spirit forward mezcal cocktail-his was good as well but a little heavy on the cayenne spice. read more

Public Domain - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Don't get me wrong, it's a very, VERY cool concept, and I'm sure there's appropriate times to go here!! But unfortunately my experience wasn't great. I'll start by saying the prices are crazy, I paid all in more than $20 per cocktail. Our server wasn't great. She asked us what we wanted, and we were hoping she'd dive in a little deeper with other questions - not just pick the first cocktail that came to mind when we noted our typical orders. The drinks we had were a mixed bag. One was super tasty, the other a little too spirit forward. Again it's a cool concept, but considering you don't pick your own drinks off a menu, $20 is a lot to pay for something you don't like. They keep the lights very dimly lit. It was a cool vibe, just be prepared haha. Nothing on the food menu seemed worth it for a meal, but if you want a fancy little bite with your drinks then you may find something you like! Again, I think it's a cool concept and with a better bartender next time, I might try it again for a special occasion. PRO TIP - If you want a more relaxed vibe and lower prices, check out the speakeasy "Neon Tiger" in the back! read more

Public Domain - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Wonderful atmosphere and great staff. My favorite is that the bartenders curate drinks based on what you like! They ask a few questions such a sweet or tart and type of liquor, and allergies and they go to work. They explain the drink that you are receiving a they are too amazing! Small detail that I loved are the ice cubes, a big plus were the huge cube like cubes in the drink and the attention to detail with each handcrafted drink. read more

Public Domain - Bar area - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Went to public domain for drinks for my anniversary and we had the best time. We did not make a reservation and had to wait about 30 min but we enjoyed food and a drink in the dive bar in the back while waiting. We finally got a seat at the bar and the bartender asked about our drink preferences and crafted a specific drink based on what we liked. My drink was called "The Jane" and was gin, aperol, and pineapple juice. It was delicious! It was very dark in the restaurant but gave it a nice mysterious vibe. As we left they have us a postcard with a drawing of the original space before it was turned into a bar! Such a fun experience. Parking was easy with so many lots around it and while the bar was pricey, it was totally worth the experience. read more

Public Domain - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

This bar is such a vibe!! Love how there is no cocktail menu. Mixologist just asks you what you're thinking and crafts up a delicious cocktails. read more

Public Domain - Bar - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

This place is one of a kind! There is no bar/cocktail menu. You actually let the highly knowledgeable and incredibly talented bartenders know your spirit preference; whisky, mezcal, gin etc. and if you like citrusy, spicy, dry, bubbly etc and they create a craft cocktail tailored just for you! Both drinks I had were amazing. I went with a party of 6 people and everyone loved their cocktails. The service was professional, yet friendly and warm. Public Domain Mpls is located on Washington Ave in the North Loop in the old Haute Dish building. They don't take reservations so expect a wait during peak times. They also have limited hours; Wednesday through Saturday and if you're familiar with the North Loop area you know parking has become a little challenging. They've expanded the back area to include a speakeasy, Neon Tiger. They hadn't opened yet when I was there but am looking forward to checking it out. The unique menu is curated of mains and small bites with New Orleans and Caribbean cuisine in mind. Again, a one of a kind bar! The vibe is inviting for a quick HH with the work crew, a fun date night, or girls night out. This place will become part of your weekly/monthly stops when you're out and about in the North Loop. read more

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I've been to public domain twice now. I really enjoy the food, and I thought the drinks are well thought out and met my requests. Both times we went, there weren't that many people in the space and yet service was quite slow. I was seated at the bar even though all the booths were empty and would have preferred to sit there. I've also been told my some friends who went on a different night that they had to wait for a table even though there were plenty of open seats. If the service improves a bit, this could be a 5 star place in my book. read more

Wow! This was such a fun experience! I don't drink alcohol and I even had a blast telling the mixologist what I like and them running with it and creating a tasty N/A drink. It is rare to have a place with great drinks and food but this place managed to do both. The space is pretty big and to my understanding there is a dive bar in the back but I didn't check that out. I would highly recommend this place for some great bites and drinks! Sorry for the half eaten food photos, we couldn't resist! read more

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DRINKS: Such a great idea behind Public Domain, as the front of the bar is classy 'speakeasy' vibes, but then in the back is a dive bar called Neon Tiger!! We went there while waiting for a table and had both great beer in the back, and fun alcoholic slushies!! Then once we made it to our table, our drinks could not have been better to our likings. This is a place where there is no menu, so the server definitely crushed our preferences! What a cool concept! SERVICE: Like I said above, the service was super nice, as your server had to take the time to get to know what you want in your drink! AMBIANCE: I loved everything about the front of the bar and even the back dive bar- a cool groovy vibe in the back, and an elegant vibe in the front. LOCATION/PARKING: Parking might be hard to find in the North Loop, but the location is awesome with lots of other bars/restaurants around. read more

Public Domain - a variety of cocktails on a tray - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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I heard good things about this place so I had to try it! The inside is a bit dark so for some people it may be hard to see. It was also pretty small and felt like a speakeasy. The the host and bartender was friendly and he asked us questions about what we were feeling and what we liked. I asked for a mocktail- it was a cucumber strawberry one. It was actually pretty good and refreshing. My partner ended up getting a drink that looked like an old fashioned. We also ordered food and it was tasty. My favorite was the potatoes and the typical fries. We liked the experience that we got there. Would go back! read more

Public Domain - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Public domain is a joke. The bar can barely be seen from the street. Once you enter you will see the bar has a restaurant layout. Unfortunately, there are no waiters or waitresses to take orders. The bartenders are overwhelmed and the service is nonexistent. I will not return. No drinks were served. But they were nice enough to offer water. read more

Very cool environment and friendly bartender! However, the website is very misleading. It is a custom cocktail bar with no beer, no wine, and no menu cocktails. Still very good cocktails with an experienced bartender, but as they are all custom, it takes a while to cycle through to get your first or second drink. A nice place to impress out-of-towners but definitely not a regular spot. Since prices aren't published; two people, two drinks each, ran us ~ $95 with tip. read more

Public Domain - Bartop seating - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota