I've been to Sweeney's a few times just to change up my usual routine... they have an awesome patio when it's nice out; come for that if for no other reason. The place has kind of a neighborhood feel but is actually pretty decently sized, especially if you count the back patio. Service staff has been hit or miss when I've been there, which is usually during fairly peak hours, but nothing too terrible. They have your typical full bar offering with a solid tap beer list as well as more bottled beers. Really nothing out of the ordinary here, though they do offer daily happy hours and daily specials as well, which is nice if you are looking for a deal. Food-wise, the only food I've ever actually ordered are the wings (traditional hot variety). They are served as full wings, with the drummy and wing portions attached. This adds a bit to the experience and also makes them a bit larger than I'm used to as well. I would recommend them to anyone who likes wings. All in all, a great experience if you are looking for a low-key spot to grab a beer or a bite or catch a game with friends in St. Paul. Bonus points for the great happy hour and reverse happy hour deals as well. I would recommend to anyone, especially in the summer for the great back patio. read more

A classic St. Paul bar--good beer selection, hearty menu and not too loud to have conversations with friends. We love coming here for happy hour after work. read more

Sweeney's Saloon - Great beer list for a small place! - Pubs Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

This was our go-to post-climbing spot. We were regulars every thursday night for their happy hour before I moved away. The beer specials weren't all that special, but you could always count us in for the basket o' fries and the flamingo wings (hot or the cajun were my preferred). Whenever I'm back in the Twin Cities, I do my best to make it to the climbing gym and Sweeney's, just like the good ol' days! read more

I used to come here all the time about 5 years ago. I still live walking distance from it. Saying that, I haven't had a good experience since then. Periodically I try and come back because the patio is nice. The food used to be better. The boneless buffalo wings aren't edible. last time I sat there for 15 min, the place was maybe half full on a summer Friday night and could get a server to save our life. They seem condescending when asking them questions about beer/menu, rude, bossy and generally make it an unpleasant experience for someone trying to rewind and relax after a long day. Maybe if the get some new management or something but living off the old reputation eventually gets old. I won't be going back. read more

Great burgers and beers. Excellent service. My favorite bar because they make you feel at home. The patio is great in the summer. A neighborhood gem. read more

Looking for a moderately priced bar in St. Paul that's kinda hip, but doesn't take itself too seriously like the all too often downfall of those of similar leanings in Mpls? Sweeney's is it! I like chilling out on the back patio and sitting by the fire, the beer is good (watch out, hams=hangover) and the service isn't neglectful but it isn't too clingy either. On a good day it moves a little slower and that's all I was looking for. If you aren't looking for a date and just wanna BS with friends, Sweeney's is good for conversation over cheap pitchers. I have one suggestion though: Don't go there if you're hungry and only in agreement of just getting drinks, the burgers and apps all smell as intoxicating as the booze. read more

Best neighborhood bar! Adam and Jen (bartenders) are the most knowledgeable, friendliest, and personable bartenders I have met to date. The menu is simple, but exactly what you need after your 4th drink. Sweeney's has an amazing happy hour every day and a GORGEOUS patio! Will be back soon! Thanks Sweeney's staff for another great night! read more

Great patio with good happy hour deals. The fries with the special Sweeney's mustard are to die for! Definitely ask for extra mustard if you're a sauce person- yum. read more

Nice spot in Saint Paul. They have a short but good beer list, wait staff has always been nice, and solid bar food. The patio area is really nice, but there are always a lot of smokers out there so if cigarette smoke bothers you I would skip it. (Although, it bothers me and I have gone back). Overall this is a good bar option in the area. read more

New go-to watering hole. We are soon going to be moving to the area and decided to check out the local pub, Sweeney's. It was a nice day which equals patio time. We went in the front door just to check out the inside. It was nothing fancy but is the perfect feel for a neighborhood classic. The patio is really where this place shines though. The patio is pretty big and has seating in 2 separate deck areas or just on the concrete. There is a really cute mural painted on the back wall which includes some critters and local breweries. There is a bar in the back but they also provide table service. Our server was very nice and attentive. Our beers never went empty. Sweeney's has a good beer list with local favorites. Their happy hour is amazing I believe it's every day. We went on a Saturday and got the happy hour deal. We also ordered some appetizers so we could try a couple different things and share. I had to get their stuffed tots. Also, I have heard their nachos are pretty famous. I was not disappointed by my choices. The nachos are covered in cheese and piled high.The shining stars of the night were the tots. They are huge and filled with cheese, bacon, and some other yummy things. Oh, I should also mention they have a big fireplace on the patio. It was too warm for a fire when we went, but I bet it's amazing to cuddle up next to on chillier nights. All in all, we LOVE Sweeney's and once we officially move to the neighborhood, we will be here all the time. read more

After having punched chicken wings for the past 3 years. Now they have brought in inferior product with one third less the meat. Rip off.

Good food, slow service. Took 30 minutes for our nachos to arrive. Expensive beer - 6+ dollars a pint read more

Delicious happy hour beers and nachos. Some people at the next table were giving a helpful and in depth review of the movie Kong which I will now see. Did not go to the bathroom (I am very pee shy in public) but I'm sure it was clean in there. Good service. read more

Sweeney's is a cool place to hang out and it has a good vibe to it. The last time I ate there I got really sick after. I had the fish and chips. I had eaten there plenty of times in the past and never got sick but I can't get myself to go back since. Assuming it was me and not the food but still can't go back. read more

So good! I've had their beer cheese burger and their southwest egg rolls! Both were stellar! They have a super cool patio. Very cool spot!

It was a perfect early Sunday evening and all we were looking for was a nice outdoor patio to enjoy a beer and dinner. Sweeney's is just the place. The patio is great. It's like a giant deck with a few different levels, loaded with tables, even a huge fireplace and heating lamps for winter! The outdoor bar is great, complete with a TV. I ordered chicken strips, expecting to be disappointed but they were delicious and homemade aka not frozen and then just thrown in the microwave to be heated up. Would definitely go back for the patio. read more

Killer happy hour and a decent selection of beers. Their fries are also excellent and served with a mustard dipping sauce that tastes somehow different from regular mustard, but I can't figure out how. I don't frequent Sweeney's so much in the colder months because it's a pretty generic atmosphere and not nearly as comfortable and welcoming as other options (read: Blue Door Pub). But the patio is beautiful in the summer and--especially since it's within walking distance of my house--I end up being something of a regular come June. read more

Sweeney's is comfy neighborhood bar. The patio is the real draw. It features a stone fireplace and a terraced deck. High brick walls around the patio create a cozy enclosure. The food is standard bar fare, OK but nothing special. The service is often indifferent -- don't be surprised if you have to flag down a waiter or waitress to get a beer. Overall, though, Sweeney's is a fine choice to grab a beer and burger with a friend or a big group. Shop on Grand Avenue, then duck into Sweeney's. read more

With over 90 reviews, its impossible to write anything original about Sweeney's. Thus, BLUF (bottom line up front): you will not be disappointed. Sweeney's is home to probably one of my favorite patios in St. Paul and its clientele make the bar feel like "home" the second you arrive. If opting for an appetizer, I would highly suggest their nachos with spicy chicken. Be advised that the serving is HUGE and a half order can easily accommodate two people. I will be returning. read more

well, i've made the mistake of becoming what some may call "romantically involved" with someone who a) is from wisconsin (first problem) and b) pledges allegiance to drunken city across the river aka st paul. sooo last night after an hour long joyride all around st paul we started a nice little evening on what i like to call, the wrong side of the river. our last stop on the joyride was sweeneys and i must say .... quite impressed. not only do they have a RIDIC patio, but they serve up a nice stiff cocktail with no attitude and....wait for it....THEY HAVE MY FAVORITE BAR GAME EVER -- BOXXI. no joke, i could sit in front of those annoying little photo hunt computers at a bar and play boxxi for a good portion of the night. in any case - st paul is slowly growing on me and sweeneys definitely gave the fine city to my east a nudge in the right direction. and seriously...their chicken wings....WHOA. monster sized. read more

Doesn't get better than this in Cathedral Hill. Sweeney's has it all: Value, Charm, Comfort and lots of booze! They are known for their fabulous multi-level patio, but the inside is also very welcoming with a fireplace in the back. Their food is good but your typical bar food (maybe on a higher end bar-food scale) and their beer selections are top notch. read more

Sweeney's best feature is its patio. It features fireplace-type heaters so you can enjoy it on cold nights, but it gets pretty crowded on the weekends. The food is okay, nothing too special. The location is primo-- I love to take walks around the old neighborhood and marvel at the beautifully preserved Victorian homes. read more

So- it is generally crowded and loud in here and outside is where all the smokers hang out. I go here because it is close. I have to be in the mood for the atmosphere...the food is alright, nothing spectacular. It has your typical drinks and beer. read more

Great neighborhood bar for meeting a friend and just hanging out. Yeah, the food could use improvement but I don't think Sweeney's is going for gastropub status...or even burger bar status. I do appreciate the seasonal rotation of beers though. read more

Bald bartender down stairs is a prick 5dollars for a warm ass bottle of beer ,could have one of the taps but Irsh beer sucks.bartender spills a drink he is mixing and he gets pissed at us ??? And spills the dank thing and don't say he sorry??? read more

Usually I'm all about the local neighborhood bars because they're low key, have a fun staff and interesting local people. But Sweeney's is not somewhere that I'd go back to. Maybe we caught him on a bad night, but the doorman was kind of a jerk, the decor is in desperate need of an update and we got harrassed by a homeless guy out front. Which I can admit wasn't the bar's fault, but still doesn't encourage me to come back. Head to the Muddy Pig down the street, it's an infinitely better local pub. read more

Incredible atmosphere. Fabulous patio, and fair priced food! Delicious by the way with huge plates. Get the egg rolls. Huge and amazing!!! The south western burger is phenomenal: pepper jack, caramelized onions, jalpenos, chipotle mayo on the most amazingly juicy burger. The Thai chicken peanut wrap is fabulous as well. The servers are relaxed and some Mondays in summer and fall they put a giant screen on the patio and have movie Mondays! Highly recommend this place. Obviously. read more

This bar gets three stars because it has the best patio ever. The lack of drink specials sucks, though.

Love this place! Great patio and overall atmosphere. And, of course, great food! You can't go wrong with their HH tacos for $.95 each, and I daydream about the Thai Chicken Wrap. read more

My Husband and I have been going to Sweeney's for years! We love it so much we decided to have our wedding Reception there on this past New Years Eve. I could not have asked for a better experience. Jenn who is the Event coordinator went above and beyond for us. She was always available when I needed to get a hold of her during the planning and the night of she worked so hard to make sure everything was perfect. The whole night was such a blast and the food was coming out when it needed to be filled, no one waited long for drinks and the space was perfect. I could not have asked for more from Jenn and all the staff that helped make our wedding so amazing! We have always loved Sweeney's but after our wedding we love it even more and would recommend having any event at Sweeney's! read more

My favorite afterwork bar...mainly due to the gorgeous patio that's perfect in the summer. I definitely can't complain about the $.75 tacos during happy hour, either! They're delicious! read more

Let me start by saying, this is a great place to drink, but this review is regarding service. I stopped in for lunch and sat at the bar and ordered immediately. About ten minutes later another patron walked in sat at the bar and ordered the same special as me. About 15 minutes later, he got his food (which probably should have been mine). I had now been at the bar about 35 minutes and still no food. I only have about 30-45 minutes for lunch as it is. Finally got my sandwhich, inhaled it and got out of there. The sad part is that there was only two people at the bar and about two tables with customers. I could have gone back and made the sandwich in about 5 minutes,,,but I know food is not the specialty here. read more

Our server never rang in our appetizers and didn't bother to check on us when we did not have anything in front of us for over half an hour. Saw him joking around with other servers/customers instead of taking care of his own customers. This was our first time going there and our experience was completely ruined because of this one guy. Being servers ourselves we understand how mistakes happen, but this was inexcusable. DO NOT GO! read more

I want to love Sweeney's. It's a venerable St. Paul institution, but every visit I've had to this place over the years has been a little mediocre. Never bad enough to avoid this place, but it's just not getting added to my rotation anytime soon. That's okay, they seem to stay busy as it is. Pros: - Good happy hour ($3 Summits before 6:00pm on weekdays) and specials ($4 Jameson pours on Tuesday, and it's a good pour. - Nice atmosphere, great patio with heaters and you're still allowed to smoke on it (okay, that might not be a pro for everybody). - Service is usually okay - not overly friendly but totally competent. Cons: - Mediocre food. Had the nachos and they has definitely sat under a heat lamp for a while because the cheese was rock-hard and turning dark. Decent pickle fries, and tacos for $.75 at happy hour (hard to complain about $.75) - Easily the WORST Manhattan ever. Small and watery. Maybe I should have specified neat, but even over the rocks should have had way more flavor. - The bathrooms stink. Men's room has a trough style urinal on the same wall on the door, so get ready to show off every time somebody walks in to the tiny men's room. Should you avoid Sweeney's? No, you should try it out, especially the patio. On a cold, crowded Friday night though, I might suggest another fine St. Paul watering hole. read more

Disappointing. Food & service ok, but it was a beautiful evening & our party of 4 wanted to sit on the patio. Full of smokers!! They need a designated smoking area. Probably won't be going back. read more

Visited last night to watch a sporting event and ordered potato soup, as I was feeling a touch queasy. Pricing was fair, except that the portion was microscopic. After waiting for perhaps ten or fifteen minutes, I tried without success to flag down the bartender, who repeatedly walked past me, but refused to make eye contact. I felt a little like Milton in Office Space. Finally, I asked a server, who said that she had been wondering why a bowl of soup had been languishing at the end of the bar all that time. By then, it was cold. read more

When TGI Friday's, Applebee's and Chilli's tried to capture the "neighborhood" grill & bar, this is the kind of place they were inspired by. Order the chicken wings and check out the female hockey players while looking cool in front of your date for finding a gem like Sweeney's! read more

Many other reviewers nailed it - great patio in the summer, just ok in the winter inside. My biggest issue is with the men's bathroom. This might be a little on the TMI side, but bear with me. There is a trough which runs parallel with the hallway. When a man is standing doing his business and the door opens, he's clearly "exposed" to anyone walking by. This makes for a very uncomfortable experience. In addition, the hand dryer requires one to place his hands about 3 feel off the ground RIGHT NEXT TO THE TROUGH. I've gotten quite "close" to a complete stranger in a compromised position as I dried my hands. Sweeney's management - for the love of God, please fix this. I have avoided your bar for this very reason. Maybe I need to loosen up, but I don't think people want to see dudes' junk when they're trying to eat their dinner. Still gets three stars due to decent service, good location, and the patio. read more

I loved your patio for many years. It was a beautiful oasis to enjoy a beer outdoors near my apartment. Alas, your patio has become an oasis for smokers. My boyfriend and I went to your patio to enjoy a celebratory beer. In the 30 minutes we were there, there were four separate tables of smokers (out of ten tables of customers). We left with headaches, after already moving tables once in an attempt to get away from the smoke. We won't be back unless you ban smoking from your patio. read more

Great lunch on the patio. Even with full sun and 92 degrees the patio was well-shaded and cool. Thai chix salad was fresh and my wife enjoyed the tostadas. It was a nice bonus that the patio is dog-friendly. read more