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    The White Squirrel Bar

    4.4 (33 reviews)
    Thu 3:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Fri 3:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    The White Squirrel Bar Photos

    THE WHITE SQUIRREL BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Live music
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Christmas decor
    Rikkita K.

    Cute bar! Feels like a fun, slightly elevated dive bar. Definitely a local place, lots of friend groups 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!

    Billy Dankert, Jon Rodine and Matt Caflischl & Band.  Legendary night!
    Steve T.

    Such an intimate bar that offers free music and an everchanging cocktail menu. A great outdoor patio, that is also pooches friendly as long as they are on a leash. And hey! If you're feeling adventurous, they have $4 mystery shots. Tip your bartender, there is only one, and they are hustling.

    Back patio
    Raymond S.

    Went here again after going a few years ago. Lot has changed. They have a backyard patio/ stage for music and food trucks. The drinks are really good. Had the gold rush. One of my favs!!

    April 2025
    Tiffany W.

    Exceptional dive bar! Fun cocktails, beers and THC drinks. We went to watch a live gig from the Clean Plate Club who were an outstanding jazz funk band with a brass section. For my drink, I opted for the "Dreamkiller" which had aged rum, velvet falernum, mezcal, coco lopez, pineapple, orange, lime and nutmeg. Perfection! Do note: the interior is tiny so get ready to get comfortable especially if you are seeing a live show. Also no food is served here just drinks. There are bar seats and a couple of booths for comfort if you arrive early enough. Enjoy!

    The eponymous white squirrel.
    Scott P.

    Solid neighborhood bar in the West 7th neighborhood of St. Paul. I'm from out of town, but my sister lives a few blocks away and tells me the bar is named after an albino squirrel named Kevin that lives in the neighborhood. Sounds legit. Or she's just messing with her little brother. Who's to say? We came with a small group on a Sunday night and sat at the booth by the window. I asked the bartender what local beers they had and he said everything on tap was local, and let me try a beer made right up the road. I love a local bar that supports local breweries. It was incredibly pleasant sitting in the booth in the small space. The other side of the bar has a small stage for live music and I can imagine it would be even better watching a live show here. Cozy atmosphere, super friendly bartender, great drinks, space for live music... bars don't get much better than this.

    Kevin :)
    Grace Q.

    THE WHITE SQUIRREL BAR: A HAIKU Funky tunes, fun pals. Distilled dive bar on the rocks, Kevin's hideaway *THC/CBD friendly

    Yummy painkiller drink.
    Jill T.

    Cozy and friendly staff. The bartender was able to make a drink that wasn't on the menu for us. Live music sometimes. I'd come back.

    Booths are comfortable and fairly private.
    Amber D.

    White Squirrel is a cozy space with a really cool aesthetic. There are typically live bands on weekends, which is a ton of fun. The booths are set up so that you can typically still have a conversation, even when a band is playing on stage. They have a wide selection of drinks; the cocktails are really tasty, they have a bunch of THC seltzers to choose from, and plenty of beers on tap. Last time we were there, I had a THC seltzer and didn't want to mix, so I tried their N/A cocktail. It was refreshing and not too sweet, kind of like a medicine ball tea or a hot toddy (obviously without the whiskey flavor). The bartenders have always been helpful and kind, even when the bar is packed. Overall, this place is one of my favorites.

    one of two side entrances
    Nikki B.

    Stopped in Saturday afternoon to catch a live gig. What a cute and cozy venue! There was bar seating, a few booths, some small tables then there was more seating closer to the stage! Bartender Chris was absolutely delightful ....and confirmed my initial notion when I saw him!! The White Squirel is one of three bars the owner has, another one is Amsterdam... where I had met Chris in July! There are two bathrooms, right across from the bar, between the two side doors. I think the bar did a great job w acoustics! Two little kids walked out covering their ears but adults didn't mind. White Squirrel has such a comfy neighborhood bar feeling and I quite enjoyed the couple that found a little room to dance!It got a little busier as the bands played but not uncomfortably crowded. There is a small parking lot so if it's busy you're looking at street parking, which is ample. Thanks White Squirrel for a wonderful afternoon of live music while I met up w old friends and chatted up your friendly bartender... certainly planning to make you a regular stop.

    a painting of a white cat

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    3 months ago

    A neat old-time vibe with good bartenders and some great music. I would call the place "unexpected."

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    1 year ago

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    5 months ago

    Dive bar but they actually had u pique and well made cocktails. I enjoyed it !! Also appreciated all the booths inside.

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    7 months ago

    Great little dive bar with live music. Good beer, great bartender, good cocktails and of course good live music.

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Really fun cozy spot to hear loud music! Kind bartenders with free pour mixed drinks.

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    2 years ago

    Cozy and cool vibe. Great alcoholic and non choices. Elevated stage is great to see the entertainment. (The em's ROCK the place!!)

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    Ask the Community - The White Squirrel Bar

    Review Highlights - The White Squirrel Bar

    They have plenty of THC and even a CBD-only option (winning!), along with some non-altering choices that include switchel(!).

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Local Rumor

    Local Rumor

    4.4
    (47 reviews)
    2.8 mi

    I tend to reserve 5 stars for like life changing meals, but this place is a 5/5 on a number of…read morefronts. A few notes to set the scene I went today for lunch on a lovely 70 degree Spring day after getting a haircut across the street to check some work emails, grab a beer and quick lunch to go order. Full disclosure: I'm slightly biased bc I grew up about a mile away and just moved home recently, so any cool vibey place in the old neighborhood has a special place in my heart. That said, it has a very cozy/hip neighborhood feel and understated sophistication for what is a pretty residential and quiet area of St Paul The 5/5 elements... Scott (who I think may be the owner?) is super cool, was serving/tending bar and running around to manage the patio while chatting me up & giving great recs on beer/food based on my half hearted description while I multi tasked on work nonsense. Awesome guy, and reason enough to check this place out The vibe/softly playing music and entrancing Twin Cities flyover footage playing in the background on the TV at the bar was oddly soothing Ordered brisket tacos, brussels sprouts, and fried chicken sandwich for myself + a friend to go. Yamahama, I'm not gonna cheat and double check the menu, but the brussels have a delicious umami flavor from either duck fat or facsimile that perfectly balances the acid from the balsamic/vinegar situation. Fried chicken sandwich is a KILLER, highly recommend. Friend loved the brisket tacos as well Highly recommend this place should you find yourself near Merriam Park in St Paul for lunch, dinner, or happy hour. Must try spot. Cheers

    The interior of this place is incredible, such a cute spot with moody lighting, intimate seating,…read moreand vibey music. It's a great place for drinks and appetizers. The drinks were good, and they also have a solid selection of beer on tap. The food portion are a bit small imo but I will say the Mac and cheese was pretty darn tasty!

    Photos
    Elevated mocktail program
    Elevated mocktail program
    Local Rumor
    Local Rumor

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    Bar Cart Lounge And Restaurant

    Bar Cart Lounge And Restaurant

    4.2
    (92 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    My daughter and I were excited to finally try this restaurant in my new neighborhood after walking…read moreby it countless times. Since we didn't have a reservation, we arrived early and were pleasantly surprised to be seated right away. From the moment we walked in, we loved everything about the place. The décor is beautiful, the ambiance is warm and inviting, and the staff was fantastic. The menu offers so many great options, and the cocktails were even better than expected. Our server, Rosie, provided excellent recommendations, and we genuinely loved everything we ordered. They also offer a great happy hour until 6 PM, which is a nice bonus. Overall, it was a wonderful dining experience, and I highly recommend giving it a try. One small note: We didn't realize a 20% gratuity had already been added to our bill. That's partially on us for not catching it on the credit card slip, (we tipped in cash) but I do think it would be helpful if servers mentioned it when presenting the check. I typically prefer to tip in cash, so on our $62 tab, we ended up leaving a $34 tip. Even with that little surprise, we'll absolutely be back. The food, drinks, service, and atmosphere were all worth another visit!

    The ambience is good, although noisy. The food, with the exception of less than fresh mussels, is…read moreconsistently tasty. The cocktails are exceptionally good. They fail to indicate on the menu or through the server that a 20% gratuity is automatically added. This should be made clear. I always add 20%, so for the last 3 visits I now realize that I have been paying a 40% tip each time! This is not customer friendly.

    Photos
    Vinegar sauces for the oysters
    Vinegar sauces for the oysters
    Mocktail
    Mocktail
    Bar Cart Lounge And Restaurant

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    Moscow On The Hill

    Moscow On The Hill

    4.3
    (715 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Not that this place needs another five-star review, but from the second we walked in, we were…read moregreeted and joked with like family. We decided to come here for our anniversary lunch and made a reservation in advance. We started with an appetizer and some borscht. I make a mean borscht myself using veggies from my garden, but I figured a little outside inspiration could only help improve my recipe. I also ordered the Ivan the Terrible Martini, which has sambuca in it. Truly such a unique, delicious, and STRONG drink. Our entrées were perfectly portioned. I had the Siberian pelmeni, which I still think about to this day. Pairing those little dumplings with sour cream and vinegar has my mouth watering just writing this. After one more martini, we called it and headed out to enjoy the rest of our anniversary. We found street parking and walked a little ways to get there. Such a friendly, warm environment with delicious food that manages to feel both hearty and elevated.

    Moscow on the Hill delivers comfort food with a Russian twist, and the Beef Stroganoff is a…read moremust-order. The Beef Stroganoff features tender beef in a rich, velvety mushroom cream sauce served over creamy mashed potatoes with fresh vegetables. The house pickles might sound unexpected, but they add just the right tangy contrast to balance the richness and make every bite interesting. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the portions are generous, and every dish feels thoughtfully prepared. If you're looking to try authentic Eastern European flavors--or just want an incredible plate of comfort food--this is one of the best spots in the Twin Cities.

    Photos
    Nice ambiance
    Nice ambiance
    Borscht
    Borscht
    Maryusya Gold cocktail

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    Maryusya Gold cocktail
    Estelle

    Estelle

    4.7
    (259 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$$

    Great little local spot in Saint Paul…read more There's a lot to like about Estelle so I'll try to keep it to what stands out: 1. The menu is wonderful, and the food comforting. The peri peri chicken was surprisingly spicy. I like spicy foods and it was teetering on a bit too hot for me, but I enjoyed the flavors and the dishes as a whole that we sampled. 2. The cocktails are divine. I had two old fashioneds and they were amongst some of the best I've had. 3. The service is impeccable. Friendly, well paced, and professional. 4. The ambiance is really comfortable. I liked that we weren't rushed, and had a really well paced meal in a nice environment. Overall I'd love to return someday. If you go be sure to make a reservation!

    Incredible experience at Estelle. We sat at the chef's counter, which was such a fun way to…read moreexperience the meal. Watching the kitchen in action added so much to the night. The service was impeccable from start to finish. Everything felt really intentional and well timed. The food was outstanding. The rigatoni was a standout with an incredible sausage that was honestly to die for. We also had the soles de pollo, a chicken ravioli with fresh vegetables in the sauce, and the flavors were amazing. For tapas, we ordered the patatas bravas and rissoles, both were delicious. Such a thoughtful touch when they brought out churro bites at the end as a thank you. Amazing food, top tier service, and a really fun but romantic atmosphere. Definitely a spot worth going out of your way for

    Photos
    Our view from seating
    Our view from seating
    SHRIMP AL AJILLO
    SHRIMP AL AJILLO
    It's Good For Yah cocktail

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    It's Good For Yah cocktail
    The Mudd Room

    The Mudd Room

    4.4
    (44 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$

    Where swanky meets chill vibe. First time going to the Mudd Room. I was excited to go to a speak…read moreeasy, and though this one isn't super secretive or have hidden doors, the vibe was amazing. Low lighting, amazing drinks, and excellent performers with their live music. The servers were all friendly and their service was top notch. I ordered an espresso martini and it was smooth and delicious. Prices are on par with other speakeasy's. Their select food means, though I didn't try it, looked really good and I like that it is a rotating menu. Already planning my next visit back there.

    My first visit to The Mudd Room last night for an acoustic gig. After some googling to confirm,…read moreMudd Room is below the Lucky's 13. When you arrive there Mudd Room is painted on the east side of the building above a small four space parking lot. Fear not; you can park on the west side of the building, also an overflow lot right there as well, a few spaces on the street in the front or across the street from there is designated parking. I entered through the west side of the building that noted Lucky's, fear not, when I entered and told the host I was looking for the Mudd Room she gave me precise directions to get downstairs! Once downstairs I came upon the nice single toilet ladies room. I proceeded in to the bar, asked the blonde bartender where the music would be? She pointed to the stage @ the end of the bar and said it could be loud right by the speaker so she'd recommend sitting a few tables away. She said the parties near the stage were tabbing out if I wanted to sit there? I said I would take a seat @ the end until they were through. Shortly after I sat down the very friendly brunette server brought me a glass of ice water... thanks! She remained attentive all night, filling my water three times. Despite not looking over the menu she was very thoughtful when she popped by just to say it was last call for the kitchen, did I want anything? I meant to get the gals names, I did not, sorry. Music wasn't too loud; the acoustics and lighting were great since the speakeasy is already dimly lit. I don't anticipate this was my last visit; very much looking forward to catching another gig here or meeting friends for drinks! The friendly and attentive service are my number one fast and hard rule for a venue... no matter how good or bad the drinks or food are.... they 90% determine if I will return. These two knocked it out of the park... thank you for such a welcoming and attentive inaugural visit, cheers!

    Photos
    Wall seating view of the back of the room
    Wall seating view of the back of the room
    Fondue & stuffed peppers
    Fondue & stuffed peppers
    Bar

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    Bar
    Altera

    Altera

    4.4
    (52 reviews)
    3.0 mi

    I had been really wanting to go to Altera and was excited to go! I liked the ambiance but will say…read morethere was room for improvement for attention to cleanliness - menu, water glass, chair were not clean. We ordered: POK POK CHICKEN WINGS 5/5 BURRATA 1/5 CACIO E PEPE Pizza 2/5 DAN DAN NOODLE 4.5/5 (not terribly warm) CLAUDEL 5/5 Wine list was good!

    This place has potential, the ambiance was there and the server Josh was great, but the food itself…read morejust didn't match the prices. Came here for a date night, I got the Broiled Miso Salmon and one glass of wine and my partner got the Steak Frites and a coke. Our bill was $95! Ouch. The bad: If it were really really good I would be willing to pay for it, but I felt that the flavors in my dish, in salmon, carrot ginger sauce, and cauliflower, were whispering at best. I think the cauliflower could have used a sauce or been crispier, it just seemed boring and soggy. The steak and fries also came out cold :( my partner really knows his steaks and was not impressed, it was over cooked for medium rare and it had clearly been sitting too long. Not worth the $38! The good: The space itself is decorated really well, it's pretty dark but the theme comes together really nicely. I personally enjoyed the indie/pop music they had playing and it wasn't too loud. I really enjoyed the Chardonnay ($16) and they had a decent selection of wine but only a handful were by the glass. You can get glasses of by the bottle wines if you commit to getting at least two glasses though which is good to know. For me, the service really saved this review, our server was so nice and friendly, attentive but not overbearing. I would maybe grab a drink and an appetizer here sometime but will definitely hold out on dinner again until their prices chill or the food gets better. ‍ TLDR: Too expensive for the food quality

    Photos
    Altera
    Pok Pok Chicken Wings
    Pok Pok Chicken Wings
    Altera Cheeseburger and "Chips"

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    Altera Cheeseburger and "Chips"

    The White Squirrel Bar - musicvenues - Updated August 2026

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