Grumpy’s Bar

First impression, smells like stale urine (can urine be fresh?). Second impression, no food. Third impression, awesome beers, good happy hour, knowledgeable staff.
I’ve only been here one time, ironically. But seriously, great little spot with awesome beer options, a cute little patio and devent happy hour deals. Not awesome, but good.
However, the one reason this place is really bangin’ is their Firkin Fridays. Its so cool, so special, so limited. They bring in a little keg (called a firkin), I think its maybe ¹⁄₈ keg, from a local brewery and its always something really unique!

Love it here. Staff is amazing. Give them all raises. If you live around here don’t judge the place based on what you see on the weekends. This place is on point for a Tuesday night.

Great little dive bar! Delicious rotating selection of good beer! Will definitely have to come back for $ 1 hot dish night and vinyl Thursday!

We visit the stand up comedy night on wednesday wich is in a separate space from the bar and that was great! Really something to come back for. Surprisingly funny even when the jokes aren’t good. The bar it self is nothing special

went here yesterday, liked it. Would come back. The bartender certainly knows his beer. Recommended 2 great spirits.

My favorite dive bar in NE. Great beer selection, and you can grab your own water from the bar on the weekends like how it should be. There’s pizza if you get hungry. But that’s it… great beer and pizza.

My favorite bar in the whole wide world. This is a place where everyone know your name, expect on Friday and Saturday nights, when the A, B, C’s are here in full force (Anoka, Blaine, and Coon Rapids).

For what was expected I guess it was ok. It was a classic dive bar. I actually enjoyed it to be honest.

Only been here once but I was quite impressed. I LOVE dive bars and this place is small and dive-​y with a fairly large patio. But that wasn’t even the best part for me: it was their incredible beer selection! I’ll admit it, I’m a huge beer snob, so it takes a lot for a bar or restaurant to impress me with their draft selection. There were several beers I’d never heard of, as well as a few obscure favorites of mine — Bent Paddle’s Bent Hop IPA on Nitro?! A beer from Crooked Stave, my favorite Denver brewery specializing in sour beers?! Nice work, Grumpy’s.
Staff was great, too. They had a few servers that would come out periodically to check if anyone on the patio needed another round and to clear away empty glasses.
I can’t believe I hadn’t been here before (ok, I can believe it – for whatever reason NE Minneapolis always seems like a bit of a hike from Whittier where I live), but I can’t wait to go back!

Seriously. I’m here so damn much. bartenders and staff know me.
The tap selection is amazing and I’m now enjoying a firkin of Summit’s Unchained#18 (their Hop Silo Double IPA) with lemon, tangerine and grapefruit peel, I’d be a real a-​hole for giving this place anything less then 5 stars.
And let me say one last thing: «Lets go Wild!»

Seriously. I’m here so damn much.
The tap selection is amazing and I’m now enjoying a firkin of Summit’s Unchained#18 (their Hop Silo Double IPA) with lemon, tangerine and grapefruit peel, I’d be a real a-​hole for giving this place anything less then 5 stars.
And let me say one last thing: «Lets go Wild!»

My favorite grumpys location. I lived nearby and went quite often my last year in Minneapolis. Tons of good memories over the years.
Great draft selection, and perfect dive atmosphere. Outside area is a great plus as well.
Now all this being said, it’s been about 4 years. Hope not too much has changed.

This place is like a home away from home. The staff here is always welcoming, and they actually care about who you are. When I come in, some of the staff knows my name, as I am still a newer patron. But the people I come in with that introduced me to this place know them as friends. I love to come here, and can’t wait to make more memories. Hope to see you all here!

Sometimes the bartenders leave something to be desired — but hey, it’s called Grumpy’s, what do you expect? This particular Grumpy’s location is arguably the best (as originals so often are) and while I wish they had more than Heggie’s pizza available, they have plenty of other things to offer a gal like myself: darts, plenty of beer on tap, the small, grungy, and divey vibe I prefer when I’m drinking, and a nice little (smoking-​friendly) patio out back. Though there are tons of places where this phrase applies (part of what makes northeast so charming), Grumpy’s really is a Northeast institution.

If you are looking for a dive bar, this is your place! Unlike other grumpys locations, this place does not serve food except for pizzas. Which hit the spot after a couple of beers!
Couple of tips:
Monday night mn beer night, all mn brews are half off!
Tuesday night hotdish night!
Wednesday night they have trivia! It is hard but fun!
They have a nice patio, bike parking, and darts!

Love !!! Love !!! Love!!!
Best bartenders ever, and they have amazing beer on tap and crazy awesome specials like Minnesota Mondays where from 6 – 9 all Minnesota beers (cans, taps, or what ever way it comes) are all half priced!
How could you not go here.
They have always been so nice to me, and I would consider them a part of my life forever!
GO TO GRUMPYS NE !!! You won’t regret it (and if you do it’s okay I and others are probably happier without you in the bar too)!!

With a wide cast of characters, great beer selection, cheap drinks, and the best frozen pizza you’ve ever had, what’s not to love? It’s hard for me to put into words why I love this bar so much, but it has to do with its complete lack of pretension; Grumpy’s isn’t trying to be anything other than exactly what it is – a friendly neighborhood bar with a great beer list where all are welcome. If you’re looking for table service, be aware that the server only works when the place gets pretty busy, usually after 9 on the weekends. Most of the décor looks like it’s been there since the 70’s, but in a good way that feels comfortable.
I recommend going on a Monday, since all Minnesota beers are half price (this is all day Monday, not just happy hour). If you’re looking for food (and for some reason don’t want Heggies, which is truly the highest quality frozen pizza I’ve ever had), try Stanley’s or Marina up the street.

This place is the best kept secret in Minneapolis.
The wait staff is amazing and the service is top notch. They only serve pizza here so if you’re looking for a menu this is not the place for you.
To some it’s just a ‘room with beer’, to others it’s also a room with beer. It’s a great neighborhood bar where everyone knows your name and if they don’t it’s quite possible you’re on a pub crawl or someone drug you in there against your will.

Tiny place. Kind of confused as to why everybody seems to love this place. Is it a hipster thing? Definitely felt like a hipster place which is so at odds with the Grumpy’s I knew growing up which was like a local TGI Fridays with cheaper décor. This place looks the same but as someone completely un-​hipster like I felt quite out of place… like Paris Hilton in a sea of Brooklyn baristas. I wouldn’t avoid this place but I’m not sure I’d put a lot of effort into coming back either. The beer list was wonderful. The service a tad spotty. Definitley divey.

We like Grumpy’s. We aren’t sure what it is. maybe the divey bar feel but really not that divey as others, the sweet little dog friendly patio out back, the fire they stoke out there on colder evenings, the many many options on tap, the really decent prices, awesome happy hour specials, close to home… the list goes on. We have yet to have a bad night here. I have had a couple encounters with staff that make me not give Grumpy’s a 5 star. On two totally separate occasions we’ve had not so friendly server/​bartender. That said, the service is fast, the drinks are strong, and Grumpy’s is a fun place to be. It’s also really close to the other NE bars. Gotta love it.

Didn’t realize that Grumpy’s Nordeast was SO different from their other locations. I could see this being a fun dive bar in NE Minneapolis. They had a decent beer selection. But, it was a pretty small, had no service at the booths (at least while we were there), the booths weren’t wiped up well. All that would have been fine, but there was one big disappointment:
No food! I love Grumpy’s burgers and tots at the downtown and Roseville locations and had incorrectly assumed that the NE location had a similar menu. However, the only food they had to offer was heated frozen pizza. Fine for a night out drinking, but very disappointing otherwise.
Don’t go here expecting anything similar to the other Grumpy’s in town. It has its own very different offerings and vibe.

Not impressed at all. Bad service and no food? This IS a dive bar despite the many reviews to the contrary. I enjoy a good NE dive, just not this one.
Walked in at 10pm on Thursday. There was a decent amount of people in the bar for a sub-​zero night. Two of us sat down at an open table. No menus or tap lists at the table so we waited for the server. Our server saw us sit down, but decided to check up on at least 4 other tables before coming over to acknowledge the two of us.
After waiting 10 – 15 minutes for a server, I asked about food options. The server replied rather rudly, «We dont have a kitchen. We have chips and pizza.» We were there for food and beer so that was a deal breaker. We left and went down the road to Mayslack’s. Ill give Grumpy’s two stars because, by the looks of the beer signs, they have a nice beer selection.
Im confused by all the reviews saying this is a great bar. Maybe those people need to get out more?

I had a blast at Grumpy’s. The beer specials on the wall were the extreme version of eclectic. We had to ask the waitress about them and do you know what she presented us with? The BEER DECISION TREE. More hoppy or less hoppy? Bitter or less bitter?
She was a wizard. Any all the beers had a high ABV. Win!

Before you pull up to Grumpy’s in Nordeast, you know you’ve found the place when all of the parking spaces for the past three blocks have been packed tighter than a pack of Velveeta singles on a July afternoon. When you step in, it’s hard to get your bearings because it’s packed full of college students, thirty-​somethings, blue collar working-​class types and retirees. Put another way, it’s a local neighborhood bar in the best sense. But unlike the stereotypical corner bar; dark, filled with smoke and lousy beer, this place is adequately lit, smoke free (as everywhere is now) and jam packed with stellar beers. The beers are the highlight. Packed with local and craft beers, as well as imported and rare specialties, there’s not a tap wasted on Bud, Coors or Miller.
Fridays, though are the key. Grumpy’s Firkin Fridays are not to be missed (but don’t tell anyone, it’s packed already). They take a firkin of cask-​conditioned ale and hand-​pull pints while serving free snacks to keep you going. This week, the ale was Fulton’s amazing Libertine and the snacks were markedly absent, until I realized that they were roasting a whole pig in a Caja China – a Cuban-​style pit roaster. It took a while, but it was definitely worth the wait. They try different things every week, so it’s always exciting.

The bar is small and had left the door open. It became cold, and fast, at 11 pm when I came by. The servers were friendly, but it was sometimes hard to get their attention. The bar had a good amount of people in it, mostly sitting at the bar. We ordered a pizza, which came within 15 or so minutes and was tasty. There were a large variety of pizza flavors available, but very few without mushrooms (which my roommate dislikes). We settled on the cheese (simple) and it was tasty.

Good beer selection. Fun and friendly staff. Trivia on Wednesdays is hella fun. Nice patio. They have a lot of great weekly events.
No complaints here… Except that I don’t live within walking distance!

Hipsters — (Pretentiousness) + fixie bikers + cheap booze + patio for smokin’ and chillin’ + Northeast vibe of chillaxed earthiness + flannel + darts + frozen pizza for drunken festivities = Grumpy’s Bar
LOVE. Was here with 15 great friends and had an absolute ball. At the last minute walking out the door of my house, I ran back upstairs and changed from a Jean Paul Gaultier shirt into a flannel one on impulse. I thought to myself, «Self, why do you want to be uncomfortable? This is not downtown Chicago– this is Minnesota.» I had a creeping suspicion I wouldn’t have to front SHIT at this place.
Correct. If you’re looking for the most authentically awesome bar in the Cities, somewhere where the people watching is good enough to drink, somewhere where the only person you have to dress for is yourself, go here.
But watch out! That photo in the gallery lies! There are no tater tots here! Broke my little heart.

I feel like I should really love this place, and that it should be worthy of 5 stars. It’s a place of many firsts for me: first date with my fiancée, first bar I visited in Northeast Minneapolis, first place I enjoyed a Surly, the list goes on and on. It’s a great dive bar with a ton of appeal… but I have this weird feeling like I’ve entered some northeastern clique the past few times I’ve been there to enjoy trailer trash trivia and a beer.
The place has a great location, great atmosphere with all of the Hamms and Grain Belt décor… and the crowd is a great mix of city folk which can be good or bad depending upon your feelings…
Things I love about Grumpy’s:
— The service is great. The bar staff are awesome people here
— The beer selection, it’s very diverse, and constantly changes. Surly has a great presence here.
–The pizzas are top-​notch for a dive bar.
— They put Guinness in their Bloody Mary
— Ms Pacman/​Galaga video game in the doorway.
–They have a Vinyl night, Hot dish (delicious) night, Trivia night… all of which are worthy of attending.
–I love Northeast, and this bar defines the area for me.
There are a number of things that bother me about Grumpy’s:
— The prices for the tap beers are not advertised on the chalk board. I hate having to ask the bartender how much that special Surly tap costs before I have them pour it. I feel like a prude for asking, but I don’t want to encounter sticker shock either at the end of the night.
— The seating can get a bit cramped, and it simply stinks to see places where tables and chairs could go… and instead there is empty space. I hate standing in the door looking like a fool for an open space. Could you add just a couple more tables and chairs?
— The format of the Trivia night needs to be changed. Currently there are no rules that limit the amount of members that can be on a team. This creates an unfair advantage where one team may have 9 members while there are some with couples…9 brains beats 2 brains… hate to say it, it does. So does pulling out your blackberry or IPhone to Google answers… I am always appalled at the lack of scruples in this crowd when it comes to cheating. It takes away from the fun… and gives me a sour feeling for this bar. Especially when I get my bill for beer and a pizza at the end of the night. My suggestion is to limit team sizes to 4, and to implement tougher penalties if you are caught surfing by your neighbor next to you. The crowd should be able to police each other.
Despite these things, you’ll run into me here if you visit often. I am a fan, and always will be.