Terminal Bar

This place is the diveyest of dive bars.
I’ve only gone on Thursdays for open mic comedy at 7:30. They usually start late but who cares. They played a great mix of rap music, Drake, Missy Elliot, etc. The comedy was better than expected. I laughed a lot.
Also of note: the $ 2 mystery shot

Great bar, nice people. Support local musicians

If you’re in Old St Anthony/​Downtown NE looking for a dive bar or something different from the more high-​end joints this is it. Terminal bar is a bar’s bar: you’re here to drink. I thought this place was closed, but just happened by and noticed the door was open, so I figured why not? The jukebox wasn’t playing anything, there was just the conversations going on with patrons and the owner who’ll make you feel welcome right off the bat. I did notice the switch from glass to smaller plastic cup for other patrons after I had finished my pints of beer before the bands/​cover started and while I can see that being a pet peeve on the upside there were taps in the $ 3 range.

I want to like this place, but the culmination of all its bad elements is just too much. It’s overpriced for a dive bar (little plastic cups and not real pints); the bands are possibly the worst you could find in the city (seriously no idea where they find these awful cover bands); the cover is $ 5 no matter if there’s 7 people in the bar on a Friday night (which has happened both times I visited) or no one at all. The worst sign that the place is going down the tubes is that instead of investing in a booker or some other bartenders, it appears that the whole venture consists of relatives of the owner. But this isn’t a «family business» in the good sense, but more that no one in their right mind would/​could work here.
I feel bad for the owner, who seems to have no clue why the Terminal Bar is not pulling in business anymore after reopening last summer. Still, sympathy is about the worst reason to go somewhere on a Friday night. My hope is that someone else take over or they just close up shop.

This is the definition of a Dive Bar. Be ready for only using cash. Some of the patrons I think could drink rubbing alcohol and not wince. It does have some live music on occasion and if you are looking for a one time experience this is up your alley. If you want to go back for seconds, then that is your call.

I’ve got to admit, the Terminal Bar’s exterior is a little daunting. I don’t know why (the lack of windows perhaps?) but I never thought I’d stop in.
However, chance led me to a quick stop here one night and I can happily report that no longer will I fear its dark, wood paneled exterior!
There were only a few regulars lurking about at the time, but they were so friendly you couldn’t help but feel a sense of kinship that resembled an episode of Cheers.
Naturally, Allison K. and I opted for the «Mystery Shot» which was disguised in a brown paper bag for the fabulous price of $ 2 a pop. It wasn’t too difficult to choke down and we even scored a complimentary round 2!
There is just something undeniably likable about this bar.

I’m saddened to see so many mediocre/​negative reviews of The Terminal, as it is solidly my new favorite bar in Minneapolis.
Yes, it is kind of dirty. Yes, most of the patrons look like they’ve lived pretty hard. Yes, it’s cash only and they don’t have the widest selection of beers. It’s a dive bar, those are all things you should expect to find when you go there. And it is wonderful. The Terminal achieves the ideal neon: natural light ratio that I’ve been searching for, and unlike most of the other dive bars that I’ve explored in Minneapolis, no one looks like they’re tweaking– just a little rough from a life of hard drinking. On top of that, I actually think that they’ve got a pretty decent selection of taps, given the size of the bar. If you have a suggestion for something you’d rather see, ask Annette– she’ll probably oblige next time she orders. And while it’s true that when they kick a keg it usually stays kicked, I’m not expecting Flem or Annette to be able to change it without a younger set of hands around to do it.
As for the owners themselves, they are FANTASTIC. Flem is just as happy to tell you some stories from his days in the Marine Corps as he is a dirty joke and Annette is an absolute sweetheart. While I am vehemently opposed to cover charges, the money doesn’t go into their pockets– it goes straight to the band, and the one on Tuesday nights is great. I was happy to support them. Add that to the fact that I’m supporting (1) an awesome family business that’s been around for nearly 80 years, and (2) the independent music scene by patronizing a place that offers an opportunity for just about anybody to get up on stage, just makes me even warmer and fuzzier.
Go to The Terminal. Bring a dirty joke or two of your own. Love it for all it’s divey awesomeness.

The Terminal is what it is. It’s a dive, but it’s also a dive that’s been part of the Minneapolis music scene for a great many years, so it’s kind of a legend. It’s kind of seedy, but not in a way that makes you feel unsafe. Their slogan is «The Working Man’s Bar since 1932,» and you’ll believe it when you’re there. It has a cool, Metro-​area fixture vibe to it that makes one willing to overlook its shortcomings.
Beer is served in plastic cups, and the selection is okay. Not very impressive, but you at least have a few options if you’re planning on spending a few hours there (like at their Monday night open mics, which I attended pretty regularly for a while). Beer prices are about average, and sometimes they get something special in which they sell for a good price. Food is less impressive, with selections limited to easy things you can cook behind a bar (pizza, hot dogs, etc).
Flem is the owner, a crusty USMC veteran who is friendly, but not overly garrulous. He warmed up to me a bit once I told him I’m a veteran too. Jason is the other bartender I saw there, and he’s a cool guy.
It is definitely worth your time to check it out, maybe see a show there or something. Open mic nights are always kind of a treat, because you never really know exactly what you’re going to get. In one session you can hear a few folk singers, the gravelly-​voiced stoner who plays slack-​tuned screamo, the up-​and-​coming hip-​hopper who leaves right after his set is up, and maybe a couple of clever poetry readings, all depending on who shows up.

Terminal Bar get terminally trashed & yep like the VFW. I used to hit this place reeeal early back in the day. Not sure if it’s still opens at 8 – 9 am.. But this is where the terminally alcoholic goes. If you don’t like that & aren’t mistfully wistful about VFW’s, Legion Clubs etc like they have up on Da’ Range where old men in trucker hats sip poison aside a confusing mix of younger blond clueless bimbo’s and other assorted oddities, avoid. But I personally like this «vibe» if you can call it that?

The Terminal Bar is a no-​frills, cash-​only, dive bar. Located in Northeast Minneapolis just a few steps from The Bulldog NE and Whitey’s Saloon, the bartenders are very inviting and happy to have you in a stool. Tap beer is served into plastic cups to help you wax nostalgic over college keg parties of yore. Beer prices were average and the selection is limited, and they were one of the few bars that I’ve visited in NE Minneapolis of late that still had a supply of Grain Belt Nordeast in bottles.
This bar is cash-​only, but does have an ATM, and a Wells Fargo branch is to a left outside of the bar. Ask one of the bartenders if they’re interested in walking over to Whitey’s with you for some Blackberry brandy shots.
The Terminal has a revolving selection of live music, for a $ 5 cover charge which seemed a bit much… but I forget about it once I am in the door. If I had a band, I would use the Terminal Bar to test out my sound on my friends and the few locals who frequent this place.
If you need a dive bar to go with your aging Poison t-​shirt and ripped jeans… check out the Terminal.

The Terminal Bar was A-OK…just as my «3 star vote» states. The beer on tap was slightly limited, but I was happy with the selection. Price was average — $ 5 cover + $¾something for a beer on «special». The bartenders were really friendly and it gave the place a very «mom and pop» type feel. Here are a few essentials you should know before going to the Terminal Bar…
— It is a dirty little dive bar (no need to dress up)
— Tap beer is served in plastic cups
— Cash only — no credit cards (ATM on site)
— The girly loo only had one stall — so be prepared to wait in line — or wear some diapers… either way…
— PBR is better than Old Style. Always.
We went to see a friends band play, and I enjoyed myself enough. Will I go back to the Terminal Bar on a regular night. No, probably not… but I will happily venture over there if there happens to be something specific happening at the Terminal Bar…

If you want a dive bar, then a dive bar you will get. As far as dive bars go this is the perfect example. There’s nothing fancy or updated here. It operates on the bare minumum. It’s interesting comparing a «hipster» dive bar, that tends to get related to a younger crowd with a good jukebox. That said The Terminal has an older crowd with regulars that seem to have become career alcoholics that carry a definite no frills attitude. I was going to rate this a 2, but decided that was an unfair analysis as I was setting a bar of expectations. A dive bar should have no expectations. I do think they have good live music and the clientele and bartenders were friendly. «If you want a dive bar, then a dive bar you will get.»

Pretty cool for a dive bar.
Pros:
–You can have a rowdy yet intimate conversation with the band between songs.
–They give away raffle tickets for free drinks.
–A sign said they have board games on Monday nights, will have to check out.
Cons:
–Beer in plastic cups, not so classy.
-$ 5 cover, felt like it should be more like $ 3, but who is counting.
–A super emo singer-​songwriter stopped in the middle of a song to scold a friend and I for talking during his set. This was annoying, yet kindof hilarious.

Even though it’s right across the river it feels like the heart of North East. My friend’s band was playing friday night and all bands were good, but the sound quality is terrible. The bathrooms are hard to find and you have to walk in front of the stage to get there. $ 5 cover on a Friday, fine. $ 5 for a plastic cup of beer … no thanks! Some guys next to us ordered a raspberry white Russian (girlie!) and they got the equivalent of a shot for $ 7 a piece! and they only take cash. I thought a bar like that would be more popular for the bands and the location but i can see why not.

Definite dive, but if you’re in a band and want to take over a place for your first show, the Terminal is where it’s at.
Coincidentally, our band covered «Where it’s At,» and upon finishing the song, one of the bartenders (who’s a huge Beck fan and «runs a couple Beck message boards») brought a tray of blackberry brandy shots to the stage. Classy.
We sold the bar out of PBR tallboys, so a friend of mine bought an Old Style tallboy that ended up featuring a commemorative Chicago Cubs design from 2007.
Perfect.

Stopped by here a few months ago to see Caz Falen play. It was a Wednesday or Thursday night and a $ 5.00 cover was to be paid! (Note — it was 2 band playing that night and the only people that were in the bar were there with the band — either they were in it or were there because they know someone in it.) Personally — that was a huge rip off!
On top of it beer was $ 5.00 a piece and not that fantastic of options. The bartender was a grump and not friendly. The chairs were broken and had holes — you had to sit car fully as to not fall into the middle of the chair.
Overall: Good bands — bad place

I like dive bars, they are my bread and butter. The Terminal is a huge dive bar, but it sucks and I wouldn’t go here again, given the choice. It gets 2 stars because it gets some decent bands from time to time.
It sucks because they serve you out of plastic cups, even when there are only 5 people in the bar. The bartender has a habit of only filling your drink ¾ to the top and they charge $ 4 – 5 a beer. What is the point of going to a dive bar, if your paying close to downtown prices?

The Terminal Bar defines dive bar for me.
No other dive bar has come close to the diveyness of this place.
It’s got total degenerate alcoholics that look like they were sprouted like sickly flowers from their bar stools. It has peanut shells all over the floor. It has a jukebox that seems to only play country songs about how drinking ruined their lives.
This is a seriously divey bar. I imagine it is like Jerry Springer for other alcoholics in that they can go here and feel better about themselves.