Kelly’s Depot Bar

Why are you so scared to come to the Kelly Depot? Do you think it’s a dive? Do you think it’s not cool? Better places in Lowertown? Just stop being such a pussy and get down here because you’re missing out on an awesome place.
I’ve spent some of the happiest bar nights of my life at the Depot. Drinks are cheap. Staff is friendly as hell. The food is some of the best dive bar food around. It’s definitely not «Chef driven». The burgers look sneakily similar to those ones your mom used to make; greasy, a little round, and delicious. The Saturday tacos are fabulous. A fried flour shell that’s hot and fresh. Lettuce, cheese, and fresh cut tomatoes (I saw her chopping as I walked in). 3/​$ 6 is a steal. I just hate the looks I get when I ask for my third round of tacos, lay off me, I’m starving.
It’s definitely a step back in time. It dark. It’s a bit dank. It’s got that sweet aroma of grease. In the summer, the patio is a beautiful spot to sit and relax while throwing back pitcher after pitcher of cold beers.
It may not be cool or trendy, but it’s comfortable. The games are in the TV, the beer is cold and cheap, the food is tasty, and the people are friendly. It’s an Irish slice of heaven.

I love a fun dive bar! We met up with a friend after a Minnesota Wild game and enjoyed the campy atmosphere (complete with neons and a beer stein collection) and reasonably priced drinks. Staff was friendly, but wasn’t taking any BS. We had a noisy group of folks behind us blowing balloon animals and loudly popping them, the staff told them they could cut it out or leave. I appreciate the staff making sure the REST of their guests had a positive experience. Definitely recommend to those who like a unique space and an escape from the more tourist-​driven spots.

Kelly’s Depot is a friendly, family-​owned neighborhood bar… You don’t have to be someone that lives in the neighborhood to feel like you belong.
Drinks are affordable and generous. The burgers and other bar menu items are great. You’ll get a meal basket for less than $ 7. On Saturdays, you can get three of the best bar tacos in downtown St Paul for $ 6. Kelly’s also has a small patio for outdoor drinking & dining in the summer.
It could be the perfect stop after attending the St Paul Farmer’s Market.

I was lucky enough to live across from this bar for 5 years. They make their own Bloody Mary mix and it is to die for. They also have daily food specials. The menu is pretty standard bar fare but oh so good.

Kelly’s is the best so called dive bar in St. Paul! The bar is owned by a very nice family, and they work there so they are very friendly. Drinks are reasonably priced for downtown. The place is pretty clean, and they will play music as loud as you want. Great place to wrap up a fun night. And best bloody Mary’s in lower town!

Came up to St. Paul for a concert. Stopped for food and drinks. So amazing! Being from Wisconsin. Fish was hands down better.

Drinks are well priced, decent selection of taps (Surly Furious is your IPA choice). The décor is «divey» but that makes it part of the fun. Friendly wait staff. Small patio.

Awesome dive bar with strong drinks and a kitchen that’s open late. Friendly service. Great place to «fuel up» before heading home after a long evening of boozing. They do have a patio of some kind, but we didn’t make it past the bar. I’ll be back.

Good classic food, very reasonable prices, definitely left smelling like bar food, but it was part of the experience. Server was really nice, good atmosphere in the place. Worth a visit and a great place to kill time waiting for a train or bus across the street!

Friendly staff — strong drinks — small atmosphere and good ol’ American burgers and fries. What more could you ask for?

This place is just a blast. The bar food is always great and the drinks are priced very reasonably. Try their Bloody Mary — best I have had in the city.
There isn’t a spot in St. Paul that I would rather watch a game. Rick and his crew are always welcoming and fun. Highly recommend!

Our first time in and had really good burger and Italian sandwich. Just right stop in the downtown area and not near as busy as another place we went first. I would return.

Just sat here waiting for my son coming in on Amtrak, watched the cook clean up. She did a stellar job, clean as a whistle. Would eat here any time, great service and clean for a faux dive bar.

I come here consistantly since I am a local. Great taco special on the weekends. Best Summit prices in STP. The staff is easily the best I have experienced and they make you feel like you at your parents house! It is a dive, so take what you want from that.

Only reason to come here is if it’s convenient (it is on my way home) and ok priced burgers. I’d avoid their spaghetti plate it’s blah & comes with a cold very cheap piece of bread. I’ve decided not to waste my time or $ here anymore because of mediocre to poor service. Many other better choices in the area.

Fun dive bar with great service. Fair warning: you will smell like greasy, fried food after leaving here, so dress accordingly. That being said, it’s a fun place to hang out and have a beer & a burger with some friends. There’s a private lot in the back, so parking isn’t usually an issue… at least when I went after work one day.

Great little dive bar with well priced drinks and good bar food. I agree with the review that says you may leave smelling like bar food but there are worse things to smell like than french fries.
There is a restaurant parking lot in the back and a new light rail station right across the street so it’s easy to get there. I also believe I saw a sign saying they will bus you to the Wild Game, seems like a decent pre-​game option.

Hands down the best service I have had in a long time. They make sure your drinks are full, you’re comfortable, and check on you to make sure you’re happy. Food and drinks are fairly inexpensive. All the staff is very helpful and kind. Their bloody Mary’s are pretty good too. Oh and finally the parking in the back is always available.

Love Kelly’s! Service is great. Awesome laid back feel. Great food and better people.

A few additions to my original review:
1. They make a fantastic bloody mary here. The base is house-​made, not from a can and it is perfectly zippy and good, and the pour is honest.
2. Kudos for the burger. The patty was hand formed and quite generous in size. It tasted great on the St. Agnes Bakery bun, and the crinkle fries were hot and crisp. The burger basket and the aforementioned bloody came in at just over $ 10. I’d call that a steal.
3. Daily specials have proved rewarding. A pasta salad, hand made and served from a green tupperware bowl, was fresh and light. Chicken wings were large, meaty and served piping hot with choice of sauce (we like ranch). Yesterday they had Coneys on special. Dude next to us at the bar wolfed his down (with cheese and onions) in about 30 seconds flat.
Kelly’s Depot Bar is still my favorite place in Lowertown.