By Sally English
St. Paul has a happy hour scene that rewards knowing where to look. The city's distinct neighborhoods each carry their own character, and the best happy hour spots in St. Paul reflects that variety. From chef-driven small plates in Payne-Phalen to elevated steakhouse bites near St. Paul's northern edge, St. Paul's happy hour scene has something worth seeking out in every direction.
Key Takeaways
- Red Cow on Selby Avenue in Cathedral Hill is one of St. Paul's most consistent and beloved happy hour destinations, with craft cocktails and a menu built around quality burgers and shareable bites
- Tongue in Cheek on Payne Avenue brings chef-driven contemporary American cooking to the Payne-Phalen neighborhood, with a happy hour that reflects the same sourcing standards as the full menu
- Parlour Bar on West 7th Street is known for its signature Parlour Burger, craft cocktails, and a daily happy hour that draws a consistent crowd
- Emmett's Public House on Grand Avenue delivers an elevated Irish pub experience with an exceptional whiskey list, discounted happy hour specials, and the kind of neighborhood warmth that keeps regulars coming back
Red Cow — Cathedral Hill
Red Cow on Selby Avenue has built one of the most dependable happy hour reputations in St. Paul through consistent execution rather than hype. The concept positions itself as a sophisticated twist on the classic neighborhood tavern, with a focus on gourmet burgers, craft beer, and a cocktail and wine list that elevates the format well beyond standard bar food.
Selby Avenue in Cathedral Hill is one of St. Paul's most storied dining corridors, with W.A. Frost and Company — a neighborhood institution since 1975 — just steps away in the historic Dacotah Building, making the block a natural anchor for a broader evening in the neighborhood.
Selby Avenue in Cathedral Hill is one of St. Paul's most storied dining corridors, with W.A. Frost and Company — a neighborhood institution since 1975 — just steps away in the historic Dacotah Building, making the block a natural anchor for a broader evening in the neighborhood.
What Makes Red Cow a Top St. Paul Happy Hour Pick
- A craft cocktail program and carefully selected wine list that hold up to scrutiny alongside the food
- Gourmet burgers including the smash burger Double Double with its special sauce and the Ahi Tuna Crisp
- Selby Avenue's concentration of dining and bar options makes Red Cow a natural starting point or stopping point for a longer evening in Cathedral Hill
- The bar seating and social atmosphere are calibrated for conversation
Tongue in Cheek — Payne-Phalen
Tongue in Cheek at 989 Payne Avenue brought a commitment to locally sourced, sustainably raised ingredients to the Payne-Phalen neighborhood.
The happy hour reflects the same standards as the full menu. The cocktail program is inventive, the small plates represent real cooking rather than bar afterthoughts, and the atmosphere earns its description as approachable fine dining.
The happy hour reflects the same standards as the full menu. The cocktail program is inventive, the small plates represent real cooking rather than bar afterthoughts, and the atmosphere earns its description as approachable fine dining.
Why Tongue in Cheek Stands Out in the St. Paul Happy Hour Scene
- A farm-to-table sourcing philosophy extends to the happy hour menu
- The cocktail program offers specialty drinks that change with the menu
- The setting in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood gives Tongue in Cheek a neighborhood-gem quality that more centrally located restaurants rarely achieve
- A tasting menu option alongside the standard menu makes Tongue in Cheek adaptable
Parlour Bar — West Seventh
Parlour Bar at 267 West 7th Street joined the West Seventh neighborhood in 2018, bringing the double-patty Parlour Burger, a craft cocktail program anchored by a standout Old Fashioned, and a room that balances lively and approachable.
The daily happy hour runs from 4 to 6 p.m., and the location is just blocks from the Xcel Energy Center.
The daily happy hour runs from 4 to 6 p.m., and the location is just blocks from the Xcel Energy Center.
What Makes Parlour Bar a St. Paul Happy Hour Staple
- A daily happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. with discounted drinks and bar bites that draw a consistent crowd from the West Seventh neighborhood and the broader downtown corridor
- The Parlour Burger — a double-patty signature that has become one of the most talked-about burgers in St. Paul — available alongside shareable starters
- A craft cocktail program with an Old Fashioned that earns consistent praise alongside a full beer and wine list
- The Xcel Energy Center proximity makes Parlour one of the most practical pre-game happy hour stops in St. Paul
Emmett's Public House — Grand Avenue
Emmett's Public House at 701 Grand Avenue takes the Irish pub concept seriously in a way that sets it apart across St. Paul. The whiskey selection reads more like a curated spirits program than an afterthought bar list, with Irish and Scotch expressions that reward serious enthusiasts and guide curious ones.
Happy hour delivers discounted food and drinks in an atmosphere that is warm, casual, and lively without being overwhelming. Grand Avenue's residential character in the Summit Hill and Mac-Groveland stretch gives Emmett's the loyal base of a genuine neighborhood institution.
Happy hour delivers discounted food and drinks in an atmosphere that is warm, casual, and lively without being overwhelming. Grand Avenue's residential character in the Summit Hill and Mac-Groveland stretch gives Emmett's the loyal base of a genuine neighborhood institution.
What Sets Emmett's Public House Apart in St. Paul
- An Irish and Scotch whiskey selection described by regulars as one of the most extensive in St. Paul
- Elevated pub fare including fish and chips, scotch eggs, and the Smoked Old Fashioned cocktail that has become a signature draw for happy hour regulars
- The Grand Avenue location in the Summit Hill and Mac-Groveland corridor gives Emmett's a neighborhood pub atmosphere
- Happy hour specials on both food and drinks in a setting calibrated for conversation
FAQs
Which St. Paul happy hour spot is best for a group after work?
Red Cow handles groups well with ample bar seating and a casual enough format that a larger party doesn't require complex coordination. Emmett's Public House is another strong option, with a menu broad enough to accommodate varying preferences.
Are any of these happy hour spots good for a date night that starts early?
Tongue in Cheek transitions naturally from happy hour into a full dinner, and the tasting menu option gives it flexibility that a standard bar destination does not.
Which spot has the best cocktails for a St. Paul happy hour?
Tongue in Cheek delivers the most elevated food experience of these four, with a kitchen-forward approach that suits occasions calling for something more refined than a standard bar stop. Parlour Bar runs it close for cocktail quality in a setting that is more energetic and social.
Contact Sally English Today
St. Paul's happy hour scene is one small reflection of what makes this city enjoyable to live in. If you are thinking about a home in St. Paul and want to understand what life in different neighborhoods actually looks like, I would love to show you around.
Reach out to me, Sally English, to start the conversation about finding your home in St. Paul.
Reach out to me, Sally English, to start the conversation about finding your home in St. Paul.
