Union Rooftop ★ 4.3
$$$$16 cocktails, upscale casual dressNorth Loop{'monday': 'closed', 'tuesday': 'closed', 'wednesday': '16:00-22:00', 'thursday': '16:00-22:00, late night 22:00-02:00', 'friday': '16:00-22:00, late night 22:00-02:00', 'saturday': '10:00-02:00', 'sunday': '10:00-16:00'}
Union Rooftop on Hennepin Avenue runs the only year-round retractable glass enclosed rooftop in Minnesota, with skyline views over the theatre district and a late-night dance crowd Thursday to Saturday.
Tip: Late-night dance floor opens 22:00 Thursday through Saturday. Brunch Saturday and Sunday morning is the easy walk-up entry point.
Brit's Pub ★ 4.4
$$$10-14 pints, no cover, no dress codeNorth Loop{'monday': '11:30-23:00', 'tuesday': '11:30-23:00', 'wednesday': '11:30-23:00', 'thursday': '11:30-23:00', 'friday': '11:30-01:00', 'saturday': '11:00-01:00', 'sunday': '11:30-23:00'}
Brit's Pub on Nicollet Mall has poured British ales since 1990, but the draw is the 10,000 square foot rooftop lawn bowling green open mid-May through mid-September.
Tip: Reserve the lawn bowling rink an hour at a time from May through September. The rooftop bar stays open year-round; lawn closes in October.
Rooftop at Hewing Hotel ★ 4.5
$$$$18 cocktails, walk-in, no dress codeNorth Loop{'monday': '16:00-23:00', 'tuesday': '16:00-23:00', 'wednesday': '16:00-23:00', 'thursday': '16:00-23:00', 'friday': '14:00-00:00', 'saturday': '11:00-00:00', 'sunday': '11:00-23:00'}
The Rooftop at Hewing Hotel sits six floors above Washington Avenue in the North Loop with indoor and outdoor seating, a year-round heated pool deck and full skyline views to downtown.
Tip: No reservations, first-come, first-served. 21 and over only. The pool deck stays heated in winter; the bar runs all four seasons.
Crave LaSalle ★ 3.9
$$$$15 cocktails, brunch and dinner menusNorth Loop{'monday': '11:00-22:00', 'tuesday': '11:00-22:00', 'wednesday': '11:00-22:00', 'thursday': '11:00-23:00', 'friday': '11:00-00:00', 'saturday': '10:00-00:00', 'sunday': '10:00-22:00'}
Crave on the LaSalle Plaza corner of Hennepin Avenue runs one of the largest rooftop patios downtown, with sushi, an American kitchen, drag brunches and dance party bookings.
Tip: The rooftop is the patio half of the LaSalle Plaza location; drag brunches Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 are the easier reservation.
Volstead's Emporium ★ 4.5
$$Uptown{'monday': 'closed', 'tuesday': 'closed', 'wednesday': '17:00-00:00', 'thursday': '17:00-00:00', 'friday': '17:00-01:00', 'saturday': '17:00-01:00', 'sunday': 'closed'}
Volstead's Emporium opened December 2015 in a basement behind a Lake Street alley door with a red light above. Live jazz, burlesque and comedy run most nights.
Tip: Look for the alley entrance behind the building; the door with the red light. Reservations via Tock Wednesday to Sunday; walk-ins always welcome.
Prohibition ★ 4.6
$$$North Loop{'monday': 'closed', 'tuesday': '17:00-00:00', 'wednesday': '17:00-00:00', 'thursday': '17:00-00:00', 'friday': '17:00-01:00', 'saturday': '17:00-01:00', 'sunday': 'closed'}
Prohibition occupies the entire 27th floor of the W Minneapolis at the Foshay Tower, the 1929 Art Deco landmark. 360 degree city views from what was Wilbur Foshay's original full-floor retreat.
Tip: Open Tuesday through Saturday from 17:00. Reservations via the W Hotel site for the window seats; the bar walk-in works on weeknights.