Chatterbox Pub — Restaurant in Minneapolis

I went in with two other people slightly before 6pm on a Saturday night and asked for a table for six. There were spots available, but we still got stank eye from the staff ; everyone in the party independently noted. We told them five or six people were coming but we were brought three menus. We were immediately asked if we wanted to order drinks. We asked for a minute to look at the menu. A few minutes later we were asked again. We all ordered something. Before the drinks came we were asked if we were ready to order food. At this point we had 4/6 people. We asked for a minute. A few minutes later we were asked again. We decided to order. After we ordered, the fifth person arrived. They ordered separately. We were trying to play a board game and kept getting asked if we wanted to order anything else, if we were done. I literally hadn't taken a single bite of my meal before the waiter had asked TWICE if we were done and ready for the check. I was planning to order another drink. And eat some of the food. I ended up taking the whole meal to go. When I was signing my receipt, the waiter was literally standing at the table waiting, staring at me. Some people didn't arrive immediately, we had come to play board games, and we had left by 7:45. That's one hour and 45 minutes for five people to have drinks , order food, order dessert, pay and leave. Hardly excessive. This was the first time we had met as a group for what was intended to be an ongoing board game group. We probably would have gone there each week and all of us would purchase drinks and food each time. No way we're doing that now. I wanted to send an email to Chatterbox to let them know about this. I wanted to send an email, not write a scathing review, because I wasn't trying to seem like I was trying to defame them in order to get free shit. I just genuinely felt like they went from being "5 stars, one of my fave spots" to "I'm never going there again". Me and several other people in the group commented afterwards how upsetting the experience was. Unfortunately, I couldn't find an email anywhere. They did have other social media, however, so I sent them a message just asking if an email exists (or if I should use social media for communication). It's been over a week. I suspect I will never get one. Given that, here is my next best thing. Bitching...

Chatterbox is actually one of the most amazing places in Minneapolis. South Minneapolis for sure, but this is a temporary and very true review of my latest experience there. So if the band called Steve Miller or the man who runs and owns the place want to reach out? I'd love to talk about it but it went from a place I liked to a place I loved it admired to a place I've been abused by when they knew I was in the middle of being abused by my family and needed a place to be safe - all in a week. I was similarly dismissed from the restaurant when I hadnt insulted or raised my voice at anyone much less put hands on them simply because I looked like a homeless person and I am a filthy vagrant but I'm not that dirty thatI can't be in a restaurant. I wasn't talking dirty other than talking through his people don't like to hear like in Minneapolis. You got to be careful because a lot of people don't realize they're driving down, stolen land and might be running over one of the people that actually belongs to who sometimes are vagrants. That doesn't mean they're worth less than other human beings and there certainly worth more than 30 seconds of inconvenience because they happen to choose to cross in the middle of the road today and you saw them from two blocks away. You certainly don't treat people in the service industry where they do it well at chatterbox most nights by taking their order, serving them their food and then before they can order their second round of drinks cut them off from made up something I'm pretty sure about the back of my driver's license is my first. I can't have service then my friend can't get service for no reason that's articulable other than the server at a whim doesn't feel like serving us anymore. Caprice! At least they didn't try to charge me for the breach of contract that they were going to serve me two and a half hours of a beautiful time...

The Chatterbox Pub is one of the oldest running bars in the Twin Cities, and it’s packed with charm, history, and personality. With retro board games, vintage video consoles, worn-in couches, and a cozy little patio, it feels more like a friend’s basement than a bar, and that’s the whole point.

But make no mistake: the main attraction here is karaoke. Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., the place comes alive with regulars and newcomers belting out everything from 2000s bangers to power ballads. Whether you’re performing or just soaking in the energy, it’s the kind of community vibe that makes you want to cheer for everyone. It’s chaotic, supportive, and a whole lot of fun.

This is a true neighborhood bar, and it’s the regulars and dedicated crowd that give it its staying power. Even with staff turnover and the occasional rough service night, it remains a place people return to for the experience, not the polish.

The beer list is solid and varied, though tap quality can be hit-or-miss (you can sometimes tell when lines haven’t been properly cleaned between kegs). Stick to bottles or cans if you’re picky about freshness. Usually a selection of THC drinks available.

And let’s be honest, the food is very inconsistent. The kitchen is small, and it shows. While the staff is doing their best, the menu often feels like an afterthought. It’s better to think of the food as a backup plan, not a main draw.

Still, The Chatterbox has heart. It’s not about perfection. It’s about fun, community, and nostalgia. Whether you’re here to sing, drink, play, or just be around people who love this quirky, worn-in bar as much as you do, it delivers a unique kind of magic you won’t find anywhere else.

@foodiemsp...