Stargazer — Restaurant in Minneapolis

Wow, this bar is really excellent!! The amazing drinks, the delicious small bites, the incredible vibe… truly a delightful experience. My partner took me here as a fun date night and we had a great time. Not only was the atmosphere amazing with the starry lights and themed menu, but the service and drinks were also exceptional.

When we arrived on a Thursday night there was about a 30 minute wait to be seated, as it is a smaller space. However, we were able to place our name on the list and we were texted as soon as they were ready to seat us. Once you are in the bar, you scan the QR code they have available to view the drink and food menu on their web app. I was impressed because this web app works pretty well and is quite fun. The menu is presented as if each section is its own constellation (e.g. “botanical cluster”, “fruit nebula”, and “spirit free sector”), that you initially view as a “galaxy” and which you can click to zoom in or out of. You can also view the menu as a list in the app if this type of map functionality is not your preferred menu experience.

Further, their menu was extensive and every drink we tried was awesome. During my visit, I counted in total 47 different cocktail options (not including their N/A options), which is a very impressive selection! My favorites were the “Infamous” cocktail which I tried and the “Crockett’s Theme” which my partner ordered. This said, all the drinks we tried were so delicious, well-balanced, and high quality that I don't think you can go wrong with anything on their menu. Plus, our server was always happy to help offer suggestions or answer questions if we weren't sure what to try next. And not only were the drinks incredible, but the small bites they offered were also delicious. I highly recommend the salt & pepper chicken oyster if they have it on the menu—this was so good, my spouse and I were still talking about it on the drive home.

On top of the exceptional food, drink, and service, the atmosphere is in a league of its own! It is truly a beautiful space which transports you into an astrological paradise. It's dark and moody, but also comfortable and inviting. I should also mention that their bathrooms are very fun too! I read something about this in another Google review so this became a running joke with my partner that we need to check out the bathrooms. Both of them are actually decorated differently and they are pretty cool so that reviewer was totally right and I appreciate their insights 😁 The one I visited kind of reminded me of Tron, and I think the other one has spaceship buttons. This further shows how the consistency and care put into the space as a whole is truly unmatched, and I felt totally immersed from the moment I walked in the door.

If you are looking for an elevated cocktail experience with a unique theme, served with true care for the craft, Stargazer is the place for you! This cocktail spot is absolutely awesome, and I highly recommend checking it out for your next...

Stargazer, located in the former Dangerous Man growler shop, has quickly become a standout in the North Loop—offering a visually stunning, transportive space with a cocktail program that’s just as thoughtful as the design. The atmosphere leans cosmic and moody, with soft lighting, warm textures, and immersive details that make it feel like you’ve stepped into an upscale, interstellar lounge - especially after dark.

The cocktail program, developed by one of the minds behind Travail, is where Stargazer truly shines. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill drinks—they’re meticulously crafted, often featuring elaborate tinctures, infusions, and housemade elements that result in bold, balanced, and beautifully garnished creations. Favorites include the Clover Club and the Murder of Crows, both excellent in execution and flavor. The drinks here are expensive, but you are absolutely paying for quality and intention in every glass.

The small bites menu complements the drinks well. It’s playful, evolving, and perfect for sharing highlighted by standouts like the jicama slaw, which is unexpectedly refreshing and something I order every time. While the food isn’t the centerpiece, it does its job with style and flavor.

A few things to know: wait times can be long, both for a table and for drinks once seated. There are no reservations. And while the interactive QR constellation menu is a clever concept, I find it frustrating to use. A printed menu option would be a welcome accessibility improvement.

Don’t miss the bathrooms, either. They’re designed to feel like space shuttle pods, which is a quirky, on-theme touch that rounds out the experience.

Stargazer is an ambitious and imaginative cocktail bar with a strong creative vision and the technical skill to back it up. It's a splurge, but one that feels worth it for those who appreciate true craftsmanship in every pour.

@foodiemsp...

This is a very Travailian place. It's dark, the ceiling twinkles with stars, and most of the patrons sit at the large horseshoe bar or one of the small tables around the periphery. The drink menu is very funky, as it separates the categories of "flavor profiles" into a constellation style map. They are pretty self-explanatory, like botanical cluster for drinks with gin. If this sort of thing is a bother, you can click on the list link instead.

I had the vesper riff and my husband had the bywater. Both were good. The food is very "Travail". We had the "tortilla grace" which was plantain with cheese and funky sauces as well as the pork secreto skewers, grilled pork with mojo verde and crema. Absolutely delicious were the shrimp and longaniza skewers. What a surprise of shrimp and sausage and cabbage! The corn dogs were corn dogs, so nothing surprising.

I also had the white lady, which they altered at my request to make it less sweet. It was a nice cocktail. My husband found the Salary Man to be interesting, although its Japanese whiskey was overpowered by the carpani antica. The folks from Meteor know how to design cocktails, that is for sure.

Several things to note. If you don't like riffs of classic cocktails, this is not your place. If you mind paying $16 for a cocktail, this is not your place. (Pay attention to price - the Salary Man cocktail is $26, due to the fancy whiskey). If Travail style food is not your thing, this is not your place. If you don't have a sense of adventure or a sense of humor about food, this is also not your place. If you are on a tight budget, this is not your place.

Not every cocktail place is for everyone. This one is a bit off the wall (I loved the white bathroom!) and definitely not cheap. I liked it, and will...