The Terminal Bar — Restaurant in Minneapolis

Now THIS is a midwest dive through and through. It's almost too perfect. They claim to have the 3rd oldest liquor license in the state (probably 2nd oldest now since Pracna closed, 1st place is Neumann's), they've been owned by the same guy for 50 years and he still scoots in 6 nights a week. His name is Flem and he's still pretty sharp. The biggest thing that ever happened there was that Tiny Tim played there once in like 92. It's all fake wood paneling and things covered in dust that haven't been touched for decades like these glass cabinets full of old knick knacks and dolls and Hamm's bears and antique model cars. Ratty tile ceiling and a stage at the back with the tacky Party City silver tassles and stuff. God it's iconic but also a bit creepy.

I stopped in and was one of only 3 patrons, sitting there as the only sound was college basketball faintly playing on a TV. I enjoyed that there was no music. The prices are really not that great, with $4.50 tallboys (really?), $6 shots and the only remotely good deal is $3 for PBR on tap. Even the swanky New Bohemia down the street will give you a better tallboy deal than that... Also it's cash only which I always hate. They have these "cherry bomb" things that are cherries soaked in 151, four for a dollar. Maybe that's a good deal, I dunno. They only have like 6 choices on tap and none are that unique. But you don't go there for a deal, really.

It's weird, they have like no patrons but still somehow are able to stay open and I think it's because Flem must legally own it so he's not paying anyone, only one employee working at a time means if they pull even 20 bucks an hour they're doing fine. Weird how it's open at 9am. God that's gotta be creepy. Something about it didn't rub me the right way, in a kind of exciting way though. It's just so old and empty and untouched, like the CC Club if it hadn't been popular in 60 years or something. I'm amazed they even have a flat panel TV. A lot of bars way out in the middle of nowhere feel exactly like this, but here's one in the city.

Recommended for a true...

The bartender was charging and serving me inconsistently. First round was an NA beer + a soda water. He gave me the soda in the smallest glass I've ever seen an NA drink in while everyone else drinking water or soda had huge glasses. He charged me $7 for that. Later I asked for more soda but a larger glass. The next glass was slightly larger, but still only about half the volume he was serving other NA drinks in. He charged me $2 for that. After that round I'd tipped him a total of $4 on $9 work of charges, well over 40%.

I later asked for another NA beer and a refill on the soda water. He charged me $9 that time. Same order as the first time, and he'd already charged me another $2 for soda afterward.

I'd been there a few times before, and this bartender was not the same one as before. The previous one was charging consistently and at least giving me a glass large enough for more than two tiny sips...

My favorite dive bar. Hands down. I come for the people & atmosphere. I usually let my favorite bartender Laurel chose my whiskey or bourbon for the night. He also will make a special pineapple drink, wink wink.

They have a small Jimmy's menu with delicious pizza and breadsticks. Popcorn and other good dive bar snacks.

The schedule has different kinds of events all week. Monday is open mic night for music. Tuesday is either music or a variety show that is worth seeing on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. Wednesday is music night - jazz and otherwise. Thursday is open mic comedy. And Friday and Saturday - local bands from all over the Midwest come play! The sound techs are really great and the crowd is into it.

They throw on karaoke on the weekends after the live music.

They have Mrs. Pac-Man, pinball, and a couple of...