Neumanns Bar — Restaurant in North St. Paul

I award 4 stars cuz we ADORE this place, but don't expect a Michelin 5-star menu. If you like a "small town bar vibe," YOU'LL ENJOY! It's a tight, welcoming 1-level bar with a locals vibe + pub grub menu. Think Coney dogs, burgers, fries, chili, you get it. STILL LOVE IT! 👍🏻 According to their signage, they are "SINCE 1887, the oldest bar with the oldest fixtures, in the State of Minn." 2 large, endearing LIVE FROGS literally live in the window! if you're a fan of large frogs/herpetology. 💚 Totally enclosed off from any food. 👌🏻 GORGEOUS historic plated ceilings! lots of history! beautiful wood! many antique touches! they DO sell postcards for $1!...while also embracing our modern age with TVs + TouchTunes music box. Limited tap beer (see my pic; changes periodically--couple rotating craft/seasonal choices + mostly domestics), bottled beers, cans of White Claw & some rail drinks. If you're OK w/ Hamm's, Coors, Miller Lite, Castle Danger Cream Ale, Grain Belt, Mich Golden Light, Corona, etc; you're golden. I mostly saw the bartenders pour bloody Marys, shots into plastic cups + simple mixed drinks like gin/tonic, Jack/Coke. Certainly NOT a "cocktail bar" if you're wondering. We come to watch live music on weekends & we LOVE the antique look, friendly patrons & staff has always been kind. Dress code: casual. If you're wearing a t-shirt, denim, polo, cargo shorts, tank top, motorcycle enthusiast apparel, band tee, you'll fit in 100%. 😊 Street parking but there IS a tiny lot out back with a few spots + a labeled back door. Warmer months they open the side patio which does have servers to bring your drinks/food. As of 7.17.22 they take cash + cards. IDK about takeout/delivery, since we always order food inside while enjoying the music. 1 ladies restroom + 1 men's restroom indoors. Ladies room had TP, soap & towel dispenser + I was fine visiting the porta-biff out back. Clean, had TP + hand sanitizer. We will continue to frequent. The music & conversations from locals sitting at the rail...

Master Chief and I just moved into the North Saint Paul area and found that the oldest bar in Minnesota happened to be directly across the street from our new digs. I haven't had the best of luck interacting with folks I would consider "Oklahoma Nice", rather I've encountered many "Minnesota Nice" people. It took me 9 months before someone explained what "Minnesota Nice" meant, and trust me, it's not Okie nice.

However, my first time into Neumanns, I wanted to check it out because I also heard it's history with Hamm's Beer which happened to be the first beer I had ever had a sip of some 40+ years ago. I literally moved from KS to OK in a renovated school bus/camper that my mother had painted a Hamm's Beer Bear fishing on the side of and boy was it a sight. So yes, immediately I feel in love with the place.

Since, I've found some truly kind and genuine Minnesota folks inside that have welcomes Master Chief and I with welcome arms and it's such a relief. Not only are the patrons great people, the staff is outstanding, the pretzels and tacos are out of this world (haven't tried it all but I'm confident the quality is throughout the menu), but it just feels like home. People are there to have a good time, and just enjoy themselves with others and that's it...being kind for the sake of being kind. The Chief and I have found our new home and it's in an old bar...

First time at this place - WILL BE THE LAST.

Very sub par atmosphere, Wednesday night - not busy at all but barely steady customer traffic...

3 people walked out of the bar because service was so bad and wait staff where to busy socializing...... One guys statement as he walked out "ive waited 40 mins and have not been able to order a drink"..........

Negitives -

-Took the waitress over 1/2 hour to even take a drink order

-Took almost 2 hrs to get the food

-Manager was doing nothing but sitting at the end of the bar getting drunk

-Went to the bar to get a round, bar tender was horrible - served 5 other people who walked up to the bar after I had been there.

-Food was terrible, everyone's food was way overcooked....

-Cook was not wearing any sort of protective gloves, and was in and out of the bar NOT WASHING HIS HANDS ONCE!!!! When he went to dump the cheese curds out of the deep fry basket a bunch fell onto the counter - He just used his fingers to pluck them right up and PUT THEM INTO THE BASKET OF CHEESE CURDS!!!!!!!

Positives Burger was...