Palace Pub — Restaurant in Saint Paul

Shout out to Anderson (his last name), Palace Pub bartender who went out of his way to find me something to eat later in the evening on Monday, Aug. 4.

Visiting from elsewhere and staying at a hotel in Downtown St. Paul, I headed out at 830pm for drinks and some dinner …drinks i could find - but finding food after 9pm in Downtown St. Paul turned out to be nearly impossible. One restaurant informed me : "no hot food after 7pm!"...and just like that - almost shouted at me. It reminded me of that famous Seinfeld episode - you know the one (no soup for you...) But I kid you not. I mean, it's the city center and where many hotels are located, right?

Quickly I learned that Downtown St. Paul is on an Early Bird schedule for dinner - and that if you want to eat dinner- you must be seated and order by 6pm- or you will not eat. Even one of the country's most well known dining car eateries -that's famously located here in St. Paul and was open 24 hours a day for many decades- now closes by 7pm. This town really does shut down abruptly by or before the early evening.

But Palace Pub...this place is the sole exception to what seems to be that rule. As I was about to give up my quest to dine, I was heartened by the sound of lively music I heard coming from-as it turns out- Palace Pub. It was like finding an oasis in the desert. I entered the bar to be immediately greeted by Mr. Anderson - the first restaurant employee I met that night unperturbed by the later hour and sympathetic to my plight. He offered me a couple of slices of house made pizza - even willing to do so after the kitchen was officially closed. It was delicious and chased down by 2 or 3 beers. At last I wandered back to my hotel a happy (& full) camper.

Kudos to Palace Pub and Anderson the bartender for extending such courtesy and kindness; Mr. Anderson was also a great conversationalist and took expert care of me at his bar. After striking out at 3 other establishments that night in Downtown St. Paul, only Palace Pub was willing to provide a meal and libation to an out of state visitor. I hope that I will be able to...

Food is absolutely horrible. Overpriced frozen food, the chicken patty used on sandwiches is worse than a McDonald’s McChicken and you could buy at least 6 McChickens for the same price as the chicken sandwich here. Drinks are also super overpriced and “specialty cocktail” menu is a joke, a Jack and coke with a music based name is a specialty cocktail?

Service is as meh as the food and drinks but you have to feel bad for the servers, both times I’ve been in there’s multiple servers sitting around doing nothing with no tables. The bar staff is horrible, both the main guy bartenders are super creepy and were excessively (and poorly) flirting with my friends and I. Not sure how long this place will last especially with good spots like The Loon and Pillbox within...

Amazing pizza . The sauce and crust were 10/10 The wings are probably the best I've ever had. Try the sweet chili sauce. My server aya was the sweetest. Great drinks Great prices. The place was hopping even on a week night. Dessert 🍨 was good, ice-cream cookie sandwich was perfect. Super attentive staff from the moment I walked...