The Lyon's Pub

Where/Why:

Working downtown I know that The Lyon's Pub is many people’s favorite weekly happy hour spot.  This restaurant definitely does well to represent Minneapolis. Even the burgers are named after buildings and companies within downtown Minneapolis like the IDS, Target, Gaviidae, and Hennepin burgers.  It’s a solid restaurant and bar with great service and great food.  It’s a large space, split with a bar on each of the sides with plenty of room for large parties.

The Menu:

They’ve got a large menu with plenty of variety.  They pretty much have any kind of burger you could be looking for.  They also have sandwiches, wraps, and salads but I must say their forte is certainly their burgers! I’ve tried the Bassford Remele (named after a Mpls law firm), which is just like a black and blue burger with a Cajun spin.  It’s rich and full of flavor, extremely filling so you may be bringing home the other half (or not!).  I’ve also tried the Hennepin, which is a burger served with bacon, cheddar cheese, and BBQ sauce drizzled on top.  This one wasn’t bad but I felt like the BBQ sauce may have taken away from the taste of the burger itself, but anyone who loves their BBQ would probably love this burger.  They’ve also got the Plymouth, which is a patty melt with sautéed onions, another rich one but very delicious!

If it’s beverages you are looking for here you will have plenty to choose from.  They have a great selection of beers on tap that’s always changing and some tasty specialty drinks. 

The Price:

All the burgers are right around $9 and served with fries on the side.  This is a great deal for a delicious burger that will not disappoint.  This price is especially good for the location and just the overall classy yet relaxed vibe of the entire place, not to mention the wonderful service.  They also have some competitive specials to check out.  They have ‘Taco Tuesdays’ where you can get two chicken tacos for just $3.95 along with $4 Cuervo Margaritas which the bartender perfects!  They also have half off appetizers from 3-6pm Monday – Friday.

The Service:

I’ve been going here for years and one thing I noticed is their staff isn’t constantly changing like I’ve noticed with a lot of bars downtown.  Every time I go in there it’s the same friendly faces I see and the same great service I can expect.  They take care of their customers and take the time to get to know you on a personal level.  The food is always out promptly and whether its water or beer you’re drinking they will make sure you are never left looking around for your next round.

This is a great bar to check out, come hungry and leave satisfied!  The service will not let you down, and you’re not going to be breaking the bank with your visit.  This is a great spot after work for happy hour or dinner with a group of friends.  It’s a friendly atmosphere with delicious food at a great price, what else could you ask for?