News of a new Grumpy's in Roseville might prompt fans of the Minneapolis institution to ask: What's next -- a Liquor Lyle's in Lakeville?

Just kidding. But really, the new venture -- which last month took over a three-level spot that housed a Majors sports bar -- does come as a surprise in light of the two very urban Grumpy's in downtown and Northeast.

"On one hand, I completely understand that [notion]," owner Tom Hazelmyer said. "But people have to understand that the first Grumpy's was in the suburbs. We cut our teeth in the suburbs."

While the Coon Rapids Grumpy's was Hazelmyer's first, the two Minneapolis locations (which he owns with Pat Dwyer) have really come to exemplify the Grumpy's motif -- drinks, Tater Tots and attitude.

While Hazelmyer sold the Coon Rapids bar last year, he's excited about once again competing out in "chain land," as he calls it.

First up: making this behemoth his own. While he loves much of the current design (the two-story ceilings are nice) some aspects are still a bit, oh, corporate. The dramatic front entrance "looks like a mausoleum," he said. After operating it for a month, Hazelmyer said he's ready to turn his focus to redecorating.

"We haven't had enough time in there to get it Grumpified," he said.

Hazelmyer plans to have stencil artist John Grider (of billy goat fame) plaster the bar's interior with some great pieces, including two 18-foot-high beer-can murals (Schmidt and Grain Belt). He'll also replace the bland framed art in the dining room with a taste of what made his old Ox-Op gallery so cool (look for pieces by Josh "Shag" Agle).

He and his partner at this location, Bob Petersen, have added more pool tables and the same food menu as the Grumpy's downtown. They're making good use of their new kitchen, specifically the brick oven. Free pizza is offered after 11 p.m. Saturday through Thursday. I wonder how long that will last, because people were acting like starving vultures on the night I was there (me included).

As for entertainment, the free Sunday-night comedy showcase with Joey I.L.O. is great. Plus there's Tuesday karaoke, and a Guitar Hero competition should start in March.

Can we expect more suburbs to get Grumpified? Hazelmyer says no -- three Grumpy's is enough for now.

"I never really set out for world domination," he said.

New in downtown

The guys behind the Loop hit a surprise home run last year when their bar became a popular staple in the condo-heavy North Loop area. Quick success brought more opportunities, and they opened a new place last weekend: the 508 Bar and Restaurant, in Old Chicago's former downtown digs. They gave the space a facelift, changed the menu to contemporary American but plan to keep the nightclub feel on Friday and Saturdays with DJ CXR. (508 1st Av. N., Mpls. 612-339-0036.)

Clubbin' this weekend

Spin seems to have cornered the market on getting sexy reality TV stars to fly here and hang out for a night. This time it's Kendra Wilkinson, the Playboy bad girl who stars in E!'s "The Girls Next Door." She'll host a party this weekend. (9 p.m. Sat. 10 S. 5th St., Mpls. www.spinmn.com)

Envy celebrates its one-year anniversary tonight with a party that features some big drink specials. I don't know who's going out to the clubs at 9 p.m., but there'll be free drinks from 9 to 10 p.m., 2-for-1's the next hour and free mystery shots all night. The club will also unveil its VIP beds. Yep, instead of booths, you can now relax hardcore with a bottle of bubbly in your own VIP bed. (9 p.m. today. 400 1st Av. N., Mpls. 612-673-9694. www.envympls.com)

Mix Master Mike will be throwing down tonight at the new Epic nightclub. A founding member of legendary DJ group the Invisibl Skratch Piklz (and sometime Beastie Boy), he's a sight to see. (10 p.m. today. 110 5th St. N., Mpls. $20. 612-332-3742. www.zeusentertainmentinc.com)

thorgen@startribune.com 612-673-7909