Mixology fans across the Twin Cities shed a tear in their $10 cocktails this week after hearing that the Town Talk Diner had closed.

Since opening in 2006, the south Minneapolis destination at 2707 E. Lake St. has had a deep impact on Twin Cities cocktail culture. But when its original owners departed in 2008, its acclaim seemed to slowly fizzle. Still, a steady stream of talented bartenders continued to grace the retro diner counter. The last cocktail guru to run the bar before it suddenly closed Sunday said he's bummed but ready to move on.

"It's sad," said Jesse Held. "It was an institution."

The current owner, Theros Restaurant Group, has been looking for a new buyer, according to Held.

Held, who was already working part-time at The Inn, said he will now shift to full-time status at that downtown restaurant. Coincidentally, The Inn is operated by former Town Talk owner Tim Niver. Held said he's been charged with building a new cocktail program there. His list at The Inn will be "on a smaller scale, but more intense" than at the TTD, he said.

Under co-owner Aaron Johnson's guidance, the bar at Town Talk was an incubator for talent in the Twin Cities. It spawned successful careers for Nick Kosevich, as well as Birk Stefan Grudem, of Bradstreet, and Adam Harness, of Prairie Ale House. As Held says, "the alumni is thick.

Star Tribune, Star Tribune
The Town Talk Diner is closing.

"It's exciting to know that the Town Talk Diner will live on in the people who worked there," Held said. "If any good is going to come out of this, that would be it."

Beer fests heat up Are your tastebuds feeling adventurous? The Muddy Pig's Festival of Hops begins Tuesday and runs through next weekend. For the third annual event, owner Mark van Wie will fill 43 draft lines with pungent, tongue-biting pale ales, India pale ales and imperial IPAs. The beers will be served in flights of three. (Tue.-Jan. 30. 162 Dale St., St. Paul. Free admission. 651-254-1030. www.muddypig.com.)

Nothing warms a chilly Minnesotan belly like great beer, right? Still, I'd bring your jacket to this one: The roving beer festival known as the Beer Dabbler is back at Mears Park for the Winter Carnival on Jan. 29. More than 1,000 people braved rain and cold last year. The brewery list has grown to about 50 participants for this year's event. Here's something special: Odell Brewing's head honcho will be there to tap the ultra rare Wooden Elephant, a beer only found inside the Colorado brewery. There will be live music, plus a home-brew contest and a costume contest. (3:30- 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29. 221 E. 5th St., St. Paul. $25 advance/$35 day of. www.thebeerdabbler.com.)

Comedy for a cause Earlier this winter, comedian Scott Hansen and the Stagebenders set out on the Toys for Troops tour to benefit soldiers and their families. Hansen says the tour raised more than $75,000 in cash and toys for military families during the holidays. And it's not over yet. The comedians will play an American Legion in Anoka this Saturday, with a chunk of the proceeds going to the troops. Hansen, of course, is a godfather in the Twin Cities comedy scene. The Stagebenders are an improv duo who love to interact with the crowd.

8 p.m. Sat. American Legion Post 102, 400 W. Main St., Anoka. $20. 763-421-0883. www.toysfortroops.org.

thorgen@startribune.com 612-673-7909

Girl fight It's that time of year again. Forget the Super Bowl, the Minnesota RollerGirls' season championship is Saturday night. The bone-crunching action will feature the Rockits battling the Dagger Dolls for the coveted Golden Skate. Fighting for third place are the Garda Belts and the Atomic Bombshells. If you've never been to a RollerGirls showdown, you're missing out. It's like a football game, but with less testosterone and more attitude (and on skates, obviously). Trailer Trash will play at halftime. If you arrive early you can catch the battle of the mascots.

6:30 p.m. doors Sat. Roy Wilkins Auditorium, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. $11-$15. www.mnrollergirls.com.