1. William's Uptown Pub & Peanut Bar
2911 Hennepin Av. S., www.williamsminneapolis.com
Opened: 1974
Prime time: 10 p.m. to close
What to order: Beer by the liter
Atmosphere: Uptown's oldest bar attracts a young crowd. Upstairs, backward-capped bros shoot pool surrounded by preened princesses, while peanut shells cover the basement floor like an unkempt frat house.
2. Social House
2919 Hennepin Av. S., www.socialhousempls.com
Opened: 2011
Prime time: 8 p.m. to midnight
What to order: 100 Proof Hustle (house-infused espresso vodka, Tia Maria, Kahlua, Frangelico, house espresso)
Atmosphere: Amid Lagoon and Hennepin's bro-bar alley, this lounge-y fusion joint is a date-spot oasis. The Social House pairs well with the nearby Uptown Theatre and Lagoon Cinema.
3. Uptown Tavern & Rooftop
1400 Lagoon Av., www.uptowntavernmpls.com
Opened: 2012
Prime time: 11 p.m. to close
What to order: Indeed Midnight Ryder/beer-tub domestics
Atmosphere: The renamed Drink is still an Uptown party bar: loud, sloppy and flirtatious. But its beer list is surprisingly solid. Lines are common.
4. Bar Louie
1348 Lagoon Av., www.barlouieamerica.com
Opened: 2012
Prime time: 10 p.m. to close
What to order: Badger Hill Minnesota Special Bitter
Atmosphere: This posh pub puts a casual spin on Miami chic. There are beer choices aplenty and an attractive (but bro-ish) crowd at one of Uptown's hottest new hangouts.
5. Bar Abilene
1300 Lagoon Av., www.barabilene.com
Opened: 1998
Prime time: midnight to close
What to order: Tequila shots
Atmosphere: The Tex-Mex danceteria, with its windows-onto-the-street dance floor, is one of Uptown's few places for hip-shaking. A strong late-night crowd turns Abilene from sleepy to steamy.
6. Chino Latino
2916 Hennepin Av. S., www.chinolatino.com
Opened: 2000
Prime time: 6:30-10:30 p.m.
What to order: the Chino Bomber (sake shot dropped in beer – samurai headband included)
Atmosphere: This attitudinal fusion joint packs enough pizazz for trendy suburbanites. It's the locale of choice for large dinner parties to springboard their night out with clanking sake bombs.
7. Primebar [Editor's note: Primebar management announced on March 25 that it was closing its Uptown location.]
3001 Hennepin Av. S., www.primebarminneapolis.com
Opened: 2012
Prime time: 8 p.m. to midnight
What to order: Lift Bridge Hop Dish
Atmosphere: This modern sports bar in the space forever to be known as ''the former Figlio" boasts more than 50 taps and a slew of "SportsCenter"-tuned TVs. The music is kept at a conversational volume — something its mature-by-comparison crowd probably appreciates.
8. Republic
3001 Hennepin Av. S., www.republicmn.com
Opened: 2012
Prime time: 7 p.m. to midnight
What to order: $3 beer of the day
Atmosphere: Uptown's beer-bar-to-beat, in a dimly lit second-floor space that formerly housed the Independent, offers ample seating and zero fist-pumping. That, and a very good burger.
9. Uptown Cafeteria
3001 Hennepin Av. S., www.uptowncafeteria.com
Opened: 2010
Prime time: 5-11 p.m.
What to order: Totchos (tater-tot nachos) ($5 during happy hour)
Atmosphere: Like rooftop rival Stella's, this souped-up diner's patio is the main post-dinner attraction. Still, the frisky mess hall attracts a mixed crowd year-round.
10. Stella's Fish Cafe
1400 W. Lake St., Mpls., www.stellasfishcafe.com
Opened: 2005
Prime time: 5-10 p.m.
What to order: $1 happy hour oysters
Atmosphere: In warm weather, the clattering restaurant's late-night action revolves around its rooftop patio, but happy hours stay bustling through colder seasons.
11. Famous Dave's BBQ and Blues
3001 Hennepin Av. S., www.famousdavesbluesclub.com
Opened: 1996
Prime time: Music often starts around 9 p.m.
What to order: BBQ combos (when just-rescued-from-a-deserted-island hungry)
Atmosphere: One of the only places to catch live music in Uptown. Famous Dave's older crowd usually calls it quits early. Tuesday salsa nights heat up nicely.
MICHAEL RIETMULDER
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