Five Favorite Bars with Tony Zaccardi

Tony Zaccardi has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the bar scene, with a special emphasis on northeast Minneapolis. (The 22nd Avenue Station strip club used to hold boxing matches?!)Of course, he's been studying a long time. Zaccardi, 34, has been bartending at Grumpy's NE. for more than a decade. And as a bassist in the Americana band Romantica (as well as a three-piece rock outfit, Kruddler), he's performed on almost every stage in the Twin Cities.

"I've even played a Mexican restaurant in Woodbury," Zaccardi said.

This makes him a perfect candidate for the latest installment of Five Favorite Bars.

Zaccardi's top spots say a lot about the way he does his own job at Grumpy's. He favors neighborhood joints where friendly bartenders greet you with a smile and maybe a pint of the latest craft brew. A great soundtrack doesn't hurt, either.

"They're doing a great thing for that area -- it's the right fit for St. Anthony Main. That patio is out-of-this-world on a beautiful summer day. And I love playing there. It's a 'listening room.' I didn't really understand what a listening room was before. People go to the Aster to sit and watch you play. They're not doing shots, they're not playing pool, they're not playing darts. There aren't a lot of small places in town like that."

He's drinking: "They have a Jameson-infused-tea cocktail called the Jalopy. They also have a great tap beer list with locals like Rush River, Fulton and Surly. And if you're ordering a Belgian beer they'll put it in the right glassware."

"I starting drinking there in 1998 when I was a youngster. I've been on the road for a long time, and I'll come across other touring bands who will ask me 'Is the Turf Club still there?' Both of my bands have songs about the Turf. It's a great place to see a show. But you can also go downstairs to the Clown Lounge if you don't want to listen to the band. It's a whole different vibe. Ryan Adams and Lucinda Williams wrote a song down there. I think some people take the Turf Club for granted."

"It's a gem in Northeast. They're known for their dagos, but they have the best Reuben sandwich I've ever had in my life. A few years ago I ordered one and I loved it so much I ordered another. I think Dusty's gets overlooked, especially for its food and live music. [Punk rock veterans] The Mighty Mofos play there."

He's drinking: "Grain Belt Premium. The bar is located in the shadow of the old Grain Belt brewery. Decades ago, I imagine guys would get off work and go have a quick pint at Dusty's. So when I'm there I like to stay true to the neighborhood."

"It's just a great place to nerd out about craft beer. And for being a beer bar, it's not highbrow. I sat at the bar recently with a guy who was in town on business. He was staying in Minneapolis but cabbed all the way over to St. Paul because he had heard about the Muddy Pig. We chatted for two hours about craft beer. One thing a lot of people don't know is they have a huge scotch selection. They have beer figured out and now they're branching out."

He's drinking: "I've been drinking the Fulton Lonely Blonde lately. It's also where I go to try out the new Summit Unchained beers."

"It's my new favorite bar. The first time I went there was only a year ago. It's amazing to see where it came from ... before Jäger opened it was a bar where you'd probably go to buy crack. But they've turned it around and preserved the building. It's gorgeous. The bathrooms are stunning. I love the patio's individual fire pits. The bartenders are very friendly. As a bartender myself, I want to go to a place where the staff is interested in talking with you. It's not just a transaction for them."