For every few bars that close (Element, La Bodega, the Times Bar), there are a batch of new ones to report on.
A fourth for Folliard
Kieran Folliard already has his hands full with Kieran's, the Local and the Liffey, but he's planning to open a fourth Irish bar. Cooper will be on the site of the beloved (but demolished) Cooper Theater in St. Louis Park. The Irish pub will be a neighbor to a large retail development called the West End near the intersection of Interstate 394 and Hwy. 100. Folliard hopes to open by October.
Northeast in downtown The father-son team behind the always-packed 331 Club in northeast Minneapolis will open their second bar in downtown next month. Jon and Jarret Oulman have taken over the vacant Matty B's space at 501 Washington Av. S., renaming the spot the 501 Club. Right now they are redoing the urban chic interior to better fit their comfier Northeast attitude. When they open in April, expect more free live music and more food at the new location.
Return of R. Norman A lot of people have wondered if the space inside Nate's Clothing at 4th St. and 1st Av. N. in Minneapolis would be turned into a nightclub. The answer is: Not really. But the man behind the concept is no stranger to downtown swank. Randy Norman -- who helped run Escape, Bellanotte and r.Norman's -- is partnering with developer Vik Uppal on m, a high-end Indian restaurant that will open in that prime bit of downtown real estate. The two-level restaurant will have a large bar, but both men say m will not turn into a club after dinner. They are hoping for a May/June opening. Info: omminneapolis.com.
