Minneapolis offers two scales for a pub evening: downtown, where games and concerts shape the crowd, and Longfellow, a residential district to the south where music or trivia can be the reason for the trip. Kieran’s Irish Pub sits by Target Field and Target Center; The Local occupies Nicollet Mall with a long bar and private rooms; Merlin’s Rest is on East Lake Street, pairing British pub food and whiskey with neighborhood entertainment.
Location changes the logistics. Meet Minneapolis lists Blue and Green Line stops at Warehouse District/Hennepin and Target Field, plus buses serving the stadiums. Nicollet Mall also has light rail and bus connections. Kieran’s follows the sports calendar, with music and brunch; its late-night menu begins at 9 p.m. and lists fish and chips at $27.50. The Local has lunch, brunch, dinner, and late-night menus as well as watch parties. Hours vary, so check both venues before leaving.
Merlin’s Rest in Longfellow is a destination rather than a downtown walk-up alternative: comments mention booths, food, trivia, whiskey, and performances. The website posts events, catering, and reservations; it also describes the cuisine as British, a useful distinction alongside Irish whiskey and music from several traditions. The experience is different from sitting at a downtown bar before a game.
The three work best according to the plan: Kieran’s for a stadium outing and fish and chips, The Local for a Nicollet meal or group gathering, and Merlin’s Rest for a longer night of music or quiz in Longfellow. Branch-specific comments mention atmosphere and service, while some note that a bill grows when food and drinks are added. Check current menus, events, and opening hours; the return trip matters when the pub is far from the accommodation.
Check current details and choose according to your budget, time and way of travelling.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
In Minneapolis, downtown bar plans often follow the sports calendar: Kieran’s occupies the first floor of Mayo Clinic Square near Target Field and Target Center, and its website positions it as a pre- and post-game stop. Meet Minneapolis lists Blue and Green light-rail stops at Warehouse District/He
Fish and chips, pub dishes, beer and whiskey, live music, brunch, private-event rooms, and a location near Target Field and Target Center.
Nicollet Mall has a different downtown rhythm from the stadium district: offices, shops, restaurants, and light rail share a pedestrian corridor that serves as a civic spine. The Local occupies number 931, within a few blocks of Blue and Green Line stops; the Nicollet site also highlights bus connec
An 80-foot hand-carved bar, whiskey lounge, fish and chips, bangers and mash, brunch, lunch and dinner menus, watch parties, and private rooms.
Longfellow offers a neighborhood-scale view of Minneapolis, away from downtown towers and the traffic around Target Field. Merlin’s Rest is at 3601 East Lake Street, a local commercial corridor served by bus routes; the best route depends on where a visitor is staying. It works as a destination for
British cuisine, bangers and mash, fish and chips, imported beers, Irish whiskey and Scotch, tastings, weekly trivia, catering, and live music.
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website of Kieran’s Irish Pub ↗
Primary source
Kieran’s Irish Pub · Accessed October 22, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Kieran’s Irish Pub ↗
Primary source
Kieran’s Irish Pub · Accessed October 22, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Transporte y llegada a Target Center / Warehouse District ↗
Primary source
Meet Minneapolis · Accessed October 22, 2026
La guía turística indica líneas Blue y Green del tren ligero, paradas del Warehouse District/Target Field y rutas de autobús para el área de Target Center.
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Official website of The Local – Minneapolis ↗
Primary source
The Local Minneapolis · Accessed October 22, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of The Local – Minneapolis ↗
Primary source
The Local Minneapolis · Accessed October 22, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Nicollet Mall y transporte del centro ↗
Primary source
Nicollet / Downtown Minneapolis · Accessed October 22, 2026
Contexto oficial del corredor peatonal/comercial Nicollet y su conexión con tren ligero y autobuses.
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Official website of Merlins Rest Pub ↗
Primary source
Merlins Rest Pub · Accessed October 22, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Merlins Rest Pub ↗
Primary source
Longfellow Community Council · Accessed October 22, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Merlins Rest Pub ↗
Primary source
Merlins Rest Pub · Accessed October 22, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Meet Minneapolis · Accessed October 22, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Nicollet / Downtown Minneapolis · Accessed October 22, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Longfellow Community Council · Accessed October 22, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official logo: kierans-minneapolis ↗
Primary source
Official business website · Accessed October 22, 2026
Official logo converted to WebP and stored under logoscia-/us/irish-pubs-oakland-minneapolis-bakersfield-20261022.
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Official photo: kierans-minneapolis-fish-chips.webp ↗
Primary source
Official business website · Accessed October 22, 2026
Official business photo converted to WebP and stored under fotoscia-/us/irish-pubs-oakland-minneapolis-bakersfield-20261022.
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Official photo: kierans-minneapolis-pub-sign.webp ↗
Primary source
Official business website · Accessed October 22, 2026
Official business photo converted to WebP and stored under fotoscia-/us/irish-pubs-oakland-minneapolis-bakersfield-20261022.
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Official logo: the-local-minneapolis ↗
Primary source
Official business website · Accessed October 22, 2026
Official logo converted to WebP and stored under logoscia-/us/irish-pubs-oakland-minneapolis-bakersfield-20261022.
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Official photo: the-local-minneapolis-exterior.webp ↗
Primary source
Official business website · Accessed October 22, 2026
Official business photo converted to WebP and stored under fotoscia-/us/irish-pubs-oakland-minneapolis-bakersfield-20261022.
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Official photo: the-local-minneapolis-fish-and-chips.webp ↗
Primary source
Official business website · Accessed October 22, 2026
Official business photo converted to WebP and stored under fotoscia-/us/irish-pubs-oakland-minneapolis-bakersfield-20261022.
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Official logo: merlins-rest-minneapolis ↗
Primary source
Official business website · Accessed October 22, 2026
Official logo converted to WebP and stored under logoscia-/us/irish-pubs-oakland-minneapolis-bakersfield-20261022.
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Official photo: merlins-rest-minneapolis-slideshow-1.webp ↗
Primary source
Official business website · Accessed October 22, 2026
Official business photo converted to WebP and stored under fotoscia-/us/irish-pubs-oakland-minneapolis-bakersfield-20261022.
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Official photo: merlins-rest-minneapolis-live-music.webp ↗
Primary source
Official business website · Accessed October 22, 2026
Official business photo converted to WebP and stored under fotoscia-/us/irish-pubs-oakland-minneapolis-bakersfield-20261022.
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Ficha de Google Maps de 85 N 6th St ↗
Secondary source
Google Maps · Accessed October 22, 2026
Consulta del 2026-10-22: 4.4/5 y 2,125 reseñas. Los temas visibles aluden al patio, eventos deportivos, comida, servicio y ambiente.
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Ficha de Google Maps de 931 Nicollet Mall ↗
Secondary source
Google Maps · Accessed October 22, 2026
Consulta del 2026-10-22: 4.5/5 y 2,641 reseñas. Los temas visibles incluyen pub irlandés, Guinness, estofado, pescado, ambiente y atención.
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Ficha de Google Maps de 3601 E Lake St ↗
Secondary source
Google Maps · Accessed October 22, 2026
Consulta del 2026-10-22: 4.6/5 y 2,124 reseñas. Temas visibles: whisky, cocina británica, trivia, música en vivo y servicio.