Daniel S.
Yelp
Exploring the Minneapolis city center, it became obvious to me that pubs are a big part of the local dining scene. Hence pubs were a big part of our family vacation dining scene. And I'd like to add drinking scene.
Established in 1984, the Lyons Pub is in close proximity to major Minneapolis city center attractions. Standing alongside 6th Street it is between the major thoroughfares of Hennepin and Niccolet. Across the street stands the City Center Building. It is in the shadow of the IDS Center and Capella Tower. The Metro Station is a block east. In the heart of the city skyline, it is also in the heart of Minnesota professional sports country. A couple of blocks north are Target Field - Home of the Minnesota Twins and Target Center-Home of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx. It is so close to Target Field, that I saw baseball fans walking into Target Field. Lyons Pub is also a short walk to city center hotels. One of them is Embassy Suites, which was our Minneapolis home from July 16 to 23. My dad, brother, and I would enjoy a couple of dinners and a few late night drinks here.
Lyons Pub served us our very first Minneapolis meal. It was during a very wet late Tuesday afternoon when we walked into the pub. Just like many visitors exploring Minneapolis, we saw it from the skyway. This leads to an important tip. Lyons Pub is connected to the Minneapolis skyway system by ways of the Embassy Suites lobby. From the skyway, just walk down one level of stairs or hop on one elevator flight and the door is to the left of the registration. In the later hours this is ineffective when the skyway closes. In contrast to the modern skyway, Lyons Pub felt historic. It felt as if Louis Hennepin could step inside any minute. The interior felt much older than 1984, the year it was established.
Upon glancing at the menu, I was immediately decided on their fish & chips. I made the right decision. At $13.95 the plate featured two generous battered cod patties with French Fries, a dill pickle, and cup of tarter sauce. Their fish & chips were so delectable, that this item was my food of choice in Minneapolis pubs. However, when we ate our second Lyons Pub meal on July 20, I ordered the Philly. At $14.95, the plate featured the Philly, French Fries, and five slices of dill pickles. Regardless that the sandwich overfilled the plate and satisfied my taste buds, it fell short of getting me enthusiastic like their fish & chips did. By the way, my dad loved their patty melt which he ate both visits. With both meals, I drank a soda. What? No beer in an Irish pub? Please read the following paragraph.
I enjoy a cold one before bed. Unfortunately I cannot thank Heaven for 7-Eleven in the Minneapolis City center. Unlike my adopted city of Las Vegas, there is a scarcity of convenience stores here. No worries! During the week that Embassy Suites was our home, there were a few late nights where Lyons Pub was our in home bar. The dim lighting and historical motif complemented the relaxing effects of the tap beer. On Minnesota Twins nights, I'd take advantage of the $4 Coors Lite special. On other nights I took advantage of the local blonde brewed beer. Most of all I took advantage of the all you can eat self serve popcorn. In all honesty in the late hours of the night after the city center kitchens shut down and my appetite reopened, I overindulged in the popcorn. May I add, it was delicious popcorn.
Throughout our visits here, their service met our expectations. Speaking of service if you are walking in from 6th Street at night (the only entrance) they can be very thorough looking over the guest's driver's lisence while being welcoming. This is not the place for underage drinkers to try to sneak into. Inside the servers are on the eight ball with customer service.
If I were to say that Lyon Pub was just okay, I would be lion. Throughout the week that we lived in the Minneapolis city center, Lyons Pub was a welcoming establishment to enjoy delicious pub food and a late night cold one.