Small Hours

“Small Hour” is a hidden gem tucked away in a quiet neighborhood of Minneapolis, and I finally had the chance to visit after meaning to stop by for quite some time. That evening felt extra special — my friend was performing music, so it almost felt like an invited night out, and I went with my girlfriend and another close friend. Unlike many wine bars in the Twin Cities, this one felt much more casual and approachable. You don’t feel the pressure to dress up — it’s the kind of place where you can come to unwind, share a good bottle, and enjoy the moment. We ordered a bottle of rosé wine, which was well-chosen and perfectly chilled. The wine selection overall was thoughtful and balanced, with options for both casual drinkers and those who appreciate something unique. The food was simple but satisfying, complementing the wines nicely without overcomplicating things. The whole experience felt minimalist and modern, allowing us to focus more on conversation and atmosphere than on pretense. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t try too hard — and that’s exactly what makes it charming. Here, you order at the counter — it’s self-service, and the staff doesn’t hover over you, which actually gave us the space to talk and relax comfortably. The owner had a warm, genuine smile, and you could tell they care about creating a space that feels both local and intentional. It wasn’t too crowded when we visited, but the vibe was cozy, stylish, and quietly vibrant — perfect for a low-key evening with friends or a special date night. I wouldn’t call it an everyday stop, but for the right occasion or a meaningful meeting, Small Hour is absolutely worth the visit. I love seeing more places like this opening in Minneapolis — a modern, minimalist wine bar with heart, soul, and a sense of calm sophistication.

Yapping about wine and good music with people who really get both is such a joy. Small Hours is thoughtful. The wine list, the design, the cheese that happens to be on the menu at the moment, and the records spinning—all thoughtful. The best part about Small Hours is that it boasts this incredible wine list and stellar atmosphere, but doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s loud in there and feels like a cafe. It feels like a place where you catch up with friends but you have the distinct privilege of trying a new wine suggested to you by someone who knows something about it while listening to a record that reminds you of something you can’t quite put your finger on. Best for snacks and a bottle with the girls, catching up with an out of town friend, or grabbing a snack and a glass if you aren’t ready to go home yet.

This place has soooo much potential! The interior is minimalist and cozy, but the tables are tiny. There were three of us and with drinks and food, we needed an extra stool to put our plates of food. Also, for a wine bar there were only three options of wine by the glass - you’d think that those choices would be more plentiful if you’re not ready to commit to a bottle. The food was good and full of flavor. The service was up at the counter. With some bigger tables and slightly softer music this place would be perfect. Nonetheless I’ll be back :)

Small Hours gives great refined Euro wine bar vibes. Minimalist design is incredibly thoughtful and restrained and the experience is well thought out. Wines here are not entry-level — don’t pop by for your first-ever glass. Rather it’s ideal for getting outside your comfort zone, trying something totally unknown and not minding a little uncertainty. I’ve never seen another spot with anything close to the tinned fish menu here either, even overseas. It’s lacking on proactive service engagement, but I look forward to coming back for more wine adventures soon.

Reminds me of the unexpectedly delightful tiny cafes you find in Europe with a warm and cozy atmosphere. Excellent wine list and owners will make recommendations based on your tastes. The menu is a carefully curated selection that pairs well with wine. We had olives, the bread and radish butter, the cheese plate and the pâté. All were delicious especially the pâté and the bread. We shared two bottles of wine, the Barmes-Buecher Rosenberg Pinot Blanc and the Purista Alfrocheiro and both were exceptional. The extensive wine list ranges from $60-200+ with many choices in the $60-$80 price point. Overall, we thought Small Hours was an excellent value for the experience and plan to return soon.

Decided to check out Small Hours on a whim with a group of four and had a wonderful time. We went with a recommended bottle of Pinot Noir, and stayed through late night happy hour. The boquerones were a tasty snack, and we sampled some orange and red wines by the glass. Everything was excellent. The atmosphere is what really makes this place special. Midcentury modern decor with handcrafted wood features, warm lighting, and vinyl records playing throughout. Everything about it feels thoughtfully curated. Perfect for date night or catching up with close friends. Highly recommend.

After an evening at Small Hours we were left wanting and underwhelmed and with a very large bill. There were just three of us and our bill was $360 (including 18% gratuity) for just a couple glasses of wine each and an assortment small plates. Small Hours wants to charge fine dining prices but serve food in a room temperature tin and only offer four glass servings of wine. I mean $30 for a “grilled” octopus that comes in a shelf stable fluid and tin at room temp? They have a bottle list of over 150 wines, yet you are stuck buying a bottle or overpaying for a glass of wine from their small glass serving list. The portions are very unbalanced, we were served such small amounts but it came with 4-5 slices of bread for each plate. There is little to no service at this establishment, you have to go to the counter to order and we had to bring glasses up to the counter because our table was full. When we asked some basic questions on the menu the server said they did not know and didn’t ask anyone to get an answer. The included 18% gratuity on the bill stings with this kind of service. This is a great atmosphere but it just feels out of place in a random NE Minneapolis neighborhood. Overall the value was just not there. Way too expensive for a very small amount of food and drink for essentially a self server establishment.

We had a great time as a 5 top on Saturday. With such a focus on wine, I'd think the food would take a backseat but the food here is unexpectedly good. We got the olives, boquerones, cheese, salad, fish, Cornish hen, shishito, potatoes, and both desserts: the chocolate mousse and pavlova. I'd absolutely order everything again. Presentation was lovely, glassware was delicate and music was vibing. Come prepared to order at the bar, wait in line if you'd like to add on to your order (more wine, food, etc.), and know that this place specializes in wines by the bottle, not the glass, so make sure to lyft/uber :) . We will be back!