The Hardware Store

Had a fun time at this speakeasy with an alley entrance. I wanted to go here for a very long time and met some friends for a cocktail. The interior is very appealing with patterned, high tin ceiling and charming lighting. Our server was quite pleasant and efficient. I would like, you go to the bar for ordering, and they deliver to your table. In a narrow space that causes a bit of a traffic issue, however they limit the number of patrons inside, and the situation of your visit. This helps with traffic but it shortens the experience. 90 minutes went very quickly, and as our conversation hadn't naturally drawn to a close, we ended up going across the street to another place afterwards. The cocktails are very creative and delicious. I had the Light Bulb, a citrusy vodka cocktail which allows you to take home the light bulb it's served in. (Hardware Store, get it?) It's loud, so difficult to hear a conversation unless you're right next to the person. Fortunately, it requires a reservation, so there's virtually no wait. Definitely worth another visit.

My fiancee and I truly loved this place! When you first walk in you don't see the bar or seating, and then they open a door out of no where into the "speakeasy" area. Took us by surprise! Not to mention, the man that checked us in was absolutely awesome! You walk in and the vibes are fantastic, old school seating and decor. We walked up to the bar, they took our orders, and it was very smooth. Charcuterie board was tasty and worth the price. They also had a small band playing old music (may have been an event - it was a Thursday?), it added to the ambiance and we could still hear eachother talk. All in all it was wonderful and we will be back! ❤

Such a neat little spot with the best vibes around! HIGHLY recommend getting the vodka cocktail "for your eyes only" smoked ($3 add on). It ends up being the GREATEST, smoothest, perfectly balanced cocktail of all time. Ignore anyone who says differently!

Finally made a stop in a couple Wednesday nights ago, not long after 4:00 open! I had circled the block a few times, then continued straight on 2nd rather than turn on Jackson. There it was! The single red light above an alley door! Street parking was free, easy & close. Great, since it was a rainy night. I entered to a little lobby like area. Taising took my name and info since i told her i didnt have a reservation. Appreciative that there were several chairs so I could sit before I was allowed to go back. Someone arrived to lead me back to my seat at the end of the bar. I enjoyed looking around as we made our way. Once seated at the bar I was given a cocktail menu booklet. Taising appeared again to let me know i had about 90 minutes before i would have to leave. I asked her how much notice would i be given, so i dont order a drink? Taising said she'd notify me about 30 minutes prior. What i really liked is you have to pay for each drink, no running tabs. I didnt ask their reasoning but i liked it from the perspective of knowing what you're spending. I was seated at the end of the bar so bartender Tacy was right there, I took advantage and chatted him up. It was Whiskey Wednesday night so I of course opted for an Old Fashioned! The featured whiskey was one I'd never heard of, Angels Envy, but trusted that it was a good one if they were featuring it... I wasn't wrong. After my Old Fashioned I chatted up Claudia behind the bar, she deemed the Uncle Eddie's Egg Nog her go-to, so I ordered one. Whoa!! I told Claudia; well I think that's better than an Old Fashioned, whoa!!! I decided to do one last cocktail before I called it a night...consulting Mo and Tacy I opted for the Dons Old Fashioned. Thanks Anoka Hardware Store for a delicious evening and a really fun and informative evening @ your speakeasy, cheers!

We checked out this speak easy in anoka The Hardware Store. You make a reservation, then have a few hours to enjoy cocktails. You're notified about 10 to 15 minutes before the end of your reservation. You walk in through a door with a red light in an aly and are greeted by a small clerk at a front desk with a room adorned with various tools. Once you approach the clerk, you tell them the special order, and you're escorted to your seat beyond a passage. Once inside, you're greeted by musice and a relaxing ambiance that takes you back in time. You're seated, and you review your menu and order from people taking orders around the bar, and then your drink is delivered to you. They have a few snacks and a great charcuterie board. The service is second to none and very fast. The bartenders work their magic to make your beverage and serve you at your table. Everyone is extremely friendly and helpful. Thank you, staff, for an amazing evening, and we will be back. They have lots of swanky cocktails and an extensive whiskey list. There is a parking ramp a few hundred feet from the entrance. #anokamn #Minnesota #thehardwarestore

such a fun concept for a place! went here for my birthday and asked them to make a drink that they thought fit me and i got the cutest pink drink that is so me. limited food options, but great for a late night drink

You will not be disappointed with the unbelievable selection of whiskey and catalog of delicious, unique cocktails. The mixologists take their craft serious and make great tasting drinks. The wait staff is over the top friendly and the owners take pride in their establishment. The Hardware Store is a must visit.

The drinks, the snacks, everything about this place is incredible. We got lucky and were able to have a walk in table. Ordered drinks and snacks and loved every minute of it.

Such a cool place. Fun vibe inside, old time movies playing, nice decorations. Staff were very friendly and fast. Also, prices are very reasonable! We got a bunch of different drinks while here, mostly NA drinks because a lot of our group doesn't drink. All the drinks were great, my favorites were the Influencer and their NA mixup, which was a bartender special creation every time! Others got some beer, cocktails, and a Japanese whiskey flight. Everyone was very happy! We even got a charcuterie board too, pretty good. Will plan to come back here again! Great drinks and cool vibes!

What a cool spot. Our friends have been raving about the Anoka Hardware Store for months. I figured it was time to check it out and we went for my husband's birthday. I made the reservation online and overall it was pretty easy to find (just look for the read light in the alley). When we walked in another party was being helped and it was taking forever. A soild 10 minutes before we were able to be helped. This was probably the worst part of the visit. I love speakeasys because they commit to the bit. They make it a process to get in but that's where they fell short. We were given a code phrase but it apparently wasn't needed. (that's normally my favorite part.) That's the one piece of advice I would give, front staff should stay turn to the speakeasy vibe. Once inside we got a table near the front of the stage where we enjoyed music for about an hour. We started with chips and salsa (plus a birthday cupcake), while sipping on a Mile High Club and a Cloak and Dagger. Both were good and both would be ordered again. We moved onto a Marilyn's Night Cap and an Infamous El Guapo. The second round of drinks is where this place shined! The Marilyn's Night Cap was the perfect blend of peanut butter and chocolate. In a world where I wasn't drinking I could have had 4 of these. The Infamous El Guapo was served and the waitress lit the lime on fire- just really cool stuff happening here. I cannot wait to return. Drinks are reasonable if you're coming from the cities and the parking garage is across the street for easy access.

The ambiance was cozy and device amazing! We loved it and the drinks were fabulous! Will definitely be back!

The Hardware store is a nice place to go get a drink with friends. Their cocktails and Old Fashioned's are second to none. The room is on the smaller side so make a reservation. Be aware that because of the limited space, there is a time limit. They don't have much for food, mainly just snacks and such, so don't come hungry. One other drawback is that it is loud. We have not been here with live music which we're told can be even louder. Overall, a nice place to go to get your drink on!

Another great night at the Anoka Hardware Store! I made a reservation about a week before our party of 8 was going to be in town, and we knew this had to be one of our stops. Jason was a fabulous host and held our large table a couple of extra minuets, big shout out to him! The staff is always so pleasant and fun here, eager to please!

Great speakeasy with a really fun and quirky theme. Love that you have to mention the passcode to enter, and that the lobby area is designed to look like a hardware store. We tried a few different drinks - my favorite might have been the Prince Themed one. It was purple (of course!) so super pretty, but also really delicious!

Fun prohibition style bar. When you make your reservation you get a password that you will need to say when greeted by the host. Live music and good drinks.

Awesome vibe. Great staff, wonderful drinks! I can't wait to go again and I wish I lived closer!

Loved it!!!!! We went to hear a saxophone player and had a reservation for 90 minutes. Wanted to stay but couldn't because they had other people coming. Totally get the time constraint. I normally wouldn't be on board but that's how you enjoy your time there. They don't over crowd the place. You come in, enjoy and move on. Makes you want to come back. At least I do. The service was awesome and drinks were spectacular and not overpriced. LOVED it.

An awesome surprise for a place in Anoka. This is a downtown-quality joint in a quaint suburb. The Churchill is a fantastic gin drink, and you can't go wrong with one of their old fashioneds. Ambiance is perfect and comfortable. You need to make a reservation from which you get a password. Plan ahead!

This speakeasy is so fun! Who doesn't love a speakeasy. It gets a bit loud with the live music so go here for a few fun drinks and to enjoy the music!

This is a fun speakeasy complete with a secret entrance, password and lots of different drinks. Make a reservation, we did and were there early. You get an hour and a half seating. The drinks are good and strong. They have entertainment. The service was good. It's definitely a place to try if you want a fun and a bit different experience.

A literal hidden gem in Anoka! Going to a Speakeasy has always been on my bucket list, and I went with some friends for the first time. I was in awe of how inconspicuous the location is yet it opens up to a beautiful room with gorgeous ceilings, live music and good vibes all around. Even the bathroom was decorated with swan sink handles and floral wall paper. Our group had a 1.5 hour reservation and we were given a section with couches and tables. We ordered different cocktails, and we got to be a part of the smoking experience for the old fashion. They also served instaworthy backdrops if you have a good camera (keep your flash off) and we caught some cool pic. Apps/snacks were also available but our group didn't get any. 10/10- will def come back

I can not recommend the Hardware Store enough. It is easily the most beautiful cocktail bar in the Twin Cities. The Bartenders are knowledgeable and creative. I can either grab a great drink off the menu or give them ideas of what I am looking for in a cocktail and they can make a unique and special cocktail. Perfect for a romantic date as well!

Excellent speakeasy located somewhere in Anoka *wink* This place does an fantastic job with the theme using a hardware store as it's front for the cocktail room. You are going to need reservations for this spot so plan ahead. Once you make your reservation you will receive a text with your secret code or phrase to enter. Super fun! After you enter the hardware store and give your phrase you are brought beyond the door into a beautiful space with a pre prohibition era feel. There is a small stage immediately for live music with a projector behind it playing old time silent movies. In the back you will find the bar. Once you are seated you will need to approach the bar to place your order and then your drink is brought to your table. No tabs are opened and you will need to pay as you go. Personally I'm not a crazy fan of this and I'm also not sure why they can't just take your order at your table as they bring the order to you. Slightly inconvenient but not enough to stop me from going. They have a really nice cocktail menu with all the traditional classics we know and love as well as some house originals. The drink prices are way more then reasonable for the quality you are getting. I would even say they are cheap in comparison to bars with lower quality drinks. BONUS on Wednesdays they offer up Old Fashioneds for $6. That is a steal of a deal! They can also smoke your drink upon request. That comes at a cost of $3 which I think is a little steep. However, again, the base price of the drinks are fair enough that the $3 hit doesn't seem that bad (especially on Wednesday).

Went out for girls night!! Parking was not bad for 6:30 pm in downtown Anoka, but that's pretty rare. Was easy to find if you're looking for the red light ;) lobby was amazing and fit with the theme. Once the store clerk (aka hostess) led us to the back we were so amazed at the speakeasy that opened up behind an inconspicuous door! Amazing lighting, ambiance, decor, and overall vibe. The lighting is darker and the music is louder, but overall great set up. Ordering was super fast and easy up at the bar! We both got the Red Light (cranberryish cocktail, super great- and you get to keep the lightbulb glass), and shared a charcuterie board (delish and perfect size for 2!). The bathrooms are clean and easy to locate. They even reminded us when we were nearing the end of our reservation. Would totally recommend! Such an awesome place!!!

Awesome hangout - 5 stars! The Hardware Store has a great cocktail menu (and wine). Some drinks arrive in flames. Some cocktails can be fumed in a smoke box. The snacks are definitely way above average. We ordered the Charcuterie Board (see photos). Finally - live music! When the band isn't around, they show silent movies - very cool. It's the perfect vibe. But first you have to find it and get inside... 1. Make reservations. 2. The door is in the alley. It's a plain metal door with a simple light above it. On the evening of our visit, the light was red. They say you need to knock but the door isn't locked. You just walk in. 3. The front foyer looks roughly like an old timey general store. It's setup like a lobby with black sofas & chairs. Everything is dark & dingy. You need to give the folks at the counter the secret phrase of the night and you'll be escorted inside. On the night of our visit, "I'm looking for a bird feeder." 4. Order drinks & snacks and enjoy the music or a silent movie. FYI, you need to order at the bar and they deliver everything to your table. They're really good about bussing the tables and getting things out of your way too. More room, more drinks & snacks! 5. When you leave make sure you use the side door. They don't like it if you try to exit through the secret lobby. Thanks for a great experience, The Hardware Store! -Maxx

Loved the vibe. Drinks were great. Hostess gave great drink recommendations. Definitely will be going back often.

We went to the Hardware Store a few months ago, and it was a fun speakeasy expedience. DRINKS: Our group got the Flame-ingo, El Guapo, and Mayor Lorraine. They were all inventive and quite tasty!! It was fun to try something different, and they were all at a reasonable price point. AMBIANCE: The place leans into the speakeasy vibe, where you enter in a "hardware store" entrance and then have to give a password to get inside. The sitting areas were quite spaced out which gave it a private feel, but some were so spaced out (plus the loud music) that it was hard to hear your friends across the table. Given that it is a little tricky to get a reservation, I think they could add some more seating and improve both issues. Also, the lighting (especially at our table) was pretty green which took a little away from the visual appearance of our drinks. SERVICE: Great and prompt, although you do have to go to the bar to order drinks they will bring them to your table when they are ready. PARKING: Easy street parking or free ramp nearby.

This place is so fun and such a great addition to DTA! The staff is so friendly and so helpful when deciding what to order. I got The Red Light which is served in a lightbulb that you get to take home and The Orange County Housewife which was a delicious mocktail. The drinks my friends got were also delicious and they have such a big drink menu! I can't wait to go back and it has a fun theme and great ambiance. I recommend making a reservation, especially if you have a larger group!

The Anoka Hardware Store became one of my favorite cocktail lounges after just one visit. The atmosphere is immediately captivating as soon as you enter the alley where the entrance is. There's something so cool and unique about the speakeasy vibe, it transports you into a completely different era! The interior is a perfect mix of modern and 1920's vibes. We were treated to some live jazz music and once that had ended, Charlie Chaplin silent films were played on a projector screen on the main wall. Absolutely phenomenal! Now for the drinks. The Hardware Store has an extensive menu of both original and classic cocktails and an incredible catalogue of whiskeys. There are so many drinks to try! I had the Flame-Ingo, the El Guapo, and the Marilyn's Nightcap, all off the original drinks menu. Each cocktail was amazingly crafted, and some even come with a bit of a show! The El Guapo includes a lime that gets lit on fire right at your table. My boyfriend had a smoked Old Fashioned, which gets smoked right in front of you! Along with that, he had a gimlet as well as a Bartender Whip-Up. The Whip-Up is a really neat feature of the menu where you choose your spirit and what you get is a complete surprise - no complaints or returns! He chose a mezcal one and it was phenomenal. I'll definitely be trying a Whip-Up on my next visit! On an added note, I really appreciated that the Hardware Store uses spirits from many local distilleries in their cocktails, including Du Nord, Vikre, and Tattersall. Overall this was a fantastic experience and I will 100% be going to the Hardware Store again and again. Can't wait to try all of their drinks!

Awesome patio and the speakeasy was great too! Go early for the live music. Waitstaff was fun and everything was reasonable

First time coming to Anoka Hardware Store and was pleasantly surprised. Good drinks and great atmosphere, really unique craft cocktails, they even have one where they put an old fashioned into a glass box and smoke it in front of you! They had a live band in the front and we were seated towards the back wall which I liked a lot. Great spot for groups, they even have curtains to pull back to separate people which gave it a feeling of exclusivity even though it was extremely loud in there. Place is very Instagram worth for taking pictures and I would definitely come back next time I'm in Anoka.

What a neat idea for a speakeasy! It's a hardware store...nope actually just a neat cocktail bar! I liked the vibe a lot & the oldies music. The cocktails were well priced, but I did think it was silly they charge $3 to smoke a cocktail. I also was not a fan that you have to go up to the bar, order, and close out immediately. It takes time to make the coktail & then a server comes & brings it to you. I think they would do better with table service as the servers weren't always at the bar or available & you had to stand & wait. You will find this location by the red light in the alley. It's a super fun concept & I will definitely return. The staff was friendly and great with asking questions.

Amazing amazing amazing. The ambiance is perfection, the staff clearly loves working here, and the drinks are all phenomenal. Cannot recommend enough.

Love this speakeasy, been here a few times and it's always a great experience. Drinks are expertly crafted & look great too. The decor matches the "speakeasy vibes", take a look at the website if you are interested in when they have live music. Parking lot & ramp located right next to location.

Awesome service and concept! Great drink selection a very cool environment. I tried the old fashioned sampler and each one was terrific!

Anoka Hardware Store is a beautiful speakeasy style bar with some of the kindest and brightest staff and bartenders I've ever met. They have the most wonderful cocktail menu and an ever evolving small food menu. I could not recommend this place more!

Great bartenders, Wednesday $6 old fashions is where it's at. Band is a good vibe and cool environment.

Recently had a bad experience at another Anoka establishment and made me think I need to give reviews on things that I have gotten amazing service from. This business is one of them. They are the best of the best. Salt of the earth. Great service, great entertainment, and great drinks! And we've been there many times when the owners have been here. They are awesome! We come back time and time again. Make sure you give reviews for the ones who make a difference. They deserve it. Hard to run a business in today's climate, so you need to support the good ones.

I loved it and love the tools. They have good guarding. They have nice assortment of things!

I love this bar is has fun and ambiance of the era and good food and drinks. The bands are great! It is just a good time!

It's fun to find something like this out in the burbs! We made reservations and were able to be seated right towards the front where the live music was. There's a pretty vast whiskey selection. I'm not a whiskey connoisseur but some of my friends are and they have spoken highly of the list here. My favorite drink was the one with coffee liqueur - "Don't call me Shirley"? Or something like that. I ordered the drink with the blue curaçao, which was a little odd to me. I didn't end up finishing that one. The Manhattan was really great too. Many of the drinks are smoked. They'll bring the smoker to your seat so it's a pretty fun experience! Bonus: the sink faucet in the bathroom is birds. You'll see what I mean when you're there.

It was great, friendly staff. Unfortunately reservations are very short, but overall a good experience!

This is the best speakeasy I've been to....and I've been to a few. So this is definitely worth the drive to Anoka. I have to start with the staff. They are absolutely amazing, super friendly, and have great suggestions. And now for the drinks: they have a large selection of cocktails. We tried several and all were noteworthy. I can't even pick a favorite, we liked them all. They offer charcuterie but we didn't try it. The place has a super cool vibe. You're restricted to 90 minutes which I didn't think we'd need. They give you a ten minute warning. We didn't even realize 90 minutes went by. Parking is across the street (a large public lot), free.

Third time here- love this place. Wish I had a driver so I can have more than two drinks.

This place is awesome right away at the front door when being greeted! Looking for a new tool but got so much more.

So fun and "secret"! 1. ATMOSPHERE: dark, sexy, clandestine, but also boisterous and joyful. Big cozy sofas, quiet corner lounge chairs, and a gigantic tv showing old movies (muted for conversation). 2. COCKTAILS: it's why you're here, right?! Any-and everything - you can imagine. Try one the Hardware Store concoctions. Or a smoked Old Fashioned. Hardware Store even has a delightful mixture dedicated to our hometown Prince (yep, it's purple) 3. FOOD: not much. But you didn't come to a speakeasy for a meal. Duh. Hardware Store offers a few yummy snacks, and a delicious charcuterie board. Get a reservation! Get the passcode! Go!

So fun and cool! You go in the hidden door and the space is huge once inside. It's feels very speakeasy. Order at the bar. Lots of cool cocktails to ty

Well well well this place is hidden you literally have to walk through the alley look for the black door with the red light above it. The cocktails look interesting. I had the Mayor Lorraine it was everything that I didnt expect I am not going to lie yall I am tipys. Please come and check out this dope speakeasy. Oh and yes it has the hardware store in the front but yall remember how they had to disguise places during the prohibition. Just come see for yourself the staff is amazing.

Was able to walk in without a reservation on a Saturday for party of two. Really enjoyed the atmosphere, music and drink menu. Service was spectacular and drinks were brought out very quickly after ordering. Happy to see places like this opening in Anoka; will definitely be back again! The smoke really added a worthwhile flavor profile to the drinks

Awesome experience, fun drinks to try. We should have planned to eat before we came, but the charcuterie board was great. The staff was amazing (and I'm not just saying that, I mean it) bonus: there was live music. We will be back!

This place is perfect from the atmosphere, decor, mixologists even the bathroom was decked out with gold swan faucet handles. This place just brings a whole other euphoria.

This is one of our favorite places, speakeasy style, live music, classy 1920's vibe on the inside. Love this gem in Anoka!

Excellent bourbon selection. Even had Eagle Rare and Buffalo Trace available! Cozy couches and excellent service. Wasn't expecting a place like this in downtown Anoka.

I've been to the Anoka Hardware Store twice and had the most amazing drinks both times. Love this place! If you enjoy fine craft cocktails make a reservation and GO!!

Love this place! The drinks are top notch, the ambiance is classy yet comfortable. The staff really know their stuff and are super friendly and helpful. The Hardware Store keeps me coming back again and again! Don't miss it!

Jason has worked to set a great atmosphere, with talented mixologists, to deliver an experience.

This place is absolutely amazing. Love the drinks, staff & atmosphere. It truly is the hidden gem of anoka. Tip: It's a small space so get a reservation!