The Local

The Vibe

The Local opened on December 18, 1997, in a historic 1912 building on the corner of 10th and Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. At 11,000 square feet, it is one of the largest Irish pubs in North America, but it never feels cavernous -- the design breaks the space into intimate areas that capture the warmth of a genuine Irish local. The building had stood vacant since 1990 before Cara Irish Pubs restored it, maintaining the original architecture's historical integrity while creating something that feels like it has been here forever. The centerpiece is an 80-foot hand-carved back bar that draws the eye the moment you walk in.

The Setup

Screens throughout the pub show Premier League, Champions League, MLS, and international matches. The staff has earned a reputation for going above and beyond for soccer fans -- request a specific match on a specific screen and they will make it happen. The layout includes private rooms, a Whiskey Lounge, and multiple distinct seating areas that give you the option of an intimate corner or a communal table depending on the match and the mood.

Match Day Experience

The Local is an MNUFC watch spot and draws committed Minnesota United supporters for away matches. Premier League weekends bring a steady crowd of morning regulars, and the atmosphere during Champions League nights and World Cup tournaments fills the pub to its considerable capacity. The communal Irish pub atmosphere lends itself naturally to soccer viewing -- conversations spark easily, and the shared experience of watching football over a pint is exactly what the space was built for.

Food and Drink

The pub serves lunch, dinner, brunch, and late-night menus, with fish and chips as a perennial favorite. The real headline is the whiskey program: The Local is the number-one seller of Jameson Irish Whiskey in the world, four years running. That is not a local superlative -- it is a global one. The bar also pours one of the best pints of Guinness in the Twin Cities, and the broader cocktail and craft beer selections are strong.

Who Goes There

Minnesota United supporters, Premier League and Champions League fans, Irish expats, downtown workers on lunch breaks, whiskey enthusiasts, and anyone in Minneapolis looking for a genuine pub experience. The Local has been a community gathering place since 1997 -- birthdays, retirements, celebrations, and match days all happen here. The Cara Irish Pubs group, which also operates Kieran's Irish Pub in the Warehouse District, understands how to run an authentic Irish pub in America.

Insider Tips

Ask for the Whiskey Lounge if you want a quieter viewing experience during a match. The 80-foot back bar is the most impressive architectural feature -- sit at it at least once. For brunch on weekends, the non-soccer crowd arrives around 11 AM, so earlier is better if you want to combine food with football viewing. The pub is directly on the Nicollet Mall transit corridor, making it one of the most accessible soccer bars in the Twin Cities by bus or light rail.