NorthStar Tavern

NorthStar Tavern opened in 2018 as a family dream project and grew into one of the best neighborhood spots in west Bloomington. The room is upscale-casual — nicer than a sports bar, more relaxed than a gastropub — with 24 rotating taps of craft beer, a full craft-cocktail program, and a kitchen led by Chef Adam turning out food that punches well above bar-food weight.

The menu spans a huge range. Signature handhelds like the Bacon Jam Burger and the Bahn Mi Pizza have earned regular-order status, while five different walleye preparations (strips, sandwich, tacos, fish-and-chips, entree) do the Minnesota state fish proper honor. Wings come with a proper choice of sauces (Buffalo, Korean BBQ, Bourbon Brown Sugar BBQ, Jalapeño Mango) or dry rubs (Cajun, Garlic Herb, Nashville Hot, Ghost Salt, Tavern Spice). Weekend brunch runs Saturday and Sunday 10am–2pm; scrambles, biscuit sandwiches, a Bloody Mary bar, and a Late Night menu takes over after the full menu closes.

On the THC side, NorthStar quietly runs one of the most transparent published lists in the metro — the drinks appear right on the beverages page with dosing and prices spelled out. The rotating lineup includes Squoze AHHHnold Tea & Lemonade (10mg THC), Squoze Blueberry Haze (2.5mg THC + 10mg CBD), Squoze Raspberry Kush (5mg THC seltzer), and Insight Brewing’s Flavor Pixels Pineapple (5mg THC) — all $13.75 by the can. Ask the server for what’s cold; the note on the menu is explicit that flavors rotate.

Outside, the three-level patio holds 200 with two firepits, drawing families all summer and Mall-of-America-adjacent crowds year-round. Reservations strongly recommended, walk-ins welcome, dogs on the patio, kids all day.