Could This Bar Be The Longest Running In The State of Minnesota?

What happened to neighborhood bars? I remember growing up in the Twin Cities running errands with my mom or dad in Northeast Minneapolis, and seeing these small bars dotting the corners of neighborhoods as we drove by. It wasn't until later that I realized these were bars, and now those same neighborhoods are just homes. One Saint Paul neighborhood has had the same neighborhood bar since 1885, which makes it one of the longest running bars in the state.

The bar is called The Spot and it's been pouring drinks since 1885. The Spot has a very distinctive exterior considering it's set in a dense residential neighborhood, with diagonal wood boards, and wooden shamrocks adorning the side of the building.

The online dive bar guide, the Scoundrel's Field Guide, lists that the dive bar is one of the oldest institutions in the state, and some claim it to be the longest-running bar in Minnesota.

A St. Paul neighborhood institution, The Spot is the longest continuously operating dive bar in the state of Minnesota, a distinction well worth a visit to this corner bar in a quiet city neighborhood. Open since 1885, The Spot honors that history with an impressive devotion to wood paneling, both inside and out. - The Scoundrel's Field Guide

When you walk in you are greeted by Christmas lights, neon, and some tables and a bartop. What else do ya need?

If you are ever headed to a game or concert at the Xcel Energy Center, you might want to make a quick detour over to The Spot to experience it for yourself.

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The Spot in St. Paul isn't the only bar to claim of being the longest running in Minnesota, North St. Paul's Neumann's Bar also claims it is the longest running bar in Minnesota.

I'm not sure why I think this but both historic bars look like they would be fun to visit when it's snowing out, and watching the big puffy flakes floating down outside the windows that peek out at the street all while enjoying the company of some friends and a favorite beverage.

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You can learn more about The Spot here, and Neumann's Bar here.