The Southeast Minnesota Bar That’s the REAL First Bar in Minnesota

I think I've been lied to! There's this bar in St. Paul that I always thought was the oldest bar in the state, but I just learned today that I'm wrong. That title actually belongs to a bar in southeast Minnesota!

But let's talk about why we've only been KIND OF lied to.

ALSO READ: MN Hiking Trail Just Named the Best in the Country

Minnesota's Oldest Bar is NOT Neumann's Bar in St. Paul

Neumann's Bar in St. Paul is the one that I always thought was the oldest in the state.

They opened in 1887, and the purpose was to sell Hamm's beer to the rapidly growing population. Actually, the bar on the wall of Neumann's (behind the bar where people sit) is still the original!

They even say on their website that they're "the oldest bar in the state of Minnesota".

So then, what about this bar in Red Wing that says on their sign that they're the first bar in Minnesota?

The Barrel House in Red Wing is Actually the Oldest Bar in Minnesota

I heard from a co-worker about this place and did a little digging. Sure enough, The Barrel House in Red Wing opened in 1886, one year before Neumann's did!

So what gives?

Get our free mobile app

Technically, as KSTP writes, Neumann's is "the oldest continuously operating bar" in Minnesota, which is accurate. The Barrel House is technically the oldest. However, they had some financial troubles a few years back and had to close down.

The Unfortunate History of The Barrel House in Red Wing

Back in 2012, CBS reported that The Barrel House was going through some financial troubles. They owed the state money, and they had "been operating without a food and beverage license" since the summer of 2011.

Sadly, it seems they weren't able to make it work, and The Barrel House closed.

I couldn't find an exact year anywhere for when they closed, but I do know that in May of 2021, the new owners, Jamie and Mike Bombardier, purchased the Red Wing Barrel House property, according to Downtown Red Wing.

After just a few months, in November of 2021, Jamie and Mike reopened The Barrel House.

So that's why we've been sort of lied to. Neumann's is the oldest continuously operating bar in Minnesota, and The Barrel House is THE oldest bar in the state. Now you know!