Thrifty Hipster

absolutely delicious. the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about both the food and drink. the beer selection is wonderful and the main bartender truly is a beer advocate. i highly suggest going!

-- alix gave this bar a 5 out of 5 at 22:24 09.19.09

went on open mic nite. tuesday. real friendly/comfortable atmosphere. it was worth my time. i'll go back.

-- jimmy gave this bar a 4 out of 5 at 01:20 07.22.09

Genuine, knowledgeable service. Good product (both booze and food). Friendly, conversational patrons and staff. Often, quite good music. Downside: music is too loud for any live group, nearly all the time. While the bar and restaurant are functionally fantastic, the place has a strange incomplete sort of feel that is hard to place.

-- KnowNothing gave this bar a 4 out of 5 at 20:27 06.03.09

Come now Pretentious Hipsters, get off your high horses about the "less than uptown" atmosphere at the Blue Nile. If you're looking for ass kissing service and corporate beer taps then this place is probably not going to suit your fancy. I found the food to be excellent, the employees genuine, and the ambiance delightfully jazzy.

-- Ruth gave this bar a 5 out of 5 at 13:23 05.08.09

i think these other reviews are bullshit. when i went to the blue nile i felt at home immediately. love the food, beer and the service

-- jon gave this bar a 5 out of 5 at 20:45 01.09.09

Yeah its a dump. I agrre with the other posts that this is a dperessing stinky place. Talked to the bartender and all he did was bitch about how the owner's wont put any money in to it. If its so bad leave. Beers selection was way overated.

-- JR Rider gave this bar a 1 out of 5 at 11:30 08.20.08

The beer selection is respectable, with a few local taps as well as some international rarities. The food is great, share the combo platter at the bar.

-- Matt gave this bar a 4 out of 5 at 15:59 08.05.08

Not a good experience. Their world class beer selection turned out to be about 10 taps, half of which were pretty common domestics. The bar area was completely empty from 4-6 and it was kinda creepy to be there with the TV blaring over the top of the stereo and the bartender just staring at the TV for two hours. A totally bizarre experience. I don't think I'll waste time on another visit.

-- Hosfetos gave this bar a 1 out of 5 at 13:20 05.12.08

Finally visited this place after reading about their "stellar" beer selection on another board. I want to be kind, but this place is pretty much a dump. The decor is mid-70s Mexican cantina, and the smell is mildew on top of wet dog. The beer selection is OK, but doesn't compare to better smelling places like Busters, Acadia, and Town Hall...to name a few. I'd like to give it a better review, but they're obviously not wasting any money on ambiance here, and that's a major factor in whether or not I choose to visit a bar.

-- Jazzlover gave this bar a 1 out of 5 at 19:00 03.29.08

I really wanted to give this place a decent review, just because I like some of the musicians that play here a lot, but really....it is kinda crappy, especially if it's busy for some reason. One star for food, only because the Sambusas actually are pretty tasty (but everything else I tried was awful). One point for the decent beer selection and 241s. No points for the menu (I actually really like african food usually), the service, or the atmosphere. They DO get some good bands occasionally, but even as a fan, I think the cover is too high for the venue, often.

-- AL gave this bar a 2 out of 5 at 15:27 01.25.08

This place is horrible, it has gotty furniture, smells like an old persons basement and the culture is faux intellectual. Next time someone asks me to go here I'll drink a bottle of shitty wine while hanging out in a trash can. I have a feeling it will be a much better experience. At least the trash can doesn't have a sink hole in the middle of its floor.

-- Robert gave this bar a 1 out of 5 at 20:23 01.23.08

Great food, even better beer. You also get to experience some culture here. There is lots of spacious seating and I recommend the Gosa Gosa's to share so bring your friends.

-- Carmi gave this bar a 5 out of 5 at 18:13 08.22.07

the decor and ambiance make this place a hit but i think we've forgotten that minneapolitans are not that stupid anymore and badly prepared food, dumbed down flavors, and high hopes diminished is the same in any culture. let's not forget the drinks which sound great but come weak.

-- davumaya gave this bar a 2 out of 5 at 22:31 06.03.07

It's a little divey, but if you get to know the bartenders, drinks are really cheap until 11pm and full of alcohol.

-- Kara gave this bar a 4 out of 5 at 15:52 05.06.07

they dont put much money in this place(it is a dump) but the beer rocks big time with all the imports youve never herd of

-- Jumbles gave this bar a 4 out of 5 at 16:15 01.21.06

eclectic sense of culture and music, and even better food.

-- michael gave this bar a 5 out of 5 at 20:17 06.14.05

Just get to know the bartenders and the drinks become very strong. Food is good if you ask what to order from friends or servers. Very diverse place with good music and atmosphere. Great sound system too...

-- Carl gave this bar a 5 out of 5 at 12:32 03.29.05

Went here once...had a lamb dish and it could have been over dried pork and there wouldn't have been a difference. Otherwise, nice music.

-- stench gave this bar a 1 out of 5 at 15:46 03.22.05

This place could be an International House of Hop, but the Bartenders forget that expensive drinks generally have alcohol in them. Hey Blue Nile, This ain't Britain and Minneapolis isn't a colony. Quit pouring like a limey bastard!

-- Nico Poa gave this bar a 3 out of 5 at 20:03 02.05.05

Very good beers from around the world. Interesting food.

-- Kyle gave this bar a 5 out of 5 at 14:21 12.20.04