Quick Info
User Rating:
3.5 out of 5 (from 54 users)
Address:
327 14th Ave SE
Minneapolis
Tel:
612-378-4849
Parking:
meters
Outdoor Seating:
ground level
Smoke Level:
none - ordinance
Loring Pasta Bar ($$)
Happy Hour & Drink Specials
Happy Hour & Drink Specials
No specials were found.
Average User Rating:
3.5 out of 5 (from 54 users)
NO HAPPY HOUR BUT 30% off food with student Id (ONLY UNTIL 5pm on Friday and Saturday)This is one of the most beautifully decorated places in the Cities. The loring Pasta Bar, the little scaled down version of the original Loring (in Loring Park) was built a few years ago to cater to an up-scale student crowd, as the only place of its kind in Dinkytown. However, the decor and hype of the place quickly replaced its campus bar status. All kinds of well dressed, good looking folk can be seen dining here.
Most of the crowd is very artsy, like the original loring and drink prices are always on the high side. However, rail drinks do offer a higher level of booze (beefeaters is the rail gin) and concerts are usually quite cheap to get in to or free and are happening all the time. If you choose anywhere to go for decor, this is the place to be. Huge vaulted ceilings and funky brick-work are a telltale sign of the Loring, but the interior is constantly changing and is always eclectic and interesting. There is also outside seating which is even projected to the inside when the large windows are opened on the hotter days. For all these reasons The Pasta Bar doesn't get very smoky and is pleasant to be in.
Although it’s common to have live music acts, there is usually little dancing as patrons prefer to sit and the large tables and sip their drinks. People are usually pretty friendly and music changes nightly.
The Loring Pasta Bar sometimes closes a little early (11pm-midnightish), but if this happens, they will send you over to the Kitty Kat Club with comp tickets. They also offer cheap valet parking (although parking is easily found in warmer months a few blocks toward the residential). Their best specials are what they offer for students; ½ priced food everyday from 11am-7pm. I heard they did have a good hip-hop thing going on Mondays.
OH, and don't leave until you check out the bathrooms, we used to go there sometimes just for that, but now we go for Sunday brunch which is superb.
Comments and Rating
University
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The Loring is an expensive brunch place ($19), and no amount of decor or flair can compensate for this. They need to rethink their mandatory tip policy (20%) for large groups, especially for brunch. Standard brunch tip is 10%, maybe 15% if they are good. Our server couldn't even keep up with drinks (she wasn't around much for refills and left someone's bloody mary on the bar for half an hour), got our credit cards mixed up, and she even had someone else who was helping our to clear our plates, so I don't know what she was doing. So in the end, after tax and tip, I paid $25 for a so-so brunch and bad service. I will not be back!
-- No way gave this bar a 1 out of 5 at 10:59 07.26.10
I was a little hesitant to go after reading all of the bad reviews, but I was very impressed. The service was friendly and attentive, the food was great, and the restaurant itself is beautiful. I will definately go back.
-- Mama gave this bar a 5 out of 5 at 11:20 04.08.10
I have been here several times and have found it very good. There is a good mix of food on the menu both pasta and other choices. I had the carbonara the first time. The service and atmostsphere is great as well.
-- Good time gave this bar a 4 out of 5 at 19:02 01.27.10
Let's clear something up here, you don't go to Loring Pasta Bar for the pasta, you go here for the DANCING! And the beautiful restrooms, of course.
-- hello! gave this bar a 5 out of 5 at 22:49 01.13.10
Experience was okay--menu didn't have the extensive pasta selection I was hoping for, but was an alright selection nonetheless. Our service was slow, but the music was cool, and we enjoyed the free music on a Tuesday evening. Overall, lackluster experience, and a bit overpriced. I'd definitely suggest an evening at the Olive Garden for more predictability than Loring Pasta. . .
-- D gave this bar a 2 out of 5 at 16:18 11.25.09