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I may be a “picky eater,” but one thing I’m not is a picky drinker. I’ll pretty much sample any alcoholic concoction placed before me, and the holiday season is a great time to merrily imbibe, sans guilt. Saint Paul is home to about a bazillion awesome bars and restaurants, ranging from seedy dives to classy-as-all-get-out establishments. In this week’s article, I’ll list off some of my favorite bars in the St. Peaz, complete with suggestions on the appropriate cocktail to order while patronizing them. Happy holidays!

The Turf Club

Saint Paul’s seminal rock club has definitely seen its fair share of raucous, booze-soaked shenanigans. The iconic venue has been a local staple since the 1940s, when it was known as country two-steppin’ hot spot. Decades wore on and the bar adapted to the times, finally finding its niche in the local indie rock scene sometime in the late ’90s. Since then, the Turf has become Saint Paul’s answer to CBGB’s; a divey watering hole that slings a stiff drink and turns up the speakers way too loud when the Twin Cities’ hottest bands grace its stage. Lined with year-round Christmas lights and cracked vinyl bar stools, the Turf is regularly peppered with a broad spectrum of patrons that range from skinny-jeaned hipster kids to blue collar workers looking for a cold brewski. Bonus: The kitschy basement “Clown Lounge.”

Suggested drink: Rock out with a Whiskey Coke, and expect it to be mostly whiskey.

Turf Club, 1601 University Avenue, St. Paul

Camp Bar

A relatively new addition to the Saint Paul landscape, Camp Bar opened on Robert Street in Mid-2007. This stylish gay bar that has two big, well-stocked bars, a dance floor, a lounge area, and great entertainment just about every night ranging from DJs to cabaret. Camp is one of my favorite spots in town when I’m looking to drink a sassy cocktail with equally sassy friends. Separated into two spacious, connected rooms, you can choose to kick it old school on a stool in the casual yet contemporary front bar, or head to the back room for a more nightclub-esque feel, complete with mezzanine lounge, dance floor and flashing lights. The best thing about Camp is its inventive fleet of bartenders, who are happy to shake you up a unique specialty drink that will almost always knock your socks off.

Suggested drink: Bartenders’ choice, just ask for something “fancy” and watch the magic happen!

Camp Bar, 490 Robert Street N., St. Paul

The Dubliner Pub

This sparse, roadhouse-style bar is a mecca for stereotypical Irish rowdiness and foot-stompin’ live music. While there’s not much that’s special in the pub’s design, it’s the patrons that make this spot a consistently rollicking good time. On any given night, a merry band of ruddy-cheeked drinkers can be found downing pints and exchanging lively tales. A steady stream of Irish musicians such as Tom Dahill, The Langers Ball, and The Wild Colonial Bhoys regularly get the joint jumpin’ with traditional tunes. The Dubliner is most definitely a major St. Patrick’s Day destination as well, with a tent erected in its parking lot and a huge, all-day lineup of musical acts especially for the occasion.

Suggested drinks: Keep it real with Guinness or Jameson if you know what’s good for ya.

Dubliner Pub, 2162 University Avenue, St. Paul

The Saint Paul Hotel

Forget the jeans and t-shirts, people. The Saint Paul Hotel bar is a reason to put on a slinky dress on a Tuesday (or any given day). The hotel itself is one of the most beautiful architectural landmarks in the city and its decadent interior is equally as charming. Belly up to the swanky marble bar in the Saint Paul Grill — the hotel’s upscale in-house restaurant — and indulge in a myriad of perfectly mixed cocktails served by dashing, impeccably groomed bartenders. The ambiance screams (eloquently of course) of old money and relaxed luxury; one may imagine oneself in an sparkly beaded flapper gown, smoking a slim cigarette from a long gold stem whilst leisurely sipping a cocktail. The Saint Paul Hotel is the best upscale bar in the city, hands down.

Suggested drinks: Something classic; a Martini, a Manhattan, or if you’re feeling bubbly, a glass of champagne.

Saint Paul Hotel, 350 Market Street, Downtown St. Paul

I’m sure you’ve been hearing everyone and their mother rave about Minneapolis’ Barrio Tequila Bar, which opened to much praise last Fall. But St. Paulites rejoice! There’s no reason to make the trek across the river, as Barrio just opened a bigger and better St. Paul location on Wednesday! A combination of festively contemporary decor, delightful Latin street food and strong liquor makes Barrio a mandatory destination for hip foodies and Tequila lovers alike.

Barrio offers a primo selection of over 130 tequilas and mescales that will please any boozy connoisseur (or frat boy). A curious addition to the drink menu are the specially created “Compadres” from the mind of famed cocktail concoctor, Johnny Michaels. The “Compadres” are carefully crafted chasers or sides designed to enhance the distinctive flavor of the tequila. Try Spicy Grapefruit, Pineapple Lime, Cilantro-Tomato Water, or Melon and Ginger/Apple, with fun names such as “Night of the Iguana,” Treasure of the Sierra Madre” and “Eastwood.” Michaels has also created a divine menu of fancy specialty cocktails for those of you who have tequila shot terrors (thanks, college).

The food is enticing as well, with a unique Latin street food theme. Nibble on small plates priced at $7.50; Tacos and Enchiladas ranging in price from $3.50 to $4; and larger plates ranging from $16 to $22. Try glorious entrees such as Seared Tuna with Tomatillo-Avocado Salsa and Quinoa Salad, the Grilled Skirt Steak with Chile-Lime-Tequila Butter and Fried Yucca and the Sautéed Shrimp with Tangerine-Serrano Mojo and Cilantro Rice. This is important: do NOT forget the house-made Guacamole!

Call me obsessed, but what I am most excited to see at the new Barrio is the art! One of my favorite artists of this year, Andrea Stanislav, is a permanent fixture in the new space, as is brilliant furniture and fixture designer Atom Pechman, who also happens to be a St. Paul resident.

Says co-owner Tim Rooney, “When we were developing the first concept in Minneapolis, we came up with more ideas than we could execute in that small of a space. The St Paul site has given us the opportunity to play with those ideas and even expand on them. While we have Western movies, bull-fighting and motorized marionettes in Minneapolis, in St Paul we’ll have all those, plus original art by Andrea Stanislav and Atom Pechman and a few other surprises you’ll have to come in to experience for yourself.”

Barrio is located at:

235 East 6th Street

Lowertown St. Paul (next to The Bulldog)

Restaurant Hours:

Open daily at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Happy Hour is 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The website does not appear to be updated with the St. Paul info yet, but it should be soon: www.barriotequila.com