06/28/09

Fun but not very good

by Maiero

Sure, this place brews its own beer, but what it needs is some more customes. Then, the food might not be so terrible and the beer -- which is excellent -- wouldn't be so overpriced. I love Barley John's but it needs a lot of improvement.

• Pros: environment, location
• Cons: food! prices

06/07/09

Awesome food and the best beer to match!!!

by janedawson

My husband and I love to go out on date night. Our favorite place is Barley Johns!!! The grilled pizzas, artichoke dip and the seafood specials are my favorite. If you're in the mood for a burger, the buns are homemade and fit for a king.

I love the Wild Brunette beer-it is one of a kind! We always grab a growler ( half gallon jug) to go. What a crowd pleaser at the cabin. On Wednesdays sometimes we enjoy the 1/2 off bottle of wine and sit outside on the patio to watch the sunset.

On Tuesdays our kids eat for free...our kids love the french fries and the homemade mac and cheese and a kiddy cocktail made just right for kids.

Don't miss this jewel of a restaurant. You will not be dissapointed.

• Pros: Food and Beer from scratch!
• Cons: make a reservation...it is popular

05/29/09

Don't go here for food or ambiance

by movelab

We went here based on the star rating. The place lacked any charm. The bar was tiny, and if you like TGIF's food then you might like the food here. We left before we ordered as the menu was horrible. The beer was good, but that's about it.

• Pros: beer
• Cons: ugly place. food subpar at best

01/14/09

BIGGGGGGEST HOME BREW BEERS!!

by JCSLCL

Most people come for the beer. They have 4 "always" beers. A Bitter, IPA, Wild Brunette (a brown wild rice brew), & Porter. The last 3 are all strong, about 8% abv. They always have seasonals. They also a have a many guest beers, as they like to call them. They also have a good wine selection if your into that. The menu's selections are of a pub/bistro type. The food is good, but come for the BEER! Many home brewers frequent the place. If you want to learn or talk about beer, this is the place to go.

• Pros: Great Beer & Food
• Cons: Food is a little pricey. Limited parking if they are busy.

04/18/07

The best bar in the Twin Cities

by bobomojo

Quite simply the best bar in the Twin Cities. BJ's is a brewpub: they brew their own beer, from start to finish, on-site. They even grow their own hops on the premises. Their beer rates easily as the best in Minnesota, and both the ratebeer and beeradvocate websites consider the "Dark Knight" (a seasonal brew) one of the best beers in the world.

The food is amazing. Almost everything is made from scratch. The pizzas are incredible.

The actual restaurant is a little cramped, but the patio is large and inviting. Spring, summer, and fall evenings can be spent around the patio's fire pit, enjoying some of the finest brews around.

In fairness, some people are surprised to find that they cannot get a Miller Lite or Bud at the restaurant. While the bar does offer some beers not brewed on-site, they are primarily higher-class beers from both America's and Europe's finest breweries.

• Pros: Best beer in Minnesota
• Cons: If the patio's closed, it can be tough to get in during peak times

02/12/07

Not Impressed, but I'll give another shot some day

by spooner5567

Went there once over the summer on a weeknight. Service was mediocre, and although the beer was 'good' it was way overpriced. (A pitcher of Pear Cider was purchased for about $40- a great value!).

I'll have to see if their happy hour offers prices that are more in-line with the area, bar.

• Pros: Close to me
• Cons: Way overpriced for what they offer

12/11/06

Overpriced

by grad_girl_1

Barley John's has pedestrian decor and is in a very cramped space. I've been there twice, and as other reviewers have noted, I found the service so-so. I therefore found the prices out-of-line: for dinners, they charge what I'd expect to pay at a formal restaurant such as McCormick and Schmicks, but the atmosphere is more like Perkins. I thought the microbrews were ok to good, but the food was nothing special...I was expecting much more given the prices.

• Cons: overpriced food, pedestrian decor, cramped

11/05/06

Always had a great time!

by libbiepup

The food is excellent. Their twist on "american fare" is refreshing. Their beers are pretty good. The service is friendly! I always have a great experience!

• Pros: Great food, great drinks
• Cons: The space is a little small

It brings a welcoming pub culture to the northern suburbs.

by Contributor

In Short
Co-owner John Moore decorated his place with stained glass, murals and wood accents to create an English pub feel. (The handmade bar and tabletops are straight from his late Grandma Helen's maple tree.) A friendly crowd comes for a creative bar menu, (grilled tempeh kabobs, beer brats, pork chops and grilled pizzas) and a long list of brewed-on-site and imported ales. There is also always a seasonally selected beer.

07/12/06

The best in every way

by munky2147

Barley John's is my usual Friday night hang out and I wouldn't miss it for the world. It is usually very busy between 7PM and 10PM on Friday nights but the staff is very friendly and prompt. I have been going up there each and every Friday for 2 years and have never been disappointed - unless Jeremy has taken the night off. Jeremy is a bartender and always remembers my order and my fiance's order and has it ready almost by the time we walk in the door!! Friday night is also a great night of music. Mary Elias plays some great songs and after about 11PM it opens to almost an open mic night. My fiance and a friend of his play a few songs and some other people hop up there too. There is a wide range of music from the Scooby Doo theme song to Weird Al to Stephen Lynch to Johnny Cash and The Righteous Brothers. There are also a few songs written by Mary and the other performers that are wonderful. It is very relaxing and entertaining. The service has never been bad and the food is amazing! The Chipotle Chicken Pizza is exceptional and the build your own burger will leave your mouth watering. If you are looking for a loud, full bar with people spilling drinks all over each other and dancing the night away this is not the place for you. If you want to sit back and relax with a beer, dinner, friends and listen to a wide range of music check it out!!!

• Pros: Service, Atmosphere, Great way to meet new people
• Cons: Parking can be tricky on Friday nights sometimes