Fires & Flurries: 5 Patios That Prove We Don’t Hibernate

It’s getting colder. I will embrace the cold. I will enjoy the flying fluffy goodness about to descend upon us (positive affirmations work, I swear). I also have self-diagnosed Raynaud’s phenomenon and my fingers turn a pale shade of yellow when cold. It looks like I’m only half-dead, but I assure you I’m fully alive even when my finger pigment fails me. Did I mention I will embrace the cold?!

And with that being said, here are five Twin Cities spots that refuse to let the chill win. Between heaters, firelight, and a healthy dose of Minnesota stubbornness, they’ve got us covered — literally.

📍 18 W 26th St, Minneapolis MN 55404
🕒 Hours: Tue–Thu 3–9 PM | Fri 3–10 PM | Sat 10 AM–10 PM | Sun 10 AM–8 PM | Closed Mon
🔗 lunaandthebearmn.com

Half-hidden gem, half-heated haven. The glow of string lights and enclosed patio makes it feel like dining inside a snow globe — one that serves cocktails. Order the short-rib grilled cheese or the truffle fries and you’ll forget what month it is.

Best paired with: a cozy date night or catching up with the friend who always says “just one drink.”

📍 520 Malcolm Ave SE, Minneapolis MN 55414
🕒 Hours: Mon–Thu 3–9 PM | Fri–Sat 11 AM–11 PM | Sun 11 AM–9 PM
🔗 surlybrewing.com/beer-hall

Surly practically wrote the manual on winter patio culture. Massive firepits, a sprawling beer garden, and plenty of space to thaw out between sips of Furious. There’s a reason they’re still packed when it’s ten degrees and snowing sideways — they’ve turned stubbornness into an art form.

Best paired with: a soft pretzel, good company, and no rush to leave.

📍 3300 W 44th St, Minneapolis MN 55410
🕒 Hours: Mon–Wed 4–9 PM | Thu 4–9 PM | Fri–Sat 12–10 PM | Sun 12–8 PM
🔗 woodenshipbrewing.com

Community is in this place’s DNA. Whether you’re huddled inside the airy taproom or by the big windows that open to the patio, you’ll feel like you’ve joined a neighborhood block party — with better beer and food trucks for grub. Their motto is “create community, drink creatively,” and that’s exactly what they deliver.

Best paired with: a crew of friends and the quiet satisfaction of outlasting winter.

📍 2811 W 43rd St, Minneapolis MN 55410
🕒 Hours: Tue–Thu 4–9 PM | Fri 4–10 PM | Sat 12–10 PM | Sun 12–9 PM | Closed Mon
🔗 rosaliapizza.com

Wood-fired pizza, crackling heaters, and that perfect in-between ambiance — somewhere between cozy and chic. Reservations are required for patio dining, but once you’re there, you’ll understand why: every table feels like its own little pocket of warmth.

Best paired with: a Neapolitan pie and someone who appreciates the phrase “one more glass.”

📍 3401 Louisiana Ave S, St. Louis Park MN 55426
🕒 Hours: Mon–Thu 11 AM–Midnight | Fri 11 AM–1 AM | Sat 10 AM–1 AM | Sun 10 AM–Midnight
🔗 parktavern.net

Bowling, beer, burgers, and a heated patio tent that’s pure Minnesota magic. You can post up outside, watch a game, or wander in for darts and cosmic bowling. It’s the kind of old-school comfort that reminds you why community matters — even when it’s below freezing.

Best paired with: a big laugh, a burger basket, and not taking winter too seriously.

So yes, my fingers might still lose all color by February — but between the firepits, the laughter, and the second round of drinks, I think I’ll survive. Turns out warmth in Minnesota isn’t measured in degrees; it’s measured in community aka bear hugs and ubetchya’s.