Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileSkaalvenn Distillery & Cocktail Lounge
Brooklyn Park, MN · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Skaalvenn Distillery & Cocktail Lounge is a distillery-driven cocktail bar in Minnesota, where the drinks are built on house-distilled spirits like vodka, rum, and aquavit. The cocktail menu is original and ambitious, from the smoked pork belly-infused The Walken Pig to the clarified Strawberry Dubai Chocolate. A weekly rotating punch, Swamp Juice, adds a changing option. The lounge also offers a thoughtful non-alcoholic program, though beer and wine are absent by law.
- What should I order?
- Start with The Walken Pig, a smoked pork belly-infused vodka cocktail with pomegranate molasses and calamansi. For something lighter, the Freestone Daiquiri with habanero rum and jerk seasoning delivers a savory-spicy kick. If you prefer a punch, the rotating Swamp Juice is available in 2oz or 5oz pours.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts who appreciate house-distilled spirits and inventive flavor combinations will find much to like. The intimate, speakeasy-like setting and attentive service appeal to those seeking a crafted-drink experience. The non-alcoholic menu also makes it a good choice for designated drivers or those avoiding alcohol.
- When should I go?
- Evenings are the prime time to enjoy the full cocktail lounge experience, with the speakeasy ambiance best felt after dark. Reservations are prioritized due to limited occupancy, so planning ahead is wise, especially on weekends.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails range from $10 to $21, with most signature drinks around $16–$20. The rotating punch is $7 for 2oz and $13 for 5oz. Non-alcoholic options run from $5 for a handcrafted soda to $11 for 3Spirit-based drinks. Bottles of house spirits cost $23–$35.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The venue operates its own distillery, producing vodka, rum, aquavit, yuzu gin, habanero rum, and bourbon, which form the backbone of the cocktail program. The menu leans on unusual ingredients like smoked pork belly, calamansi, and hand-pressed pistachio milk, and the lounge is set in a former warehouse with a hidden, speakeasy vibe. Outside food is allowed, and the team provides plates and silverware.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
The cocktail program is the centerpiece, featuring original creations built on house-distilled spirits. Signature drinks like The Walken Pig and Strawberry Dubai Chocolate show ambition and craft, with house-made syrups and infusions. The weekly rotating punch adds variety.
Menu strengths
- — House-distilled spirits provide unique flavor profiles not found elsewhere.
- — Emphasis on handcrafted preparation, including house-made syrups, shrubs, and infusions.
- — Creative menu with a weekly rotating punch, Swamp Juice.
Standout selections
- — The Walken Pig – smoked Hmong pork belly infused vodka, pomegranate molasses, calamansi syrup, smoked plum, palm sugar.
- — Strawberry Dubai Chocolate – cacao nib rum, hand pressed pistachio milk, clarified strawberry juice, cocoa reduction.
- — Freestone Daiquiri – habanero rum, goji berry, red currant, tart cherry, jerk seasoning, lime.
Pricing: Cocktails range from $10 to $21; signature drinks like The Walken Pig are $20 and Strawberry Dubai Chocolate is $21.
Wine
No wine is served due to Minnesota law requiring distilleries to serve only hard alcohol. The venue explicitly states they do not offer wine.
Beer
No beer is served due to Minnesota law requiring distilleries to serve only hard alcohol. The venue explicitly states they do not offer beer.
Nonalcoholic
A diverse non-alcoholic menu includes 3Spirit non-alcoholic spirits, handcrafted sodas, and house-made herbal teas like Lakota Sweet Tea. The Italian Styled Spritz offers a non-alcoholic sparkling option. This is a well-developed program for a distillery lounge.
Menu strengths
- — Variety of options from sodas to sophisticated 3Spirit-based cocktails.
- — House-made herbal tea blend in Lakota Sweet Tea.
Standout selections
- — Fjord Party – 3Spirit 'Spark' non-alcoholic sparkling wine, bilberry, elderflower.
- — Lakota Sweet Tea – nettle, golderod, elderberry, raspberry leaf, flat cedar, chaga mushroom, yarrow, sassafras, marquette raw honey.
Pricing: Non-alcoholic drinks range from $5 for a handcrafted soda to $11 for 3Spirit-based drinks.
Spirits
The in-house distillery produces vodka, rum, aquavit, yuzu gin, habanero rum, and bourbon, with the bourbon sourced from MGP in Indiana and aged 3+ years. These spirits form the backbone of the cocktail program and are also available for retail purchase, limited to one bottle per person by Minnesota law.
Menu strengths
- — In-house distillery producing a range of unique spirits.
- — Aquavit is a distinctive Norwegian-style offering at 100 proof.
Standout selections
- — Skaalvenn Aquavit – Norwegian style with caraway, fennel, orange peel & French oak, 100 proof.
- — Skaalvenn Habanero Rum – rum infused with real habaneros, 80 proof.
Pricing: Bottle prices range from $23 for vodka and rum to $35 for aquavit and bourbon.
How it sits with the food
The bar allows outside food and provides plates and silverware, so guests can pair their drinks with snacks from nearby eateries. The cocktail menu's bold flavors, such as the jerk seasoning in the Freestone Daiquiri, suggest pairings with savory or spicy dishes. The Strawberry Dubai Chocolate's rich, nutty profile could complement desserts.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
Community reviews
Anyone with a free Inebrious account can rate the drinks here. Community ratings are kept entirely separate from the Inebrious editorial score above.
No community reviews yet. Be the first to write one.