Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileThe Commodore Bar & Restaurant
Saint Paul, MN · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The Commodore's beverage program spans a $16 specialty cocktail list, a wine list with glasses from $9 and half-off bottles during happy hour, and a spirits selection that reaches a $200 Macallan 18. Local Minnesota producers—J. Carver, Vikre, Du Nord, Tattersall—anchor the pour list. A solid, well-rounded bar for the neighborhood.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Classic Martini (J. Carver Grimm Farm Gin, Dolin Dry, Castelvetrano olives, stirred). For a local twist, the Fitzgerald uses Far North Solvig Gin. Happy hour offers half off wine bottles on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail traditionalists will appreciate the classics, while spirits enthusiasts can explore local gins and whiskeys. Wine drinkers get a diverse by-the-glass list. The bar's happy hour and late-night menu suit casual after-work or late-evening outings.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Specialty cocktails are uniformly $16. Wine by the glass runs $9–$20, bottles $36–$80. Beers are $10. Most spirits are $17, with premium pours up to $200.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- A beverage menu that balances classic cocktail craft with a deep spirits list featuring Minnesota distilleries like J. Carver and Vikre. The Setley's Surprise, a tribute to a former bartender, adds local lore, and the half-off wine bottle happy hour provides clear value.
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
A classic-leaning list with local gin and a house sour, plus a tribute to a former bartender.
Menu strengths
- — Uniform $16 pricing makes the entire list accessible.
- — Classic Martini uses premium gin, Dolin Dry, and Castelvetrano olives, stirred.
- — Local gin features in Fitzgerald and Bee's Knees.
Standout selections
- — Classic Martini: J. Carver Grimm Farm Gin, Dolin Dry Vermouth, Castelvetrano olives.
- — Fitzgerald: Far North Solvig Gin, house sour, lemon wheel, Angostura bitters.
- — Setley's Surprise: tribute cocktail, price varies, inquire with bartender.
Pricing: $16 each
Wine
A broad list spanning sparkling, rosé, white, and red, with international and domestic picks. Happy hour half-off bottles on Wed/Thu adds value, though no vintages are listed.
Menu strengths
- — Half-off bottles during happy hour provides strong value.
Standout selections
- — Cava Don Arturo, Catalonia Spain, $9 glass/$36 bottle.
- — Sauvignon Blanc Sandy Cove, Marlborough NZ, $13 glass/$52 bottle.
- — Cote du Rhone Guigal, Rhone France, $17 glass/$68 bottle.
Pricing: $9–$20 glass, $36–$80 bottle
Beer
A compact list of eight beers, all $10, featuring local Minnesota breweries and a non-alcoholic option. Adequate but not extensive.
Menu strengths
- — Local breweries represented: Lake Monster, Blackstack, Bauhaus, Summit, Lift Bridge.
Standout selections
- — Lake Monster Como Claw; Blackstack Slopes
Pricing: $10 each
Nonalcoholic
Minimal non-alcoholic selection: coffee, soda, tea, and a non-alcoholic beer. No mocktails listed, but basic options are covered.
Menu strengths
- — Provides non-alcoholic choices including beer, coffee, soda, and tea.
Pricing: $5–$10
Spirits
An extensive spirits list with broad categories and strong local representation. High-end pours like Macallan 18 at $200 offer rare options.
Menu strengths
- — Covers vodka, gin, bourbon, rye, whisky, scotch, rum, tequila, mezcal, cognac, brandy, aquavit.
- — Local Minnesota spirits featured: Du Nord, Vikre, Tattersall, J. Carver.
Standout selections
- — J. Carver Grimm Farm Gin, Waconia, MN, $17
- — Vikre Boreal Cedar Gin, Duluth, MN, $20
Pricing: Most $17, premium up to $200
How it sits with the food
The dinner menu includes dessert wines such as Moscato d'Asti, Porto, and Pineau des Charentes, which pair with sweets. The Amaro Spritz or Mezcal Negroni could complement rich appetizers, while the wine list's Cava or Sauvignon Blanc suits lighter fare.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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