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Offered languages
- English
St. Paul may seem like the quieter twin city, but beneath its calm surface lies a collection of stories that most visitors never hear. This isn't your typical bar crawl - it's an insider's journey through the untold chapters of Minnesota's capital city.
While other tours stick to the sanitized version of history, this bar crawl experience reveals the real stories behind St. Paul's character. From bootlegger origins to unlikely criminal sanctuaries, from corrupt deals to neighborhood secrets, you'll discover why locals know there's much more to their city than meets the eye.
Crawl through downtown St. Paul, visiting curated historic bars, each with its own hidden past. Your expert guide shares exclusive stories about the colorful characters who shaped the city, including tales of bootlegger "Pig's Eye Parrant," visiting gangsters from Chicago, and the complex relationships between law enforcement and lawbreakers.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We meet outside the 7th Street entrance to iconic St Paul institution, Cossetta's. Note: This tour is not affiliated with Cossettas, so staff won't be able to help you find your guide. Please sit tight and your guide in blue will be there shortly, or call us with questions.
The tour end point will change slightly depending on the day, but it will be near here.
Itinerary
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1
Step into the upstairs Louis Bar at this iconic Italian institution and learn about the underground tunnel systems and Italian immigrant community's role in protecting visiting Chicago criminals like those mentioned in the original tour listings. NOTE: Advertised bar stops are indicative of the kinds of places we visit. Each tour your guide will select the bars on the day, taking guest preferences into account.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
Discover this remarkable family-run establishment that maintained independence despite downtown development, where you'll hear about corrupt Police Chief John O'Connor's system that allowed gangsters like John Dillinger to operate freely in St. Paul's "Cheers"-style atmosphere. NOTE: Advertised bar stops are indicative of the kinds of places we visit. Each tour your guide will select the bars on the day, taking guest preferences into account.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Take in the magnificent Renaissance dome crowning Minnesota's spiritual centerpiece and architectural masterpiece
Admission ticket free -
3
Enter this indie music venue where you'll learn about the violent end of the criminal protection system and how the Battle of Barrington (where Babyface Nelson died) changed everything for St. Paul's gangster sanctuary status. NOTE: Advertised bar stops are indicative of the kinds of places we visit. Each tour your guide will select the bars on the day, taking guest preferences into account.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stand in St. Paul's cultural heart surrounded by theaters, museums, and the elegant Landmark Center
Admission ticket free -
4
Stand where one of St. Paul's most notorious speakeasies operated beneath the former Federal Courts Building, learning about the elaborate tunnel systems and how Machine Gun Kelly and the Barker Gang used these networks to evade federal agents.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
Upscale mexican restaurant with the best margaritas in town NOTE: Advertised bar stops are indicative of the kinds of places we visit. Each tour your guide will select the bars on the day, taking guest preferences into account.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stroll America's longest Victorian boulevard where F. Scott Fitzgerald penned his early works among Gilded Age mansions
Admission ticket free -
6
Making arguably the best-tasting beers in the Twin Cities (and that's really saying something), this industrial brewpub has tons of board games to keep the fun going. NOTE: Advertised bar stops are indicative of the kinds of places we visit. Each tour your guide will select the bars on the day, taking guest preferences into account.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Hear about the golden-domed seat of state government showcasing Beaux-Arts grandeur and political heritage
Admission ticket free -
7
Preserved in amber of it's 1980s "Goodfellas" vibe, this red-pleather, dinner-theater seating bar is a Minnesota establishment, and a place to rub shoulders with well known St. Paulites NOTE: Advertised bar stops are indicative of the kinds of places we visit. Each tour your guide will select the bars on the day, taking guest preferences into account.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8
One of the original craft cocktail bars in the Twin Cities, Parlour will impress with delectable drinkable delights. NOTE: Advertised bar stops are indicative of the kinds of places we visit. Each tour your guide will pick 4 of their favorite bars, and this is the kind of place we'll take you.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9
The oldest brewery in St Paul, this place is so old that it predates the State of Minnesota. It's so old they run the wood-burning stove in cold winter days. It's so old they follow original German techniques when making their hefeweizens. NOTE: Advertised bar stops are indicative of the kinds of places we visit. Each tour your guide will select the bars on the day, taking guest preferences into account.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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