Welcome to Friar's
Friar's stands out as a cozy pub in Forest Lake, MN, offering a perfect blend of casual dining and vibrant social atmosphere. Located at 1500 Lake St S, this spot is known for its fast service and warmth. With options for outdoor seating and various engaging activities, Friar's welcomes everyone from singles to large groups. The bar's excellent beer selection and creative cocktails provide the ideal accompaniment to a lively night out. Whether it’s casual games or a more refined dinner, Friar's caters to every craving in a fun setting.
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About
Nestled in the heart of Forest Lake, Friar's has been a local favorite for years. The pub's unpretentious vibe captures the essence of a dive bar, enhanced by fun features like pull tabs and a whimsical cash tornado box that draws a crowd. The atmosphere here is lively yet cozy, making it a fantastic spot for families, friends, and solo diners alike.
Accessibility is a priority with wheelchair-accessible entrances and toilets, ensuring everyone can enjoy this popular destination. The pub regularly hosts karaoke and live music, adding to its dynamic spirit. Happy-hour specials and a deep menu that covers everything from wings to steak burgers entice diners. Parking is hassle-free with free street options and a lot directly adjacent to the venue. Popular on weekends, particularly Friday evenings, Friar's can reach full capacity quickly, so plan ahead or arrive early to snag a good table.
Location & Contact
Address
1500 Lake St S, Forest Lake, MN 55025, United States
Hotline
+1 651-272-5420
Working Hours
- SundayOpen
- MondayOpen
- TuesdayOpen
- WednesdayOpen
- ThursdayOpen
- FridayOpen
- SaturdayOpen
What People Say
Most Liked
Diners rave about the attentive and friendly service at Friar's. Servers keep the drinks filled and the energy up, which enhances the family-friendly vibe.
The food garners glowing reviews, particularly the large wings and the cheesy mozzarella triangles. The fun games like chance to win cash in the Tornado box add an exciting twist to the overall experience.
Happy hour offerings inspire fans to revisit regularly, further solidifying Friar's as a beloved community pub. The casual setting is perfect for relaxing evenings with friends, laughter, and delicious bites.
Most Disliked
While the atmosphere and service earn high marks, some customers note room for improvement in the quality of certain menu items, specifically the fries, which can come out unevenly cooked and too crunchy for some palates.
During peak hours, the noise level can become overwhelming, especially when hosting families from local tournaments. This might not suit those looking for a quieter dining experience.
Also, the lack of certain beer options—specifically a noted preference for Hazy IPAs—has been mentioned, prompting some hope for future menu expansions.
Reviews
K D.
First off, our server was super friendly and attentive. 10/10 The atmosphere is dive chic with pull tabs and a cash tornado box. We ordered wings which come in 4 full wings and the mozzarella triangles. Triangles very so cheesy and a second round was necessary. 3 apps and a Long Island was more than reasonable 36$. Will return.
Audrey L.
Stopped by for dinner on a Sunday and managed to eek out a table amongst the families from a hockey tournament - we're talking busy, and kids everywhere. Our server was upbeat and friendly and she managed to keep our drinks refilled despite the constant activity around us. We tried a pub house and a friar melt sandwich, one of with fries the other with the standard chips. Both were very good, but I'm not sure I'd pay extra for fries again, they were mostly small cuts and ends and more crunchy than nice and 'fry like' if that's a thing. Overall, the prices were fair, multiple staff interacted with us and made us feel welcome, and we heartily recommend this local pub!
Joshua F.
The food was really good, and the steak burger didn't need anything added because it had good season and flavor.
Gordy D.
9/4/25 we met up with friends and had a good supper and a few drinks. Bar atmosphere. Good food, no Hazy IPA but it might be coming soon..
David G.
This bar and grill has been a Forest Lake staple for years. Wednesday nights are my favorite night. Wings are the large style and are $2.00 a wing with a 4 wing minimum. 7:00pm starts with periodic drawings for random prizes which if you're lucky, you may win a go in the "Tornado" box where you collect as much money flying around you.
Kelly M.
The owner and staff really put in their effort to see to it that the food is done right and hot.
Heidi T.
Holy Moo Cow! Had the Friar's Whiskey Sirloin, and honest, I have never had a better steak in my life, and I'm 60 years old. No joke! It was as tender as a steak cooked sous vide, but that marinade did the job, instead. The flavor was incredible. No salt, pepper or steak sauce necessary. Added the garlic mushrooms to make it perfect. Definitely in our list of places to eat again.
Nearby places to visit
- Best Steak House Plus 59 Lake St S, Forest Lake, MN 55025
- Lindas' Cafe 13575 Northdale Blvd Ste 200, Rogers, MN 55374
- Overboard Bar & Grill 4455 64th St E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
- Casa Ibérica 6495 Cahill Ave, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
- A & B Hamburgers 60 Nathan Ln N, Minneapolis, MN 55441