Through Fire & Ice: Maxwell's Returns

It has been a whirlwind year for Twin Cities' bar Maxwell's, located at 1201 Washington Avenue S in Minneapolis. When an electrical fire ripped through the drinking hole in February the area staple for wings, beer and conversation was left looking as many describe, ' like an ice castle'. Freezing temperatures and fire fighter's water blasts coated the establishment with dangling ice daggers that took a tragic scene and turned into something of beauty. That site to see melted in the spring thaw and crews quickly went to work on rebuilding Maxwell's.

It's been less than a week since the bar reopened to the public, but I've already made two return trips to reconnect with the venue that once hosted many of my favorite casual nights out with roommates in college. There are a few subtle changes to the interior that may stand out for those that frequently visited the pre-fire bar. For one, a stark white wall stares at you when you enter. This once hosted larger banners with food/drink specials. Side-by-side picture frames hang above the bar; one showing the old Maxwells and one capturing the 'ice castle' era. There are also brand new plasma TVs where the old models once hung.

Trough lovers will be disappointed to see that the bathrooms have been completely updated. I for one can't stand the concept of a trough, so I welcome the brand new individual/locking restroom areas for men and women that feature their own hallway instead of the former setup of sharing a hall with the wait staff.

On the subject, the wait staff has also transformed somewhat. Several veterans and favorites of regulars still have shifts several nights a week. As expected, others have moved onto new gigs. New staff is training-in and has a lot of work cut out for them to uphold the reputation of the always appreciated staff of the good old days. If you've dreamed of being a part of this well-respected staff, now might be the time to apply.

More Info:

Phone: 612-354-7085
Happy Hour is 4:00-6:00 and after 10:00 during the week.
Mondays: $3 burger night
Tuesdays: $2 boneless wing plates
Thursdays: $0.25 wings