Eveleth is a small Iron Range town with a big hockey reputation, and it is home to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.
After a day of hockey history, most fans want a casual seat, a game on TV, and a plate of comfort food. You do not need to drive to a big city for that.
Grant Avenue and its side streets have a cluster of old-school hangouts, and these five each bring something a little different to the table.
1. Roosevelt Bar, Eveleth, MN
Some bars try to look nostalgic. Roosevelt Bar on Grant Avenue just is, with a laid-back, informal feel that fits right into downtown Eveleth.
Sports are a big part of the draw here, and the bar is known for hosting sports-filled events. There is also a large outdoor area, which is a nice bonus during the warmer months on the Iron Range.
Prices are friendly, usually around $10 to $20 per person, and service tends to move quickly. It is a solid pick for a group, since the setting is casual and nobody is fussing over table settings.
Plan around the crowds if you want an easy seat. Saturday afternoon into the evening is the busiest stretch, while weeknights are calmer.
Reservations are not taken, so just show up. Free parking is available in a lot and on the street, and hours usually run into the late evening most days.
2. The Rink Sports Bar & Grill, Eveleth, MN
The address alone tells you what kind of place this is. The Rink sits at 301 Hat Trick Ave, and the hockey theme carries right through the building.
Unlike most bars on this list, The Rink opens at 7 AM every day, so breakfast is on the table along with lunch and dinner. The menu leans into pub fare, with wings, burgers, mozzarella sticks, sweet potato fries, and pickle fries.
Friday is the big night, thanks to a fish fry that draws the biggest crowd of the week. If you want a quieter visit, early weekday mornings are your best bet.
The look is pure throwback, from the tables and chairs to the walls and the game machines. A fireplace adds a nice touch during a long Minnesota winter.
Families fit in easily here. There is a kids’ menu, high chairs, and reservations are accepted, which helps when a whole hockey team rolls in after a tournament.
Takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery are also available, and parking is usually plentiful.
3. Snickers Pizza Shop – Eveleth, Eveleth, MN
Wings might be the real headliner at a place with pizza in its name. Snickers Pizza Shop is known for its award-winning wings, and the pizza and burgers back them up nicely.
Night owls, take note. Snickers stays open until 1 AM most nights and 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, with late-night food on the menu.
The fun goes beyond the food. A few pool tables, a dart board, and small games like a coin pusher machine make it an easy spot for a night out with friends or a date.
Friday evening into the night is the busiest time, so expect a crowd then. Reservations are not taken, but takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery are options if the tables fill up.
Kids are welcome, with high chairs and a kids’ menu available. You will find it at 212 Grant Ave, right in the heart of downtown.
4. Red Garter Lounge, Eveleth, MN
Just two doors down from Snickers, Red Garter Lounge makes a handy second stop on a Grant Avenue evening. It sits at 214 Grant Ave, so you barely have to zip up your coat.
I like this one for its no-frills style. It is a small neighborhood lounge with a casual, cozy setup, and it does not try to be anything fancier.
Food is on offer, service is quick, and the TVs make it a good place to catch a game. That is really all a hockey fan needs between periods.
Groups are welcome, though there are no reservations and no delivery. Free parking is available both in a lot and along the street.
Hours are not always posted, so a quick call to 218-744-1741 before heading over is a smart move.
5. Johnny D’s, Eveleth, MN
Every hockey town needs a bar where nobody cares what jersey you are wearing. Johnny D’s, at 301 Grant Ave in Eveleth’s historic downtown, keeps things simple and casual.
Food is served, service is quick, and the bar works well for groups. It is the kind of stop I would save for the end of a downtown stroll, when you just want a seat and a bite.
Johnny D’s posts updates on its Facebook page, so check there for current hours before you go. Dining is in-house only, with no delivery.
Parking is free in a lot and on the street, which makes it an easy add-on after a visit to the Hall of Fame.
Between Johnny D’s and the other four stops, Eveleth proves a small town can host a big hockey crowd without missing a beat.
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