10 Best Duluth Nightlife
What to Do After Dinner in Duluth?
There’s no shortage of ways to have a great time after dark at the best nightlife in Duluth. The Minnesota city, located on the edge of Lake Superior, is a popular Midwest tourist destination thanks in part to its varied and thriving nightlife.
Winter temperatures in “The Northland” can plummet to 30°F (-1°C) after sunset but there is a plethora of local breweries and distilleries with body-warming brews, spirits, and cocktails to keep the cold at bay. Some even serve up a hearty meal or 2. Alternatively, take in a tour of the harbor or dance the night away at a hip dance club or live music venue. So, what are the best things to do at night in Duluth?
1. Local breweries
A taste of Duluth
Good for: Nightlife, Couples
Local breweries and their stellar craft beers are a source of pride to Duluthians. They are spoiled for choice when it comes to picking a favorite regional tipple or a cozy, welcoming venue to sample them in.
Many local brewers attribute the refreshing and distinctive tastes of their wares to the fresh water of Lake Superior which is used to create a dizzying selection of beers, ciders, and spirits. Wherever you are in the city you’ll never be far away from a local microbrewery with the Downtown, Canal Park, and Lincoln Park Craft Districts especially popular with locals and visitors, and brewers, alike. Bent Paddle Brewing Company is a strong place to start.
Local breweries
2. Lake cruises
A waterfront view of the city
Good for: Nightlife, Families, Photo
Taking a cruise on Lake Superior offers a great way for visitors to Duluth to see the city from a different perspective: from out on the water.
Local boat and tour operators provide a variety of ways to see the busy port city and its harbor. Sail on the largest freshwater lake in North America, cruise under the historic Aerial Lift Bridge, take in panoramic views of the North Shore, drift among large freighters, and even watch the sun set over the city. Many trips include informative local history and interesting facts and figures provided by local experts. Sign up for sightseeing, dinner, and cocktail cruises with Vista Fleet or a guided kayak and paddle board tour with Zenith Adventure.
Location: 323 Harbor Dr, Duluth, MN 55802, USA
Phone: +1 218-722-6218
Lake cruises
3. Zeitgeist Restaurant and Bar
Gourmet food in an artsy setting
Good for: Nightlife, Couples, Food
Zeitgeist Restaurant and Bar prides itself on offering a mouth-watering selection of food and drink with a focus on locally sourced ingredients and flavors. It’s part of the Zeitgeist Center for Arts and Community, a creative hub for the arts community in downtown Duluth that also includes theaters and an art gallery.
Looking for popular local favorites? Then try mussels in a coconut broth, blackened fish tacos, steak frites with ribeye, or the superior pot pie featuring white fish sourced from the nearby lake. The beverage menu also promotes a diverse selection of popular local brews including Ursa Minor Galactic Face Slap, Bent Paddle Amber Ale, and Duluth Cider.
Location: 222 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55802, USA
Open: Tuesday–Thursday from 4 pm to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday from 4 pm to 11 pm (closed on Mondays and Sundays)
Phone: +1 218-722-9100
Zeitgeist Restaurant and Bar
4. Sir Benedicts Tavern on the Lake
An English pub with delicious sandwiches and views
Good for: Nightlife, Photo, Food
For some of the tastiest sandwiches and most delicious homemade soups and desserts in the city, residents and visitors alike know to head to Sir Benedict’s. It’s a cozy, neighborhood bar and eatery with a view over Lake Superior. If temperatures permit, take a seat on the award-winning outside terrace or, if a chilly wind is blowing in off the water, venture inside to lap up the convivial English pub atmosphere. Popular gourmet choices include The Pickled Pig, Cuban Pork, and Chicken Bacon Art sandwiches, and the Butternut Squash soup is a perennial favorite.
The tavern also hosts live music most nights and offers 20+ beers on tap for you to sample while enjoying the tunes and relaxed vibe.
Location: 805 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55802, USA
Open: Monday–Saturday from 11 am to midnight (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +1 218-728-1192
Sir Benedicts Tavern on the Lake
5. The Rathskeller
A historical setting for a cozy drink
Good for: Nightlife, History, Unusual
For a taste of Duluth history alongside the finest craft cocktails, spirits, and whiskies, the Rathskeller speakeasy is a must-visit hostelry. Located in what used to be a holding cell under Duluth’s old City Hall, it’s now a subterranean Prohibition-era lounge that once hosted some of Duluth’s most notorious criminals. It serves a comprehensive array of drinks, including barrel-aged favorites, house specialties, seasonal varieties, and daiquiris, alongside an expansive wine list, cocktails, and craft ales.
All this in a cozy room that’s so charming and welcoming it belies its checkered past. But be warned, some staff and visitors swear the room is haunted, so you’d best order another drink to ward off those spirits, just in case.
Location: 132 E Michigan St, Duluth, MN 55802, USA
Open: Tuesday–Thursday from 5 pm to midnight, Friday–Saturday from 5 pm to 1 am (closed on Mondays and Sundays)
Phone: +1 218-606-8727
The Rathskeller
6. The Caddy Shack Indoor Golf and Pub
Simulation golf from around the world and in all weathers
Good for: Nightlife, Adventure, Unusual
Billing itself as an “adult’s playground,” The Caddy Shack offers visitors the chance to hit the links at historic golf courses around the world, all without leaving Duluth.
Found in a historic building in the city’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, the venue features 3 state of the art, HD golf simulators, each in its own private or semi-private bays. Alongside golf, Caddy Shack also offers shooting simulators and a karaoke suite, all perfect for groups, families, and corporate events. The bar also has a large selection of classic board games, including life-size versions of Connect Four and Jenga, available for customers to play.
Location: 2023 W Superior St, Duluth, MN 55806, USA
Open: Monday–Tuesday from 10 am to 10 pm, Wednesday–Thursday from 10 am to 11 pm, Friday–Saturday from 10 am to midnight, Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm
Phone: +1 218-624-7768
The Caddy Shack Indoor Golf and Pub
7. Vikre Distillery
For carefully created local tipples
Good for: Nightlife, Couples
Located adjacent to the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, Vikre Distillery specializes in its own distinctive brand of meticulously crafted spirits including gins, whiskies, aquavit, vodka, and specialist cocktails. They’re all created using local ingredients, locally foraged botanicals, and that other crucial ingredient: the water of Lake Superior.
Keen arbiters of taste can sample Vikre’s lovingly brewed spirits in the onsite cocktail room. Sign up for a tour of the distillery to get a behind-the-scenes look at the dedicated and award-winning distillers in action.
Location: 525 S Lake Ave #102, Duluth, MN 55802, USA
Open: Monday–Wednesday from 3 pm to 8 pm, Thursday–Friday from 2 pm to 10 pm, Saturday from noon to 10 pm, Sunday from noon to 8 pm
Phone: +1 218-481-7401
Vikre Distillery
8. NorShor Theatre
Beloved historic venue at the heart of the city’s cultural life
Good for: Nightlife, Families
Originally an opera house, then a vaudeville theater, and later a movie palace, the NorShor Theatre has experienced a tumultuous past. Despite this, it’s one of Duluth’s most beloved and distinctive historic landmarks.
Following a $30 million renovation from 2016–2018, it has been given a new lease of life and is now the jewel in the heart of the city’s historic arts and theater district and a cornerstone of culture. Pay a visit to experience incredible musicals, plays, classic movies, and concerts, along with more than 50,000 visitors a year.
Location: 211 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55802, USA
Phone: +1 218-733-7555
NorShor Theatre
9. The Flame Nightclub
The city’s first gay nightclub
Good for: Nightlife, Couples
The Flame is a fun, energetic, and popular dance club, just a short distance from Canal Park in downtown Duluth.
With live DJs, a spacious dance floor, and 2 busy bar areas, the club also hosts drag shows and weekly karaoke nights. As well as members of the LGBTQ+ community, the club welcomes all visitors and is also popular at weekends with the local college crowd. Clubgoers are attracted by its pulsating tunes, buoyant and lively atmosphere, moderate prices, regular drink specials, and no-cover nights.
Location: 28 N 1st Ave, Duluth, MN 55802, USA
Open: Wednesday–Monday from 3 pm to 2 am, Tuesday from 4.30 pm to 2 am
Phone: +1 218-727-2344
The Flame Nightclub
10. Jade Fountain Cocktail Lounge
Hipster drinks and food served up in a former Chinese restaurant
Good for: Nightlife, Food
Jade Fountain Cocktail Lounge boasts eclectic, hipster atmosphere, Asian and Tiki-inspired decor, and heady mix of craft cocktails.
The Jade Fountain Cocktail Lounge is a vibrant hub for live entertainment and events, offering a diverse lineup that caters to various tastes. The lounge hosts an array of musical performances, from DJs to live local bands that keep the atmosphere lively and engaging. Regular events include open mic comedy nights every Tuesday, where local comedians showcase their talents, and special events, such as burlesque bingo, ensure there’s always something exciting happening at this eclectic nightlife spot.
Location: 305 N Central Ave, Duluth, MN 55807, USA
Open: Tuesday–Thursday from 5 pm to midnight, Friday–Saturday from 4 pm to 2 am, Sunday from 6 pm to 11 pm (closed on Mondays)
Jade Fountain Cocktail Lounge
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