Vern's may not be as immersive as other tiki bars, but it was a fun place with a friendly staff and tasty drinks and food. We arrived early, so Vern's look somewhat empty in my photos, but after a short time the place filled up with laughing groups of people having a good time - all the tables filled and there was a large group standing near the bar. The drinks were very good - carefully crafted and potent. The Jet Pilot was one of the best drinks I've ever had. I should have ordered a second, but tried the Puka Punch and Mai Tai instead. For food, we had the Peanut Sesame Noodles, Cheng Du Ravioli, Pork Belly Bites, and Battered Fries. All were tasty, but those Pork Belly Bites were definitely the favorite. The cocktail and food menus do change throughout the year, so keep this in mind. The bartender was working furiously but exactingly, and we found him to be super friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The next time I'm in Minneapolis, I will definitely return to Vern's.

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Tiki Bar

Vern's Tiki Bar - at Public Domain

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

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Vern's Tiki Bar opened in March of 2025 in the back of the Public Domain craft cocktail bar, where Neon Tiger used to be located.

The bar is named after Vernon Burke, a young bootlegger from the 1930s who also ran a speakeasy. The owner, Van Voorst, who’s a history buff, saw a 1932 article about Vern’s arrest, at a time when he and his brother-in-law were smuggling booze in Wisconsin and Minnesota. “I thought that’s kind of a fun story so let’s just name a tiki bar after Vern,” he said.

The bar is minimally decorated with some lauhala matting, thatch, tropical leaf wallpaper, some tropical plants, and dark booths with outdoor patio lights strung across the ceiling.

It's not an over-the-top immersive environment like some of the leading tiki bars around the country, but there is always room to grow and they have received good reviews on their tiki cocktails, which are served in inexpensive tiki mugs.

It does not appear that they have a house mug as of yet.