Nightlife in Vadnais Heights

Boxes of food, crates of beer, and new equipment are delivered to restaurants and bars daily. In the case of Keegan's Irish Pub, the most important delivery ever made to its St. Anthony East neighborhood location was not supplies, but the pub itself. Designed in Waterford, Ireland, in 2001, the pub immigrated to Minneapolis via boat and train in 2002. Once on American soil, its pieces underwent multiple crash courses on the career of Kirby Puckett before getting re-assembled in a Victorian-era style that keeps with the area's historic character.

Today, perfectly poured Guinness beers and seasonal craft beers swirl around clinking glasses as patrons tackle hefty burgers and pub favorites, such as beer-crisped fish 'n' chips. Soft music plays in the background most of the time, except for when the pub plays host to live events, which fill the weekly schedule with energized rounds of trivia and rollicking performances from bands.

Metal fences extend above a brushed metal bar, where platforms hold custom hogs––motorcycles decked out with flames and thick, silver rims. If the bikes don't paint a picture, how about staggered biker signs dangling from the rafters, or a homestyle menu of flame-kissed favorites? Fatboys was formed in 2004 as a place for bikers to compare tattoos and crochet helmet cozies, but as time passed, a more diverse clientele began streaming in for the food and ambiance.

Amid neon signs and the clack of pool balls, black lacquered tables populate with golden-fried apps, meaty sandwiches, and the signature Fatboy burger––a full-pound of USDA Choice beef with three kinds of cheese and four strips of bacon. Warm weather triggers the opening of an enormous V-twin patio, where patrons can sip a brew while watching barbecue-slathered ribs slide right off the bone.

In addition to supporting charitable organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Fatboys hosts events such as karaoke, live music, and the Biker Babe Bike Wash, which allows bikers and rebellious chariot drivers to have their wheels shined to a pristine sheen.

Riley's Pub & Grill is known for its barbecue ribs, which the chefs cook slowly until the meat falls off the bone alongside piles of cole slaw and seasoned potato wedges. They also pile burgers and pizzas with unusual toppings, such as pulled pork and pickles. The relaxed bar amps up during special events, including live music performances and bingo nights.

The bustle of patrons and the action of vintage video games fill Chatterbox Pub, echoing against walls checkered with old paintings. Customers nestled atop overstuffed couches train their eyes on flickering screens filled with Atari, Nintendo, and Sega Genesis video game characters or board game pieces from Yahtzee or Connect Four.

Based on this casual, laid-back atmosphere, it might surprise guests to open the menu, which lists neither standard greasy pub fare nor a detailed treasure map to a VHS copy of The Road to El Dorado. Instead, its pages boast a wide range of artisanal pizzas, gourmet sandwiches, and steaks, along with a lengthy list of homemade desserts. Meals pair with pints of the pub’s own microbrewed draft beers, wines, and a wide range of specialty cocktails that whet whistles during sporting events, karaoke, open mics, and bingo competitions held throughout the week.

In 1996, the Pro Billiards Tour declared Jimmy Wetch to be the fifth-best billiards player in the world. Now, the pro circulates among the 20 emerald felt plots at Jimmy's Pro Billiards, chatting with fellow billiards enthusiasts. At 9-foot and 7-foot Diamond and Gold Crown tables, players sink colorful spheres, and snooker tables encourage them to yell “snooker” as loud as they can. The staccato snap of the cue against a ball rhythmically fills the 10,000 feet of airy, high-ceilinged space. In the kitchen, the staff slices deli meats and pairs hand-pattied burgers with hand-cut french fries and beers with manually placed bubbles.

Since 1986, Champps Americana's kitchen has sizzled with burgers and classic American dishes, satiating sports fans and families with a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. Amid the sunlit dining room, diners at wooden tabletops have views of 25 TVs broadcasting sports games, competing with a cluster of arcade games for eyes' attention. Chefs cater to taste buds by plumping up pastas with chicken, shrimp, and vegetables and piling rolls with beef patties, barbecued pulled pork, and spicy buffalo chicken. Behind the bar, bartenders whip up specialty cocktails and margaritas and fill goblets with an expansive selection of draft beers and wine. The bar and grill draws guests with regular specials and events throughout the week, including daily happy hours, Thursday-night trivia, and Sunday brunch. Every Tuesday, the restaurant serves up free meals to children, as a magician saunters table to table, entertaining kids with tricks and balloon art, crafting replacement siblings on request.