Driftwood Char Bar

I was here for a local tango Marathon event and it was a great space for music and for dancing. Well I don't eat much fried food personally everything that the people around me were having looked and smelled amazing.

Larry sucks. Don't go. Plus, there's a cover, and food and drink are expensive and low quality.

What a cute little South Minnepolis music bar! My sister's band was playing on a Saturday night so I had to check it out. It was my first time at Driftwood. Bands typically play for 90 minutes or so and there are often several in a night.Getting there was not too bad. There was adequate street parking nearby and we didn't have any issues getting close enough, however, we got there early. When you walk in the Driftwood, there's a $5 cover charge for the band that is collected. I made sure to come early because I wanted to get enough seats for my partner, parents, in-laws, and myself. An hour or so before the first band was sufficient. We were able to order some food (which was pretty good bar food!) and some drinks before the band started. The place itself is not huge. There are a couple tables that can fit 2-4 people that are able to be pushed together and a bunch of high tops about the same size. There is also a bar, a small stage area, and a bit of room between the stage and tables. Once the music started, servers definitely came around less often, so I'd suggest ordering any food and drinks before the band starts. There is really only beer, wine, and some ciders/seltzers, which honestly..is probably a good thing. Overall, there was a great atmosphere and it was a good time. Exciting to come back in a month or so to watch my sister's band play again.

We came in from Kansas City, MO and had the best time here. The bartender was amazing and even some of the patrons. It was a cool place to just chill and play pool and the atmosphere was so relaxed. Definitely will come back here if we come back to Minneapolis!

An upsetting experience here. The door man was not present when we walked in. We ordered a quick drink before dinner and then were accosted for a cover charge. I tried to ask questions about what the cover charge was for as the band hadn't started, and the employee was disrespectful, mocking my questions and telling us we could leave if we wanted. We had already ordered our drinks (with a card) and didn't have the cash for a cover. My husband went to the ATM to take out cash to pay the cover and the employee continued to be antagonistic. We finished our drinks as quickly as we could then left. We were followed out by the employee who waved the money at us and said we could have it back if we had been polite and said we were only there for one drink. There was no way we could have known that clarifying that we were only there for one drink would have meant we didn't have to pay the cover, as he was so rude during the conversation and didn't give that as an option. Will not return, felt very uncomfortable.

if it was just for the music, it would be five starsThe problem is that you have a owner that doesn't know what hospitality is, a staff that doesn't know how to clean, a cook who is also the same owner buys the cheapest freezer to fryer food and processed crap and charges premium prices. I'll be honest with all you out in interweb land. It would be better to go next-door and microwave a frozen burrito at the gas station instead of eating here. This place could be amazing hopefully one day they will get their heads on their shoulders and hire a professional, or somebody that at least understands what it takes to run a music venue/bar.

I'm a little puzzled by the wide range of reviews for this place. I've been here a few times and a good friend of mine lives a block away and comes here regularly. It's a bar with a decent selection of bar food and a stage where there is usually a local band or comedy show going on. For that last reason, there is generally a cover charge (it was five bucks this last time), so bear that in mind. The sound quality for music has been surprisingly good in my experience. The food is fine; this last time I got some grilled shimp that was really good. That's probably the most unique thing on the menu; they also have a selection of burgers and sandwiches with enough variety that there should be something of interest to most. They have a pool table in a back room where it's a little quieter while bands are playing. I'll definitely be happy to come back here, and I think if you're in the market for a locally-owned (and apparently woman-of-color owned) bar to hang out in in this neighborhood, you should give them a shot.

We had a fun time here as a band we knew was playing. The bar typically doesn't stay open that late from what I heard, but let the band play for another 10-20 minutes and we were super happy about that.The only thing is they didn't have any liquor the night we were there, just beer options. I'm not sure why, but they must have their reasons. ;-)

Walked in to grab a drink before dinner somewhere else with my wife. We got to the bar, ordered a drink, and out of nowhere the "door guy" approached my wife telling her there is a cover, he was in the bathroom. He proceeds to be the biggest jerk while we asked what the cover was for (there was a band but they hadn't set up yet) and he goes "It's for the band, what do you think?" I asked if they started yet and he goes "What do you think?" It was down hill after that. The bartender was super sweet and apologized and the owner came and scolded him about it. We went to leave I told him to have a great night (actually, nothing else), and he proceeded to follow us out of the bar. I told him in some not so kind words to leave us alone.Long story short don't go here.

Awful experience. I went to see my friends band perform there, and after I paid a $10 cover charge, the guy in charge of music cut them off after 20 minutes. Then they handed me my tab after I'd only purchased one beer. Like I was a paying customer and they kicked me out after the band I was there to see was done playing?? Also the kitchen was closed at 10pm on a Saturday night so idk