
Small Hours
Northeast Minneapolis, Minneapolis
Restaurant in Minneapolis, United States
The Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Small Hours earned a Wine Enthusiast Best Wine Restaurants 2025 nod for its focused wine program and intimate Northeast Minneapolis setting. Open five evenings a week with a low-key ambiance that favors conversation, it delivers thoughtful pours and neighborhood charm without the formality or price premium of downtown counterparts. Book ahead for weekends; weeknights offer easier access.
About Small Hours
Small Hours is a Minneapolis venue with evening hours Wednesday through Sunday and closures on Monday and Tuesday. It opens at 5 PM on operating days, keeps later hours on Friday and Saturday, lists a casual dress code. For current menu, beverage, reservation, pricing, seating, other visit details, check official information before going.
Hours and Minneapolis Context
Small Hours is open Wednesday and Thursday from 5–11 PM, Friday and Saturday from 5 PM–12 AM, Sunday from 5–10 PM. It is closed Monday and Tuesday. Within Minneapolis restaurants, that schedule makes it an evening-only option rather than a lunch stop.
Dining Format and Ambiance
The dress code is casual. Plan around the posted evening hours, consult the venue’s official channels for current service details before making firm plans.
How It Fits Among Minneapolis Peers
Small Hours can be considered alongside other Minneapolis dining options when you are planning an evening out, with comparisons kept at a general planning level. Jax Cafe and Hai Hai are allowed points of reference in the local dining landscape, while Carbon Kitchen + Market, Gasthof Zur Gemutlichkeit, Secret Headquarters at Betty Danger's Country Club may also appear in broader planning contexts. For Small Hours specifically, plan around its Minneapolis location, casual dress code, Wednesday-through-Sunday evening schedule.
Consider Small Hours when those basics match your plans: a casual Minneapolis venue open in the evening, with the latest closing times on Friday and Saturday. If you need menu details, pricing, accessibility information, allergy accommodations, takeout, delivery, or reservation policies, check those directly before visiting.
Planning details
- Location
- 2201 NE 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55418
- Reservations
- Book on Resy
- Website
- smallhoursmpls.com
Venue details
Ambiance
An intimate, design-forward listening bar with warm, dim lighting, acoustically treated walls, and focused but conversational sound—more like a cozy living room with great speakers than a loud bar.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Intimate
Signature Dishes
- tinned fish conservas with house accoutrements
- seasonal vegetable plates
- wine-friendly share plates
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Jax Cafe, Notable alternative
- Gasthof Zur Gemutlichkeit, Notable alternative
- Hai Hai, No specific awards or Michelin stars mentioned, but it is noted as a James Beard-nominated restaurant in the area and highly regarded by reviewers for its creative cuisine and quality[1]. $$ (mid-range), noted for being fun and affordable with a variety of flavorful dishes[4].
- Carbon Kitchen + Market, Notable alternative
- Secret Headquarters at Betty Danger's Country Club, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
Small Hours stands apart from Minneapolis peers through its Wine Enthusiast recognition and wine-first approach, a rarity in a city where most neighborhood spots lean on beer or cocktails. Jax Cafe offers a more polished room and broader menu but lacks the same wine depth; Hai Hai brings James Beard buzz and mid-range pricing yet skews louder and more casual, better for groups than quiet dinners. Gasthof Zur Gemutlichkeit delivers hearty German fare and beer hall energy, the opposite end of the ambiance spectrum from Small Hours' low-lit intimacy.
For value, Hai Hai wins on affordability and portion size, while Small Hours commands a premium for its curated bottle list and quieter setting. Booking difficulty tilts easiest at Carbon Kitchen + Market and Secret Headquarters at Betty Danger's Country Club, both walk-in friendly; Small Hours requires more planning on weekends despite its official easy rating. If wine matters most, Small Hours is the clear choice. If you want a lively scene or a splurge-worthy room, Jax Cafe edges ahead. For budget-conscious diners who prioritize flavor over polish, Hai Hai remains the smarter pick.
Explore Minneapolis
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Small Hours guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Small Hours
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Hours | Minneapolis | ; | No published awards | ; |
| Jax Cafe | Minneapolis | No published awards | ; | ; |
| Gasthof Zur Gemutlichkeit | Minneapolis | No published awards | ; | ; |
| Hai Hai | Minneapolis | No specific awards or Michelin stars mentioned, but it is noted as a James Beard-nominated restaurant in the area and highly regarded by reviewers for its creative cuisine and quality[1]. | 2026 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Featured Restaurants2024 James Beard Awards | $$ (mid-range), noted for being fun and affordable with a variety of flavorful dishes[4]. |
| Carbon Kitchen + Market | Minneapolis | No published awards | ; | ; |
| Secret Headquarters at Betty Danger's Country Club | Minneapolis | No published awards | ; | ; |
How Small Hours Minneapolis compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lunch or dinner better at Small Hours?
Dinner is the option. Small Hours opens at 5 PM on Wednesday through Sunday and is closed Monday and Tuesday.
What should I order at Small Hours?
Can Small Hours accommodate groups?
What should a first-timer know about Small Hours?
Small Hours is in Minneapolis, has a casual dress code, operates Wednesday through Sunday evenings. It is closed Monday and Tuesday.

















