Where can you find the best cocktails in Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo? Local favorites include Mezzaluna and The Drawing Room for craft cocktails, Starbird Lounge for tiki drinks, The Noble Hare for whiskey, Rosewild for an upscale night out, Harold's on Main for a relaxed neighborhood bar, and Sky Prairie for rooftop drinks.
Whether you want an Old Fashioned, a creative seasonal cocktail, a margarita, or a drink with a view, these Fargo-Moorhead and West Fargo bars belong on your list.
Quick guide to Fargo-Moorhead cocktail bars
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Best overall craft cocktails: Mezzaluna
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Best speakeasy atmosphere: The Drawing Room
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Best tiki drinks: Starbird Lounge
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Best whiskey selection: The Noble Hare
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Best upscale cocktail experience: Rosewild
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Best neighborhood cocktail bar: Harold's on Main
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Best intimate downtown bar: Marge's Bar
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Best rooftop cocktails: Sky Prairie
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Best cocktails in West Fargo: Smoke & Iron
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Best margaritas: Plaza Azteca
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Best cocktails paired with Midwestern flavors: 701 Eateries
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Best special-occasion cocktails: Maxwells
Menus change regularly, so consider the recommendations below a starting point. Asking the bartender about the current seasonal menu is rarely a bad idea.
701 Eateries
701 Eateries houses two experiences under one roof: Prairie Kitchen and the upstairs Camp Lonetree.
Prairie Kitchen offers cocktails alongside Scandinavian- and Midwestern-inspired dishes, while Camp Lonetree has a more casual lodge-like atmosphere and a rooftop patio. Choose based on whether you want dinner downstairs or a laid-back drink upstairs.
Best for: Midwestern flavors, rooftop drinks and groups
Location: Fargo
The Drawing Room
Located below Mezzaluna, The Drawing Room offers an intimate, speakeasy-inspired setting with craft cocktails and small plates.
It is especially well suited to a nightcap or a quieter evening when you want the drink - and the conversation - to be the focus.
Best for: Speakeasy atmosphere, nightcaps and small plates
Location: Downtown Fargo
Harold’s on Main
Harold’s on Main occupies a former auto shop in Moorhead and blends mid-century style with the unpretentious energy of a neighborhood bar.
The drinks are creative without making the experience feel formal. Order a house cocktail when you want to explore - or a Hamm’s when you do not- with a killer frozen pizza.
Best for: A relaxed neighborhood bar, creative cocktails, and casual nights out
Location: Moorhead
Marge’s Bar
Tucked into Roberts Alley, Marge’s Bar is a small, welcoming cocktail bar with a cozy setting and an approachable drink menu.
Its intimate size makes it a good stop for a pre-dinner cocktail, a date, or a relaxed conversation away from the main drag downtown bars.
Best for: Cozy atmosphere, date night, and downtown bar-hopping
Location: Downtown Fargo
Maxwells
Maxwells is a long-running West Fargo favorite for fine dining, wine,e and polished cocktails.
The bar is particularly well suited to a celebratory drink, a classic cocktail before dinner, or an after-dinner pour from its extensive spirits selection.
Best for: Special occasions, classic cocktails and fine dining
Location: West Fargo
Mezzaluna
Mezzaluna remains one of Fargo’s best destinations for carefully made craft cocktails. Its downtown location, polished service, and creative bar program make it a strong choice for date night, dinner, or a pre-show drink.
The bartenders are equally comfortable with classics and original creations, so this is the place to order an Old Fashioned, Manhattan, or something from the current seasonal menu.
Best for: Craft cocktails, date night and cocktail classics
Location: Downtown Fargo
The Noble Hare
The Noble Hare is a sophisticated West Fargo cocktail and whiskey bar with an extensive spirits collection and an ambitious menu of original drinks.
Whiskey fans can explore the bar’s deep bourbon and rye selection, while cocktail drinkers will find creative ingredients, clarified drinks, and modern interpretations of classics. The Noble Old Fashion is a dependable place to begin.
Best for: Whiskey, adventurous cocktails, and an elevated evening out
Location: Downtown West Fargo
Plaza Azteca
Plaza Azteca is one of the area’s strongest choices for margaritas. Options range from traditional and skinny margaritas to flavored versions and shareable flights.
Pair one with tableside guacamole, but watch the glass size before volunteering to order the second round.
Best for: Margaritas, margarita flights and Mexican food
Locations: Fargo
Rosewild
Located inside Jasper Hotel, Rosewild pairs a stylish dining room with seasonal cocktails inspired by the region.
The beverage menu balances familiar classics with more inventive drinks featuring botanicals, fruit, herbs, and regional spirits. Rosewild also maintains a thoughtful selection of alcohol-free cocktails.
Best for: Upscale cocktails, dinner, brunch,h and special occasions
Location: Downtown Fargo
Sky Prairie
Sky Prairie sits atop the historic Hotel Donaldson and offers one of downtown Fargo’s best rooftop views.
The outdoor rooftop is the main attraction during warmer weather, but the cocktails make it more than a scenic stop. Check current hours and seasonal availability before visiting.
Best for: Rooftop cocktails, sunsets and downtown views
Location: Downtown Fargo
Smoke & Iron
Smoke & Iron is a fire-inspired restaurant and bar in West Fargo with a polished atmosphere and cocktails designed to complement its wood-fired food.
It is a good choice when you want a full dinner and a creative drink without heading downtown.
Best for: Cocktails with dinner, date night and West Fargo dining
Location: West Fargo
Starbird Lounge
Starbird Lounge brings tropical escapism to Moorhead with tiki-inspired cocktails, colorful glassware, and a cozy neighborhood atmosphere.
Rum-forward drinks are the specialty, although the menu also includes lighter choices and alcohol-free options. It is one of the most distinctive cocktail experiences in the Fargo-Moorhead area.
Best for: Tiki cocktails, rum drinks, and a fun group outing
Location: Moorhead
More places to get a good cocktail
These restaurants and bars are also worth considering:
- Beer & Fish Company: Creative drinks, Prosecco on tap, and seafood in Roberts Alley
- Harry's Steakhouse: Classic steakhouse cocktails in downtown Grand Forks—exclude this if the article is strictly Fargo-Moorhead
- Luna Fargo: Wine-forward dining with a seasonal cocktail selection
- Pounds: Casual downtown drinks, brunch cocktails, and a lively atmosphere
- Blarney Stone Pub: Irish-inspired drinks, whiskey and pub atmosphere
- Vinyl Taco: Margaritas and tacos in a lively downtown setting
- Rustica: House cocktails and after-dinner drinks in Moorhead
- Wild Terra: Cider plus a rotating selection of creative cocktails
Looking for more ideas? Check out the area's best mocktails, breweries, and happy hour deals.
