Downtown Fargo's bars range from beloved dives to upscale cocktail lounges. Find the one that suits your drinking style using this list.
What's your style?
Classy
Dancing hotspots
Freshly 21
Beer drinking
Relaxed hangouts
Dive bars
CLASSY
Mezzaluna
Voted as the #1 restaurant in the state of North Dakota, Mezzaluna can not only whip up a great dinner but also a mean cocktail.
Opt for Mezzaluna if you're looking for a calm evening with some great drinks and good conversation.
309 Roberts St N, Fargo | (701) 364-9479
The Toasted Frog
Just across the street from the Fargo Theatre, The Toasted Frog is an eclectic restaurant with fantastic food (especially the fried pickles) and a full bar.
Since it overlooks the bustling Downtown Fargo, this is a great spot for when you're going to catch a show at the Fargo Theatre or if you're just looking for a nice evening in a cozy bar.
305 Broadway N, Fargo | (701) 478-7888
Rustica
This casual fine dining restaurant not only has a great happy hour to start your night out right but also has a huge wrap-around bar to hang out at.
315 Main Ave, Moorhead | (218) 277-5388
Teddy's Eatery & Parlor
Not only does Teddy's serve a bomb grilled cheese sandwich, but they also have a beautiful, reclaimed wood bar serving delicious cocktails.
The building itself invites you in with exposed brick, original hardwood floors, and a live piano player on occasion.
212 Broadway N, Fargo | (701) 551-0777
DANCING
The Spirit Room
Join the Spirit Room at a Friday night salsa dance party! Start out by learning more about Salsa or Bachata dancing and then join in with the other dancers with a social dance later in the evening.
111 Broadway N, Fargo | (701) 237-0230
The Windbreak
One of the largest bars with consistent live music becomes one big dance party every weekend. The Windbreak has live bands along with blackjack, pool tables, and darts.
3150 39th St S, Fargo | (701) 282-5507
VFWs
Downtown Fargo VFW: For a strong drink and some great live music, head to the Downtown VFW. With their big dance floor and rocking tunes, it's a divey-but-awesome experience for a Friday or Saturday night.
West Fargo VFW: West Fargo offers a whole different experience to its Downtown counterpart. A huge dance floor awaits, with line dancing and two stepping like a good ol' fashioned barn dance in a newly renovated building. Again, grab a stiff drink and join in the fun.
Downtown Fargo | 202 Broadway N, Fargo | (701) 235-8243
West Fargo | 444 Sheyenne St, West Fargo | (701) 282-4728
The OB
Known as the OB Nightclub, Old Broadway comes alive at night to bring you the most hopping dance floor in Downtown Fargo. Jam to top 100's pumped out by a DJ on the packed floor.
Friday and Saturday nights from 9 - 11 p.m. you can also get $2.75 beers, booze, and bombs.
22 Broadway, Fargo | (701) 237-6161
FRESHLY 21 CRAWL
A notorious bar crawl weaves through Downtown Fargo, dominated by newly-legal drinkers. Here's where to join them.
The OB
Start your night at The OB night club for cheap drinks and some dancing.
Sports Zone
From there, go to the Sports Zone to catch up on game highlights and have a light beer (or two) of your choice.
Sports Bar
Across the street, Sports Bar is calling your name for a round of pool or Big Buck Hunter.
NoBull
Next door you'll find NoBull, which has eclectic decor and two-for-one drinks all night.
Fort Noks
From there, walk to the corner and head inside Fort Noks. This converted bank building has a skinny bar, stiff drinks, and a huge patio for nicer nights.
Rooters
Just up the street from Fort Noks you'll find another dive bar, Rooters. Try one of their Rooters Root Beers and blackjack.
BEER DRINKERS
Wurst Bier Hall
Wurst pours from 40+ taps, with beers from local breweries all the way to European imports. This German bier hall also sells "Das Boot", a 2-liter glass boot of beer with its own set of drinking rules.
630 1st Ave N, Fargo | (701) 478-2437
Sidestreet
This relaxed hangout's long tap list includes over 50 beers alongside a menu of pub grub and the occasional live music event.
404 4th Ave N, Fargo | (701) 271-0092
Front Street Taproom
Serving only craft beers made in North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota, if you're a beer snob, this is the spot to try multiple local brews.
Located on the most historic street in Fargo, the name of the taproom is an ode to the original thoroughfare name – Front Street.
614 Main Ave, Fargo | (701) 566-7226
JL Beers
Recently voted one of the top places in North Dakota to have a craft beer, this beloved local burger chain will get you a cold one from around the U.S. and the world.
Locations vary
Craft breweries
Fargo and its sister cities Moorhead and West Fargo have eight local craft breweries. Pick up a Crafts and Drafts Pass to the city, and get started (once you visit them all, you get a t-shirt!).
HANGOUTS
Dempsey's
This Irish pub is packed with locals every night of the week listening to live music and catching up with each other.
Dark wood finishes and large booths transport you to the Emerald Isle... the cheap beer and Guinness on tap don't hurt either.
226 Broadway N, Fargo | (701) 235-5913
Sidestreet
Play pool, listen to live music, sit in one of the large booths, and just hangout at this casual bar.
With 50+ beers on tap and a full bar, we highly recommend trying one of their Caesars (the Midwest version of a Bloody Mary).
404 4th Ave N, Fargo | (701) 271-0092
The Boiler Room
In the basement of a 100-year-old building, The Boiler Room's full bar and relaxed restaurant seating makes it an ideal spot for casual drinks with friends or coworkers.
210 Roberts Alley, Fargo | (701) 478-1990
Proof Artisan Distillers
The huge copper stills peak through the back windows of Fargo's only craft distillery.
An intimate interior is dominated by a large bar where some of Fargo's most skilled mixologists wait to make you a cocktail using liquor concocted in-house.
For a treat, order one of their Colorado Bulldogs, which are made with their own brand of cream liqueur, coffee liqueur, and vodka.
414 4th Ave N, Fargo | (701) 353-5853
DIVE BARS
Rooters
This large dive right on Broadway tends to be packed with students on the weekends (see the Freshly 21 section for that).
Other nights of the week, it's a great place to stop for pool, cheap drinks and specials, darts, and karaoke, which happens Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
107 Broadway N, Fargo | (701) 235-4082
Bismarck Tavern
One of the oldest bars in Fargo, you'll find this dive at the north end of Broadway, packed with locals who've loved it all their lives.
522 Broadway N, Fargo | (701) 235-6607
Empire Tavern
Right down the street from the Bismarck is another historic bar locals adore, the Empire Tavern.
Like any good dive bar, drinks are stiff and cheap, and you'll find an eclectic mix of personalities and people.
424 Broadway N, Fargo | (701) 235-4705
Duffy's Tavern
Downtown's other Irish pub, grab a drink and slide into one of the cozy booths or play darts.
If you're here late (and you probably will be), order a pizza as a late-night snack.
16 12th St S, Fargo | (701) 235-0445
VFW
We've said it before and we'll say it again: you can expect stiff drinks, a dark interior, and a mixed crowd in Downtown Fargo's VFW.
Take a spin on the large dancefloor or sit and listen to live bands on the weekends.
202 Broadway N, Fargo | (701) 235-8243
When you're looking for the best bars in Fargo, hopefully this list can help you find the right vibe for you.
