The Best Bars in Cathedral Hill, Saint Paul, MN
Cathedral Hill is the best neighborhood for bars in Saint Paul, and it's not particularly close. The stretch of Selby Avenue between Dale and Western holds more genuinely good drinking establishments per block than anywhere else in the Twin Cities — and most of them have been there long enough to mean something.
If you're looking for the best bars in Saint Paul, this is where you start. The neighborhood sits just west of the Cathedral of Saint Paul, perched on a bluff that has been a destination for residents and visitors alike since the city's earliest days. The bars here aren't trying to be anything other than what they are, which is exactly what makes them worth your time.
Here's a complete guide to the best bars in Cathedral Hill.
What Makes Cathedral Hill Different
Saint Paul's bar culture has always had a certain self-possession to it. The city doesn't chase trends the way Minneapolis sometimes does. Cathedral Hill reflects that sensibility more than any other neighborhood in the city.
The bars on Selby Avenue tend to have real history behind them — rooms that were built to last, drink programs made with intention, and the kind of staff that has been there long enough to know what they're doing. A night out in Cathedral Hill can take you from a hand-crafted cocktail in a 1934 Art Deco bar to a vodka flight in a Russian supper club to one of the best outdoor patios in the Twin Cities. Few neighborhoods in any Midwestern city can offer that kind of range on a single street.
The Best Bars in Cathedral Hill
The Commodore Bar and Restaurant
The Commodore is the oldest and most storied bar on this list — and, by most accounts, the best bar in Saint Paul.
It opened in 1920 as part of Cathedral Hill's golden era of grand residential hotels, hosted F. Scott Fitzgerald during his years in St. Paul, and ran a speakeasy in the basement during Prohibition. In 1934, the owners hired Werner Wittkamp, a Berlin-born designer who had worked on sets for the Ziegfeld Follies and several of the era's great silent films, to design the bar you see today. The room is modeled after the lounges found on the great transatlantic ocean liners of the era: sweeping curves, lacquered surfaces, and proportions that command attention.
The Commodore closed for several years during covid-19 and reopened in September 2025. If you're visiting Cathedral Hill for the first time or looking for the best cocktail bar in Saint Paul, start here.
79 Western Ave N | thecommodorebar.com
WA Frost and Company
WA Frost has anchored Cathedral Hill since 1975, making it one of the longest-running restaurants in Saint Paul. Under the same ownership as The Commodore, WA Frost and its sister property share a commitment to quality, history, and the kind of experience that holds up over time.
Guests consistently describe it as offering the best outdoor patio dining in the Twin Cities, and that reputation is well earned. The garden patio, enclosed and lush, is a summer destination in its own right. Inside, the Victorian-era Dacotah Building provides a wine cellar, fireplaces, and a bar program that earns its place alongside the room. WA Frost is a regular recipient of Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence and draws a reliably strong crowd for both weeknight drinks and special occasions.
374 Selby Ave | wafrost.com
Moscow on the Hill
Moscow on the Hill offers the most authentic Russian dining experience in the Twin Cities, with comfort food classics alongside an extensive vodka program. The bar features over 300 house-made vodka infusions, and the cocktail menu leans into that strength with inventive twists on classics. Live accordion music on Friday and Saturday nights gives it an energy that's entirely its own.
The secluded backyard patio is one of Cathedral Hill's best seats in warmer months, and the dining room can accommodate private events year round. If you're looking for a bar in Saint Paul with genuine character and something you won't find anywhere else in the city, Moscow on the Hill delivers.
371 Selby Ave | moscowonthehill.com
Red Cow Saint Paul
Red Cow sits at Selby and Western in Cathedral Hill, providing a sophisticated take on the classic neighborhood tavern with a focus on gourmet burgers, craft beer, and fine wine. The cocktail list is well constructed, the patio is lively in season, and the kitchen is consistent. It's the kind of place that works for a quick drink at the bar or a full dinner, without feeling like it's trying too hard at either.
393 Selby Ave | redcowmn.com
The Gnome Craft Pub
The Gnome Craft Pub is a neighborhood gastropub with over 60 beers on tap, specializing in craft beer, comfort food, and community. The tap list rotates and leans heavily toward local and regional breweries, making it worth revisiting throughout the year. The space is larger than it looks from the street, with a pet-friendly patio and a second-floor bar called the Velvet Antler that's worth checking out on weekend nights.
498 Selby Ave | thegnomepub.com
How to Plan Your Night in Cathedral Hill
Cathedral Hill is walkable, and the bars on Selby Avenue are close enough together that a well-planned evening can hit two or three without a car. Here's one route that works well.
Start with drinks at The Commodore, which is worth arriving early enough to take in the room before it fills up. From there, head east on Selby to WA Frost for dinner or a glass of wine in the garden patio. Close out the night at Moscow on the Hill for vodka and accordion music, or keep it casual at Red Cow or The Gnome if you want to end somewhere a little more relaxed.
Street parking on Selby is generally available on weeknights. On weekends, aim to park on the residential streets north or south of Selby — the walk is short and the neighborhood is easy to navigate on foot.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bars in Cathedral Hill
What is the best bar in Cathedral Hill, Saint Paul?
WA Frost and The Commodore Bar and Restaurant are widely considered the best bars in Cathedral Hill and some of the best bars in Saint Paul overall.
What street are the bars on in Cathedral Hill?
Most of the best bars in Cathedral Hill are located on Selby Avenue, between Dale Street and Western Avenue. The Commodore is just off Selby at 79 Western Ave N.
Is Cathedral Hill a good neighborhood to visit in Saint Paul?
Yes. Cathedral Hill is one of the most walkable and historically rich neighborhoods in Saint Paul. It's home to some of the best restaurants and bars in the city, and the architecture along Selby Avenue and Summit Avenue is worth seeing in its own right.
How far is Cathedral Hill from downtown Saint Paul?
Cathedral Hill is about a mile west of downtown Saint Paul — roughly a 5-minute drive or a 20-minute walk. It's easily accessible from both downtown Saint Paul and the Midway area.
Are there good cocktail bars in Saint Paul?
Yes. The Commodore Bar and Restaurant in Cathedral Hill is one of the best cocktail bars in Saint Paul, with a seasonal program built around the room's 1934 Art Deco design. Moscow on the Hill also has a strong cocktail program centered on its 300-plus house-made vodka infusions.
What are the best bars near the Cathedral of Saint Paul?
The Cathedral of Saint Paul sits at the top of Cathedral Hill, and several of the neighborhood's best bars are within easy walking distance. The Commodore, WA Frost, Moscow on the Hill, Red Cow, and The Gnome are all on or just off Selby Avenue, a short walk from the Cathedral.
Is Cathedral Hill Is Worth the Trip?
Cathedral Hill isn't hard to find, but it rewards the people who show up for it. The neighborhood has been building something worth staying for since Saint Paul's early years, and the bar scene on Selby Avenue reflects that.
If you're a Saint Paul local looking for your next regular spot or a visitor trying to understand what makes this city worth visiting, Cathedral Hill is where you start.
