Sir Benedict's Tavern

morimech

Minnesota

3.73/5  rDev -8.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | $$

Stopped in for lunch but did not end up getting anything to eat. The sandwiches were not doing anything for me. Not many people around but I understand this is a very popular location at night with lively muscical acts. A cozy building with a fantastic view. The owner was there and chatted with the customers. All the servers were friendly and efficient. The beer selection however, was not that great. They had 3 Lake Superior, 1 South Shore, 1 Surly, and a few others. The rest being macros and mediocre imports. Nothing really interested in bottles as it seemed to be dominated with every Leinenkugel beer ever made.

10-16-2010 00:31:43 | More by morimech

mdwalsh

Iowa

4.1/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

Have been to Sir Ben's many times, it's a favorite of my local friends. The atmosphere is always great. It's pretty much what we go there for. Usually some quiet live music, and the bathroom is full of Shakespeare quotes. The quality is good, I've never had problems with infected lines or dirty glasses/tables. The selection leaves something to be desired, hey pretty much have Lake Superior and a few other local MN brews, nothing to be to excited about. The food is also great, we've gotten sandwiches a few times to take hiking.

Update: This bar now has 20+ taps and reps the midwest very well with Bell's, Castle Danger, Surly and more. The servers were also pretty knowledgeable.

08-04-2009 21:45:43 | More by mdwalsh

Redrover

Illinois

4.14/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

St Benedicts occupies a nice older building on bustling Superior Street. They have a kind of funky tri-level layout cut-up into various rooms. They have a very nice garden in front to take advantage of the breezes & great views from Lake Superior.

The bar seats about 14 with tables for another 60 or so. There are also great views of the big lake from the front windows.

They have a total of 12 taps. 3 offerings from Lake Superior Brewery, 2 Summits, Beamish, a cider, blue moon, Coors light, Killians and a selection from South Shore (the brown ale). $2.75 pints from 4 to 7 and then again after 10:00 p.m.

150 bottles and at least 1/2 are decent.

Service was professional and they were playing great lakes chanteys on the sound system. I did not try the food, but it looked good and plenty of folks were eating.

Pleasant enough on a Sunday evening, I would like to comeback at a busier time. Well worth a stop and its only about 2 blocks from Fitgers.

07-24-2006 15:58:21 | More by Redrover

TastyTaste

Minnesota

4.01/5  rDev -2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

I very muched like this place, on a warm yet cloudy Friday afternoon before Grandma's Marathon a couple friends and I stopped in here for a few pints on the patio, which is right on Superior St. if I remember correctly. Rumor has it the building used to be a gas station, and it coneys that by it's odd interior design, with at least 3 different tiers, one for the dining area, one for the entryway, and one for the bar area. The inside is not cavernous, yet not tiny, but not being used because of the nice weather outside. The bar had many regional beers on tap ,including Lake Superior, whose beer you don't see on tap very often, Summit, South Shore, and a few others I don't remember. The bottle selection was very good, especially for out-of-town visitors who would have no problem trying something new. Bell's, Lake Superior, Schell's, Summit, plus more micros and imports, many of the German and British persuasion. We had 6 beers while there, including Kalamazoo Stout, SN Summerfest, LS Kayak Kolsch, Summit Scandia, Spaten Optimator, and Bell's Third Coast Beer. All were fresh and hit the spot. The prices were reasonable to high, but worth it. We didn't try the food, but I have heard good things about it, and it looked good as well. Sir Ben's is a must stop in Duluth, and probably the best beer bar. My only complaint is the service, it is a cash register at the bar and you bring it back outside to the patio.

06-18-2006 14:51:12 | More by TastyTaste

DarkerTheBetter

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +8.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Sir Benedict’s Tavern is located in downtown Duluth across the street and down the block from the Fitger’s BrewHouse and houses the best selection of imported beer and micro brews in the city. Unfortunately, due to Duluth brewing laws, Fitger’s can’t market their beer outside their own brewery, so you'll have to run across the street to get it.

Sir Ben’s building is surprisingly small and there is seldom a huge crowd. This establishment frequently hosts live bands and an open mic. night for local musicians which tends to attract a bit more of a crowd. However, even when the place is packed, you never feel crowded due to the compartmentalized layout, unless of course you‘re trying to get to the bar. The servers are quick, so that‘s seldom a problem. The food here is fantastic too. There are lots of great sandwiches with some fantastic vegetarian options.

The beer selection is wonderful, and my “best selection of imported beer and micro brews in the city” claim is far from an exaggeration. They carry the entire spectrum of expected Germans and British beers with a great selection of local brews as well. Their only short comming is a minimal Belgian selection. Do you know how far you have to drive to find a better beer selection? Yeah, this place earned it's "selection 5."

If you’re ever looking for a good bottle of beer and you find yourself in Duluth, this is the place to stop.

11-15-2005 01:31:11 | More by DarkerTheBetter