Liquor Lyle's recent closing was a blow for many. While nothing can replace Liquor Lyle's traditional neighborhood bar atmosphere and musty smell, Litt Pinball Bar offers a solid addition to the neighborhood.
Litt Pinball Bar maintains Liquor Lyle's bartop in the front. They have comfortable booths and bartop seating. The majority of the bar offers rows of pinball machines ranging from vintage models such as the Eight Ball Deluxe (1981) to modern machines like Foo Fighters (2023). There is also a photo booth.
We came for lunch and were surprised by the appetizing menu with hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken or pork tacos, and vegetarian and vegan options. The female bartender was friendly and attentive. Our lunch was tasty, prompt and reasonably priced. There were a number of people there for lunch, and there was a lively bustling feeling. Multiple large wall-mounted screens played sporting events while heavy metal music played over speakers. The bathrooms were clean, and the iconic Liquor Lyle's sign hangs in the ladies' room.
Litt offers pinball leagues and a parking lot in the back, accessible from the driveway on the south side of the building. They have done a good job removing graffiti from their exterior walls. The only critique is they could remove cigarette butts from their sidewalks.
Matthew Haapoja, J.D., a long-term patron of Liquor Lyle’s, shared: “...upon entering Litt I felt ghosts of all the prior Lyle’s regulars and staff — even though I know they’re not dead! It took some getting used to but I was up to it. I was glad the bartop was the same and the DJ was great!”
I will be returning with my teen and some of his friends. Make sure to support this new neighborhood business.
LITT Pinball Bar
2021 Hennepin Ave S
littpinballbar.com
Open daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.,
18+ after 8 p.m.
