Bunny's Bar and Grill

Free popcorn, TV's on every wall and a menu with a little bit of everything.

Bunny’s Bar and Grill is one of my favorite local sports bars. It originally opened in 1933 in St. Louis Park and in 1999 moved to its current location at 5916 Excelsior Boulevard. Although just calling it a sports bar does not give it enough credit. From the time you walk in until the time you leave it feels like you are amongst friends. Although it has become a cliché, it’s like the 90’s television show Cheers, except not everyone knows your name, unless you are a regular, and there are a lot of regulars. I understand why. It is always filled with families and children of all ages, many of which have come from a baseball tournament or hockey practice. Keep reading if you want to learn about one of the best kept secrets that Bunny’s offers.

Bunny’s is not your typical sports bar since it caters to patrons of all ages. Yes, it’s a bonus if you want to watch your favorite sports team, but what sets Bunny’s apart from the more traditional sports bar is its food. They have a large variety of menu items to choose from. All the food is fresh tasting and comes with large portions. They have a wide range of appetizers, sandwiches, both hot and cold, including the salads which are also very large. A surprisingly popular menu item is the pizza’s. What makes the pizzas so good is that Bunny’s makes their own dough and pizza sauce from scratch and you can pretty much order it with any toppings you like. The burgers are made from premium angus beef and the chicken sandwiches are tender. All the sandwiches include a choice of sides. Each evening they offer a “Blue Line Special” available Monday through Friday starting at 11:00 a.m. which is a nice alternative to their regular menu. One of these specials, which is available on Wednesday’s, is the hot turkey and gravy on sourdough bread with sides that you would expect with a Thanksgiving Dinner. You really can’t go wrong with any of the specials. You know that they are good and in high demand since many evenings they run out and you hear over the loud speaker “86” whatever special they offered that day. They also have your usual wide variety of beer and spirits. The free popcorn is always a hit. Unlike most sports bars, Bunny’s serves breakfast 7 days a week and is very popular on Sunday game days.

Many of the servers and bartenders have been there for years and are the most patient and friendly staff around. They truly want you to have a relaxing and enjoyable experience. That makes it an equally enjoyable experience if you choose to eat at the bar. Sometimes finding a chair can be challenging because of its popularity. They also, have larger tables to accommodate larger groups.

If I had to come up with a criticism it is that the restaurant is loud. Sometimes, depending on where you are seated it is difficult to have a conversation because of the noise level. Although, here is a tip if you want to have a somewhat quieter experience, ask for a booth which are strategically located away from the main room. Also, they often open “Sherms” which is a separate room that is quiet and less crowded. (named after Sherman Rackner who bought Bunny’s in 1988 and passed away in 1997) Recently, Bunny’s opened a 2nd location in the booming Northeast Minneapolis area.

Okay, I promised to let you know about one the best kept secrets that Bunny’s offers. Chicken wings are available on their late night happy hour menu and comes in a variety of heat, from mild to super hot. They have a Free late-night unlimited taco bar, with a drink purchase. It offers all the items that you would want on your taco. Also, they offer a $3.50 burger basket, that includes crispy French fries, Wednesday & Thursday from 11:00 p.m. to Midnight and Friday & Saturday from 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. All of which as well worth stopping in for a late-night drink.

I would highly recommend Bunny’s, whether you want to watch your favorite sport team; want to enjoy a causal dinner with the family or want to take advantage of their late-night specials.

Bunny’s is located approximately a half mile west form highway 100 at 5916 Excelsior Boulevard.