Vegan bar food and blues music at Shaw's Bar & Grill

Vegan bar food and blues music at Shaw's Bar & Grill
September 4, 2009
Kelly Johnson
Examiner.com

utside of Shaw's - yes it's a dive, but the good kind!

A recent Wednesday night at Shaw's Bar & Grill cemented my love of this neighborhood joint. I'd been here a few times, liked it, heard some great free live music, but never became a regular. I think that's going to change.

This place has been a bar since before prohibition, but has only been Shaw's since Mike & Colleen Shaw bought it ten years ago. Mike is a musician and books mostly blues acts, everything from the teenager down the block to national artists such as Shannon Curfman.

The live music is mostly on weekends, but on weeknights Mike might play a concert in its entirety from his vast collection of DVD's. The great thing is, the sound level is low enough so you can actually have a conversation.

So, about the food. If you're looking for vegan bar food, most of the time fries are the only option. Maybe onion rings. Although Shaw's definitely doesn't cater to vegans (their specialty is the Shaw Burger), they have some good alternatives on the menu: Breaded Mushrooms, Chips & Salsa, Side Salad, and Tater Tots.

The Tots, combined with a few well mixed yet affordable drinks, won us over. Our total tab for 3 Jack & Diets, 3 Bacardi & Diets, plus the food was $25. Hard to beat that! If you're near Northeast Minneapolis, stop by Shaw's for a laid back weeknight drink or a rowdier weekend blues concert.