In the Limelight: Dutch Bar
After a complete reimagination of the space (and a thoughtful build-out), Dutch Bar opened its doors in April of this year to much appreciation of the neighborhood. Beyond the tasty bites and delightful quaffs, what Dutch Bar serves up with regularity is good vibes. The visual and textural qualities of this cozy bar are a physical extension of Patty’s intention with the space and her aptitude for hospitality. Sitting at the bar, sipping a cocktail, and bantering with other bargoers while the kitchen hums and churns out simple plates, the appreciation of a true neighborhood hangout feels palpable.
Visit Dutch Bar at 2512 NE Central Ave.
dutchbarnempls.com
Spend any amount of time talking with Patty Grell of Dutch Bar and you’ll walk away from the conversation knowing one thing for certain- she loves Northeast. Patty and her husband Jim, having moved to the neighborhood in 1990, fell in love with the area and quickly recognized a personal drive to live and work in the community. A chance encounter led to a true friendship with the owner of Rabatin’s Café, the previous restaurant in what would become one of Minneapolis’ most beloved dining institutions: The Modern Café (Patty and Jim’s first business). After a historic 21-year run, they closed the restaurant in 2015.
But that’s where the story of the newly opened Dutch Bar begins. In Patty’s own words, “We weren’t ready to not be entrepreneurs…it's a tough thing to turn off.” After the closure of The Modern, Patty and her family moved across NE and landed on Central Avenue, rehabilitating a building and becoming both residents and landlords. Some years later, as Covid was upending the hospitality scene, there were rumblings that the neighboring building was coming up for sale. Ever the spirited entrepreneur, Patty heard the call to invest in the block that they called home and set out to purchase the building and anchor it with one of her own businesses.
