Patio season in the Twin Cities just got a fresh batch of places to post up with a drink and a plate of something fried. On May 21, 2026, the Twin Cities Pioneer Press dropped its 2026 Patio Guide, "New kids on the block," spotlighting outdoor dining that is new or new-to-the-guide this year.
According to the Pioneer Press, the "New kids on the block" roundup features 14 patios that are either brand-new or making their first appearance in the guide. Each listing comes with contact details and website links, and the picks stretch from downtown St. Paul to neighborhood beer gardens scattered across the metro.
Downtown revivals and game-day patios
Alary's - the storied St. Paul bar that closed in 2023 and reopened under new ownership in June 2024 - is back in the mix with a refreshed back patio and a full in-house menu. Bring Me The News covered the comeback, and the current menu, which includes walleye cakes, is posted on the restaurant's site (Alary's).
Cocktails beside a creek
Over on the Hamm’s campus on the city's East Side, Volière Spirits and CrowBar have turned a former blacksmith shop into a cocktail outpost with a distinctive front patio. The venues' online descriptions highlight a small fountain and a narrow channel that winds through the outdoor seating, along with umbrellas and a wall fitted with antique birdcages. Volière Spirits and CrowBar list hours and additional details on their sites.
Neighborhood beer gardens and food trucks
Wandering Leaf Brewing's beer-garden patio leans into picnic-style tables, high-tops, and a food-truck-friendly layout that plays well with its house-brewed beers. The brewery's site notes that outside food is welcome, including nearby Soul Lao, which helps make it a laid-back stop for groups and families. Wandering Leaf Brewing
Covered porches and scaled-down menus
The Pioneer Press entries also flag spots with focused patio offerings, including Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter's liter pours, Marma's patio-only small plates, and Pig Ate My Pizza's fully covered patio with pull-down walls, wooden booths, and big-screen TVs.
How this guide fits the season
Longer, citywide roundups from outlets such as the Star Tribune have mapped dozens of patios in past years, and the Pioneer Press guide offers a tighter list focused on recent openings and smaller-scale patios to watch this summer. The Star Tribune's larger features underscore how the outdoor scene keeps expanding.
Whether the goal is a liter stein, a quiet Lowertown table or a creek-side cocktail, the new entries widen the city's outdoor options for the warmer months. Each Pioneer Press listing includes contact information and website links for the latest hours and availability.
