Entry No. 2 — the Minneapolis file — filed under: speakeasy
Anoka Hardware Store
Disguised as a vintage hardware store with a token display of tools in the entryway, this hidden lounge is accessed through a heavy 150-pound sliding door down a red-lit alley. Guests must provide a secret password texted to them on the day of their reservation to gain entry.
The story
If you walk down Jackson Street in downtown Anoka, you’ll spot a storefront window displaying a token arrangement of vintage tools, looking like a forgotten suburban fix-it shop. But don't bother trying the front handle. The actual doorway isn't on Jackson Street at all—you have to slip around back into the alley and hunt for a single, glowing red light.
Under that red light sits a massive 150-pound sliding door. Once you signal, you’ll have to give the day’s secret password—which is texted to you on the day of your reservation—to gain entry. Slide the heavy door open, and the hammer-and-nail facade dissolves into a dim, low-lit cocktail lounge built around classic drinks and live jazz.
The real draw here is the complete lack of big-city pretension. While downtown Minneapolis bars routinely charge twenty dollars for smoke and mirrors, this suburban hideaway keeps things grounded, most notably with a weeknight whiskey special that feels like a glitch in the menu.
What it's like
Check your phone for your texted passphrase before heading down the alley behind 201 Jackson. Once you slide open the heavy door and whisper the word, you're inside a dark, cozy room humming with live music. Tables fill up quickly, so a reservation is crucial. Aim for a Wednesday night if you can: they run a legendary $6 Old Fashioned made with rotating mid-range whiskeys and a proper Luxardo cherry.
The move: Snag a reservation for a Wednesday night to enjoy their legendary $6 Old Fashioneds, featuring rotating mid-range whiskeys and a fancy Luxardo cherry, while listening to live jazz.
- 📍 Anoka, MN
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 201 Jackson St #101, Anoka, MN 55303
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Jackson Middle School Observatory — Cross the river into Champlin for public stargazing through a 14-inch telescope before sneaking into the alley for a late-night cocktail.
- Late Night @ the Heights — Pair quiet alleyway drinks in Anoka with a midnight cult classic or B-movie screening at this restored 1926 theater.
- Bill & Bonnie Daniels Firefighters Hall & Museum — Lean into the mechanical nostalgia by exploring historic steam pumpers and antique fire engines before slipping behind the hardware facade.
Good to know
How do I find the entrance?
Ignore the storefront on Jackson Street. Walk into the alley behind the building and look for a single glowing red light above a heavy sliding door.
How do I get the secret password?
You must book a reservation in advance. The bar texts you the daily password on the day of your scheduled visit.
What is the best night to go?
Wednesday night is the prime window, featuring live jazz alongside their $6 Old Fashioned drink special.
Do I need a reservation?
Yes. Reservations are required not just for seating, but because they are the only mechanism for receiving the daily password needed to get past the door.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · racketmn.com
last checked: 2026-07-21