Minnesota Spotlight: Sphere Restaurant & Bar

🍸 Sphere Restaurant & Bar, Minneapolis, MN

Sphere Restaurant & Bar is a stylish and convenient dining escape located in the Skyway level of the Fifth Street Towers in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota.¹

✨ What Makes it Unique

The restaurant’s most distinguishing feature is its incredible atmosphere, highlighted by a massive spherical skylight (glass dome) overhead that provides a great open sky view, offering a cool, modern, and beautiful vibe.² Its location within the Minneapolis Skyway system also makes it a convenient haven from the bustling city.³ The cuisine seamlessly blends vibrant Mediterranean flavors with the comfort of American cuisine.⁴

🏛️ History

Sphere Bar + Restaurant, along with the quick-service Sphere Kitchen (a daytime grab and go spot), is located in the newly renovated Fifth Street Towers.⁵ It opened in the Skyway system in late 2017, with a bartender featuring on WCCO in November of that year.⁶ The space was proposed to contain 2,956 gross square feet on the second floor, with interior seating for 56 patrons at tables and a bar.

🍽️ Highlight Menu Items

Sphere offers a diverse menu of small plates, salads, burgers, and specialties, with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients.⁷

• Assorted Skewers: Reviewers highly praise the assorted skewers (lamb, chicken, and beef) served over Basmati rice with salad and garlic toast.⁸

   

• Sphere Burger: Described as juicy and well-cooked, it’s a solid choice on an Ace Bakery bun with Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, and chipotle aioli.⁹

   

• Dry Rub Chicken Wings: The crispy dry rub wings are noted as being awesome by patrons.¹⁰

   

• Gyro Pinwheels: A delicious appetizer made with grilled lavash, lettuce, cucumbers, feta cheese, and cucumber dill sauce.¹¹

   

• Cocktails: The bar features a thoughtfully curated cocktail menu, including options like the Espresso Martini, Smokey Hot Margarita, and Lavender Lemon, in addition to a nice selection of local beers and wines.¹²

   

💬 Customer Feedback

The overall consensus from reviewers is that Sphere is worth a visit, primarily for its ambiance and cool, modern atmosphere under the glass dome.¹³

• Positive Feedback: Patrons praise the cool atmosphere, friendly and swift service, and the memorable experience created by the glass dome ceiling.¹⁴ It’s often recommended as a great place for Happy Hour gatherings.

   

• Mixed/Negative Feedback: While many dishes are well-received, some reviewers found certain items like the chicken meatballs and Buffalo Wings to be dry or underwhelming.¹⁵

   

🗓️ Significant Events

Sphere Restaurant & Bar is an available venue for private events such as happy hours, corporate celebrations, achievements, retirements, and holidays.¹⁶

• Capacity: The entire bar and restaurant is available for exclusive booking with a capacity of 50 – 70 people.¹⁷

   

• Note: Due to its open concept location in the Skyway, the space is not completely private.¹⁸

   

• Sphere also offers catering services through Sphere Kitchen for office lunches or smaller private events at other locations.¹⁹

   

📍 Contact Information