The Bulldog (Nordeast)

Lyn-Lake’s dark and divey Bulldog is the perfect postcollegiate bar—a place you can feel at home whether you’re in crusty or cute mode. But what happens as you mature and seek out brighter and snappier spots? Don’t worry, the Bulldog is growing up, too, with a second location at the old Oddfellows/Boom! building in Nordeast. Not that the Bulldog would ever go glitzy; the just-open space also cultivates the comfortable crowd. But the new dog’s new tricks include a bigger, cooler menu. Chicken and waffles? Yes, please. The El Cubano sandwich and the hand-ground domestic Kobe cheeseburger are also welcome surprises. Add one of the metro area’s best beer selections, plus room for live music, and why wouldn’t you want to stave off that inevitable graduation to wine bars? 401 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-378-2855