History of the Old No. 1!
Originally a VFW bar and lounge, the Old No. 1 Bar and Grill opened its doors in 1997 after a short remodel. (The Old No. 1 is proud to be the home of the VFW.) It opened with a modest kitchen, but a full menu featuring many items we still serve today. Some local favorites include:
- Chicken Fajitas
- Pork Chops
- Chimichangas
- Oriental salads
- Steaks and burgers
- Appetizers
We are a family restaurant! Our game room will entertain our young (or young at heart patrons).
The Southside Reception Hall and Conference Center
In 1999, we added the Southside Reception Hall and Conference Center. It has a 400 person capacity, and can be divided into separate meeting areas to accommodate large banquets or small meetings.
Old No. 1 handles all catering for the Southside and offers a variety of items. We can serve both sit-down or buffet style menus. The Southside has hosted local fundraisers, where over 1,000 people have been served.
The Old No. 1 Bus
Because we want your special events to have safe and happy endings, we added a bus service in 2004 to act as a "sober cab." Our limousine-style bus seats 21 and has been a popular addition to the Old No. 1.
The bus service comes free of charge with every booked event in the Southside Reception Hall and Conference Center. We provide rides to local destinations.
Our Name
The name "Old No. 1" relates to Prohibition days. Stevens County was one of the first in Minnesota to go "wet" after prohibition. Two bars quickly opened, simply named Bar No. 1 and Bar No. 2. The primary distinction between the bars was that one was known as the "blue-collar" bar and the other was the "white-collar" bar. Rumor has it that, at the end of the night, patrols from both bars would pour out into the street and start brawling.
Although the Old No. 1 takes its name from this history, we strive to satisfy a diverse range of customers - from college students to retired folk, drinkers to T-Totalers, blue collar and white collar workers, and even children (the owner has four under the age of eleven!)