302 E Sheridan Street, Ely, MN 55731-0000

Forget ordinary. This is a place like no Otter. Right on the busiest corner in Ely, it's a prime location. The Frisky Otter Pub & Eatery is 5,000 square feet of scratch-cooked comfort, craft cocktails, and the kind of energy that makes people stay for one more round.

Lunch, dinner, piled-high portions, weekly specials, and appetizers that disappear off the table. Everything comes out of that kitchen the old-fashioned way: made here, from scratch. Big patio. Live music, outdoor games, corner traffic that never really stops in summer, and a winter crowd that knows where the good night is.

Bring the dog. Seriously. Owners have done MAJOR improvements to the building, bar, and kitchen. This is not a tired cafe with a new coat of paint. It is a full-on gathering spot with room to feed a crew, pour a proper cocktail, put a band in the yard, and still have space to grow. Ely's trails, lakes, and downtown are the backdrop. The Frisky Otter is the place people tell their friends about.