
COMFORT FOOD
fare inspired by the north star state
Hours & Directions
Hours
Monday – Thursday: 11am-11pm
Friday:11am-Midnight
Saturday: 2pm-Midnight
Sunday: closed
Happy Hour
Monday – Friday
Food & Drinks: 3pm-6pm & 9pm-close
Drinks: 9pm-close
(happy hour not available during events)
Late Night Food
Monday – Thursday: 9pm-10pm
Friday – Saturday: 10pm-11pm
Email: gdmanagers@madisonrestaurantgroup.com
Book Your Next Private Event
at Gray Duck Tavern
Celebrate a birthday, recognize a corporate milestone, or host a charity fundraiser, our grand foyer can accommodate events of all sizes and occasions.
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About Gray Duck
Launched in May 2017, Gray Duck Tavern’s name pays homage to the decidedly Minnesota game, Duck Duck Gray Duck and it is located in one of Saint Paul’s most historic buildings, the former Lowry Hotel.
Built in 1928, the eleven-story building, noted as one of the only multi-story buildings constructed in Saint Paul between 1919 and 1929, has been home to a glamorous hotel, a nightclub, several restaurants and now Gray Duck Tavern.
The Lowry Hotel in its heyday in the 1920s and 30s welcomed celebrities and a couple presidents, from Charles Lindbergh, and Bing Crosby, to Harry S. Truman, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The hotel’s grand ballroom was large enough to host big bands and both Glenn Miller, and Benny Goodman performed concerts in it. Rates for the hotel in 1937 were between $2 and $4 per day for a private bath and the building was touted as “fireproof”.
As time passed, travel styles changed and the hotel was closed in 1970. However, the intrigue with the building continued. The Mayor of Saint Paul negotiated its sale to himself, but the city council and comptroller stopped that deal from going through. A close associate of the Mayor then bought the hotel, as well as the Saint Paul Hotel and announced his plan to turn Saint Peter Street into its own version of Bourbon Street. Unfortunately, none of that happened and the only tenant who remained in the building was the former Mayor!
In the late 1970s, the former basement and barbershop of the hotel opened as The Oz Night Club on Valentine’s Day 1979. It is said that the producers who created Lipps Inc. and the huge hit “Funkytown” played early versions of the song in the club. In the 1980s and the last open restaurant in the space was Horatio Hornblower’s.
Madison Restaurant Group is proud to open Gray Duck Tavern in the historic space, and certain to create another chapter of great stories for years to come.
MANAGEMENT CHANGES
We have exciting management changes for Madison Restaurant Group! Click here to read more!
Parking
There are a number of parking lots nearby Gray Duck. Please use the map to search for a convenient option.