The NEW Psycho Suzi's: Revamped and less cramped.

Psycho Suzi's, a beloved NE Minneapolis staple on the Marshall stretch has moved, with the official opening last Monday. Taking over another NE (much less beloved) staple, Gabby's, Suzi's has definitely moved on up. The obvious downfall of Suzi's prior was space. Smallish in size but big on style, the place crawled with swashbucklers and neighborhoodies alike, making the patio space a downright haven. The new digs make up in space and good old tiki centric style what they lack in patio (for now anyways.)

The new Suzi's has lots of new, but keeps it real. They now have 3 bars: The Forbidden Cove, The Shrunken Head, and Ports of Pleasure. Entering Suzi's, you are met with a serene waterfall, a shop to your left (tiki mugs n' hoodies!), and 2 sets of stairs to your right; one up and one down. The stairs up lead to the bars, which are only open Fridays and Saturdays from 5 PM to 12 AM. Upon entering, you're met with a surreal serving of kitsch, nooks, and utter ambience. The place is large, and seperated into 3 bars, left (Ports of Pleasure), center (Forbidden Cove), and right (The Shrunken Head.) Each is cleverly seperated in style and lighting.  Ports of Pleasure is set at a bar, with it's blue lights and bustle. The Shrunken Head is set at another bar, marked by yellow cone lampshades and more bustle. The gem is the Forbidden Cove, in the center a few steps up. Wide-backed wicker chairs, small and large tables, and densely decorated with leaves, flowers and vines covering the walls, it's a seductive lounge. Tables lining the room are nicely decorated with sprays of fiber optic magic, and the wooden tiki statues give it a heady feel. This is not a trendy seduction but a shipwrecked passion! The mirror illusion offers space to the seemingly small room, and the red globes of light complete with rope net enclosures seal the atmospheric deal on this area. Not to forget, in the center of it all  is the new house band, Tiki A Go-Go! A throwback to pure vintage.

Downstairs is where they serve food, and it did not disappoint. The good old wooden shipdeck style carpet is there, along with the jukebox and the same tables and chairs used in the old spot. It is Suzi's...but bigger! The walls are dark with woven wood, giving it a true hut feel, and the the walls are interspersed with wooden forks and spoons of varying sizes. TV screens are sparse throughout, which I am personally grateful for. The menu provides the stuff we still love, with a few extras (burgers and a french dip!) Best of all, the drinks are still as balmy as ever, sure to soothe whatever may ail you. I had the Scorpion Sting, which flavors include bursts of lime and heady sweetness intertwined. The tiki mugs are appropriately assigned by drink, and are for sale in the new shop by the entrance.

Check out the new Suzi's, but beware the even though they are so big now, the crowd (and diversity of it) gets bigger with it. Parking a block away because the lot was full was a little bummer. But get inside, lose yourself in a straightforward paradise and forget you're in Minnesota for awhile.

http://www.psychosuzis.com/index.html