Welcome to the East Side’s Pub
SERVING ST. PAUL SINCE 2017
Brunson’s Pub is where St. Paul gathers for scratch-made food, good drinks, and good times. We’re rooted on Payne Avenue — a street built on hard work, community, and a mix of cultures that still thrive here today.
A Name with History
Our name nods to Benjamin Brunson, one of St. Paul’s original land surveyors, whose brick home still stands on nearby Railroad Island. It’s the oldest standing brick house in the city and a small tribute to the neighborhood’s past, carried forward into a pub made for today.
Built on Community
Thomas LaFleche had a dream to create a place where people could come together to enjoy great food, drinks, and company. After working in the industry for 25+ years, that dream has come true as Brunson’s Pub.
Molly and Thomas met while working together in the industry in 2003, and it didn’t take long for them to realize they shared the same vision. Both having that entrepreneurial drive, Molly started her own business while Thomas continued to hone his craft behind the bar and in management. When the time was right, they started looking at properties, and if something was ever meant to be, it was Schwietz’s.
Molly and her family grew up on Payne and Jessamine and were family friends with the Schwietz’s. Her uncle and stepmom both bartended there, and her dad even pulled a few shifts himself. When Thomas and Molly finally stepped through the door, they knew they’d found their bar.
A Menu with Roots & Reach
The East Side has always been shaped by immigrant communities, from early Irish and Italians to today’s new arrivals from Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Our menu reflects that spirit — eclectic, approachable, and scratch-made.
Chef Torrance Beavers, a Le Cordon Bleu grad raised in Mississippi, brings flavors and techniques gathered from North Carolina to the Virgin Islands to St. Paul. Burgers, sandwiches, salads, and shareable plates come together with a kids menu that makes sure no one’s left out.
Drinks at the Pub
Step inside and you’ll feel the history: original mahogany bar, 13-foot ceilings, and hardwood floors that have seen decades of St. Paul nights.
Behind the bar, you’ll find craft cocktails that are creative but never pretentious, a rotating tap list heavy on local beer, and wines chosen to pair perfectly with the food. Whether it’s a Lovejoy’s Bloody at brunch or a whiskey on Wednesday, every drink is poured with care.
Hours & Location
956 Payne Ave, St. Paul MN 55130
Sun - Thu: 11am - 11pm
Kitchen: 11am - 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am - 12 midnight
Kitchen: 11am - 11pm
Brunch every Saturday & Sunday,
11am–2pm (full menu also available).
Yes, we’ve got a parking lot.
And yes, it’s free.
Why We’re Here
At Brunson’s, hospitality comes first. We’re proud to be part of Payne Avenue’s story — a pub where neighbors, families, and friends come together. Thanks for making us your spot.
