A Minnesota restaurant is offering free meals to state lawmakers looking to set aside their differences and dine with colleagues from opposing political parties.
Sweeney’s Saloon in Saint Paul is offering the “Dine Across the Aisle” special until the 2026 legislative session ends in May in a bid to smooth over tensions between Democrats and Republicans, according to KARE11.
Owner Will Rolf sent an email to every lawmaker at the Minnesota State Capitol to tell them about the eatery’s free lunch and beer special in exchange for a display of political camaraderie.
“I wanted to do this because I think there has been this sort of both sides kind of demonizing the other one. I just thought if they don’t cooperate, nothing is going to get done,” Rolf told the outlet.
After advertising the deal, two Representatives, Republican Bjorn Olson and Democrat Brad Tabke, showed up to Sweeney’s Saloon to grab a bite and a beer together despite their political differences.
“A fool and his money are always welcome at Sweeney’s, but Republican State Representative Bjorn Olson of Fairmont, and Democrat State Representative Brad Tabke of Shakopee are no fools, they got a free lunch and beer at Sweeney’s with our dine across the aisle promotion,” the restaurant posted on Instagram alongside a picture of the two representatives.
“Not everybody has to agree on everything. It’s okay to not agree and still be people who get together and still have fun,” Tabke told the outlet.
Rolf said that Olson and Tabke are the only politicians to take up the lunch special so far — but he has heard from others who are possibly interested in taking up the offer before the legislative session ends on May 18.
