Ex-Weatherman's Tornado Room Coming Soon

A new establishment, Dave Dahl's Tornado Room Bar & Grill, is slated to open in September in downtown Stillwater. Located at 324 S. Main St., the venue is situated in the former Tilted Tiki Tropical Bar & Restaurant space. This venture is spearheaded by former KSTP-TV meteorologist Dave Dahl, whose childhood encounter with tornadoes in 1965 sparked a lifelong fascination.

Dahl, along with partners Paul Barber and Dave Eichten, is embracing a meteorological motif for the restaurant. The concept includes weather-related menu items and a unique promotion: a tornado siren will be activated periodically, offering half-price drinks for five minutes afterward. Signature offerings will include the 'F5' roast-beef sandwich and 'Hail Mary' Bloody Marys.

The building itself is described as a unique and historic space, with renovations planned to enhance its appeal. The owners aim to create a versatile environment that serves as both a sports bar and a venue for live music, featuring a local piano player every Friday night. They intend for the Tornado Room to be a popular destination for both Stillwater locals and visitors from the Twin Cities.

Dave Dahl, who retired from KSTP in 2020 after 43 years, brings a background in public service and customer relations to this new business. He emphasizes the importance of excellent customer service, aiming to provide top-quality food, music, and a sports bar atmosphere, which he notes is currently lacking downtown. The Tornado Room also plans to support local community groups, such as the Hockey Association, through pull tab sales.