When 721 Sports Bar & Lounge opened inside the former Eagan Arms Public House space on April 13, 2026, the idea was never to create a place packed with televisions and predictable food. Managing partner Durrell Motley and his fellow partners imagined something different. They wanted a restaurant where people could settle into a thoughtfully prepared meal, sip an inventive cocktail, and still catch every play without feeling like they had traded quality for convenience.
That vision came from personal experience. Motley and his partners regularly visited restaurants around the Twin Cities, searching for a place that matched their changing tastes. They loved sports, yet they wanted better meals, better drinks, and a setting that welcomed couples, families, and professionals as much as devoted fans. Instead of accepting the usual formula, they decided to build the restaurant they wished already existed.
"We were customers ourselves," Motley says. "As our tastes evolved over the years, we couldn't find a place that offered the kind of food we wanted while still giving us a great place to watch a game. We thought, why should we have to sacrifice one for the other?"
And what about the name of the restaurant? Seven has symbolic importance across many traditions, while three also carries longstanding significance. Together, three sevens become twenty-one, leading to the distinctive 721 identity. It is a conversation starter before guests even open the menu.
Restaurant First
From the beginning, the kitchen came first. Motley says many aspiring sports bar owners begin with televisions, burgers, and game schedules. His team reversed that thinking. They hired a chef from Philadelphia whose background includes cooking alongside respected chefs in Key West. Her approach centers on a scratch kitchen where sauces, dressings, and countless details receive the same attention as signature entrées.
That commitment appears throughout the menu. Ranch dressing, Caesar dressing, and other sauces are prepared in-house. Cucumbers become house-brined pickles. Every plate is a unique, photo-worthy presentation that feels equally at home on a date night or while cheering through overtime.
Ask Motley which menu item best represents 721, and the answer comes quickly. The cheesesteak has become the restaurant's calling card. Packed with tender meat, rich cheese, and plenty of flavor, it is the kind of sandwich that has guests planning their next visit before they have finished the first one. It has quickly become one of the restaurant's signature dishes, and after one bite, it is easy to understand why.
Another guest favorite comes in burger form. Rather than offering pages of variations, 721 serves one double-patty smash burger that guests may customize. Cooper Sharp American cheese melts across the beef, while diced onions, house-brined pickles, and the restaurant's own sauce complete every bite. Even the bun carries the restaurant logo, and that’s not something you see at just any restaurant.
Guests searching for something lighter often choose the Thai Crunch Salad, another customer favorite. Its fresh ingredients and colorful presentation reflect the chef's style while appealing to a broad range of diners. Motley says many women order it, although plenty of men do as well. His personal favorite remains the lobster-and-crab grilled cheese, a comforting sandwich that brings together rich seafood and plenty of flavor.
Beyond the Game
The beverage program follows the same philosophy as the kitchen. Cocktails receive the same level of attention as the food rather than becoming an afterthought. One of the most popular choices is the Banana Bread Old Fashioned. A fresh banana is torched before being added to the drink. The result? Warm caramel notes that complement the rum beautifully.
The restaurant also partners with 45th Parallel Distillery in New Richmond, WI, which produces small-batch spirits made from grain grown on farms in Minnesota and Wisconsin. It is another way the team supports nearby producers while serving drinks with plenty of character.
Guests who skip alcohol have thoughtful choices too. The Cucumber Mint Refresher has become a favorite mocktail. This refreshing choice offers bright flavor without feeling like a substitute. The wine list also surprises many visitors. Motley says female guests frequently comment on the variety available, which they rarely expect to find in a sports-centered restaurant.
That attention extends beyond the menu. The interior leaves behind the familiar tavern appearance in favor of surroundings where friends feel comfortable gathering after work, couples enjoy dinner before an evening out, and families celebrate together. Televisions remain part of the experience, yet they never overpower conversation or the meal as it arrives at the table.
"Our wives wanted a place where they would actually enjoy spending time," Motley says. "We wanted women to feel just as excited about coming here as anyone else."
Built to Gather
Motley also credits the partnership with the business's success. Seven partners contribute different talents, allowing everyone to focus on specific responsibilities while working toward the same goal. Alongside Motley are Michael Jones, Luke Moe, Thomas Harris, Matthew Holthaus, Miguel Tellez, and silent partner Kim Motley, Durrell's mother.
For Motley, that philosophy also reflects his own connection to the Twin Cities. He grew up in Minneapolis and now lives in Woodbury. This gives him a local perspective in every decision. And it helps him welcome guests from across the south metro. Although he serves as managing partner, he quickly recognizes the contributions of the entire ownership team.
That shared purpose appears in countless small touches. Staff members happily recommend menu favorites, suggest drink pairings, and greet returning guests by name whenever possible. Those moments help transform first-time visitors into regulars.
Only a few months after opening, 721 has already earned enthusiastic reviews and a loyal following. That response reflects the original idea that inspired the restaurant. Build an outstanding place to eat first. Let sports become part of the atmosphere rather than the entire identity.
Whether guests arrive for kickoff, a girls' night out, dinner with family, or cocktails after work, 721 Sports Bar & Lounge delivers an experience that proves sports bars can offer far more than wings and beer. Sometimes, all it takes is starting with the restaurant and letting everything else follow.
We built a restaurant first, then added sports because nobody should settle for ordinary meals during every big game night.
Great food brings people together, whether they arrive for kickoff, date night, family dinner, or cocktails after work; everyone deserves thoughtful cooking paired with genuine hospitality every single visit here in Eagan today alike always.