701 1st Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55403-1327
612-338-8388
http://www.first-avenue.com Call it First Avenue's auxiliary wing if you want, but this small-capacity offshoot of the venerable club is every bit as integral to the venue's identity as the mainroom. Since the early '80s, the Entry has been an ideal venue for local showcases and indie-friendly touring bands, and the room's size -- cozy without being crowded -- guarantees that you'll always have good sightlines to the stage. More >>
http://www.artistsquarter.com Home to a number of local and touring jazz acts -- as well as their own popular weekly Hammond B-3 organ night -- the Artists' Quarter stands as one of the most reliable hot spots in the Downtown St. Paul area. This artist-owned and operated club also features free weekly open poetry sessions and all sorts of musical offerings from classic bop to modern fusion. More >>
Bandana Square; 1021 E. Bandana Blvd. Minneapolis, MN 55401
651-644-2583
Blues club and restaurant with Blues Piano every Monday and Tuesday and great jazz and blues Wednesday-Saturday. Moderate cover charges separate from dinner, cool blues in the spacious bright red and yellow downstairs and hot, spicy Southern cuisine among the performer murals upstairs. Greens with fried or grilled chicken and catfish, jambalaya. Full bar with no smoking and late night fare. More >>
810 W. Lake St. Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825-3737
http://www.bryantlakebowl.com Let's play free association. Theater....steaming pots of java. Bowling shoes....petite syrah. Neighborhood bar....exquisite beer list. Clearly you've been hanging around the Bryant-Lake Bowl, where a certain sort of perfect life has been achieved, a life where a love of the vine and a fascination with mastering the 7-10 split exist in beautiful harmony. Meals are reliable, hipster-diner fare: salads, pasta, fruit, cheese, sandwiches, burritos, and breakfast. Even if you're not much of an athlete, the Forties decor and unpushy service make this a swell place to while away the afternoon. More >>
917 Cedar Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-338-6425
http://www.theaftermidnightgroup.com/locations-venues/cabooze/ Named for its intentional resemblance to a super-sized train's caboose, this light-rail-adjacent venue has long stood as one of the area's most prominent blue-collar clubs. Though its bikers-and-blues atmosphere is what gives the Cabooze its working-class charm, it also plays host to country, indie rock, hip hop, jam bands and everything in between. More >>
