The CC Club on Lyndale traces its roots to Prohibition and remains the dark, working dive at Lyn-Lake. Cheap drinks, kitchen open through the night, regulars from Replacements days.
Tip: Open daily until 02:00. Kitchen runs late, jukebox loud. Cash friendly but card accepted; weekend crowds pack the booths by 22:00.
Address: 2600 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Grumpy's Northeast is the Fourth Street NE dive bar that anchored the neighborhood's brewery row before craft beer arrived. Tight room, full tap list, regulars across the bar.
Tip: Small one-room dive; the downtown sister closed years back. Cash friendly, kitchen serves bar food, jukebox loud.
Jimmy's on Fourth Street NE is the cash-only Northeast dive with the wood-paneled bar, vintage signage and a back patio. One of the densest pockets of dives in the city.
Tip: Cash only, ATM on site. No food kitchen. Open afternoon to 02:00 daily. Crowd thickens after 22:00 weekends.
Vegas Lounge on Central NE is the tiny holdout dive that refuses to update its decor, with karaoke nearly every night, pool tables and a patio out back. Mid-century paneling intact.
Tip: Karaoke nightly; arrive before 22:00 to put your name on the list. Cash and card both accepted, no cover.
First Avenue in Minneapolis has been the downtown danceteria since 1970. The 1,550-capacity Mainroom hosted Prince's Purple Rain shows and still books touring headliners and dance nights.
Tip: Capacity is 1,550 on the Mainroom floor. The connected Depot Tavern opens at 16:00 most show days; the same building holds 7th St Entry.
Skyway Theatre in Minneapolis is the downtown EDM complex that holds The Loft, Bar Fly, Studio B and The Lyric across multiple floors with rotating Friday and Saturday DJ bookings.
Tip: Bar Fly inside Skyway is the 300-capacity dance room geared toward electronic DJs; ticketed shows weeknights, table service available.
Ground Zero on Northeast 4th has been Minnesota's goth and industrial dance floor for over twenty years, with Friday and Saturday DJ sets and a long-running monthly bondage performance show.
Tip: Open Friday and Saturday only from 22:00 to 02:00. Cash only with ATMs on site, 21+, two-for-one drinks until 23:30.