Cowboy Jack's in the North Loop runs an 11,000 square foot Wild West-themed barn with a large dance floor, free line-dancing lessons and live DJs on Saturday nights downtown.
Tip: Closed Monday through Wednesday. Karaoke and live music kick off 21:30 Friday and Saturday; line-dance lessons in the Barn before the late crowd.
Address: 126 North 5th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55403
7th St Entry, the 250-capacity small room attached to First Avenue, opened 1980 and is where Soul Asylum, The Replacements and Husker Du played early sets. Still books touring indie.
Tip: The Entry has its own street door on 7th Street North; show wristband often gets you across into the Mainroom after the headliner.
Fine Line on First Avenue North opened 1987 on the main level of the Consortium Building and reopened in 2022 after a flood, with a 650-capacity room booked by First Avenue staff.
Tip: Doors usually 19:00 with show at 20:00. The balcony around the floor offers the cleanest sight line; main bar at street level.
Bunker's on North Washington has anchored Minneapolis funk and rhythm and blues since 1976, with a small stage and a Friday house band that has booked Prince sit-ins over the years.
Tip: Closed Mondays. Cover when bands play and the room is tight; arrive before 22:00 for a seat. Late-night kitchen serves through closing.
7th St Entry, the 250-capacity small room attached to First Avenue, opened 1980 and is where Soul Asylum, The Replacements and Husker Du played early sets. Still books touring indie.
Tip: The Entry has its own street door on 7th Street North; show wristband often gets you across into the Mainroom after the headliner.
The Cabooze on Cedar Avenue has served live music on the West Bank since 1974, with a 600-capacity floor and an attached patio operating as The Joint across the parking lot.
Tip: Tickets via VenuePilot; doors usually 19:00 or 20:00. Summer outdoor shows on the back patio with food trucks pulled up.
Fine Line on First Avenue North opened 1987 on the main level of the Consortium Building and reopened in 2022 after a flood, with a 650-capacity room booked by First Avenue staff.
Tip: Doors usually 19:00 with show at 20:00. The balcony around the floor offers the cleanest sight line; main bar at street level.
Bunker's on North Washington has anchored Minneapolis funk and rhythm and blues since 1976, with a small stage and a Friday house band that has booked Prince sit-ins over the years.
Tip: Closed Mondays. Cover when bands play and the room is tight; arrive before 22:00 for a seat. Late-night kitchen serves through closing.
Icehouse on Eat Street took over an 1868 lake-ice storage building in 2012 with a two-story listening room, a full kitchen and a calendar that includes JT Bates Jazz Implosion every Monday.
Tip: Monday's Jazz Implosion series runs from 21:00 with a low cover; book the mezzanine for the clearest sight line over the floor.
The 331 Club on 13th Avenue NE has anchored Northeast Minneapolis since 1899 and books live music every night of the week. Never a cover, every band of the night gets the room.
Tip: No cover any night. Mondays at 21:00 brings the Roe Family Singers; Wednesdays 19:00 is Harold's House Party on KFAI radio.