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.
Address: 701 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55403
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.