LUSH on Central NE is a former garage turned LGBTQ bar with 24-foot ceilings, a green velvet tropical lounge and a back theater running drag, burlesque and live music most nights.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday drag bingo; weekend drag brunch books out via Resy. Biscuit kitchen runs all hours from Betty and Earl's.
Address: 990 Central Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Small Hours opened September 2024 in Northeast Minneapolis as the city's first dedicated hi-fi wine bar, with Klipsch La Scala speakers, Luxman turntables and a Sam Cassidy record collection.
Tip: Wednesday to Thursday close at 23:00, Friday and Saturday at midnight, Sunday at 22:00. Tinned fish and bread to pair with the natural wine list.
eagleBOLTbar on Washington Avenue South pairs a Minneapolis leather and cruise tradition with a heated dog-friendly patio, weekend brunch and karaoke or trivia most weeknights.
Tip: The expanded heated patio runs through winter. Karaoke and trivia weeknights; brunch Saturday and Sunday from 11:00.
The 19 Bar in Loring Park opened 1952 as the city's first gay bar and is now among the oldest continuously LGBTQ-owned bars in the country. Cash only, jukebox, pool and darts.
Tip: Cash only and dive-bar simple. Reopened February 2025 after a 2024 fire forced closure. Pool tables and darts free.
The Gay 90's on Hennepin Avenue is the largest LGBTQ complex in the upper Midwest, six bars and three dance floors across two buildings, with the La Femme Lounge drag shows upstairs.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday. La Femme Lounge drag Wednesday to Sunday; Kinky Fridays and burlesque add to the calendar.
Berlin opened February 2024 across from Spoon and Stable as an 85-capacity European-style jazz and listening room, with state of the art sound and ticketed Friday and Saturday shows.
Tip: No reservations except for ticketed Friday and Saturday shows. Most weeknights run no cover. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Small Hours opened September 2024 in Northeast Minneapolis as the city's first dedicated hi-fi wine bar, with Klipsch La Scala speakers, Luxman turntables and a Sam Cassidy record collection.
Tip: Wednesday to Thursday close at 23:00, Friday and Saturday at midnight, Sunday at 22:00. Tinned fish and bread to pair with the natural wine list.
Dakota on Nicollet Mall runs a seated jazz listening room with two sets a night, a chef-driven menu and world-class touring bookings seven nights a week downtown.
Tip: Two sets nightly. Reservations open by ticket purchase; the front row seats book first. Kitchen close varies by show.