Mortimer's at the corner of Lyndale and Franklin in Lyn-Lake has been a no-nonsense Uptown dive since 1976, with strong cheap drinks, a back patio and a regular crowd of musicians.
Tip: Kitchen runs late and the burger menu is the order. Walk in, cash and card both work, expect a wait on weekends.
Address: 2001 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55405
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.
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.
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.