First Avenue

First Avenue is a true music lover’s dream. There’s always live music happening, thanks to two separate performance spaces equaling an 1,800-person capacity and over 550 concerts a year. In addition to First Avenue's packed show calendar, it's also the spot with the famous Star Wall, where you’ll find Prince’s star among many other celebrated musicians. Don't overlook 7th St Entry, a smaller venue attached to First Avenue that is known for its intimate vibe, which hosts local and national bands.

The Armory

Located near U.S. Bank Stadium, this historic downtown Minneapolis music and event venue hosts national touring musicians, sporting events, comedians, and other live events. (Music fans take note: Prince and Aerosmith used the Armory to film the music videos for “1999” and “I Don't Want to Miss a Thing!")

Dakota Jazz Club

Music seven nights a week plus a fantastic, chef-driven menu make Dakota Jazz Club the perfect spot for a night out on Nicollet. Enjoy an amazing meal before or during the show, or simply sit back with a cocktail and enjoy the performance.

Varsity Theater

This historic Dinkytown theater—steps away from the University of Minnesota campus—has been through several iterations. Once a movie theatre built in 1915, the Varsity Therater reopened in 2005 as a concert venue and recently underwent a one million-dollar interior renovation in 2018. Check out the Dinkytown neighborhood before or after the show!

The Cabooze

With a wide variety of shows and a diverse line-up of artists from hip-hop and country, rap to rock and metalcore, The Cabooze is sure to introduce you to something awesome. Many events are 15+, 18+, or even all ages. Check out their website to see who's coming into town soon.

The Skyway Theatre & The Loft

Once a movie theater in the historic Hennepin theatre district, The Skyway Theatre is now home to two music venues. The main stage is a two-story music venue with two bars and over a thousand square feet of dance floor for rocking out to local and national acts. The Loft is a single-level, more intimate venue for getting up close to your favorite acts.

Fine Line Music Café

The Fine Line Music Café, located in the North Loop's Warehouse District, is a swanky live music venue hosting nationally and regionally known acts. They’ve had big names and local artists ranging from Ben Harper, Alanis Morissette, John Mayer, Buddy Guy, The Neville Brothers, Amos Lee, The Black Keys, The Avett Brothers, Raphael Saadiq, and Lady Gaga.

Icehouse

This two-story, industrial-chic space offers fabulous cocktails, a full menu, and live music nightly. Check out local singers, songwriters, guitarists, and touring artists while you are wined and dined. See the calendar for this week.

The Cedar Cultural Center

Head to the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood to visit the Cedar Cultural Center, a mission-driven, nonprofit music venue showcasing global music and dance. The culture and history of each performance is just as important as the sound. Check out the calendar for unique shows in a welcoming atmosphere.

The Fillmore

Catch a headliner at The Fillmore, Minneapolis's newest massive music venue with 36,000 square feet of space to rock out. The Fillmore opened in early 2020—not an auspicious year for a large public event space—but is still rocking with nationally touring bands, live podcast events, and more.

Bunker’s Music Bar & Grill

Offering Roots, Rock, Funk, R&B, Blues, and more, Bunker’s is one of Minneapolis's best live music destinations. Weekly performances include Dr. Mambo’s Combo every Sunday night (for over 30 years!), Funk at the Bunk with Jaybee and The Routine every Thursday, and the International Reggae Allstars each Tuesday—plus tribute bands galore.

331 Club

This old-school Northeast Minneapolis Arts District bar and nightspot serves up daily music, movie and music trivia, plus a menu prepared by The Sheridan Room next door. Check out their calendar for music and trivia listings!

Merlins Rest Pub

Looking for live Irish music in Minneapolis—along with a menu of British fish & chips, cornish pasties, and English toffee pudding? Merlins Rest is your spot. They feature open jams, live Irish music, jazz, blues, folk and many other sounds on Saturdays. Follow their calendar of events for their entertainment schedule.

Volstead's Emporium

This speakeasy opened with no promotion, web address, or social media listing. Hidden in Uptown, Minneapolis, guests must walk down an alley off of West Lake Street until they find a door with an eye-level slot that begins their Volstead’s adventure. Featuring live music, this prohibition-era themed facility remains a mystery until you enter.

Green Room

Also in Uptown is Green Room, a fully independent music venue that hosts local and national bands. The interior is filled with plants, features a disco ball, has multi-level seating and standing room, and gives off "sophisticated nightclub" vibes.

Day Block Brewing Company

Dinner, live music, and house brewed beer—Downtown Minneapolis's Day Block Brewing Company offers all three. Catch local bands most weekends, so you can enjoy signature and seasonal beers with some hometown sounds.

The Hook & Ladder Theater

This South Minneapolis space holds events and concerts for local artists. It's unique indoor performance stages include the Lounge stage, The Theater stage and the Mission Room stage. They also have an award winning outdoor Under the Canopy seasonal (May-Sept) stage!

Orchestra Hall

Watch a performance by the Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, led by Music Director Thomas Søndergård. The modernist design and stunning acoustics make it a memorable night for all ages, including the orchestra’s popular Movies and Music nights, where they perform the soundtrack of popular films as the audience watches the movies.

If you want to learn about the rich musical history of some of Minneapolis's most iconic venues, check out SoundAround's self-guided audio tours.