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Minneapolis is a city filled with after-dark opportunities.  Aside from famous live music venues like First Avenue (formerly owned by pop superstar Prince), Minneapolis has a lively arts and theater scene and all the energy you'd expect from a metropolis of more than 3 million people. 

Here are the best ways to spend a long winter night or a sultry summer evening in the Twin Cities.

Budget

There are plenty of budget drinking and dancing spots around the University of Minnesota campus. The Dinkytowner (412½ 14th Ave SE) has retro décor, decent food and good energy.  DJs generally don't make it to the stage until later in the evening, but there are good happy hour specials and free pool tables to occupy patrons until then.  There are also numerous coffee shops, which are open late into the night.  One of the most popular is The Purple Onion (1301 University Ave SE). 

South Minneapolis is home to numerous neighborhood bars.  Bars and restaurants in the Uptown area (south of the city's center) are cheaper and more laid-back than their downtown counterparts.  Restaurants, cafés and pubs can be found further south, along main streets like Lyndale Ave and Nicollet Ave.

Value

Minnesota's live music scene is one of the country's best.  First Ave (Downtown) is the most famous club, probably because it launched the career of pop superstar Prince.  Different shows take place every night of the week.  Other major music venues in or near downtown include The Cabooze, The Red Sea and The Fine Line Music Café.  Up and coming national acts often play these venues, though they are also known to book the "next big thing" from among the local pool of talent (past local stars include Soul Asylum, The Replacements, and the Jayhawks). 

The Hennepin Theater District, in the heart of Downtown, consists of historic venues like the Orpheum and State Theaters.  These theaters generally host national touring shows and musical acts.  The Pantages Theater and Hennepin Stages are more intimate venues that stage outside-of-the-mainstream work.  The Guthrie Theater is located on the banks of the Mississippi River, just outside of Downtown.  Their in-house troupe stages modern interpretations of classic works of drama. 
 
Splurge

The Dakota Bar and Grill hosts the biggest names in jazz.  There are nationally known musicians taking the stage almost nightly.  The cover charge generally reflects the quality.  You won't often get through the doors for less than $20.