Rock 'n' Roll

Prince. The Replacements. Tapes ’n Tapes. Atmosphere. Hüsker Dü. Soul Asylum. The Minneapolis Sound—we didn’t get that moniker for nothing. The Cities are full of that glorious noise, and it extends far beyond that made by some of our biggest names. Accordingly, we’ve got quite a few great clubs featuring some major music. Any night of the week, any side of town, there’s guaranteed to be a place where you can turn up the volume and rock out. Our rock rep makes us cool. Go be cool tonight, tomorrow, this weekend. The musicians and the club tastemakers have made it oh-so easy.

The light fixtures and gold sparkly booths evoke a Polish mob hangout, Lou can lead you through a rendition of “These Boots Were Made for Walkin’ ” at the piano, and, in the next room, the World’s Most Dangerous Polka Band tears it up in step-step-hop-style, coalescing in the perfect booze-fueled night of kitsch, song, and dance. Nye’s Polonaise Room has provided a rollicking, blurry night for many Twin Citians. And nobody does it better. Esquire even named it the best bar in America in 2006. 112 Hennepin Ave. E., Mpls., 612-379-2021

Sometimes there’s a show at the Turf that leads a reasonable person to think, “There’s no way that band is playing such a small venue.” Oh, but they are. Lucky you. This original country bar, open since the 1940s, has undergone management and décor changes in the last couple of years, but it’s still one of the best indie/alt-country bars around. The laid-back atmosphere says “come as you are,” but expect to leave changed. 1601 University Ave., St. Paul, 651-647-0486

Lesson one: It’s all in the hips. Actually, there’s more than just that little salsa lesson you’ll have to recall when hitting the floor at Conga Latin Bistro. If you can really shake it Latin-style, this is the place for you. If you just like watching people shake it Latin-style, you can do that too. But keep movin’ or prepare to get trampled. 501 Hennepin Ave. E., Mpls., 612-331-3360

That the Kitty Cat Klub is located in Dinkytown does not stop the crowd from including those far from their college years, but you’ll find plenty of coeds too. The flattering lighting and comfortable seating encourages you to stay a while (and look good doing it), and the booking is eclectic, which means it’ll please at least one person in your little black book every night of the week. Catch local acts and DJs doing it up big for a small crowd. 315 14th Ave. SE, Mpls., 612-331-9800

After conquering the Kitty Cat, Jason McLean moved down the street to open one of the sexiest concert venues in the city. The scene at the  smallish, intimate Varsity Theater includes great sightlines, a bar that doesn’t interfere with the show (partiers tend to hang back, leaving audiophiles to hear what they paid for), and it’s easy to get a snuggle when no one’s looking. Lots of great local acts and artists play much bigger venues on their return trips to town. Did we mention the sound is spectacular? 1308 SE 4th St., Mpls., 612-604-0222

It’s tiny and sometimes the sightlines ain’t great, but if you hit up the 400 Bar you’re going to earn the right to say “Well, I saw them when . . .” because those are the kinds of bands Tom Sullivan books. Earn your indie cred and have a standing-room-only, cold-brew-in-hand night nearly any night of the week. 400 Cedar Ave., Mpls., 612-332-2903

It might be more Cher and Madonna than rock ’n’ roll, but the Gay 90s is a good, loud time and claims to be the largest gay and lesbian complex in the Midwest. Don’t miss the drag show—prepare to be dazzled—then do some shake-shake of your own. 408 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-333-7755

What hasn’t been said about Minneapolis’s most venerable nightclub? First Avenue is pure rock ’n’ roll, served straight up, garnished in all black—a rite of passage for any would-be rock ’n’ roller or music geek. If the main room is too mainstream, there’s always the postage-stamp–sized 7th St. Entry ’round the corner. 701 1st Ave. N., Mpls., 612-332-1775

Thumping music, haute fashion shows, and a name that means “face”—at Visage, be prepared to get some looks and do some looking. It’s a couture nightclub for the see-and-be-seen. Every Friday night, check out the latest fashions from local designers and sip a few designer cocktails too. 400 3rd Ave. N., Mpls., 612-455-2525