Northeast

Live music almost every night, and they never charge a cover. Le Cirque Rouge burlesque show happens here on Saturdays.

A traditional Irish pub with good food and Guinness on tap. Live music often.

This neighborhood joint has live music and killer roast beef sandwiches.

A Minneapolis institution, Nye's is an eccentric, multi-roomed bar on Hennepin Avenue just over the river from Downtown. Nye's features cheap drinks and Polish cuisine. The main draw however is the polka lounge, which in combination with copious amounts of alcohol promises a lovely time.

A hip tiki bar with strong drinks and great 3/4-circle booths near the jukebox. Features a huge riverfront patio.

Home to Club Underground (http://www.clubunderground.us), a live music venue in the basement of the Spring Street Tavern.

Whitey's

Good beer and strong drinks. If you order without ice they make it a double rather than just watering it down more like most bars do. The basement is the seediest in town and the perfect place to take over if you have a few friends who want to shoot pool and not be bothered by anyone but the occasional staffperson coming through to change a keg.