It's not difficult to find a restaurant in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Nearly a dozen websites are dedicated to reviewing restaurants in the Twin Cities, such as the "Twin Cities Dining Guide." Live music adds a lot to a dining experience, sure, but sometimes seeking out entertainment comes first and the food is an afterthought. Whatever your motivation, Minneapolis has something for all tastes.
Specializing in steaks, pasta and seafood, Enjoy! features a large outdoor patio and a dining room with bare brick walls and dark wood. Enjoy! has live music every Friday for free, and other special events featuring music throughout each month. Get a free subscription to the restaurant's online newsletter for music listings. Stop in to enjoy happy hour every day between 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. for $3 draughts and $6 signature martinis plus cheap appetizers. The type of music changes often, so check the newsletter or calendar for specifics.
The 331 Club features live music every night without a cover charge. The club and restaurant is open daily from 1 p.m. (noon on Sundays) until 2 a.m. and features different performers each night. Mondays feature a special menu and an evening of entertainment with the Roe Family Singers, a folksy country and western ensemble. The fare is simple -- sandwiches, pizzas and snacks. The music varies from night to night, so check the listings online for a full calendar, nightly specials and the complete menu.
For a more adventurous dining experience, head to The Blue Nile, an Ethiopian restaurant and entertainment lounge on Franklin Ave. The Blue Nile features traditional Ethopian dishes served on a single plate to be shared between all diners at the table. You eat with your fingers and traditional bread called injeera (or biddenna). The lounge has live music almost every night, and a full listing of events is available on The Blue Nile's website.
The focus at Cause Spirits and Soundbar is split equally between exquisite food, such as rosemary flatbread with dipping sauce and mushroom and walnut lasagne, specialty drinks, and arts and entertainment. Not every event at Cause is without a cover, but some are, including DJ nights and art exhibits. Cover charges are usually under $10. Cause offers all-day breakfast and bar snacks and an extensive drinks list.
