City: Minneapolis, MN

Category: Nightlife

Telephone: (612) 338-8388

Address: 701 First Ave. North

Description: Yes, this is that place from Purple Rain. Not only did local legend Prince film parts of his movie at First Avenue, he also spent his fair share of time here when the cameras weren’t rolling, both on stage and in the crowd. The world-famous First Avenue has been a popular hangout for bands, musicians, and club goers since Joe Cocker took the stage on opening night in 1970. Since then the club has featured top-40, alternative, and classic rock acts and has opened its floors to crowds dancing to techno, house music, salsa, hip-hop, reggae, and likely any other type of music you can think of. The real beauty of First Avenue is the layout. No matter where you stand in the club, whether on the massive dance floor or upstairs at the bar, you always get a decent view of the stage.Set in a side room, with its own separate entrance on Seventh Street, the Entry is the more intimate venue. The stage setting is great here, too, and though the room gets packed quickly, on good nights this is about as close to having a major-label act play in your living room as you can get. The dress code is informal, and the bar offers some of the cheapest tap beer you’ll find at a live-music venue.