Hot Spots on Cold Nights in the Twin Cities

No need to shiver at home. Winter is a great time to visit the communities of the Twin Cities Gateway, located just minutes away from downtown Minneapolis or Saint Paul. When temperatures drop, moods soar at these hotspots. Take your pick among these local favorite evening destinations and the heart-pumping adrenaline and foot-tapping tunes will warm you right up. Try something new. It’s the best way to cure cabin fever.

Live Music

Crooner’s Supper Club

Inspired by the entertaining and dining options of The Great Depression and World War II eras, this live music hotspot gives the dinner-and-a-show tradition a modern spin while nodding to the past. Named “Best Jazz Club of the Twin Cities 2018” by City Pages plus “Great Jazz Venue 2018” by DownBeat, Crooners features singers that range from soloists to great bands. Meanwhile, warm up with soups, pasta, steaks, and more deliciousness.

Where: 6161 Highway 65 NE in Fridley; 763-571-9020

Nucky’s Speakeasy

Nestled in a quiet corner of downtown Anoka, Nucky’s Speakeasy offers a step back in time to the roaring twenties. With its dimly lit atmosphere, vintage decor, and live jazz music, this hidden gem provides a unique and intimate experience. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails, delicious small plates, and the company of friendly locals. Whether you’re seeking a romantic night out or a fun-filled evening with friends, Nucky’s Speakeasy is the perfect destination.

Where: 300 E. Main St. in Anoka
Hint: Find the Red Door

Maxx Bar & Grill

A sports bar vibe warms this space and the big screens will be tuned to Minnesota Vikings games whenever possible. They feature live bands every Friday and Saturday night playing a variety of music sure to please everyone with a large dance floor! Bar Bingo every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 6:30. When you’re not on the dance floor, fill up on nachos, soups, broasted chicken, burgers, pizza, pasta, and a variety of hot treats.

Where: 17646 Central Avenue NE in Ham Lake; 763-434-4970

Moe’s Bar & Restaurant

Warm up sitting in front of the raging stone fireplace or sipping a hot toddy at the convivial bar. Moe’s is part community picnic, part church carnival, part neighborhood bar, part pre-game tailgate and all the Best of the Midwest. The menu offers soul-warming favorites like black and blue sirloin, pan fried walleye, BBQ Ribs Moe’s Way and an eclectic mix of hot sandwiches, Cajun chicken pasta and other dishes prepared from fresh ingredients. Every Thursday it’s BBQ & Blues night: Enjoy their happy hour daily from 2-6 p.m.

Where: 2400 Mounds View Boulevard in Mounds View; 763-786-1800

Serum’s Good Time Emporium

Old and new mix playfully here. The circa-1885 building is filled with antiques from the 1890s while the kitchen cooks up more than a million of what’s billed as “the best wings west of Buffalo” each year alongside ribs, burgers, pizza, burritos and other bites. Karaoke is staged every Wednesday and a rotation of musicians play live every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night from 8 p.m. to midnight. Enjoy happy hour two-for-one specials every day from 4 to 6 p.m.

Where: 213 Jackson Street in Anoka; 763-421-7522

Heart of the City Music Factory

The Heart of the City Music Factory is a stunning Victorian-style concert venue nestled in the historic Old Milk Factory along the Rum River in Anoka. Step inside this intimate space and be transported to a bygone era. With its vintage wallpaper, fireplace, balcony, and elegant décor, it’s like attending a concert in a grand Victorian home. Enjoy a diverse lineup of local and national artists, from classical to reggae and everything in between. Experience world-class sound, lighting, and visuals that ensure an unforgettable performance, no matter your seat.

Where: 2665 4th Ave, Suite 211 in Anoka; 612-990-6192.

Live Theatre

Lyric Arts Main Street Stage

Enjoy “big city theatre with hometown charm” in the heart of Historic Downtown Anoka. Take in a show (including musicals, dramas, comedies, and children’s productions) or a live music event that’s part of the “Live at Lyric Arts” concert series. Well-known local artists performing a range of styles from bluegrass to rock to folk are featured. From November 22-December 22, catch Georgiana & Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley, a holiday production based on the characters from Jane Austin’s “Pride and Prejudice”.

Where: 420 East Main Street in Anoka; 763-422-1838