A patio is an ideal place to spend a Twin Cities summer evening, especially when you’re sharing the space with live performers. In addition to this summer’s biggest music festivals and series, here is a list of Minneapolis and St. Paul patios featuring frequent, and most often free, live music this summer.

Minneapolis

NORTHEAST

Sociable Cider Werks 

Sociable invites musicians to play the cidery a few nights a week. Weather permitting, these showcases and performances happen out front in the spacious patio area — which includes a mix of seating options and a local food truck.

More Info, 1500 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis

331 Club 

This staple music haunt in Northeast holds most of its nightly gigs inside — but on a weekend afternoon you’re likely to find a guitar or accordion serenading you on the patio.

More Info, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis

56 Brewing  

When weather is fine, thanks to some retractable walls, weekly Thursday performances and weekend jazz will be open-air affairs.

More Info, 3055 Columbia Ave. NE, Minneapolis

Stanley’s Northeast Bar Room 

Soak in golden hour at Stanley’s Sun Down Series, taking place most Wednesday evenings throughout the summer.

More Info, 2500 University Ave. NE, Minneapolis

Crooner’s Supper Club 

A bit north of Northeast sits Crooner’s and its dedicated outdoor stage, The Belvedere. The venue delivers luxury in the form of a full-coverage canopy, lake views, and full dinner service.

More Info, 6161 Highway 65 NE, Fridley

DOWNTOWN

Day Block Brewery 

Pizza and pretzels taste even better in the presence of live music, which occurs once or twice a week on Day Block’s adjacent patio.

More Info, 1105 S Washington Ave, Minneapolis

UPTOWN

Icehouse 

Outdoor shows return to Icehouse with the start of David Huckfelt’s patio residency every Saturday this June. As weather warms, expect three to five patio performers per week.

More Info, 2528 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis

CEDAR-RIVERSIDE

Palmer’s Bar 

Local live music rarely stops at Palmer’s and this summer, the West Bank institution hopes to host performers outdoors each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

More Info, 500 Cedar Ave, Minneapolis

LONGFELLOW

The Hook and Ladder Theater & Lounge

A spacious and covered concert area makes this series more resilient to chaotic summer weather than most. Hook and Ladder’s Under the Canopy will host the likes of Malamanya, jeremy messersmith, Matt Wilson and more on weekend evenings this summer. 

More Info, 3010 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis

LINDEN HILLS

Lake Harriet Bandshell

The lakeside performance space leads the annual Music in the Parks and Music and Movies programming in Minneapolis — also including Bryant Square Park, The Commons, Minnehaha Bandstand, Nicollet Island Park, and Water Works in 2022.

More Info, 4135 W Lake Harriet Parkway, Minneapolis

BRYN MAWR

Utepils Brewing

In addition to the ticketed Live at Utepils outdoors series, the creek-side taproom hosts local musicians every weekend —sometimes indoors and sometimes out — so best to call and check day-of.

More Info, 6161 Highway 65 NE, Minneapolis

St. Paul

SAINT ANTHONY PARK

The Dubliner 

Known for cozy Irish music and dance sessions, The Dubliner also features a mix of musicians out back every Saturday evening, weather permitting.

More Info, 2162 University Ave. W, St. Paul

Lake Monster Brewing 

Find Jazz Quartet MR 500 is playing the patio every Thursday evening, and keep an eye on Lake Monster’s Facebook for more performances to be announced.

More Info, 550 Vandalia St., St. Paul

COMO PARK

Como Lakeside Pavilion 

Diners at Dock and Paddle restaurant can enjoy live music most nights this summer, as part of St. Paul’s Music in the Parks series.

More Info, 1360 Lexington Parkway N, St. Paul

WEST SEVENTH

Keg and Case 

The mixed marketplace wonderland that is Keg and Case has local music lined up every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening throughout the summer.

More Info, 928 7th St. W, St. Paul

Waldmann Brewery 

Live music in Waldmann’s biergarten will rock the foundations of the Twin Cities’ oldest commercial building on Tuesday and Thursday evenings as well as Sunday afternoons throughout the summer.

More Info, 445 Smith Ave. N, St Paul

PAYNE-PHALEN

Caydence Records and Coffee 

In addition to live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, the community-oriented coffee shop now also offers free patio performances at noon on Saturdays and Sundays.

More Info, 900 Payne Ave., St Paul

SUMMIT HILL

Iron Ranger

Though the music schedule varies week to week, live music a few nights a week is a guarantee. Check Iron Ranger’s social media to see what’s on the horizon.

More Info, 1085 Grand Ave., St Paul

This feature is part of The Current’s 89 Days of Summer series, helping you enjoy the best of the season with weekly guides to events, entertainment, and recreation in the Twin Cities.