Top Rated Nightlife in Excelsior

This joint rules the Twin City music scene. As a converted bus depot, the large two-story room offers excellent acoustics and sight lines. If live music is on the agenda, get there early and grab a table on the balcony. The music runs the gamut from reggae to punk to rock to country. If a local or national act is not scheduled to play, a DJ takes over and gets the dance floor jumping. Pool tables, pinball machines or video games offer quieter amusement.

Matt's Bar is a neighborhood favorite boasting one particularly famous and beloved specialty: the Jucy Lucy. This Minneapolis favorite is a cheeseburger with the cheese stuffed on the inside of the burger instead of melted on top. Matt's has been featured on the Travel Channel's hit show, Man vs. Food, with the spotlight on, you guessed it, the Jucy Lucy. This dive bar has been a favorite of locals and visitors alike for over 25 years. If you are looking for the opposite of a stylish, swanky bar and food experience, Matt's is your ideal place for a bite and a beer.

Nothing beats the combination of fresh, healthy American food and an array of American beverages and drinks specials. Icehouse, which is a deli located in Whitter, offers just that and much more for the fun loving foodies. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, just what you'd expect from a deli. However, the popularity of this eatery is due to the range of scrumptious delights which are made exquisitely from scratch by the expert chef. This includes the small plates delicacies like foie gras burgers and scallops, as well as the special brunch items like Po Boy sandwiches and pastrami and eggs. In the end, you can wash it down with the drinks specials like Mothership Rita and Butterfly Kiss, or a glass of Cedar Ridge Bourbon or George Dickel 12 year from its splendid whiskey bar. Jazz and rock bands pack a punch with their performances every night, so make sure you reserve your table at Icehouse in the evening, to enjoy a satisfying American meal.

The Summit Brewing Company has come a long way since it first came into business in 1986 - its beers are now some of the most popular in St. Paul. Some are seasonal (such as the Summit Maibock and the Summit Oktoberfest), while others are available all year round. You can tour the brewery from Thursday to Saturday, but reservations are required for group weekend tours.

This classy bar and grill has been a pioneer among local restaurants by offering regional, home-produced food. This casually chic establishment has evolved into the best place to hear local and national jazz acts. An intimate stage separates the bar from the dining room. The acoustics are considered some of the best in the Upper Midwest. The menu features trout from a Wisconsin farm and local game fowl, mushrooms, and wild rice. It is all put together with the utmost care and a lot of imagination. The wine (including some by local wineries), beer and liquor selection is impeccable.

This nightspot is considered by many to be the top rock club in the Twin Cities. The best of the local talent and many national acts headline each and every night. By the shape of the building, which looks like a large caboose, you would think the acoustics would be poor. Quite the contrary, as the overflow crowds will attest. Along with a great beer selection, wine, liquor and soft drinks are served. Stick with the burgers or appetizers to satisfy your hunger. Pool tables, foosball and darts provide a definite working-class atmosphere. Arrive early for local bands and even earlier for the big acts, otherwise you will be standing or miss getting in at all. Advance sale tickets are available at select locations. Price varies according to act. Doors generally open an hour or two before showtime.