Sonia Grover doesn't go out much. She's busy booking Minneapolis' most legendary music club: First Avenue. By day, she's on the phone with agents representing rock royalty; at night she's helping oversee the club and paying bands.

So when Grover does steal a moment away from First Ave, she chooses her drinking destination carefully. Her five favorite bars are centrally located around downtown Minneapolis but they run the gamut from a supreme dive to a fine-dining standout.

Her top pick, however, happens to be right next door and is owned by First Ave. Grover's close connection to the Depot Tavern is evidence enough to disqualify it from this list, but since she argued so diligently for its inclusion ("I had my birthday party there last week!"), it appears here as a bonus pick.

NICK AND EDDIE

"They know my drink. I started going pretty much every Wednesday last year to see my friends' band, the Marijuana Deathsquads. In addition to playing, they would curate the night by featuring other bands and DJs. The restaurant has become a music venue, but it's not like the Entry or the Triple Rock. When you go to Nick and Eddie you might not get the best sound, but the ambience is what makes it work. [Sidenote]: One night Josh Hartnett was serving drinks in the back bar. I didn't order a drink from him, though. I didn't want to tip him. Do you really tip a millionaire?"

PANCHO VILLA

She says: "I'm always suspect of people who don't like going to Pancho Villa. That place screams 'good times.' I only drink wine and tequila but it's easy to convince my friends to go there because of the crazy drink specials. I think they have two-for-one margaritas. Huge drinks for cheap, the food is pretty good and then they have that wheel you can spin to get free stuff on your birthday."

PALMER'S BAR

"Up until recently I had a strong aversion to the place. I thought it was a seedy dive bar that was definitely not my speed. But then I went with the right people at the right time and I finally got it. Everyone from the bartenders to the patrons are super nice. The last time I was there I had a shot of tequila that was twice as big as I was expecting. If people tell you about a crazy night at a bar, half the time it's going to be Palmers."

112 EATERY

"Dude, the desserts are the best. I'm going there tonight just for wine and dessert. The butterscotch budino is to die for. I'll go out to dinner somewhere but when it comes time to order dessert, I try to force my friends into going to the 112. A lot of musicians work there: John Swardson from John Swardson and Get Gone, Matty Schindler from Faux Jean, Claire Monesterio, who performs with Slapping Purses. I'm sure I'm missing a couple others."

ICHIBAN

"The first time I went to Ichiban I was the first one there from my group, so I had to sit in the bar. Even though the restaurant is bustling and busy, the bar was pretty quiet and secluded. They had cool decorations: Asian art, a little waterfall, fake vegetation with Christmas lights. If I ever decided I was going to have an affair, that's where it would be. No one would even think to go and check at the bar at Ichiban."

*BONUS PICK: THE DEPOT

She says: "I'm there every day. Every. Day. During Twins games, everyone is in great spirits, drinking and hanging out. And on nice days when the garage doors are open it changes the whole environment. I spend a lot of time working at the club. For me, the Depot is sort of a break from First Avenue. In the past if I got off work at midnight, I might have just gone home, but now I find myself at the Depot, hanging out with friends."