Back to school 2011: U after dark

You've bought the overpriced textbooks, you've stocked up on ramen and made that last Ikea run. Good. College is back in session next week.

Now let's get to the fun stuff. On the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus, the nightlife scene offers a lot more than keg stands and bong hits (though you'll find plenty of both). In only a few short years the scene has really grown up, with a plethora of music venues and boutique beer bars dotting the landscape. There's a lot to discover, whether you're of drinking age or not.

Here are five tips for making your campus life compelling after dark.

At a glance, the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood doesn't exactly scream "live music hotbed." But it is. Three of the Twin Cities' boldest venues sit within two blocks of each other -- the Cedar Cultural Center, Triple Rock and the Nomad World Pub, which has a free block party Saturday with Solid Gold.

Crap on tap. It's everywhere on college campuses. Not so at the U, where a group of bars have been waging a brew revolution. Artisanal beers are the style du jour at these fine establishments. Town Hall Brewery is Minneapolis' best brewpub, with beers made on-site. Acadia Cafe and Republic have expertly curated tap beer selections. And Stub & Herb's is all about Minnesota-made beers.

Who doesn't love an old-school photo booth? So much mischief to be had. And the Kitty Cat Klub is one of the few bars in the Twin Cities to offer one. You'll also find plenty of music and a couple of great dance nights, including DJ Jonathan Ackerman's popular Hotel party this Friday (free cover).

The gorgeous Varsity Theater in Dinkytown has a stacked schedule of big-name shows in September (with a few over $20), including singer/songwriters Edwin McCain (Sept. 13) and Marc Broussard (Sept. 14) and comedian Michael Ian Black (Sept. 15). Rhymesayers duo Grieves and Budo (Sept. 23) are only $13. All of these shows are 18-plus.

When it's time to soak up a night of drinking at the U, late-night options abound, from pizza to subs to burritos. My favorite: Hong Kong Noodle. The divey little Cantonese restaurant is packed until 2 a.m. on weekends. While there's plenty of Americanized stuff on the menu, don't hesitate to try the jellyfish, roast duck noodle soup, salt and pepper squid and other adventurous specialties.