THE RED STAG
509 1st Av. NE., Mpls. 612-767-7766. RedStagSupperClub.com
The room: With its old warehouse-brick walls, vintage beer-can collection and deer antlers overhead -- plus crimson carpeting and paint galore -- the Red Stag feels like a cross between a cool finished basement from the '60s and a men's smoking club (without the cigars, of course). At night, candles provide most of the light, along with a small disco ball. There's ample bar and table seating for stretching out and having a conversation.
The music: Thanks to its musical sister joints Barbette and Bryant-Lake Bowl and its namesake block party, the Red Stag has drawn many well-known local buzz acts since it opened last year, from acoustic-leaning rock acts the Wars of 1812 and Romantica to rootsy folk and blues acts like Bill Geezy (playing there March 22) and Nikki & the Ruemates, to mellower incarnations of otherwise high-volume bands like Black Blondie (Thursday) and Faux Jean. Music usually starts at 10 p.m. Never a cover.
The menu: Late nights feature a lighter version of the organic and locally grown menu, with hoity-toity cheese plates or lowbrow cheese curds, plus calamari, duck terrine, something called a Meatloaf Grinder and flourless chocolate cake. The bar serves 16 tap beers and 19 wines by the glass, offered at happy-hour prices Mondays-Thursdays after 10 p.m.
CAFE MAUDE
5411 Penn Av. S., Mpls. 612-822-5411. CafeMaude.com
The room: Also steeped in red paint, this neighborhood bistro feels cozy both in location and size. The walls are lined with cushioned booth-seats that face into the room, and most of the tables are (tellingly) for two.
The music: Maude's bookings veer toward the two E's: experimental and eclectic. And sometimes electronic. Performers this month include improv jazz vets Fat Kid Wednesdays (today), circuit-bending noisemaker Foodteam (Saturday) and instrumentalists Spaghetti Western String Co. (March 20-21). Electronic wiz Howard W. Hamilton III (ex-Busy Signals) also performs every Tuesday and Thursday. Music usually starts at 10 p.m. Never a cover.
The menu: Its many small-plate options -- from baked escargot to various baked flatbreads to Maude's Mac N' Cheese -- are great for late-night, or go ahead and gorge on a braised beef shortrib. The drink menu is loaded with cocktail and martini options, plus 19 wines by the glass.
