This joint was a block from my Air BnB and a colleague of mine suggested for our last night as our conference had come to a close. It happened to be a Marvin Gaye Tribute night, which was fine by me as I love me some some Marvin Gaye. If you are from the Bay Area, this place is like Yoshi's. I got there early and got the table my colleague picked was up stairs and a good view. Our server was great. There is a little coaster that is at the table that you can turn over for service or not if you don't want to be disturbed while watching the show. I ordered my food while waiting as I know there were two showing and I kind to eat or have most of my food eaten so I can enjoy the show. I started off with the jalapeno bacon wrapped poppers and the focaccia bread. the popper were not big and bulky and had a great smokey flavor to the bacon, which were probably put the on grill and not pan or oven cooked. I'm not a big bread person, but when I am out I'll usually eat and the foccacio was great and I needed to soak up the wine I was having with my food. For the main course I got the Shrimp and Grits, because it's a jazz club and southern joint. Oh my they were good. Just the right amount of spice to the gravy. The music was also great and the ambiance was really good too. I think I'll be heading to Yoshis a little more as it's been years that I've been to a venue like this. A chill way to end the conference week. read more

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I have been here several times and definitely recommend it. Let's start with parking...there are several parking garages close by but you can also valet. I recommend pre booking the valet for $15. Then you check in at the front table and someone takes you to your table. For first times be aware some tables are communal. The food here is just alright. We had the chicken sandwich with fries. It was fine but nothing to write home about. As for the shows we have never had a bad show here. The performer's always are into the show and we have left happy with the performance and sound quality. read more

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Dakota is located in downtown Minneapolis, with paid street parking and ramps nearby. They also offer valet parking, although there is a line for valet at the end of the night. It is an intimate concert venue paired with a sit-down dining experience. I recommend arriving at least half an hour before the start of the show, so you can place your order before the artists start performing. If you'd like to finish your food and drinks before the show, I recommend arriving closer to doors. Arriving earlier will also give you first pick of the seats at your table if you have a table shared with others. You will given a coaster after you're seated, which you can use to indicate if you'd like service or if you'd like to be left alone . This is particularly helpful once the show starts! I appreciate that many of the ingredients are locally owned and sourced for the menu. They also offer options for different dietary restrictions, including vegan and gluten-free options which are labeled clearly on the menu. For drinks, I ordered the hot butter, which my friend described as almost a butterscotch flavor that isn't overly sweet. I found it tasted almost like a hot apple cider. For food, I ordered the fries with béarnaise. It also came served with ketchup. The fries were crispy and not too oily. It was also a generous portion of fries which is perfect for sharing. I found the béarnaise to be a little sweeter than I liked, and I preferred the fries by themselves. They were decent but not a can't-miss menu item! I also ordered the Wild Mushroom Ravioli. I enjoyed the flavors. The pesto flavor paired well with the mushrooms. The mushrooms provided a nice chewiness, and the macadamia nuts provided some crunch to the dish. The ravioli itself was a little softer than I would have liked though. It was alright, but I wasn't wowed. With that being said, the venue itself if lovely for shows. You are allowed to stand up during the show as long as you're standing in an area that doesn't obstruct other people's views. It is a very relaxed setting to see a show, and you can see the stage from every seat in the venue. My overall impression is that it would be worth going back to the Dakota because it is a good live music venue. I will try different menu items though next time! read more

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Let's be clear: as a live music venue, The Dakota is unmatched. The sound engineering, acoustics, and talent bookings are absolute world-class. It is easily one of the best intimate rooms in the country to see a show. But the food and wine programs are a massive letdown for a venue of this caliber. The food is just okay--essentially overpriced, middle-of-the-road dinner theater quality. More frustratingly, for a sophisticated jazz club, the wine list is shockingly thin and uninspired. It's mostly mass-market, corporate labels with high markups; you can't even find a decent, serious Napa Cabernet or high-end red on the menu. Management is leaving an incredible amount of money on the table here. There is a huge demographic of people who would happily drop premium dollars on a great cellar selection and a flawless meal during the set. Instead, our routine is now to grab a high-end dinner and a serious glass of wine beforehand at a nearby downtown staple or North Loop spot, and head to The Dakota strictly for the music. Go for the rhythm section, but eat and drink elsewhere first. read more

This place never disappoints. Consistently amazing. The ambiance is definitely another level. It's intimate at every seat. There's no bad seat. Service is top of the line. The foods are excellent or out of this world. Depending on the day. It's a little pricey but worth it Ps. Sebastian is a gold star server! read more

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What a great venue for music and jazz. We've sat on the main floor and upstairs. All great seats! Menu is fantastic with a great selection of cocktails and beverages. Service is great with a coaster to designate when you need service or when you'd like to be left alone to enjoy the show. read more

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Our first visit to Dakota and we had a great time! The show was AWESOME! The sound was good, our view was good and the energy of the crowd was great. I loved the more intimate setting and I feel like you could sit almost anywhere and have a great view. We had read other reviews that told us to avoid the food but we are rebels so we decided to give it a try! I wish they would have had a few more appetizer options as we didn't want a full meal. The wings and poppers tasted very good but the portions were quite small for the cost. We got there an hour before the show started and placed our order right away so it came out fast and our waitress was very nice. My agave mint lemonade was delicious! I would probably only order drinks again the next visit. Definitely worth checking out a show here though!! read more

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I was shocked at how good the food was! Reviews weren't kidding about the best. fries. ever. !!! Warm cookies for dessert is the cherry on top! read more

Love this venue for intimate concerts however I am not a fan of their dinner except the French Fries are to die for and the bernaise dipping sauce is so good!! Great to sip on a glass of wine but service can be slow as it gets busy especially during the show- they have the coaster you flip back and forth when u need service Some of the seats do not have the best view for the show so be mindful when booking your seat Love the low dim candle vibes atmosphere here read more

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Wow!! Saw Mia x Ally here and was blown away by everything. It is such a cool small space that packs a huge punch! We had seats at the bar and the bar tender was great and offered lots of suggestions. We started with cheddar biscuits, which were amazing, they were served with honey butter. We then split the chicken sandwich and the cheeseburger. Both were great but the cheeseburger was soo good!! The music was great, I've been wanting to see them for years and the Dakota was the perfect spot! It sounds amazing in there and there isn't a bad seat. I will definitely be back, maybe for just dinner, hopefully dinner and a show!! Pro tip: use the valet service, $15 plus tax and tip. read more

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I've been A-train member and really enjoyed every show Dakota had offered. The chef has definitely done a fantastic job for the menu, which is beyond a typical music bar would offer. The duck breast is one of my favorites. It's tender and delicious, well balanced with rye bread sauce. read more

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This is my first time to Minneapolis and I took advantage of the amazing music scene here! The Dakota is a wonderful venue, top-notch musicians, and top-notch food read more

Dakota - View from our table - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I've seen some truly amazing artists at the Dakota--Al Di Meola, Stanley Jordan, John Pizzarelli, and others of that caliber. I've always received good service. The servers manage to strike the balance of being attentive without disrupting your enjoyment of the show. The food has always been good, though if I'm having dinner there, it's usually because I'm at an early show--9:00 p.m. feels a little late for me to eat. Overall, the experience has always been excellent. It's fantastic to see such performers in such an intimate setting. I go whenever there's an artist I want to see, and I'll continue to do so. That said, I do have one gripe. Even if you arrive for the late show at the scheduled start time, the waiting area is extremely crowded, with no seating, no bathrooms, and very little organization. Last night was typical: we arrived at 9:00 and stood in a packed crowd for 15 minutes before being seated in our reserved spots. I understand if the artist doesn't take the stage exactly on time, but it seems like the venue would sell more drinks--and make the experience more comfortable--if guests were allowed in sooner. read more

Tonight the show was Tyka Nelson & Friends Presents: A Night of Purple Music on Prince's 66th Birthday hosted by St. Paul Peterson. The show was absolutely perfect! A wonderful tribute it was! This place usually makes you feel comfortable right after you arrive to your table....a few comments however, about tonight's service.. it was slightly off... we waited about 1/2 hour for our first drink service to our table. It wasn't like we had any where to go... but it seemed a bit strange since we arrived plenty early before the show. My husband and I and the other patrons we were seated next to all seemed to feel we needed to "work" to be noticed and served tonight. read more

Ended up here for valentines to watch a show and enjoy food. Its been a long time since I been here but the place was great. As you walk in and look at the décor you find yourself getting am Erie feeling of the amazing tallant that has been here. It brought back memories of the past shows. The dinner was a fixed menu and the first course was the scalopes. The scalopes were fresh and the mixture of acid and spice in the sauce let us know the chef knew what he was doing. The bites were very tender and the flavors were out of this world. Next came the rabbit and well by itself was mediocre but once mashed up and incorporated in the sauce and noodles it was amazing and well turned from jeckyll to Hyde. The portion was right on and not a tiny bite as expected. The steak came next and damn the aoeli sauce with onion was on point. The meat was not over cooked and hard like a leather sole. Each bite was heaven on a fork. The cake was next. I thought it was very good but my other half found it too dry. It had good falours and when mixed with the coulis it was good in my opinion. The staff again was amazing and the champagne kept flowing as we enjoyed the local talent. read more

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My Husband and I enjoyed seeing Sheila E. tonight in this very special Jazz club. Sheila E was fabulous. The ambience was fabulous, the food was fabulous. The Server's were fabulous. The whole place is fabulous. Very well Managed. Classy place for Classic Music lovers. I just wish I was around to see Prince sneaking in to jam. Long live PRINCE!!! RIP! Minneapolis loves you Sheila E. read more

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Amazing atmosphere and great food and drinks! We had a great night out at the Dakota seeing Shemekia Copeland. The cocktails before dinner were excellent and the food arrived right before the show began. We ordered the ravioli and seared snapper. The service was excellent, and during the show you have a sign on your table you flip if you want them to come to you. There is valet parking available, which we used, and it made parking downtown a breeze. Highly recommend a night at the Dakota supporting musicians and a local business! read more

Dakota - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Loved this venue!!!! Great music, awesome food options and really delicious cocktails. I had the fried chicken sandwich with the fries!! I loved the fries they had a great seasoning on them! The band was energetic and soulful and Louis Cato was amazing!! This was my first time ever at the Dakota and I can't wait to go back!!! For drinks I had the isle of golden dreams and it perfectly fits the description with smoky pineapple rum and lime and cinnamon!! I like the coasters you can flip over to get service and was able to pay when we needed to leave! Great experience!!! read more

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We love coming here for the music. A great venue and a wide assortment of acts. The food can be hit or miss. My husband is a picky eater and usually ends up with a cheeseburger. Be aware that the menu listed on the Dakota webpage is not accurate. I ended up ordering the Saffron Tagliatelle and adding shrimp. It was good but nothing special. The cheeseburger was also average. The fries were great. The Mississippi Mud Pie was very good. The Banana Crepes were overly ambitious with Bacon and Mint. An odd combo. Valet parking is now available. We were lucky enough to find a spot at the meter just outside. Service is excellent. read more

I've never been to a show at the Dakota, and for a first experience, it was legit fantastic. The atmosphere is fun and has all the cool jazz vibes. Staff were friendly and offered great recommendations. Our table was right in front of the stage, so we were given a little indicator for when we needed service during the show. We started off with cheeseburgers and beers. The burger was delicious, not a wow!, but tasty nonetheless. The fries were also pretty good. During the show, I got the Georgia on My Mind which is a peachy drink with brown sugar syrup and paprika. Delightful. The show was incredible. Our new staff friend said it was the best show she'd seen in her 6 years there. I'm still in awe of Flor de Toloache. Parking is metered street, valet for $15, or you can park in the underground garage for $6. read more

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Its amateur hour there, but maybe my expectations were too high. The atmosphere and menu is trying to hard to "fit in" But the service was weak when they laced up their skates. Drinks were very good but that's about it. I ordered their steak and fries medium rare, 40 mins later they delivered a rare steak, I had a two bites and sent it back and got half the amount of my original order within minutes. Very strange to me. With a concert, it was dark and I wasn't about to call out the waiter again so I was hoping something would have been comped off the tab but nope. I've gotten better service from a chain steakhouse. Also the noise from the kitchen crew was pretty obnoxious and insulting to the performer. Maybe the staff manager was off that night? Either way it's a crap shoot on dinner. Great place for drinks but I'd advise to eat elsewhere prior to a show. read more

Excellent entertainment. Food was horrible. I had "gumbo" that had no vegetables, two pieces of andouille sausage about the size of a fingernail and one piece of duck about half the size of a chicken wing in a nondescript sauce. My companion had equally disappointing "ribs": scant, tough meat in an uninteresting BBQ sauce. Very slow service. Eat before you go. read more

Yesss! Had a wonderful night at Dakota. Oleta Adams set the place on fire. The ambiance was perfect. Lighting and sound was wonderful. Could have used another foot away from the neighboring table. We had very attentive service from start to finish. The drinks were very good. I thoroughly enjoyed the Strawberry Fields. It was sweet, citrusy and very yummy. My husband enjoyed his Makers Old fashioned. Looking forward to the next visit. read more

Yelpers once again did not let me down! One night in Minneapolis and I chose a good one. Was seated just after they opened and turned out to be a great seat. Started out with the pimento cheese platter..I had them give me a small portion otherwise I would have eaten the whole dish! Wonderful cheese with large pinento chunks and spicy cheesy goodness. Served with veggies and crisp thin crackers. Opted for the shrimp and grits...wonderfully cheesy grits topped with whole kernel corn and shrimps...great flavor and consistency, my only complaint was the quantity of shrimps, I'd prefer a few more do I could get the whole package with each bite. I didn't mention the live music or the beer selection, but both are a reason to come back whenever I'm near. Ambiance is big band old timey nightclub, service was wonderful, and prices were high, but everything was great so I can hardly complain... this joint definitely makes the list... if you are nearby dive in, you won't regret it! read more

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Stellar musical venue. The setting is intimate. Well designed. Great views on main floor and upper ring.

I have been here more than a few times, for a show, but have yet to actually eat an entree here. Located on 10th and Nicollet, that place is the ultimate place to take in a concert. The venue is the perfect size for an intimate concert, and there are really no bad seats in the house. Drinks are well crafted, however, they are not cheap, but worth the price. One thing I like is they have a card system for when you want service. flip it over when you want service, once served they will flip it back. Great idea so you won't get unnecessarily interrupted while watching the performance. Food is OK. Was not really impressed with the cheese plate. one of the crackers served with the plate was basically a cumin bomb, and overpowered any nuance that the cheeses offered. If you are going to offer that type of cracker it should be at least paired with a cheese strong enough to stand up to that powerful of a flavor. Speaking of the cheeses...they were pretty scant on the serving portion. I would not order this again. The wings were OK. they were cooked well. My favorite thing here is the Fries with Bearnaise sauce. I can eat that all day long. The only unfortunate thing was the Bearnaise sauce was really lacking in tarragon which was disappointing. Overall I give it 4 stars because of the ambiance, cocktails, and the setup to watch a band/performer. Fix that sauce and you get five stars. read more

Dakota - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I've been a fan of Dakota since it opened in Bandana Square many years ago. It was ALWAYS the "go to" place for special events and celebrations. Last night I went there for the first time since the pandemic. Ugh. It looked like the Dakota and felt like the Dakota, but it sure as hellfire didn't taste like the Dakota. The Dakota used to be known for locally inspired flavors and subtle, delicious tastes. Now I notice Yelp lists them as "Southern." A deeper search shows I missed the message about them reopening post-pandemic with a Southern-influenced menu. Well, they got the going South part right. For the record, I enjoy eating out. I also enjoy good food and great tastes. When that happens, I'm MORE than willing to pay top dollar even if the service only adequate. Dakota apparently now fails on all those accounts. We started with the cheddar buttermilk biscuits. Sounded delicious, tasted meh. Two dry, crumbly biscuits with a ribbon of tasteless cheese. At $10 (really, $5 a piece for a small biscuit!?), it was highway robbery on the Mall. Our service was polite and attentive until we had to return a cheeseburger because it had been smeared with a hellfire hot "comeback sauce" that had been ordered, and acknowledged by the server, to be on the side. "Oh, I guess I forgot to note it," was the muttered explanation we got along with frosty check-ins the rest of the evening. The fries weren't noted on the menu to be "Cajun" but proved to be when they arrived. The burger itself was a dry "smash burger" which, frankly, gave a bad name to that well known establishment even though the server assured us the item was "one of the most popular items on the list." Obviously that status has more to do with the appalling lack of satiating alternatives in the new "inspired" menu. The special was a pork chop. I was very hesitant to order it but saw few, if any, enticing options. Also, at $48 (really!?) it was pretty steep. But, again, I decided to give it a whirl at the strong recommendation of the server. Liar. What arrived was not a chop. No, just 3-4 small medallions of undercooked pork and a rack of 3 very small ribs. I wasn't asked how I wanted the pork cooked but the center was clearly barely past raw. Culinary license, perhaps. Trichinosis threat, likely. Furthermore, the medallions were sinewy, hard to cut, chewy and, except for the overly spiced glaze, lacking in any flavor. The ribs proved to have a thin backing of fat, no meat. The sides, too, left much to be desired. The collard greens were again so hellfire hot that neither starch nor liquid would quell them. The plate was finished by a small one-inch slice of sweet potato (decent but unremarkable) and a two-inch cube of something described on the menu as cornbread. In total, a $135 bill of deep disappointment. This culinary "inspiration" can't possibly be sustained, can it? Dakota is still a highly regarded jazz venue. While show tickets, too, have inevitably risen in cost, it continues to draw noted, well known artists as well as excellent local talent. It's a warm, inviting, intimate setting. From now on, I'll only attend for the music and, perhaps, a drink. When I do, I'll try to remember to toast the demise of the Dakota's excellent culinary history. read more

Dakota - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

It's fun. But order your drinks and food as soon as you arrive. Then you'll get to eat in about an hour. Otherwise you're not getting it until it's time to leave. They don't seem to really have a system down for serving all those people all at once. Or else just order a drink, because the food is pretty basic. read more

The food was delicious and the music and venue were wonderful. The service, however, was so-so. Although our server, initially, was good, she later failed to notice our "service request" card turned up on our table for about 45 minutes, and by then, she told us "the kitchen is closed". And the two, seemingly young male staff members delivering our food were comical to see in action: trying to deliver someone else's orders to us and to others, standing in sightlines of the stage, talking in regular volume voices - generally being a nuisance to diners trying to watch and enjoy the live music performance. They'd do better serving food at a fundraiser in a church basement. They could benefit greatly from some good training in fine dining restaurant hospitality. We really enjoyed the Deviled Eggs as an appetizer. The Sweet Corn & Hominy chowder was absolutely delicious, and I'll most certainly order it again! The Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits were just okay in my opinion. We each ordered the Shrimp & Grits entree and found it really good, especially the consistency of the grits.; the dish could have benefited from having a couple more shrimps on it instead of the many pieces of andouille sausage. read more

We come here often. It is a great music venue. Sadly they have changed the food menu. Where did the shrimp and grits go? The cheese biscuits were a must have and now they too are gone. read more

The food was much better than we expected, the service was outstanding, and the music was perfect. All at a reasonable price. We had a wonderful evening and look forward to returning again. read more

Dakota - Dining room - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Dakota is a great venue. Tonight was my first time there. (I've lived in Minnesota less than two years) Saw the amazing Ravi Coltrane perform there tonight. This Jazz club has great ambiance and there is not a bad seat in the house. My friend and I were nicely surprised at how good the dinner was. Friend had the gumbo and I had the shrimp and grits. Both were delicious. Our server, Bree was so friendly and very attentive! I look forward to checking out their schedule and going back for more shows! We were at table 111 which is stage right and only 4 tables from stage. See pic. read more

Dakota - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

First time here to see Brent Cobb. This is a music venue where you basically sit at your seat at a table with strangers the whole time. We got there 1.5 hours before the 7 pm show was supposed to start. Brent took the stage at 745. Unsure why so late. I ordered a Hibiscus lemonade for $5 and boiled peanuts for $6. My sister got Hickory smoked wings, and I had 2. The boiled peanuts needed to be boiled 4 hours longer. I've been to Georgia, and they are boiled until mushy. These were not boiled long enough. I've also made my own with a minimum 6-hour boil. Hence, the 4 stars. Service was good. The water was warm in these huge carafes, and I used my excess lemonade ice in the water. I also had to ask for more ice. Wings were alright, but mine are better. I got up and went to the bathroom and merch table and walked around to get photos. This sitting around at a table is not for me. I like to be standing and even dancing some. Parking was close by in a ramp and through the skyway. read more

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This is a wonderful and romantic location. My girlfriend and I stopped in tonight for dinner and a wonderful Jazz show put on by "Southside Aces. The food was fantastic. I had blackened salmon and she had corn chowder. We shared a few desserts we completely enjoyed. The staff is extremely pleasant, prompt and efficient. The only thing we didn't really like was the "show your vax card" policy to gain entry. read more

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The Dakota always has amazing music and I have never been to a bad show there. However, I recommend eating before you go to the show. The food is really not good and not worth the money. My husband had the worst tuna he has ever had, and even my salad was subpar. They substituted shrimp on the salad, but instead of grilling it, it was cocktail shrimp. Maybe have a drink there, but don't waste your money on the entrées. If their food was good, this place would get five stars from me. read more

It's sad to see anything but a five star review for the Dakota, which has brought world class jazz to downtown Minneapolis for years. Every time I'm in the Twin Cities, I stop by the iconic Dakota and get a dose of urban soul to help me survive living in Utah. Last night, Thanksgiving, the Dakota provided more meaning than ever. In honor of the true meaning of Thanksgiving, T. Mychal Rambo and friends provided "Songs of Gratitude" to raise money for the homeless. It was inspirational, uplifting, and an awakening to what this holiday should be about. The turkey and fixens were delicious also. We had a wonderful time, accompanied by our daughter and son in law. The music raised my spirits during this time of vitriolic polarization enveloping our country. I was glad to experience something vacuumed out of the culture in Utah. Passion, empathy, and soul are vital aspects of life, except in Utah. They just don't get it. read more

You come for the music, but the food is plenty good. I saw the New Standards and I had wanted to see them for a long time. Truly unique and great. They did not disappoint. I was worried about the sound because there were no acoustic panels in the ceiling, but the sound was fine. Forgot to check, but the piano was probably a Steinway. Downtown Minneapolis was not as I remembered it, but this was a destination worth the trip. read more

Absolutely amazing Bass Extremes show with Victor Wooten, Steve Bailey, and Gregg Bissonette. Tables in the front have a great super close view of musicians on stage, but every seat in the place is good given the size and layout of the venue. Servers were attentive but not intrusive during the show. We only had drinks and not dinner, though the food smelled great at the table next to us. Highly recommend checking out some stellar music here! read more

Dakota - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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I loved the cheesy biscuits and that is about it. I am not a fine dining person, so that is on me. I got the burger and found the sauce spicy for me. I have a milder pallet. The fries were okay. I would not get them again. The atmosphere of the club and service were great, but I would skip the food and just get drinks instead. read more

Dakota - Biscuits - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I came here to see the Love TKO experience featuring Johnnie Brown. The show was very good and fun.The Band & Backup Singers were awesome!! Parking:Dakota does NOT provide valet or validated parking. There is metered parking available on 10th Street. Parking is available in the Public Ramp located on 10th Street and LaSalle  Atmosphere: romantic & cozy and low light. The tables were very very close. We barely had room to move. Service: very nice. They provided a red/green holder to alert the wait staff. I didn't eat but the people I was with had clams as well as others at different tables which lead me to believe their clams is a favorite. The cocktails were strong. Overall I would go back for a show and dinner. Enjoy! read more

Dakota - Entertainer Johnnie Brown - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota