One of the gems of the growing jazz culture in the Twin Cities is Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant. Hosting mostly local acts and a smattering of the finest national touring acts, Dakota has seen the likes of Roy Hargrove, John Pizzarelli, and Amel Larrieux. For most of the acts, the cover charge is probably less than the cost of your martini, but for bigger names, expect to pay big name prices ($40–$50).

Dakota promotes jazz education, hosting competitions for local high-school musicians. Check out the sponsorship packages on the website for several discounts, including free cover for all local acts, discounted tickets for national acts, and several different levels of discounted dining. Pick the right night and you may just find yourself appearing on the next Grammy-nominated jazz album, as many national acts have recorded live albums at Dakota.