Shaw's holds the corner spot on University and 16th Ave NE in Northeast Minneapolis. It's not fancy but in that neighborhood it's not expected that it wouold be. Owner takes the money at the door. Shaws offers nightly food and drink specials and live music is played most nights of the week but check their schedule to be sure. The bar is divided into two rooms, one for socializing and room for bigger groups and the second one, which is wide open to the first but separated by the bar, and dimly lit, containing the stage, dance floor and pub tables. The dance floor is decent sized considering the size of the bar and takes up about a third of the room. Service is good and drinks are decent.
| Main styles: | Rhythm and Blues |
| Overall feel: | Homey, part of the crowd |
| Acoustics: | Good for a typical small bar |
| Avg. crowd size: | 25 people |
| Avg. age of crowd: | 40 |
| Stuff to do around there: | Darts, talk to your bartender |
| Jam Session? | No |
| Avg. age of musicians: | 40 give or take |
| Skill of musicians: | Relative newcomers to skilled |
| Notable past acts: | Too many to mention but Davina & The Vagabonds and The Swamp Kings are a few |
Checked out Shaws on a Friday night. It's a typical NE Minneapolis bar, not fancy, a working man's neighborhood hangout. Expect to see sawdust on the floor & beer spilled now & then. However, unlike many local bars that offer live music, Shaw's stage is out front, easily visible from anywhere in the bar & the music was excellent. The lineup included The Cheap Thrills, Blueclaw, Voodoo, & the Cole Allen Band. Definitely worth the $5 cover & more. As they say at Shaws, "You'd be a fool not to come down."
