After a summer day on the lake, you can unwind—or wind up—by enjoying the live, local music scene. There’s no need to venture downtown. Instead, check out the best of what Plymouth has to offer.
Three local venues feature musical acts that are sure to entice you out of the house on summer nights and get you dancing to the beat. Enjoy refreshing summer sangria while you dance at Lucky’s 13 Pub. Eat a meal at Robert’s Restaurant and Bar, and get $2 off the ticket price to a rockin’ concert at the Medina Entertainment Center. Kick back with a cocktail at Cowboy Jack’s, and enjoy one of the diverse local bands that play there regularly.
This month, we let the venues do the talking, recommending their noteworthy acts on stage this summer.
Medina Entertainment Center
500 Hwy. 55, Medina
763.478.6661; medinaentertainment.com
Since 1956, the Medina Entertainment Center has served and entertained guests with a variety of acts. Today, the venue still keeps local toes tapping. “We have a broad range that runs the gamut, but we try to keep it mainstream,” owner and president Mark Raskob says of the music lineup. “We have the meat and potatoes of the industry.” Great artists have performed here, and the venue counts a few national acts as regulars. If your party doesn’t want to jam, the venue also offers 12 lanes of bowling and games for kids of all ages. You can eat at Robert’s Restaurant, where executive chef Trent Anderson makes the meals from scratch, and after the concert, you can stay and sleep at the inn that boasts pillow-top mattresses, flat-screen televisions and suites. “It’s a one-stop shop,” Raskob says. For live music, Saturday nights are the best nights.
Featuring:
The Rockin' Hollywoods
For more than 40 years, this five-member cover band has made crowds dance with a variety of music from 1950s to 1980s hits. They’ve opened for big acts like the Beach Boys and have won awards in Minnesota for their music. Plan a fun date night, as you can buy a ticket to see The Rockin’ Hollywoods and get a dance lesson, too.
Maiden Dixie
This band formed in 2011 and has played in major venues around the metro, as well as at fairs and festivals. Seven members of this country rock act perform favorites and original songs that span country, rock, blues and folk music. The band likes to get people up and dancing to their unique sound. Maiden Dixie is a favorite for music lovers in the Plymouth area.
Lucky’s 13 Pub
3000 Harbor Lane N.
763.746.0071; luckys13pub.com
During the summer months, Lucky’s 13 Pub becomes a hub of live music, summer cocktails and dancing. “We have such a great space for music here,” manager Cristi Anderson says. “When we have music on the patio, we have a full-service bar outside.” Swing by during happy hour Thursday nights to catch the live music. Then, make a night of it on Friday and Saturday evenings when music will beckon you to the dance floor. Managers make a point of selecting bands that play to the crowd so everyone can catch a tune they enjoy. “It’s very interactive and entertaining,” Anderson says.
Featuring:
The Michael Handler Project
This acoustic rock band can entertain anyone, from teens to grandparents visiting your house for the summer. “They play for the crowd and get engaged with everyone,” Anderson says. With both original songs and novel twists on cover artists, don’t be surprised to see a banjo or a variety of hand drums in the show. (You might even be passed a shaker during a concert and asked to jam along.)
Jeff Dayton
Jeff Dayton’s roots are in Minnesota, but he’s played all over the nation with country artists Glen Campbell, Lee Greenwood and Kenny Chesney. He’ll play at the Grand Ole Opry, but he’s also considered a regular at Lucky’s 13. “He’s right out of Nashville,” Anderson says, “a true entertainer.” He’s also known for always bringing someone else in to play the trumpet as part of his band; this summer, it will be Jeff Carver.
The Teddy Holidays
This local band has been featured around the Twin Cities as one of the best cover bands in the metro. “They play for the crowd and not for themselves,” Anderson says. The Teds, as the four call themselves, sometimes offer a full band at Lucky’s 13 and sometimes just entertain acoustic style.
Cowboy Jack's
4120 Berkshire Lane
763.559.0257; plymouth.theaftermidnightgroup.com
Even though you can have fun playing giant Jenga or taking a chance in one of the meat raffles, Cowboy Jack’s really turns up the heat when the music comes on. “Everyone deserves to let loose and what better way than with some great music,” says Jesi Konen, director of marketing for the After Midnight Group that runs Cowboy Jack’s. The venue never charges a cover, has a daily happy hour with alluring specials and features bands that keep customers coming back.
Featuring:
Javier Trejo
Born in Mexico and raised in St. Paul, Javier Trejo reflects diversity in his music. “Javier is one of the most talented artists I have met,” Konen says. “Besides being an amazing person, he puts on a great show. He is high energy, and you can’t help but end up singing along.” Javier describes his music as Mexican Americana, but he’s won awards for reggae music, too. He’s been a favorite at Cowboy Jack’s since it opened. See him on July 21 and August 4 and 18.
Ragtown
This Twin Cities band wants you to have a “floor- hopping, foot-stomping” good time. “Ragtown is incredibly talented and plays a wide variety of music,” Konen says. “They just want to make you dance and sing and have a great time, and that’s what it’s all about.” The four-member band plays a variety of alternative, blues, pop, folk, soul and R&B—and they have something you don’t see every day in a bar band—an upright bass.
