Artists' Quarter   

Slinky, slow jams; fast, improvised riffs; sweet sounds of spoken word: the Artists' Quarter hosts them all. Poets, artists and musicians flock to this spot in quiet downtown St. Paul. To call this club anything less than a haven for creative types, and for those who love live performances, would be tantamount to a slap in the face. The Artists' Quarter is known for booking multiple shows with local and national acts. Seeing this in action, a wonderful energy fills the room during performances, whether that's poets reading with voices trembling, or some of the best from the world of Twin Cities' jazz letting rip during a solo. The Quarter has been in its ''new'' location on St. Peter Street for some time, having left behind New York-style subterranean digs. In the Hamm Building the sound is sleeker, the acoustics sing and the beer selection is even better. Some of that ratty ambiance is gone, but there is more seating, making this the perfect spot to settle in for a long night of music.