First Avenue

First Avenue, Minneapolis: Worth Booking?

Ticket prices at First Avenue vary by show, which means your spend is dictated by who's playing — not by a fixed cover. For a mid-size general admission show, expect to pay somewhere in the $20–$50 range, which puts it squarely in line with what you'd spend at a comparable mid-capacity venue anywhere in the country. What you get for that money is more interesting than most venues at this tier: a 1,500-capacity room with strong sightlines, a functioning outdoor space on the 7th Street Entry side, and a reputation built over five decades of booking artists before they sell out arenas.

First Avenue is a converted Greyhound bus depot at 701 N 1st Ave in downtown Minneapolis, and the bones of the building still work in its favor. The main room is wide rather than deep, which helps with sightlines even on the floor. The outdoor area adjacent to the 7th Street Entry functions as a spillover space before and between shows — useful in summer, less so in a Minnesota February. If you're visiting during warmer months, arriving early enough to use the outdoor space before doors is the better way to approach the night.

The venue runs multiple spaces: the main room, the 7th Street Entry (a smaller stage for earlier-career acts), and the Mainroom stage itself for larger bookings. If you're deciding between a 7th Street Entry show and the main room, the smaller room gives you a tighter, louder experience with less distance from the stage, worth knowing if proximity matters to you.

Booking is easy. Tickets go through standard third-party platforms and First Avenue's own site. Walk-up availability depends entirely on the show, but most non-sellout events have tickets at the door. For anything with obvious demand, reunion tours, local legends, buzz acts, buy in advance. For weeknight shows on newer artists, same-day purchase is usually fine.

First Avenue holds a specific place in Minneapolis's live music calendar that no other room in the city replicates at this capacity. For the full Minneapolis bars and nightlife guide, or broader city planning including restaurants, hotels, wineries, and experiences, Pearl has you covered.

Know Before You Go

• Address: 701 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
• Booking difficulty: Easy, tickets available online and usually at the door for non-sellouts
• Outdoor space: Yes, 7th Street Entry side; leading used in warmer months pre-show
• Multiple rooms: Main room (approx. 1,500 cap.) and 7th Street Entry (smaller, tighter)
• Leading for: Live music nights, solo or group; works for parties of 2–8 without reservation logistics
• Nearby options: 112 Eatery for pre-show dining; Able Seedhouse + Brewery for post-show drinks