First Avenue
WeDo, Minneapolis
Bar in Minneapolis, United States
Book with PearlWhy go
First Avenue is Minneapolis's most storied mid-capacity music venue, running shows across two rooms at ticket prices that hold up against any comparable national room. Easy to book, better sightlines than most converted spaces, the outdoor area on the 7th Street Entry side adds real value in summer. Go for the main room when a name act is in town; choose 7th Street Entry when you want to be close to the stage.
About 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, 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, 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
Planning details
- Location
- 701 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
- Website
- first-avenue.com
- Phone
- +1 612 338 8388
The take
The Take
The Vibe
First Avenue reads like a lived-in musical institution: an industrial 1937 Greyhound terminal that now stages concerts in a raw, unvarnished setting. The interior favors low lighting, dark walls and a large wooden dance floor that tilts toward a deliberately low stage, creating an immediate, up-close relationship between performers and the crowd. Hundreds of silver and gold stars line the outer wall like a public archive, underscoring the venue’s cultural weight. The room’s acoustic choices — a ceiling that soaks sound and practical red and amber lighting at the bars — preserve a gritty, authentic concert-house energy rather than a polished, arena-style gloss.
Best For
First Avenue is best for people who come for live music, late-night energy and communal celebrations rather than quiet conversation. The layout prioritizes standing room and dancing: wide floor plans and a low stage collapse the distance between audience and performer, making it ideal for groups and nights out that center on the show. Bar areas along the walls support drink service without turning the room into a dining hall. If you want a traditional seated dinner or an intimate, quiet night, this is not the place — it’s a venue built around performance, history and the shared experience of a packed room.
Ordering Tips
Plan to treat the space like a concert hall rather than a restaurant: expect minimal seating on the main floor, low lighting between acts, and lively, close-quarters crowds. The venue’s bars sit along the walls, so ordering drinks at those bar areas is the straightforward option rather than table service. Because the floor is prioritized for standing and movement, arrive early if you want a spot near the stage or on the dance floor. Keep expectations practical — this is a raw, historic music room focused on live performance rather than a refined dining or lounge experience.
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Meteor; Notable alternative
- 112 Eatery; Notable alternative
- All Saints Restaurant; Notable alternative
- Amazing Thailand; Notable alternative
- Bar Brava; Notable alternative
Bar context
First Avenue doesn't compete directly with bars or restaurants; it's a live music venue, which means the comparison is really about how to spend a night out in Minneapolis rather than where to eat. If your priority is a full evening that combines food and drink with a lively room, All Saints Restaurant and 112 Eatery are the stronger choices; both offer serious food programs in rooms with real atmosphere, neither requires buying a ticket in advance.
For value-seekers choosing between a First Avenue show and a bar night, the calculation is straightforward: First Avenue costs more upfront (ticket price) but gives you a structured two-to-three hour experience with a reason to be there. 5-8 Club is a lower-stakes, lower-spend option if you want a neighborhood feel without an event format. If you want cocktails in a more curated setting, Able Seedhouse + Brewery offers a more relaxed, craft-focused room with no ticket required.
The honest answer is that First Avenue is the right call when there's an act you want to see; the room is set up well, the booking is easy, the outdoor space in summer makes it a better pre-show hangout than most venues at this size. On nights when nothing on the calendar appeals, the bar options above are better value for a spontaneous night out. For visitors wanting to map the full scene, Pearl's Minneapolis bars guide covers the breadth of what the city offers.
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Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full First Avenue guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare First Avenue
| Venue | Awards |
|---|---|
| First Avenue | No published awards |
| Meteor | No published awards |
| 112 Eatery | No published awards |
| All Saints Restaurant | No published awards |
| Amazing Thailand | No published awards |
| Bar Brava | No published awards |
What to weigh when choosing between First Avenue and alternatives.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is First Avenue located?
First Avenue is located in Minneapolis, at 701 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403.
