Music Venue

First Avenue

Historic 1,550-capacity nightclub in downtown Minneapolis, operating since 1970. Famous as the primary venue in Prince's "Purple Rain" (1984). Central hub for the Minneapolis music scene, hosting local and touring acts across rock, indie, hip-hop, and electronic.

Minneapolis, USA

1,550 capacity

Est. 1970

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Music Genres

rockindiehip-hopelectronicpunkalternative

About First Avenue

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First Avenue is a 1,550-capacity nightclub at 701 First Avenue North in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. It has operated continuously since 1970 and is the central hub of the Minneapolis music scene. The venue is best known for its role in Prince's 1984 film "Purple Rain," where it served as the primary performance location. It is best suited for independent and mid-tier touring acts in rock, indie, hip-hop, electronic, and punk, as well as local Minneapolis artists building a regional following.

History and Background

The building at 701 First Avenue North was originally a Greyhound bus depot, built in 1937. In 1970, DJs Steve McClellan and Jack "Cowboy" Kelly converted the space into a nightclub called The Depot. The venue changed names several times in its early years: The Depot (1970), Uncle Sam's (1971), and Sam's (1972). It became First Avenue in 1981 under the management of McClellan, who ran the club until 2004.

First Avenue's significance in music history is tied to Prince. Prince played his first show at the venue in 1981, when he was still an unknown local artist. He returned repeatedly throughout his career, and the club became the setting for "Purple Rain" (1984), which filmed performance scenes there over four nights in August 1983. The film's opening sequence, "Let's Go Crazy," and the title performance of "Purple Rain" were shot on the First Avenue stage. The venue's star logo, painted on the exterior wall, became synonymous with both the club and the film.

Beyond Prince, First Avenue has hosted virtually every major act to pass through Minneapolis: Hüsker Dü, The Replacements, The Jayhawks, Atmosphere, Dessa, Lizzo (who played early shows there before her national breakthrough), and Bon Iver. The venue has a reputation for booking local openers alongside touring headliners, which has helped launch numerous Minneapolis careers.

The club filed for bankruptcy in 2004 amid financial difficulties and briefly closed. A group of local investors including former manager Steve McClellan and local businessman Byron Frank stepped in, and the venue reopened in 2005 under new ownership. The club has operated profitably since, expanding to include the 7th Street Entry (a 250-capacity room attached to the main venue) and the Turf Club in St. Paul (a 400-capacity room acquired in 2014).

How the Venue Operates

First Avenue operates as a general admission standing-room venue. The main room holds 1,550 people. There is no reserved seating. The stage is at the far end of the room, elevated approximately 4 feet above the floor. A balcony runs along three sides of the room, providing overhead views. The sound system is a d&b audiotechnik KSL series rig, installed in 2022 as part of a major technical upgrade.

The 7th Street Entry is a separate 250-capacity room connected to the main venue through an internal door. It has its own stage, bar, and entrance. The Entry hosts smaller shows, local acts, and developing artists. Many Minneapolis artists graduate from the Entry to the main room as their audience grows. Lizzo, Trampled by Turtles, and Hippo Campus all played early shows in the Entry before moving to the main stage.

Tickets for First Avenue shows typically range from $20 to $60 depending on the artist. Shows sell through first-avenue.com and Etix. The venue does not use Ticketmaster for most shows, which keeps ticket fees lower than competing venues. Local shows and smaller acts may sell tickets only at the door.

The venue is 18+ for most shows, with occasional all-ages and 21+ events. ID is required. The club serves full bar service. There is a coat check. The venue is accessible via the Downtown West light rail station, two blocks away.

2026 Programming

The 2026 calendar at First Avenue includes a mix of national touring acts and local showcases. Notable scheduled and recent performances include Hippo Campus, Trampled by Turtles, Dessa, Atmosphere, Low (reunion shows), Poliça, and Surly Bloodshot. The venue also hosts annual events including the Best New Bands showcase (featuring local artists voted by City Pages readers) and the Piñata Fest, a Latinx music festival.

The 7th Street Entry continues its role as a testing ground for local and regional acts. The Entry runs shows 4 to 5 nights per week, with cover charges typically $5 to $15. Many Entry shows are booked as local artist bills without a touring headliner, giving Minneapolis musicians a stage to build their audience.

First Avenue also operates the Turf Club in St. Paul, which hosts approximately 200 shows per year in a 400-capacity room. The three venues (First Avenue, 7th Street Entry, Turf Club) function as a tiered system: artists start at the Entry, move to the Turf Club, and graduate to the First Avenue main room.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

First Avenue is one of the most important independent music venues in the United States. It is not owned by Live Nation or AEG. It is locally owned and operated, which means booking decisions are made by people who live in Minneapolis and know the local scene. For independent artists, this matters. National chains prioritize guaranteed revenue. Independent venues can take chances on local acts and smaller touring bands.

The tiered system (Entry at 250, Turf Club at 400, First Avenue at 1,550) gives Minneapolis artists a clear growth path. If you can sell out the Entry, you can move to the Turf Club. If you can sell out the Turf Club, you can open for a touring act at First Avenue. This is a model that other cities have tried to replicate.

For touring artists, First Avenue is a standard stop on mid-tier national tours. The venue's 1,550 capacity places it in the same tier as the Bowery Ballroom in New York (550), the Metro in Chicago (1,100), and the 9:30 Club in Washington DC (1,200). If you are booking a tour through the Midwest, First Avenue is the room you want in Minneapolis.

Use our Tour Revenue Calculator to model what a First Avenue show could generate. Read our guide on how to book your first tour for practical advice on approaching venues of this size. The complete guide to making money as a musician in 2026 covers revenue strategies for independent touring artists.

Potential Drawbacks / Things to Consider

First Avenue is a general admission standing-room venue. If your audience expects seated shows, this is not the right room. The standing format works for rock, indie, hip-hop, and electronic but is less suitable for folk, classical, or jazz performances.

The venue's downtown Minneapolis location has been affected by changes in the surrounding neighborhood. Crime and safety concerns in the downtown area increased after 2020, and some patrons have reported feeling unsafe walking to and from the venue at night. The venue has responded by increasing security presence and working with the city on downtown safety initiatives, but the perception persists for some out-of-town visitors.

Booking the main room requires a track record. If you are an independent artist without a booking agent, you will likely start at the 7th Street Entry. The main room is booked through the venue's talent buyers, who work with agents and tour promoters. Cold emails from independent artists without local draw data are unlikely to result in a main room offer.

The venue's sound system is powerful and designed for loud music. If your act relies on subtlety or quiet dynamics, the room can work against you. The 2022 d&b KSL installation improved clarity significantly, but the fundamental character of the room favors high-energy performance.