First Avenue, Minneapolis

The place stinks like old carpet, the "paintings" on the walls are amateurish and grotesque, the bathrooms are a dungeon, the staff are retards and hard of hearing. The decibel level is beyond belief even for ecstasy freaks. Lots and lots of ecstasy freaks all the time. Many drug overdoses every month. Hellish and horrible in every way. And overpriced drinks. And no food worthy of the name. And one block from the homeless shelter cesspool. Worst nightclub in the country.

First avenue sucks now and it will suck forever. They need to take care of the cockroach problem. With all the money this place charges for drinks you would think the place would be in better shape, the bathrooms being a perfect example.

The drinks were over priced, we were lucky and had a waitress as we had a table with no chairs, someplace to stand. The staff in general were okay, somewhat rude at times, went out to have a smoke and was rudly told I came in through the wrong door, of course there was no markings on the door to indicate this! During the concert our table was in front of the stairs, no big deal as we still had a geat view, unitl one of the "Staff members" decided to take up residence right in the middle of the stairs to watch the show. This was about eye level with the crowd trying to see the band. We asked him if he could move up a few steps as to not block our view and he would not. I complained at the bar as I had spent money on the tickets , a hotel room for the night and beers for $5.00 I wanted to see the band without having to look through the staffers legs! The bartender told me to take it up with MGMT, I said oksy, bring them over. A few minutes later a staffer went up to our stair dweller and tried to get him to move and he still refused!! The guy needs to be fired, not very customer focused. Finally, two more staffers came and yes, he finally moved up two stairs.. True story!

From the moment we were let in the doors, we were treated the best I have ever been treated in any establishment. I had been corresponding with a manager at 1st. Ave. because I am disabled. I needed a place to sit with my wheel chair. We reserved a table upstairs and before I knew what was happening there were 5-6 male staff members standing behind me, I think they were going to carry me upstairs. I can walk, just takes me longer, so one of them just carried the wheelchair and parked me at my table. These people were awesome. I would love to see another show here again.

I use to frequent this place 10-15 years ago. Good music, good environment, and back then it was one of the only places you could really go in Downtown Minneapolis. The club has changed hands and management so much that you never really know what the place is going to be like the next time you want to dance, hear music, or catch a performance. Made famous by Prince, but stays in business because of its location. Worth checking out, but I don't visit there much anymore when there's better venues out there.

the place is great to rock ?and it's what makes downtown so cool.and atracts people to vist downtown.it has a great vib of locals, great to go on dates to. great to hang out with friends? theirs not a lot of room for concerts and it feel like your dont have eough room when you have a lot of people. all in all it's good the best ?

Thank God - feels like the big city. this is not your average minnesotan suburban hang out- you couldn't turn it into a chain if you wanted- wonderful!

yah, it really is, the atmosphere is fantastic, the sound value is superb and the acts you get in there you would normaly excpect to see at a concert hall or stadium, great music ina close venue, whats not to love.

It isn't nearly as hip as it used to be. I was unimpressed at how damp and creepy it was last time I was there. If you are going for a show-ok. If you are going to go dance at the end of the night. Please look elsewhere. All I can say is....bad, bad, bad

Minneapolis, MN if known for anything should be known by music lovers as the home of many of our nations great artists. And many of them have had thier start playing for years at First Avenue. Soul Asylum, Husker Du, Bob Mould, The Replacements, Paul Westerburg, The Honey Dogs, The Jayhawks and Prince of course! And those are just the Minnesota natives. National acts play there as well Nirvanna, Soundgarden, Foo Fighters, Beck etc... It should be noted that First Avenue really looks nothing as it was made to look in the film Purple Rain but, more like a dark basement with flashing strobe lights and some very rock and roll -ish looking characters. More a hot spot for younger audiences 18 -35 ish mostly. An adventurous older group could venture there if young enough at heart. However, don't expect anything more than to hear some of Minneapolis's finest music there as the decor ain't exactly upscale. Still, for out of town music lovers First Ave should be a must see, if for no other reason than to stand in the same room as so many great bands that have played there! Rock on!