First Avenue is Minneapolis’ iconic two-room live music venue, famous for its historic Mainroom and the intimate 7th St Entry. With a long legacy of launching Twin Cities acts like The Replacements and Hüsker Dü, First Avenue remains a cultural touchstone for fans and touring artists alike. This page provides practical details to help you secure your seats and plan a visit, from seating and parking to transit options and nearby hotels and restaurants.

Venue note: The building isn’t demolished or renamed today; it’s known as First Avenue, with The Entry serving as its companion intimate space. The Mainroom is generally GA with some limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis, while the 7th St Entry is smaller and typically GA. Each show is treated as a standalone experience for ticketing and scheduling purposes.

Whether you’re chasing classic Minnesota music history or catching current tours, First Avenue offers a distinctive concert experience. We’ve got you covered with easy ticket access, trustworthy information, and straight-forward planning tips—like secure your seats, check nearby parking options, and book stays at partner hotels for a seamless night out in downtown Minneapolis.

For event updates, venue details, and artist pages, follow official sources and plan ahead to maximize your night of music at this storied Minneapolis venue.

Good to know

Seating, Parking & Venue Information

Address: 701 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403.
Venue type: historic two-room live music venue (First Avenue Mainroom and 7th St Entry) with adjacent spaces for events.
Capacities: Mainroom up to 1,550 (general admission); 7th St Entry up to 250 (general admission).
Seating chart: Mainroom is primarily general-admission standing; limited seating is sometimes available on a first-come, first-served basis; 7th St Entry is smaller and generally GA.
Parking: no official First Avenue parking lot; multiple nearby ramps/lots; behind the venue lot and Mayo Building ramp across 7th Street are common options.
Transit: located in downtown Minneapolis; served by multiple Metro Transit bus routes and the Warehouse District light-rail station (Blue/Green lines) within two blocks.
Nearby hotels: Loews Minneapolis Hotel, Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Minneapolis, Embassy Suites by Hilton Minneapolis Downtown, Minneapolis Marriott City Center, Radisson Blu Minneapolis Downtown, Le Meridien Chambers Minneapolis.
Notable events: Prince’s Purple Rain era performances and the 1983 Minnesota Dance Theatre benefit that yielded the Purple Rain material; the venue helped launch numerous Twin Cities acts (e.g., The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, The Revolution) and remains a cultural touchstone (also hosts reunion shows and major tours).
Demolished/renamed note: the building is not demolished and remains First Avenue; historically it was the Greyhound depot and has operated as Sam’s and The Depot in years past, but today it’s known as First Avenue with The Entry as its companion venue.