First Avenue
A black building covered in silver stars, each one representing a performer who played here. Prince called it home. You can feel the history the moment you step inside this downtown Minneapolis icon.
What to Know Before You Go
- 1AXS App Entry Only
The venue is cashless with AXS Mobile ID entry through the app or credit card at the gate. No Will Call tickets. Get your AXS account set up before you arrive.
- 2GA Floor and Balcony
Expect standing room only on the floor. Limited unreserved balcony bench seating available first-come, first-served; balcony tables are member-only.
- 3Arrive Early for Positioning
For shows with 500+ attendance, the floor fills from the back toward the stage. Arriving at doors (90 min before artist) helps secure good mid-floor real estate.
- 4Dual Venue
The smaller 7th Street Entry downstairs (250 cap) hosts emerging acts and intimate shows. Totally different vibe, often worth catching if your artist performs there.
- 5Parking is Downtown Hassle
No official venue lot. Best bet is the surface lot at 1st Ave & 8th St behind the building, though it fills fast. Mayo building underground ramp and the ABC Ramps are nearby alternatives.
- 6Merch at The Depot Tavern
First Avenue branded merchandise is available at The Depot Tavern (next door), not inside the venue. Coat check is $5 to store bags/jackets.
- 7Sound System Upgrade
First Avenue recently installed North America's first L-Acoustics L Series permanent sound system. Sound clarity throughout the mainroom is excellent, no muddy zones reported.
- 8Accessibility by Advance Booking
Request ADA accommodations at least 24 hours ahead (or by 5pm Friday for weekend shows) at info@first-avenue.com or (612) 338-8388. Limited unreserved seating available first-come, but guaranteed seating requires advance notice.
- 9The Prince Connection
Prince recorded his Purple Rain album here, rehearsed for the 1984 film, and played nine official concerts. The exterior star mural is a fan pilgrimage site. This venue is woven into Twin Cities music DNA.
- 10Post-Show Exit
Downtown Minneapolis post-show traffic affects parking ramps more than the surface lot behind the venue. Plan accordingly.
At a Glance
- Capacity
- 1,550
- Venue Type
- Club
- Year Opened
- 1970
- Seating
- General Admission (GA) floor + limited balcony seating
- Cashless
- Yes (AXS Mobile ID exclusive)
- Cell Service
- Not documented (assume standard downtown)
- Climate
- Indoor, air-conditioned
- Parking
- No on-site lot; surface lot at 1st Ave & 8th St; nearby ramps $8-15
- Transit
- Metro Transit (walking distance, routes vary)
What It's Actually Like
Inside a Building Where Music History Happened
The moment you walk in, you feel the weight of it. This is the building Prince called his venue. The black exterior with silver stars (one for each major performer) isn't just decoration, it's a physical representation of a music community. Inside, the converted Greyhound bus depot from 1937 has 80+ years of architectural character: high ceilings, a stage that's been the launching pad for Minnesota acts, the same stage setup from the Purple Rain film shoot in 1984.
The Floor Where You'll Stand Shoulder to Shoulder
First Avenue's mainroom is pure general admission. The floor is wide, wider than it is deep, which means most of the 1,550 crowd is relatively close to the stage. The elevated stage helps even people at mid-floor see the artist without crane-necking. During bigger shows, the floor compresses hard toward the stage, if you care about breathing room, arrive early or position yourself toward the back. For smaller shows (300-500 people), the floor stays spread out and you have freedom to move. There's no assigned seating, no pit barriers, just humans and energy.
“Passionate, inclusive crowd , the audience is a big part of the experience here. Everyone's there for the music, and you can feel it.”
The Balcony: Member-Only Tables, But Standing Room at the Rail
The balcony is mostly reserved for First Avenue Members (Gold/Platinum tier) and their guests, those tables are off-limits for regular ticket-holders. But there's standing room at the rail and a few unreserved benches on a first-come, first-served basis. The balcony gives you elevation and a bird's-eye view of both the stage and the floor crowd energy. It's a different experience from the floor: cooler, easier on your feet, less claustrophobic. If you want a seat, show up early.
The Sound Is Clear Everywhere
The venue recently installed the L-Acoustics L Series sound system (North America's first permanent installation). The result: fans consistently report clean, balanced sound throughout the mainroom with no dead spots or muddy zones. The balcony sounds as good as the floor. For a converted bus depot, the acoustics are genuinely excellent.
Section-by-Section Guide
Floor / GA
This is where the 1,550-capacity experience lives. The floor is GA standing room only, no assigned seats, no pit barriers.
For shows with 500+ attendance, the crowd fills in from the back toward the stage, with late arrivals able to position themselves on the sides. For bigger shows (1,000+ people in the 1,550 cap), the floor compresses hard toward the stage, especially in the front 20 feet. The sweet spot is middle of the floor, roughly 20-40 feet from stage, where sightlines are good and sound is balanced. The elevated stage helps, you can see over people's heads even from mid-floor. Front-row enthusiasts compress tight for the closest experience. Back-of-floor attendees get a full-stage view and can exit quickly, but you're farther away. For smaller shows (300-500 people), the floor stays loose and you have freedom of movement.
Arrive at doors (90 minutes before the artist takes stage) if you want to claim a good spot. This is a passionate crowd, people here care about the music, not just the social scene.
Balcony
Standing room at the railing is available first-come, first-served. There are a few unreserved benches, but don't expect seats. The balcony tables are reserved exclusively for First Avenue Members, and those aren't available for public purchase or ADA accommodation.
The balcony gives you elevation and a completely different sightline, you're looking at the full stage picture plus the floor crowd energy. The acoustics are as clear as the floor. It's a good spot if you want to stand but need a break from floor compression, or if you're a member with a reserved table and want the VIP experience.
For accessibility needs, the balcony is second-best to a floor-level space. Limited unreserved seating exists on first-come basis, but for guaranteed accessible seating, you must book in advance (see Getting There section).
7th Street Entry (Downstairs, 250 cap)
The adjacent downstairs venue is a completely different experience: intimate, around 250 capacity, also GA standing room. First Avenue often books emerging acts and intimate shows from established artists downstairs. The sound and sightlines are naturally closer. If your artist is playing 7th Street Entry, go. You'll be a few feet from the stage with a fraction of the crowd.
Getting There
Driving + Parking
First Avenue has no official parking lot. Your best option is the surface lot at 1st Ave & 8th St (one block behind the venue). It's the closest, most accessible option, though it fills quickly for big shows. No official pricing posted, but expect $5-15 for 2-4 hours based on downtown rates.
If the surface lot is full, the Mayo building underground ramp is across the street on 7th Street (accessible elevators to street level). The A, B, and C Ramps are a few blocks away (also with accessible elevators). Parking ramps typically cost $8-15 depending on duration, and they get congested with post-show traffic after big shows. The surface lot behind the venue often clears faster than ramps.
Street metering is available on surrounding downtown Minneapolis streets, though finding a spot can be challenging, especially during evening shows.
Transit
First Avenue is downtown Minneapolis at 701 N 1st Avenue. Metro Transit serves the area, though specific routes vary. Walking distance to downtown transit stops is typical. Post-show transit crowding at downtown Minneapolis stations isn't documented, but assume standard downtown post-show rush.
Rideshare
Standard downtown Minneapolis Rideshare drop-off/pickup applies. Expect surge pricing post-show. No venue-specific pickup strategy is documented.
Food, Drink, and Merch
Worth Getting
Bar food and non-alcoholic beverages are available at First Avenue. Specific items and prices weren't documented in current research. The Depot Tavern (next door) is recommended for a full meal if you want more than bar-level snacks.
Alcoholic beverages (beer, hard seltzer, mixed drinks) are served at multiple bars on both the floor and balcony. Specific pricing wasn't available in current research, but expect standard venue pricing ($8-12 for beer, $10-15 for mixed drinks, $8 for soft drinks based on comparable venues). Water is available, staff hand out bottled water during shows, which is a thoughtful touch you don't always get.
The Strategy
Show up with time to grab a drink before the artist, as lines do form post-doors. The venue accepts card and digital payments exclusively (cashless). Coat check is $5 for coats; bag check is free.
Merch
First Avenue branded merchandise (tees, hats, collectibles) is sold at The Depot Tavern, the bar next door. It's not sold inside the mainroom, so plan accordingly if you want venue merch. Booth timing and line strategies aren't documented. Tour-specific merchandise is handled by the artist/tour (not venue).
Venue History
First Avenue opened on April 3, 1970, as "The Depot," in a building originally constructed as a Greyhound bus station in 1937. The Art Deco building featured air conditioning, shower rooms, and public telephones when it opened, luxuries in the 1930s. Local papers raved about the interior: "Joe Cocker opened the venue two nights running on opening day."
The venue is legendary for Prince. Prince recorded his Purple Rain album at First Avenue, rehearsed here for the 1984 Purple Rain film, and performed nine official concerts at the venue (plus two guest appearances at 7th Street Entry). In late 1984, the movie crew closed the venue for 25 days to install new lights and build the stage setup still in place today. Prince Celebration concerts take place here annually (2024's June 21-22 shows, 2025's celebration honoring the 1985 Purple Rain tour).
First Avenue remains independently owned and operated, rare for a 1,550-capacity venue in 2026 when consolidation has taken over the concert business. This independent status is part of what makes it matter. It's the heart of the Twin Cities music scene and is Rolling Stone's #3 Big Rooms in America. The venue is legendary in alt/punk/indie circles, a launching pad for Minnesota artists.
Recent upgrade: First Avenue installed North America's first permanently installed L-Acoustics L Series concert sound system (2026), paired with DiGiCo Quantum225 consoles. The result is noticeably clearer sound throughout the mainroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
First Avenue Links
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This guide is based on fan reports, public records, and community discussion. It is not sponsored by or affiliated with First Avenue.