First Avenue is a landmark live music venue located at 701 First Avenue North in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Art Deco building was originally constructed in 1937 as the Minneapolis depot of the Greyhound Lines bus system. In 1970, Allan Fingerhut purchased the property and converted it into a nightclub, opening on April 3 of that year with a show featuring Joe Cocker and Mad Dogs & Englishmen. Over the following decade it evolved into one of the most celebrated independently owned and operated music clubs in the United States.
The venue earned international recognition as the primary filming location for Prince’s 1984 concert film Purple Rain, cementing its place as a cultural touchstone of American rock history. Today First Avenue’s 1,550-capacity Main Room hosts more than 200 concerts a year, while the adjoining 7th St Entry — a 250-capacity side stage — presents over 350 shows annually. More than 400 stars affixed to the building’s black exterior walls commemorate the artists who have performed there, with Prince’s star painted gold following his death in 2016.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: 701 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
- Type: Independent music club
- Opened: April 3, 1970
- Main Room Capacity: 1,550
- 7th St Entry Capacity: 250
- Famous for: Purple Rain (1984), Minneapolis sound, Prince
From Greyhound Depot to Rock Institution
The building that houses First Avenue began its life as a functional transit hub, designed in the Art Deco style and serving Minneapolis bus travelers for more than three decades. When Allan Fingerhut converted it into a concert venue in 1970, it initially operated under various names — including Uncle Sam’s — before being rebranded First Avenue on New Year’s Eve 1981. That rebrand coincided with a renewed focus on live music booking, and the early 1980s saw the club become the beating heart of the Minneapolis music scene.
Under successive independent ownership, First Avenue cultivated a reputation for taking risks on emerging artists and local talent. The club played a key role in fostering the Minneapolis sound — a genre-blending fusion of funk, rock, and R&B — and helped launch careers that would gain national and international recognition.
Prince, Purple Rain, and the Stars on the Wall
No artist is more closely associated with First Avenue than Prince, who used the venue as a rehearsal space, a showcase stage, and ultimately a film set. The 1984 film Purple Rain featured extensive footage shot inside the club, introducing First Avenue to a global audience and embedding it permanently in pop culture. Acts such as The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, Soul Asylum, Semisonic, and more recently Lizzo have all called the stage home at various points in their careers.
The exterior’s constellation of painted stars — more than 400 in all — serves as a living hall of fame for performers who have left a mark on the venue. First Avenue has also expanded its footprint over the years, now operating a family of venues across the Twin Cities including the Palace Theatre, The Fitzgerald Theater, Fine Line, and Turf Club, while the original club at First Avenue North remains the crown jewel of independent live music in the region.
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First Avenue FAQs
What is First Avenue famous for?
First Avenue is best known as the venue featured in Prince’s 1984 concert film Purple Rain and as the epicenter of the Minneapolis sound. It has hosted legendary acts including The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, Soul Asylum, and Lizzo over its more than five decades of operation.
How many people can First Avenue hold?
The Main Room at First Avenue has a capacity of 1,550. The adjoining 7th St Entry, a smaller side-stage space in the same building, holds around 250 guests.
Is First Avenue independently owned?
Yes. First Avenue has been independently owned and operated since it opened in 1970, making it one of the longest-running independent music clubs in the United States. Current ownership is led by Dayna Frank and partners who took over in 2009.
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Photo by Joshua Hage on Unsplash.