This place is 3 stars. The bartender was lovely. The beers were cheap and tasty, I had the organic Black IPA and the Cherry Chouffe which comes in a 8 oz pour because it has a high ABV. Both were delicious. I like dark beers and these two didn't make me feel fatigue or heavy / bloated. The vibe is a little grunge, a little beer hally, and a little rock all combined into one. They have a ton of live music throughout the month although my trip, which was 530pm on a Tuesday didn't include any. They have a garden / smoking section out back with 3-4 picnic benches that felt really huge. I could definitely come back and would even consider a show here. Reason why I knock it down from 3 stars to 2 is because when we walked in, one of the managers gave us such a dirty look. And when we said hi, he gave a half hearted smile and turned back to doing his audits. Sure, everyone has a bad day. And perhaps he was reacting to something different. Nevertheless, I was ready to get my drink and be out. Was hungry and wanted food but decided rather spend my money elsewhere. read more

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Great bar and intimate concert venue to visit for local talent! Drinks are cheap and the venue has both standing and sitting room. Bar and concert hall are somewhat divided, and there is a cover for concerts (usually $10-$15). Service with the bartenders was great, I'd definitely visit again to see some local talent or go for happy hour! read more

Amsterdam Bar & Hall - Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Amsterdam is a pretty cool place to go. I haven't had the pleasure of going for a show yet but I hear it's a decent venue for smaller shows. The layout of the bar is cool and it's nice that you can hang out at the bar without going back into the concert space. Service has always been friendly when I've gone. It's a bar so don't expect table service, just head up to the bar to order. I haven't gotten around to trying anything on the menu yet but I've heard decent things about the food. I mostly go for the cool atmosphere and cheap drink options. I'll definitely be back, especially during the summer when I can ride my bike into downtown more easily! read more

Went for The Moth. Easy to get in; we parked in the garage and it came right out by the hall. Food is super reasonably priced and good. Fries were large and tasty. We loved the gravy! They have a lot of choices on tap and have a variety of signature cocktails. Food was a little slow coming out but it was a lot of people all at once. I was impressed with how well and quickly they got thru the drink/food ordering both early and during intermission. And the experience with storytelling was also excellent. Casual ambiance. read more

Amsterdam Bar & Hall - Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

I was here for The Current's MN Music Month celebration, seems fair they encouraged us to come early and get food since we were all free ticket winners. I could see from other reviews that I would have to try the fries. I added a Cajun shrimp sandwich, both exceeded expectations. These were not breaded & fried shrimp, but perfectly cooked ( I am guessing from fresh) and plump and genuinely spicy. It came with a lot of fresh greens and delicious pickles. The fries are fantastic and a big enough portion to share. The bartenders in the main restaurant area were kept busy on this Friday night. The system set up for food orders probably helps them cope- you get a number, and keep an eye on the counter by the kitchen for when your number comes up, and then pick it up and take it where you need to be. In my case, that was a spot where I could see the bands though I should have been closer for good video. However, closer would not have allowed for eating; it surely would have been knocked out of my hand by the dancing crowd. The sound was fine further back though, about as good as I have heard in any similar size venue. The gender neutral bathrooms are decorated with graffiti to look sort of divey, but they are clean and everything else is just a bit too classy to really get that dive feel so it comes across more fun and casual. And that's fine by me. I also appreciate that the parking garage is directly connected to the entrance. That gives a woman on her own a little more safety but is probably even more important in Minnesota winters. read more

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Great venue for music. We had a great time and vibes were fun. The bar service was friendly and efficient. Parking is a little annoying, but that's because I always hunt for cheaper, further away parking spots. I didn't try the food, but heard the fries wee delicious. I would definitely come again. read more

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Who would have thought that Amsterdam could produce such awesome wings. We went there for a concert, but then I got a little hungry. The wings were fresh and extremely hot (temperature-wise) so I had to wait for it to cool down. The wait felt like forever but it was worth it. I am not complaining because no one should ever complain about the temperature of wings unless it is cold. The patio was a little small but it provided for a more intimate setting which promotes engaging with others. read more

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I've been to Amsterdam a few times, usually for concerts. I really like that the concert space and the bar/restaurant area can be divided, plus there's plenty of space on each side. You can usually get a pretty decent view of the stage from most areas on the floor/concert side, & can still hear the music from the restaurant. My friends and I were drinking beers while watching the concert & I didn't love that the cups are small & flimsy. For an $8 beer, I would've expected a normal sized cup. The bartenders were also really not attentive, even when the concert was in full swing & the bar lines were empty (it felt like they were purposely ignoring us waiting at the counter, til someone would say something to them & they begrudgingly took our order). We didn't end up trying any of the food, but maybe next time. In all, this place is decent for a concert, but not somewhere I'd really go again just to hang out. read more

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First time visiting here for a concert. I loved how there's a parking ramp connected to the entrance which is perfect as we enter the winter months. It's a small intimate venue perfect for smaller bands/groups. They did have alcohol and food to buy but I didn't buy either. Also only saw the bathroom doors but didn't enter. The stage/bar area are nicely separated. The small staff interaction was nice. Would visit again for a concert! In downtown so you can definitely check out other places. read more

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Wow! This place is great and I cannot wait to go back! Went here for a concert and the sound is really good, lots of space as well. We had some chips and some adult drinks. They all tasted wonderful and were decently priced. They also have one of my favorite beers in nitro, summitt oatmeal stout!!! Parking is either on street or ramp, all very accessible. I will definitely be back!! read more

Amsterdam Bar & Hall - a row of beer taps - Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Cool place I've been to a few times. The service seemed unfriendly and short with us... a bit off. That always makes me not want to go back. The beers were good, but they don't keep a tab open for you. Frites (fries) were meh. Small space but connects to a stage with shows. read more

Very cool intimate concert venue. Wasn't sure what to expect when we snagged tickets for Seaforth, one of our favorite bands. We wouldn't quite tell how big or small the area would be and what the overall vibe would be. The bar and the concert space are somewhat divided and I loved the intimate space by the stage. With a designated bar for concert go-ers. We all liked our beers and drinks and so enjoyed the concert. Already planning our next concert here this summer! read more

Amsterdam Bar & Hall - Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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This is a really underrated spot which ticks a lot of boxes. Craft beer (local and imports), live music (the sound has been really good on the shows I've seen there), friendly service, small but interesting food menu, and a unique space that is basically a large rectangle so you can see the band from anywhere in the place. Nice location in downtown Saint Paul on a corner ok Wabasha Street. Pretty easy to find a street metered parking spot nearby unless there is an event at the Xcel Energy Center, RiverCenter, or Ordway. Located a short walk from all those places, so also a good spot for pre- or post- food or drinks. read more

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Had a really really fun time at this bar for a friends band show. There's a restaurant section where you can order food and drinks but there's also a blocked off area when there's a live show. There's a wide floor area for standing and then chairs off to the side. I ordered my usual, a whisky sour, and it cost me $7 which I feel like is pretty on par for the area. We also ordered food and I thought the fries were really good. They placed onions on top of the fries which didn't stick at all so it was a little odd but the dipping sauces were good and the fries were really good, would definitely get them again. read more

Amsterdam Bar & Hall - a band on stage - Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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My first time here for a concert and I had such a great time. Definitely a great place to host an intimate concert. Nice and open bar area with reasonable pricing. They do serve food too but I didn't get a chance to try out their menu. read more

Amsterdam Bar & Hall - Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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The fries here were bomb and the happy hour deals are a steal! Happy hour everyday from 4-6pm! Do yourself a favor and try the Kwak that they have on tap! It was truly something else! read more

Amsterdam Bar & Hall - Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

I've been to this place 3 times and the food is great every time I come here. For bar service, I've never been that pleased. Not sure if they get a lot of riff raff coming through, but they don't seem to be in the best of moods. Order the wings, as they are dynamite!!! I think if the staff was friendlier it would be a 5 star place. Love the fact that they have live music and are so close to the Xcel and Palace and we will generally come here before shows. read more

Amsterdam Bar & Hall - Cook Line - Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Grabbed a drink here before a recent show at the Fitzgerald Theater. Hadn't been in years - ambiance was still cool, bartender was very friendly. Would stop again if we're in the neighborhood for another event! read more

First time here and it was for a show. I didn't get any food but I got some drinks. Spendy for what the drinks were but they were good. Service was quick when approaching the bar. read more

Amsterdam Bar & Hall - Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Inaugural visit Tuesday to catch a gig. I appreciated that there was a $6/evening pay lot across the street since all the meters were taken. I didn't realize it was happy hour... til 6... half price beers! Beers without an asterisk, which that was only making three ineligible. Being a craft beer fan I appreciated the variety of taps. I also discussed the cocktails w bartender Chris, who was friendly and extremely helpful w my selections. I liked that there were several regular tables, booths and high top tables, I like having options. There was a large selection of games near the back of the bar. Despite being intrigued by the Raspberry Beret I opted to take the beer route, so I knew how much alcohol I was getting in to. I'll admit... upon entering Amsterdam... nostalgia hit me.... as I thought: this reminds me of Station 4!! Which I chatted up friendly Alex, the Venue Door Keeper, who said a guy recently came in exclaiming "hey, this is the old Station 4" ha. I didn't eat while there but as my buddy in the band said: one of the reasons they like this venue is that the kitchen is open all night. I didn't venture out but they did have a patio. I appreciated that they had the a/c pumping and not just swinging the doors open. I like that the two bathrooms are gender neutral. On to the venue room for the show! I picked a spot in between the several ceiling fans that kept the room comfortably cool!! No complaints here. Would prefer needing a hoodie vs sweating. I really enjoyed my first experience @ Amsterdam. From the beer, the service, the ambiance, just the whole experience. Certainly looking forward to my next stop in, thanks Amsterdam! read more

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Me and my boyfriend went to a micro show here. The vibe was cool and it had a good feel. The music was something new but definitely enjoyed myself. The food was okay, sufficed for what it was. The ordering system is a bit out of place but if it works for them great. The wait was a bit long but I'm sure it was due to the event. But I would most certainly go back for a beer or two read more

Amsterdam Bar & Hall - a burger and fries - Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Stopped here for a beer after a hockey game across the street. Great location and enjoyed the Alt 80s tunes. The menu was a bit light, so I decided to get a beer. I was stoked they had Karmeliet tripel. I was a bit less impressed with the size of the pour and the 15 dollar charge that came with it. Oh well. read more

It's like being in Amsterdam without the time change or airplanes. Funny thing is that I've attended multiple events here that we're awesome! I saw a punk rock band from Japan - Shonen Knife & even a Ramone! Another time I listened to stories for The Moth. Once I even just had drinks here. Always a good time! On top of all of the wonderful events they host they have good drinks and great food too! Frites! Get the frites! You get to choose your dipping sauce, oh yeah! Plus they're only $3 at happy hour! The Dutch sandwiches are tasty too! So many choices! So many you have to keep going back to try them all. Just do it! There will be something on their calendar you'll want to experience! read more

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We were in Minnesota for the weekend for a wedding and decided to explore on Friday night. This bar was walking distance from our hotel so we said why not! The bar itself is awesome looking. They have tall ceilings and a bunch of bottles lined all the way to the top. I love the chalkboard menu too. It's a cool look and it was easy to read everything. They had a bouncer carding at the door and it was packed in here! They had live music, rock-like and they were pretty good. Only thing was it was hard to order drinks because it was so loud. Our bar tender seemed like he would have preferred not to be there but he got us our drinks quick so I guess you win some, you lose some. They had a good selection of beers on tap but whiskey was our go-to that night. Because it was loud and crowded, our group grabbed our drinks and found some seats at their tables outside on their little patio. The seating was open and pretty communal. I'd say you could probably fit like 25 people out their comfortably. Another thing that took away from our experience was that a random guy was sitting a few seats down from me and ended up hassling me for money. I only had a dollar cash on me so I gave it to him. I'm not sure if that's a common occurrence and I'm absolutely willing to help someone out in need, but the situation was a bit awkward. No one from the bar came outside to check on anyone for more drinks so we ended up leaving after the one. I was pretty bummed because I love bars with live music! Maybe next time. read more

Amsterdam Bar & Hall - Bar - Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Visited here for 1 show, super intimate venue in a much larger room than the size of the crowds. Really easy parking and a really straightforward venue overall. read more

Dark and vibey spot right by palace theatre so perfect spot to grab a drink and a bite before the show. This place is so dang COLD. I froze the whole time and so dress accordingly on cold days. Everyone was wearing jackets and winter hats - not sure if that's a normal thing or not but just a warning. The food we got really impressed me! I loved their chicken drummies - perfectly crisp with yummy sauces - will definitely get that again & you MUST get the pork slider....BOMB! Cheers friends. read more

Another great happy hour! I had read about the fries (frites) at Amsterdam Bar and being a lover of fries, a stop here was on my list. The perfect opportunity presented itself when I had a work meeting in St Paul. My friend and "work spouse" is also a fries fanatic and foodie so it was a date. We had already checked out their menu and the pictures on Yelp. We arrived just after they opened, found a table and ordered at the bar. We ordered the frites, muscles and the loempias. My friend couldn't decide between the fresh mint tea and french press coffee so she ordered them both. How about that combination of drinks with frites and muscles! Food came out pretty quickly. The frites were very good. Fresh cut and the onions were a nice compliment. For our sauces we had the garlic herb mayo, honey sambal and siracha mayo. We enjoyed them all with our favs being the garlic and siracha. The muscles were good. I thought they could have used some more garlic, but there were also tasty. Same for the loempias. Crispy and light on the outside. Dipped in the honey sambal was perfect. My friend really liked the french press coffee. The fresh mint tea was actually fresh mint leaves with hot water. Refreshing. Our entire bill was barely $20. Fantastic happy hour deal! Their brunch really looks good as I am a fan of hash. Hopefully we'll be back soon to try that. Amsterdam Bar is in a great location within walking distance of the Xcel, theaters and venues in St Paul. read more

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Cool eco-friendly bar/concert space! This area of St Paul is so beautiful, I imagine this is a nice place to enjoy happy hour on the patio when the weather is cooperating. We came here for last night and arrived early to eat. If you're here for a show and you aren't a fan of standing for 4 hours I recommend getting there early because there are a few spots to sit against the back wall! We got lucky with those seats before it filled up. My husband got the buffalo chicken Bitterballen; we didn't know what they were - still don't - but they were pretty tasty, good amount of heat and came with a house made ranch dip. They were like fried dough balls but the center was soft and creamy like a mashed potato sort of? No clue! I got fries which are topped with raw onion and offer a large variety of dipping sauces to choose from! My favorite thing about this place was their sustainability effort. They had a memo at the bottom of the menu that mentioned that they don't use plastic straws and the food was served in biodegradable paper trays, dips served in paper cups, bitterballen served with wooden toothpick instead of plastic fork, etc. I LOVED that and wish more places would do this! My only gripe making this 4 instead of 5 stars is that during the show I wanted a glass of water so when I got to the bar there were 13 people in front of me and I had to stand there for more than 25 minutes... I basically missed one performers entire set which was really disappointing - during events they need to have more than 1 bartender. They were busy and also slow-moving which was a frustrating combo... But overall I'd come back! read more

Amsterdam Bar & Hall - Buffalo chicken Bitterballen (sorry for the grainy pic, low light in there) - Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Had a great experience checking out this bar which offers multiple authentic Holland and Belgium beers and spirits. Coming off a trip recently to Amsterdam I was super excited they offered Kwok beer on top even in the authentic glass. They offered Bols Oude and New Genever which I can promise you is hard to find. If you are craving an authentic beer, check this place out ASAP. Losing a star because the food options were never even shown to me and the bartender was not knowledgeable at all about what they offered. read more

Amsterdam Bar & Hall - Kwok - Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Amsterdam Frites.... Large.... With onions.... Were expecting some carmelized or something a little more than just chopped up raw onions sprinkled over cold fries... meh read more

Amsterdam Bar & Hall - Amsterdam Frites - Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

I work pretty close to this establishment so I've been here several times for work happy hours and hanging out before Wild games. I have to give a quick disclaimer in that this place does live music, and I love live music, which is why I'm giving 5 stars. Food is about 4 stars. Their fries (frites) and wings (kippenbout) are really, really good. I haven't tried their burgers but I've heard "good, not great." The sauces for the fries are great but they don't give you much and make you pay for extra. Happy hour is where this place shines. 2-6pm mon-Friday. Heinekens, Amstels, and rail's are all 2 for 1s (they give you a token for your second drink). Good deals on wings and fries. What gives this place 5 stars for me is that they are THE place for underground, local acts. They have 2 stages - one near the bar for smaller / open mike type events, and another bigger stage behind the curtain for true concert performances. This is also the place to be for smaller upcoming national acts (saw The Dangerous Summer here). If a band isn't big enough to fill the Palace, this is the next stop. At the end of the day, it's a dive bar. Don't come here for nice drinks or great food. But they're a dive bar with top notch entertainment - that's what gives it 5 stars for me. read more

Amsterdam Bar & Hall - Minnesota Wild pregame! - Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Nice venue to see and hear music. Gaining entrance is a little odd, but the acoustics are great and the staff are friendly. Kitchen isn't maybe big enough (?) to handle pre concert rush but food is good and beer menu is interesting in a good way. Seating for performance was mostly folding chairs and a few high tables and chairs to the sides of the stage. Some large booths near the bar look accommodating for a big group but aren't worth sitting in if you're there to see an act. Nice addition to the entertainment scene in St. Paul down. read more

Ok, I will admit that this was not my choice venue before a concert at the Ordway but with the Elf-loving families flooding the area, it was an excellent choice! They offered a Sunday brunch menu-I'm glad I tried the Himalayan Cream Hash. The homemade sausage was perfectly seasoned in this dish. I wasn't sure what to expect but the bartender/server Nelson was awesome. Just belly on up to the bar, place your order & take your placard to a table. read more

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Terrible service. I pointed the hair in my food and they didn't help me in any way. Not happy about it.

Went here to see my buddy's band play, which was great. However, I missed about half of the show waiting for the bartenders to serve me. After 20 mins of waiting, I ended up paying for a $16 "double" vodka soda which tasted like water. Thought I was getting scammed. The people waiting with me were also clearly annoyed with the service. I understand it's busy for the live music nights, but it seemed like the bartenders were trained to ignore specific parts of the bar. Other than the wait time, it had a cool atmosphere and I enjoyed the music. Just come with a pregame buzz if you plan on going. read more

If you want delicious burgers and fries this is the place. They have some of the best fries in St. Paul (especially with the garlic herb mayo) and a pretty good burger as well. Their sandwiches are slider sized but filling, and their lunch special is a great deal - $7 for a slider, fries, and non-alcoholic drink. It's the perfect lunch spot if you work downtown, and they also have a pretty decent brunch and happy hour. Additionally they do a ton of shows so it is a great place for live music and a few drinks on the weekend. It is great for groups as long as they don't have an event going on since they have a ton of room. The ambiance is deceptively cosy - I've been here by myself, in small groups, and in groups of upwards of 10. I have been here more times then I can count for lunch and HH so I wanted to address some of the other reviews. At the end of the day this is a bar, and a bar that is purposefully staying in that weird niche above divey but still very hipstery but not quite reaching trendy. The food is not fine cuisine, it is bar food, very delicious bar food, but bar food all the same. The menu is also a bit strange with options from all over the world and has some oddities for sure. The bacon sandwich, for example, is literally just bread, sauce, and bacon, but it is delicious. read more

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Punk rock atmosphere with a drink selection to impress. Great place to visit if you're pre-gaming a concert or Wild game. They even host shows themselves often enough! I take a bit of an issue with the food selection because the menu is limited. If you want a burger AND fries, the sandwich does not come with fries, you have to order them additionally. However, both the sandwich (King's Coronary) and fries were delicious. Overall, I would recommend and I will consider it when I venture over to St. Paul again. read more

Ok this is a pretty sweet venue. It has an intimate feel yet still has a good amount of space to accommodate a crowd. I always like the local acts that play here, which really helps me feel like I'm still hip and "with it". The space is cool, they have a bar with a beautiful liquor shelving backdrop, great chalk menu/art, a small stage next to the bar, tables, booths, and then an attached show room with a stage and some seating around the perimeter. I came here last Sunday night, and for 20 bucks I got hours of entertainment (local bands) + a rail drink ($5) + a domestic beer. Not too shabby for a random Sunday funday! I'm still not sure if I understand their food concept - let's just say it's "worldly" with options ranging from poutine to curry to shwarma to cajun shrimp to dutch specialties. Yeah, no clue. But their Amsterdam fries can't be beat - superb seasoning and lots of dips to choose from. Bonus: free STP street parking on Sundays! read more

Amsterdam Bar & Hall - Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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If you're looking for a bar with live music, I highly recommend Amsterdam Bar & Hall! First and foremost, they have a HUGE selection of tap beer! Plenty of locals along with some great classic options. I was there supporting my boyfriend's coworker's band but it was fun. There was plenty of spaces to sit and listen if that's what you're looking for, or a place to rock out in front of the band. Multiple bars to help make sure everyone gets their adult beverages of choice. I tragically didn't have any food while I was there. But if you're looking for local music and a bar. Hit this place up for sure! I'd love to come back and try their food some time. read more

Saint Paul continues to evolve, and Amsterdam B&G is a great addition to an otherwise nondescript portion of downtown. Consider Amsterdam to be akin to the 331 or Cause over in Minneapolis...and similar bands to frequent the stage. Parking? Park next door in the ramp, you'll have to drive around to 5th Avenue, but you can get validated parking in the bar...so parking is FREE! The venue? Very Open, and well planned. The bar is very expansive, and aesthetically pleasing with a wall of bottles, and a series of booths and tables that provide ample seating should you make it to the venue early enough. If the show is small, you can expect tables in front of the stage, which is nice when it isn't packed The menu is distinctly dutch. A wide assortment of small sandwiches and other appetizers makes it easy to customize according to your appetite. I recommend the Bacon Sandwich and a side of Fries with Sauzen (you can choose two)...add a couple of local St Paul taps, and some nice European beers on the list....you don't have to drink just PBR here! The stage was small and low, and had a intimate feel to it which I really like. The sound was very crisp, and able to take a wide range of sound. I noticed the bass sounded really good in here...and the vocals were not under or over the music. This place has better sound than the Turf Club located over on University. Considering we took in three bands that night for free, I'd say it was better than expected. I like this new venue, and will continue to watch for local bands that play here....it's worth the drive from Minneapolis. read more

Amsterdam Bar & Hall - The White Whales 11/11/11 - Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota