I absolutely love coming to events at the Varsity Theater. It's in the perfect location in dinky town with lots to do before and after a show. I've attended a bunch of concerts here and the atmosphere is chill, fun, and intimate. Bar staff is fast and I like the selection of drinks they offer. Most recently they even had 2 huge jugs of ice water and cups for self service was a huge plus in my opinion. I never have to wait to get into this venue and really have never had a negative experience. read more

See all

We aren't kids, but had a great night dancing in a crowd of them! We had seat tickets in the upstairs balcony just in case we wanted to rest or have a drink. Worth the extra cost. Plus the people up there with us were older. (Not older than us, but older than the kid crowd. ;) Neat venue and area! Would go to another concert here again! read more

My sister and I did VIP experience to meet Shane Smith and the Saints. They checked purses with a drumstick. Even had to open an eyeglasses case and pouch with money. So pretty thorough. Along with a metal detector. The venue was very small. We were in very front on railing next to stage. The bathrooms are really cool upstairs. There is no food served, only chips to buy. I don't drink alcohol but only saw Red Bull offered. There was free water though. The concert was awesome being next to stage. My ears were ringing for awhile as I was going to bed. Guess I'm getting old. We parked for free on a side street a block away. The two opening acts sucked, but Shane Smith and the Saints were phenomenal! read more

See all

First time coming here and as a solo women I felt comfortable! The interior is gorgeous even though you can't really see it during the show. The bathrooms threw me off a bit but I don't mind sharing the sink with the males. There's parking about two blocks away so not too far! Would love to visit back for another concert or event. read more

See all

Me and another girl were peeing in the restroom when an employee told us we had to leave because we puked. Neither of us puked. She wouldn't let us grab our phones from our seats or tell the people we came with that we were being kicked out. Not only was she rude and incorrect, but there was barely anyone in the theater and the music sucked ass. Drinks were expensive. Tickets were not cheap to enter. I will not be going back and would not recommend this place to anyone. read more

I've come to many concerts here and it is great for a smaller venue and lots of restaurants/bars in the surrounding area. It gets pretty packed in here on a sold out show. I was able to upgrade to the balcony chairs at a show last minute and if you have the opportunity you should do it. Great view!!! read more

See all

what the hell; why are you being cheap about everything these days. entry is already 30 fucking dollars

Very funky venue with great sound and atmosphere. I saw an amazing DJ performance by DJ B-Rock for a Daft Punk night and it was fantastic! Will be back again. Also- very beautiful bathrooms (random, but true!) read more

Really nice music venue. The acoustics here are amazing! You get a real intimate performance with artist you're seeing. It's a definitely a hidden gem in the booming Twin Cities live music scene. read more

Varsity Theater - a band performing on stage at a concert - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

See all

so many fab concerts i cannot count--- maybe a nye brandi carlisle? great venue!! no food tried, ambiance-- def equipped for us "super fans" haha ;p read more

Saw Chris Fleming here and while they were amazing, I did not like this venue. My pet peeve is when people don't believe that I'm 25 and refuse to give me proper identification that will allow me have alcoholic beverages. Bartender refused to look at me after he realized I didn't have a wristband and when I asked where to get said wristbands, literally no one knew. After feeling like a brat and bugging a woman at the entrance i got my wristband (i couldn't back down at this point, it's the principal) BUT not before she looked me up and down and doubted the legitimacy of my ID. And then my 2 drinks were $30 which is wiiiiild. The place itself is really cool architecturally and i'm sure all these people are nice it was probably just an off night, but that disorganization was messy asf read more

One of the best venues in the Twin Cities. The bathrooms, as everyone always says, are great. The sound quality at shows is good. The bar staff is kind and helpful. A fun place to see a more intimate show. read more

Not to be confused with Mental Sparsity, which is when you're dumb AF and believe Fox News crap. One of those beautiful old theatres that dominates the area and is spectacular on the outside and spectacular on the inside. I only wish that I could play my Minneapolis concerts here instead of some of the Suburban crappy places that I have performed. But I don't have enough fans in Minneapolis to warrant that I guess. Nevertheless this is one of those gorgeous theatres and could not be more perfect. It's been well preserved and yet they kept it looking old which I guess isn't really a choice considering how howling and severe the cold weather is around here. You could jazz up the outside and after two winters it would look 27 years old again or something. read more

Varsity Theater - So vars so good - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

What a little gem. Intimate venue. First time at this spot seeing Wild Rivers. Huge fan of absolutely everything. Get there.

Beautiful music watching Citizen Cope. But I am reviewing the venue and NOT the music or artists that preform there. We were waiting for our Uber to arrive at the entrance inside the venue as it was snowing heavily, and the venue staff began to get aggressive and demand that unless we were in line to purchase merch we had to wait outside. Half our group didn't have coats and I started to converse with Heidi Harren (general manager at varsity theatre) who was talking to me and I asked for a business card, which she gave me and was reasonable and nice to me. But Minneapolis police interrupted the exchange and put their hands on my chest and began to force me out of the door whilst personally insulting me. Maybe that is how it is done here, but I completely disagree with it. read more

Varsity Theater - Business card of GM from varsity theatre. - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

A nice mid sized venue that's really easy to navigate. Right in the middle of Dinkytown. Seen many shows here and will always be pleased when another is here! read more

Saw x ambassadors and it was awesome! Staff was great and polite bartender was awesome and they had a table of water for everyone at the end of the show. Pick one up on your way out. We had Balcony seats which were just bar stools in the upstairs area. It was gated off and they checked tickets there for your seat. It was too tightly compacted in my opinion but breathable. The bar is upstairs. The bathrooms are also upstairs, only one set. One entrance for both male and female and shared washing area. It has a seated area by the sinks that you can also order at the bar from. The bathrooms were fine, cool aesthetics but nothing mind blowing. Felt like a jungle. Overall would definitely recommend this venue. The show felt really intimate read more

Venue staff was a letdown for me. Had us outside in hail and downpour for over 40minutes.

I think that the Varsity Theater is a very cool venue for some types of events. It is really unique and funky looking, and I could see how it would be an awesome place to host a wedding reception or private party. It could also be a cool place to see a comedy show or a play or even some kind of acoustic music. But my No. 1 complaint was that the particular event we were attending (a very electric guitar driven event) seemed to be a bit too much for the acoustics system. That said, that was just my perception, and we were seated up in the upstairs mezzanine area and not down on the floor. We had friends who were down on the floor that said they thought the sound was fine, so I guess take it for what it is. Beverage-wise, the selection was good and prices are pretty par for the course. Since we were upstairs, there were fewer people, and we even had a friendly bar host named Todd who brought our first few rounds to us before things got too busy. I will say that if you're going to offer table service, that's awesome, but if the person upstairs is working solo and becomes too busy to continue table service as the show progresses, I'm not sure it's a great idea. Or you should at least warn people that they will probably have to come to the bar for their later rounds. Whatever. I was very pleased with the entrance staff. Unlike so many venues, people were actually using their brains. As doors open time approached, a gentleman came down the line carding folks and handing out wristbands to speed up the entry process. He was very helpful answering questions and exercised a lot more patience than I would have facing some of our more unruly and indecisive fellow concert-goers. They were very vigilant about making sure you had a mezzanine pass to gain entrance upstairs as well. And of course the bathroom -- what a crazy bathroom! It was kind of like stepping into Alice and Wonderland. I almost expected a talking caterpillar. As many have said, the boys and girls rooms are together in the same place, though once you enter, it's boys on one side and girls on the other, so it's not like you are "going" in a true co-ed environment. Even if you don't have to go, you should go check out the bathroom anyway. It's that cool. Parking in Dinkytown was a nightmare and it was a Tuesday! Be sure to leave yourself extra time. read more

Varsity Theater - The sink area in the crazy cool bathroom. - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I have been to this venue twice. The first time I went was about 2 years ago. It's was really good staff was amazing but the second the show ended they immediately kicked everybody out. After the shows they don't let you use the bathroom so you have to go across the street to "Frank & Andrea's restaurant". The second time I was there was last night. Now I'm on a knee scooter because I broke my ankle. They told me, the person I was with and another man in a wheel chair that we will be moved to the front of the line and we will be brought to the "Ada section". There was no Ada section. It was right next to the barricade. We were placed against the barricade and we had to be in a single file line. They did give us chairs but we couldn't see due to the pit being directly to the right of us. I was in the front and had to lean forward to see. I don't know if the man behind me could see or not but the venue is not good for people with mobility problems. This is the view I got from leaning forward. read more

Varsity Theater - The view from the "Ada section" - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Cool venue! We came here for a private party! Nice bar area, several nice local beer selections, including several from local craft brewer - Surly Brewing Co. The restrooms in this place are pretty rad - be sure to check them out! read more

See all

Have been here for a couple of venues... most recently for a boss' retirement party which was really well done...and another for a concert for Marie Digby a few years ago...remember her? I really enjoy this venue...and such an awesome one to boot near the U of M! read more

solid little place, any artist you can get fairly close to while on stage. Good ventilation, bathrooms are black. city curfew was kind of a let down, I thought the show should have went later read more

I had a great time at the show. We watched citizen cope but the minute we got done and were waiting in the midst of some bad weather the staff that worked there had no patience with us and started passing very personal comments to why we should leave and wait out in the snow and then the police stationed there started physically pushing us out saying we had " intent to linger." Thoroughly bad experience with the staff! The police were literally pushing my friend out as he was in the middle of receiving a business card from the manager Heidi Harren. Drinks were way too overpriced too! read more

Beautiful venue in Dinkytown. Came for the music, NoW, stayed for the bathrooms. Acoustics were great and friendly bartenders. I would definitely come back if another act I liked came thru here. Highly recommended to check out the this place at least once read more

Varsity Theater is located in the heart of Dinkytown on the University of Minnesota campus. At night, it's lit up in lights and you can't help but want to come to a show here when you pass by. I have been to several different shows here and I have had a spectacular time no matter what artist or band I've seen here. The venue is small and intimate, but that is all a part of its charm. If you get close enough to the stage, it honestly feels like you're a part of the performance. The lights, the acoustics, the energy...everything creates such a magical atmosphere. Even their bathroom upstairs feels like a unicorn could come prancing through at any moment! This place comes alive with music and it's such a local treat. Tickets to shows here are never unreasonable, the drinks at the bar are great, and it's certainly the perfect spot to sing your heart out and dance the night away. Parking may be a little difficult, but if you make a few loops, you can find free parking in the nearby neighborhoods! Come jam out at this delightful venue! read more

I am no longer of a younger age, so I didn't know what to expect. Essentially the chairs to sit in are horrible and so tightly together there is no room to breathe at all. They aren't true theater chairs, nor are they folding chairs, but rather wicker type chairs with wood backing and a round bottom that people would carry around and place in rows. There are some comfortable couches on each side but those went fast. So essentially a stage, uncomfortable chairs, a bar and a weird upstairs restroom where Men go to the left and Women to the right with a community sink in between. We were squished together like sausages, and it was so hot in the place I felt like I was going to pass out. We had to leave early, and essentially a waste of money and an evening out. read more

Saw my all time favorite band here The Olivia Tremor Control! It was one of my favorite nights/shows ever! They invited me up on stage to sing with them! It was so amazing! The venue is quite amazing as well! Really good sound, great sight lines, and some of the coolest, most unique restrooms I have ever seen not only in a rock n roll club but anywhere! They host everything from weddings, to corporate events, to concerts! I have only ever been here for a concerts but can imagine this awesome space being really beautiful for a wedding or other shindig! The Twin Cities are pretty lucky they have so many amazing music venues, and this one ranks up with the best of the best in the country! read more

Varsity Theater - Me on stage with Bill Doss of the Olivia Tremor Control! - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

What a fun venue! My girlfriend and I attended a stand up show here. We were both awed by this venue. The outside has a retro look and the inside is unique and has a intimate atmosphere. While we were waiting in line, the doorman was promoting the bathroom for first time visitors. I never heard anyone hype up a bathroom... Needless to say, the hype is warranted. It was pretty cool. We had seats in row K. We had a good view of the stage and the performer. I think every seat would have a good view of the stage. Whether you sat in the back or up on the balcony. The drinks were $7. Small damage to the wallet. I would definitely come back here for future events! read more

My brother and I took our friends here for The Donnas. The seats along the sides were cool and the sound was fantastic. It has a small feeling to it, but I think it could fit a thousand people in there. You can get a good dinner around there in Dinkytown and the area is really cool. read more

This is a true gem in our city to see music at! It updated so beautifully, but keeps the old school feel. An example is the outside Varsity sign, where the artist are still posted by hand with black lettering. Inside is a chill vibe with low lighting, couches, and It also gives way to a bit of fancy, with chandeliers and a world class bathroom. All I'm going to say is, you have to see it for yourself to understand! I have seen many shows here over the years and the cost is always reasonable. I just say a show last week for $15! Tickets are general admissions, so it's first come first serve. Honestly, no matter here you are in this venue, the view is great. Even if you are standing back by the bar, it's an awesome view. I prefer to go towards the front, but good luck trying to get a drink or go to the restroom and find your way back! I always imagine how this place would make an excellent venue for a wedding, anniversary or party of some kind for music lovers! read more

Awesome venue that always gets great energy for live concerts. The Varsity does not have the best audio setup and if it gets busy there is a struggle to get around. But I always have a great time if its a live concert, a wedding or air guitar championships My best friend had his wedding reception here and it was the best ever. They set it up like an old movie theater and was very entertaining. read more

I really liked this venue. I've lived in Mn for most of my life this was the first haven't had a chance to go here. read more

See all

The Varsity definitely has plenty of character and charm. Admittedly, their usual bookings don't have me yearning to get here as often as I'd like, but it's still a pretty great venue. My visits here have always been for GA shows, but the Varsity books a pretty broad variety of private and public events, so your experiences may vary. That said, the GA events have always been a bit packed, but it's hard to fault them for trying to maximize a modestly-sized venue. Event staff have always been very friendly and the overall ambiance is great (and yes, so are the bathrooms, as others have noted). Definitely a unique venue and one worth returning to. read more

I LOVE this venue! We recently saw The Lone Bellow here and LOVED the concert - reasonably priced, great sound system (without blaring so you can actually hear people talk), and cool feel to the concert hall. Great seating up in the balcony and along with sides of the hall, so everyone gets a great view and overall experience. Cool ambiance with the funkiest bathrooms you'll ever see in your life. Good bar. Worth seeing shows here - two thumbs up! BOO on the massive mark up for buying your tickets on line, so minus one star for that for the surcharge. But overall, great place. read more

On Saturday (9/23/23) I went to the Daft Punk Dance Night here at Varsity. I was extremely excited to go and dance to music of one of my favorite bands ever!! And it meant so much more as the band is now broken up. To my (and the rest of the crowds) dismay, the DJ did less than a subpar job. I have the understanding that the set list was to include music from other artists and bands. There was one song I heard by Daft Punk, and it was maybe 1.5 minutes of the song. The other beats were okay, but between each song transition was reminiscent of feedback noise/something like blenders and vacuum noises/far from tasteful music. During the transitions, crowdmembers stopped dancing (which the dancing was low energy to start due to the nature of the music and atmosphere set by the DJ) and stared at each other. It was painful. Myself and I'm sure many, many others are disappointed to say the least. I saw people leaving by groups of 2-6 individuals. I've been to shows at Varsity before and I'm not sure I will be returning read more

J was here last friday for a concert and I'm in a wheelchair. There is a ramp in at the main doors which I thought was awesome. When the doors opened for the concert, I got my lanyard and a poster and couldn't hold everything. No one offered to help except someone who said I can roll it up and tuck it beside me. I was patted down and had the wand waved, no issues there. After that a very nice woman in a cool colored robe like cardigan (I didn't catch her name) asked if I needed any accommodations on the floor. She assisted me to a bathroom that was upstairs. My wheelchair fit fine on the elevator, but I don't think it would be big enough for a power chair. There are two "accessible" bathrooms upstairs but there was only one that I could fit into with my wheelchair; the door wouldn't close on the first "accessible" stall. Nonetheless, it was an amazing night and I would definitely come back. read more

When you come to a show here, do not expect to find any free seating where you can see the stage. General admission standing room only means just that. There used to be sofas on elevated platforms lining both sides of the floor that were available first come first served, but all seating is now priced as an upgrade to your ticket. The theater is now owned by Live Nation, and it appears they are monetizing all amenities. This includes water, as I was unable to get a free glass of water as I can at every other bar/live music venue in town. They had water bottles for purchase only. You can get a barstool on the balcony for $20 or a seat on the elevated sofas on the main floor for $40. What's next? Pay toilets? read more

The Varsity is beautiful. I've gone to a number of events at the varsity and the staff has always been more than pleasant. Even the service at the bar was quick, which isn't always the case in this neighborhood. But to what everyone actually cares about: THE BATHROOM. The can, the loo, whatever you call it, who cares because the varsity has the best one. It is so beautiful. I love the individual stalls with real doors, the rocks surrounding them, its all just so whimsical. I can't even attempt to describe it further go see it for yourself. But, remember to push gently with your foot to turn the faucet on. You'll thank me. read more

I was here for Todrick Hall. The staff were all so kind and patient even when things weren't very organized they made sure to get things in order. Great show. Great staff. read more