What First Avenue & the 7th St. Entry does

First Avenue & the 7th St. Entry is a privately held, independently owned live entertainment operator headquartered at 701 1st Avenue North, Minneapolis, operating a portfolio of seven Twin Cities venues under unified brand management: First Avenue (the flagship Mainroom since 1970, ~1,550 capacity, in the 1937 art deco former Greyhound depot), 7th St Entry (intimate ~250 capacity side room), Fine Line and MPLS CPAC (Minneapolis), and Palace Theatre, Fitzgerald Theater, and Turf Club (St. Paul). Adjacent food and beverage operations are run through The Depot Tavern (opened 2010) and Palace Pub. The organization books over 1,000 shows annually across the portfolio and also promotes events at other independent venues in Minnesota.

Revenue is generated through five primary streams: (1) ticket sales via the AXS ticketing platform and in-person box offices at the two bars, (2) food and beverage across venue bars and the two taverns, (3) recurring membership subscriptions across three tiers (Star at $99/year, Gold at $349, Platinum at $999 — the latter two sold out for 2026) providing presale access, free tickets, and discounts, (4) merchandise sales (apparel, branded glassware, Brickmania LEGO sets, stoneware mugs, books), and (5) private event rentals and venue tours. A January 2026 two-year exclusive THC beverage partnership with BLNCD and Foundry Nation has been layered into the bar programs across all venues. Customer segments are diversified across concert-going consumers, local and touring artists, private event bookers, and hospitality patrons, with no single named enterprise anchor.

The technical stack is conventional and non-proprietary: L-Acoustics XLC line-array sound (installed 2012), AXS as the third-party ticketing and live-event technology partner (in place since 2021, renewed June 2026), standard e-commerce for merchandise, and email/SMS marketing. There is no mobile app, no public API, and no disclosed AI/ML capability. The organization owns the venue real estate (the historic Greyhound depot was purchased out of bankruptcy-era lease in 2000) and operates with 101–250 employees under owner Dayna Frank and General Manager Nathan Kranz. The operating footprint is concentrated entirely in the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro; geographic expansion is not signaled, though the brand holds national cultural significance anchored by the 1984 Purple Rain film and Pollstar top-100 rankings.

Name

First Avenue & the 7th St. Entry

Legal name

First Avenue

Website

https://first-avenue.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

First Avenue & the 7th St. Entry is an independent Minneapolis-based live entertainment operator running seven music venues and two bars across the Twin Cities, generating revenue from ticket sales, food and beverage, recurring memberships, merchandise, and private events, serving concert-going consumers, touring and local artists, and private event bookers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Music Venues

NAICS

Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410), Restaurants and Other Eating Places (72251)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Nightclub & Small Live Venue Operations (Clubs, Bars with Stages) (MPAGALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Live Music Venues & Concert Bars (THAFAEAD), Event Operations & Venue Services (Box Office, FOH/BOH, Concessions) (MPAIAFAL)

Keywords

• Live music venues
• Concert ticketing services
• Event venue management
• Music merchandise sales
• Venue membership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling tickets to concerts and events at owned and promoted venues through AXS ticketing platform and in-person sales
2. Food & Beverage: Revenue from The Depot Tavern (next to 7th St Entry), Palace Pub (next to Palace Theatre), and bar service across all venues during shows
3. Membership Programs: Annual membership tiers (Star $99, Gold $349, Platinum $999) providing presale access, free shows, discounts on merchandise and food/drinks
4. Merchandise Sales: Online and in-person merchandise including apparel, drinkware, collectibles, and branded items through the First Avenue shop
5. Venue Tours: Private tours of First Avenue and 7th St Entry for groups of 10-25 people, complimentary for student groups
6. Private Events: Rental of venues for private corporate events, weddings, and special occasions
7. THC Beverage Partnership: Exclusive partnership with BLNCD and Foundry Nation for THC beverage sales across venue portfolio, rolled out January 2026

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

First Avenue & the 7th St. Entry operates a portfolio of seven independent live music venues across Minneapolis and St. Paul (First Avenue, 7th St Entry, Palace Theatre, The Fitzgerald Theater, Fine Line, Turf Club, MPLS CPAC), supporting food and beverage operations at The Depot Tavern and Palace Pub. The organization books more than 1,000 shows annually, sells tickets via AXS and on-site box offices, runs three tiers of paid annual memberships, and offers a branded merchandise line, private venue tours, and event rentals.

Product overview

First Avenue & the 7th St. Entry is a multi-venue independent music entertainment organization operating a portfolio of historic Twin Cities venues. The core offering consists of seven live music venues: First Avenue (the flagship Mainroom since 1970), 7th St Entry (since 1980), Palace Theatre (since 2017), The Fitzgerald Theater (since 1910, acquired 2019), Fine Line (since 1987), Turf Club (since 1945, acquired 2013), and MPLS CPAC. Supporting the venue experience are two restaurants—The Depot Tavern (opened 2010) and Palace Pub—offering food, drinks, and ticket sales. The organization also offers three tiers of annual memberships (Star at $99/year, Gold at $349/year, and Platinum at $999/year) providing presale access, free show tickets, discounts, and exclusive perks. A diverse merchandise line includes Brickmania LEGO models, stoneware mugs, apparel, posters, books, bar kits, and paper models. Additional services include private venue tours and event hosting capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• First Avenue Mainroom The flagship 22,000 square-foot live music venue in Minneapolis, originally a 1937 Greyhound bus depot, famous as the filming location of Prince's Purple Rain and the launching pad for Atmosphere, Hüsker Dü, the Replacements, and Soul Asylum. Hosts national touring acts and serves as the primary large-capacity concert hall.
• 7th St Entry An intimate side-room venue attached to First Avenue, originally opened as Uncle Sam's in 1980. A garage-style space that has served as a breeding ground for local bands and a stepping stone for artists before they headline the Mainroom.
• Palace Theatre A century-old historic theatre in downtown St. Paul, originally a vaudeville theatre (1916) and later a movie theater. Co-operated by First Avenue and Jam Productions since its $15 million renovation and reopening in 2017.
• The Fitzgerald Theater St. Paul's oldest surviving theater space, built in 1910 and purchased by First Avenue in 2019 from Minnesota Public Radio. Hosts Broadway musicals, vaudeville shows, film festivals, and concerts.
• Fine Line A music venue located down the street from First Avenue, originally opened in 1987 and stewarded by First Avenue since 2017/2018. Has hosted thousands of influential acts over its 30-plus year history.
• Turf Club A historic vintage rock club in St. Paul's Midway neighborhood, established in 1945 and purchased by First Avenue in 2013. A constant in the Twin Cities music scene featuring the basement Clown Lounge.
• The Depot Tavern A bar and restaurant opened in June 2010 next door to the 7th St Entry in the historic Greyhound depot building. Features walls with concert photography, live video feeds from the Mainroom and Entry, the signature Diamond Dogs, and serves as an in-person ticket sales location.
• Palace Pub A bar and restaurant located next to the Palace Theatre in downtown St. Paul, open 3PM-1AM Tue-Sat plus event days. Features a fresh menu, craft cocktails, local brews, non-alcoholic and THC options, and serves as an in-person ticket sales location.
• Star Membership Entry-level annual membership at $99/year or $9.99/month. Includes presale access, select free member shows, free admission to Best New Bands, weekly e-newsletter with low ticket alerts, SMS alerts, 10% merchandise discount, 10% off food and drinks at all venues, special member events, and a digital member card.
• Gold Membership Mid-tier annual membership at $349/year (sold out for 2026). Includes all Star benefits plus 2 free tickets each for First Avenue Mainroom, Fine Line, and Turf Club; access to Sightline Member Tables; select free member +1 shows; personalized physical card; members-only gift; members-only WiFi; and giveaways.
• Platinum Membership Top-tier annual membership at $999/year (sold out for 2026). Includes all Gold and Star benefits plus 4 free First Avenue Mainroom tickets, 2 Palace Theatre, 2 Fitzgerald Theater; free 7th St Entry and Turf Club admission +1; free coat check; expedited entry; access to sold-out show tickets; free Halloween and NYE Mainroom admission; and fee freedom on in-person ticket purchases.
• Venue Tours
• Private Event Rentals

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 shows annually across venue portfolio
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BLNCDcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Minnesota-based cannabis beverage brand named as exclusive THC beverage partner for First Avenue's venue portfolio. The two-year partnership spans all First Avenue venues including First Avenue, 7th St Entry, Fine Line, Palace Theatre, Fitzgerald Theater, Turf Club, Palace Pub, and Depot Tavern. Described as one of the most significant long-term THC beverage partnerships in live entertainment.
• Foundry NationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Minnesota-based cannabis beverage brand named as exclusive THC beverage partner alongside BLNCD for First Avenue's venue portfolio. The two-year partnership spans all First Avenue venues and includes rollout of curated THC beverage selection integrated into existing bar programs starting January 2026.
• AXScoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021AXS is the ticketing and live event technology partner for First Avenue. The partnership, originally established in 2021 and renewed in June 2026, provides First Avenue with ticketing platform, technology, and tools while allowing venues to maintain operational independence. The deals reinforce AXS's position as preferred ticketing partner for independent venues.
• Jam ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Co-operator of the Palace Theatre alongside First Avenue since its reopening in 2017. Jam Productions is a major live entertainment company that partners on venue operations.
• Surly Brewing Co.minorOthersLocal Minneapolis craft brewery featured as a sponsor/partner at First Avenue venues
• National Independent Venue Association (NIVA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIVA was founded in March 2020 by Dayna Frank (First Avenue owner) and other independent venue operators to advocate for pandemic relief. The organization successfully campaigned for the Save Our Stages Act which became the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), resulting in $16.25 billion of relief for independent live entertainment. First Avenue owner serves as NIVA president.
• Wild State CiderminorOthersLocal cider brand featured as sponsor at First Avenue venues

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bowery Ballroom: New York City independent music venue (~575 capacity). Comparable as a single-market, indie-operator live music venue focused on emerging and mid-tier touring artists.
• Jam Productions: Chicago-based independent concert promoter and venue operator that co-operates Palace Theatre with First Avenue. Direct operational peer and existing partner with similar independent venue/promotion model.
• Metro Chicago: Long-running Chicago independent music venue with similar capacity (~1,100) and strong artist/brand reputation. Comparable as a single-market, high-prestige independent venue operator.
• The Troubadour: Iconic independent music venue in West Hollywood, CA. Comparable as a long-running, brand-driven independent club of similar capacity (~500) hosting both emerging and established artists.
• 9:30 Club: Iconic Washington D.C. live music venue consistently ranked among the top club venues in the U.S. by Pollstar. Comparable as a high-volume, single-market independent venue operator.
• Tipitina's: Historic New Orleans music venue and cultural landmark. Comparable as an independently operated, regionally significant live music institution with deep community ties and brand recognition.
• Music Hall of Williamsburg: Brooklyn-based live music venue (~1,500 capacity). Comparable as a single-market, high-output independent venue operator in a major U.S. metro.

Broad incumbents

• The Fillmore: Historic San Francisco venue now operated by Live Nation as part of a national portfolio. Comparable as a similarly historic venue, but operates under a scaled national owner rather than independently.
• House of Blues: Multi-city music venue and entertainment brand owned by Live Nation. Comparable in offering live music experiences with integrated F&B, but operates nationally rather than as a single-market independent.
• Webster Hall: Historic NYC music venue (~1,500 capacity) now operated by Bowery Presents/AEG. Comparable as an iconic, historic single-venue operator in a major market, but now under broader corporate ownership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/firstavenue
• Facebookfacebook.com/firstavenue
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-depot-tavern-first-ave

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about First Avenue & the 7th St. Entry