James Ballentine “Uptown” VFW Post #246

What James Ballentine “Uptown” VFW Post #246 does

James Ballentine "Uptown" VFW Post #246 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit veterans service organization chartered under the national Veterans of Foreign Wars (founded 1899) and headquartered in a renovated mid-century building at 2916 Lyndale Ave S in Uptown Minneapolis. The post operates a 440-capacity music venue and nightclub with three bars, a full-service restaurant (El Jefe Cocina, operated by Chef Miguel Urrutia with a Latin/Mexican fusion menu), a 1950s-era karaoke bar run by Midwest Karaoke seven nights per week, and a charitable gambling operation offering paper pull-tabs and raffles with 100% of proceeds directed to other 501(c)(3) veteran organizations. The venue runs seven days a week and hosts local, national, and international live music five to seven nights per week, alongside recurring programming (Drag Queen Bingo, Trivia Mafia, Vingo, Transmission, Monday Drawings), corporate and private event rentals, and membership services for the post's 5,000+ active veteran members and their families through the VFW Auxiliary.

The organization generates revenue across multiple streams: food and beverage sales (restaurant and three bars), live music cover fees and entertainment ticket sales (via Eventbrite), venue rental and in-house catering for corporate events and private parties with flexible configurations of 145 seated or 440 standing, charitable pull-tab gambling at $1-$5 per game, and ancillary programming. Membership dues for the 5,000+ veterans are administered through the national VFW infrastructure rather than collected at the post. Pricing for venue rental and catering is quote-based and inquiry-driven, while gambling, karaoke, and bingo events operate on pay-as-you-go or freemium models. Distribution is single-site, physical-venue-based with no e-commerce or digital product distribution; marketing relies on the venue website (uptownvfw.org), Instagram, an email newsletter, and national VFW referral channels.

Technology is limited to standard web operations: Google Analytics for traffic analysis, Google Calendar/iCalendar feeds for event scheduling, Eventbrite for ticketing, and OpenDate.io for calendar and artist submission management. The company's competitive position rests on its dual identity as a veteran service organization and a recognized Uptown entertainment destination (City Pages "Best Party Bar" 2017, multi-year "Best Karaoke," Esquire TV "Best Bars of America" feature), enabled by nonprofit regulatory status that permits charitable gambling and a prime Uptown location with free parking.

Name

James Ballentine “Uptown” VFW Post #246

Legal name

James Ballentine VFW POST 246

Website

https://uptownvfw.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

James Ballentine "Uptown" VFW Post #246 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit veterans organization in Minneapolis operating a 440-capacity music venue, three bars, restaurant (El Jefe Cocina), karaoke bar, and charitable gambling facility serving 5,000+ veteran members and the general public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veterans organization and live entertainment venue

NAICS

Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224), Other Gambling Industries (713290)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Neighborhood & Sports Bars (THAFAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Social/Free-to-Play Bingo Lounges (In-Venue) (MPAEAGAC), Sports Bars (CRANACAC)

Keywords

• Veteran services
• Live music venue
• Charitable gambling
• Event venue rental
• Bar restaurant

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Food and Beverage Sales: Restaurant operated by El Jefe Cocina (chef Miguel Urrutia) serving Latin and Mexican fusion cuisine, plus three bars serving craft cocktails, beer, and other drinks. Restaurant open Mon-Thu 3pm-10pm, Fri 3pm-11pm, Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-10pm.
2. Venue Rental and Private Events: Event hall available for corporate events, parties, luncheons, meetings, fundraisers. Flexible seating for 145 people or 440 person capacity music venue. Full-service catering available.
3. Live Music and Entertainment: Stage hosts local, national, and international acts 5-7 nights per week. Admission fees for concerts. Also offers karaoke nightly, drag queen bingo, trivia, Vingo (music video bingo).
4. Charitable Gambling: Pull-tab games available ($1 to $5 per game) with prizes up to $1,000. 100% of proceeds donated to 501(c)(3) veteran organizations. Paper pull-tabs and raffles offered.
5. Employment Services: Regularly recruits for server, bar back, bartender, and security staff positions in a friendly, fast-paced environment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

James Ballentine "Uptown" VFW Post #246 is a 501(c)(3) veterans nonprofit organization that operates a 440-capacity music venue, three bars, a full-service Latin/Mexican fusion restaurant, nightly karaoke, and charitable pull-tab gambling out of a renovated mid-century building in Uptown Minneapolis. The post serves as a community hub combining live entertainment (local, national, and international acts 5–7 nights per week) with veteran services and charitable giving, where 100% of gambling proceeds are donated to other 501(c)(3) veteran organizations.

Product overview

James Ballentine "Uptown" VFW Post #246 is a nonprofit veterans organization operating a multi-faceted entertainment complex centered around a 440-capacity mid-century music venue. The core offering consists of the Main Event Hall/Music Venue with professional audio-visual equipment and three bars, paired with a full service restaurant (El Jefe Cocina). Key entertainment products include Karaoke (7 nights/week, operated by Midwest Karaoke), Pull-Tabs charitable gambling (proceeds to 501(c)(3) veteran organizations), and Vingo (Thursday music video bingo). Additional services include venue rental for private events, weekly events like Drag Queen Bingo, Trivia Mafia, and Transmission, plus membership programs for veterans and their families. The venue also provides professional house back line equipment for performing artists.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Main Event Hall / Music Venue A 440-capacity music venue and nightclub with three bars, a full-service restaurant, professional performance stage with PA system, dance floor, lighting (hazers, laser lights, disco ball), and digital video projection screens; flexible seating for 145 or standing capacity of 440. Hosts local, national, and international acts 5–7 nights per week.
• Karaoke Bar Premier karaoke spot in Minneapolis operated by Midwest Karaoke, featuring all song genres from every generation. Open 7 nights per week from 9pm–1:45am. Featured on Esquire TV's Best Bars of America.
• Pull-Tabs (Charitable Gambling) Charitable gambling offering up to 10 different paper pull-tab games with options from $1 to $5 per game and prizes up to $1,000. Operated under the post's 501(c)(3) nonprofit status with 100% of proceeds donated to other 501(c)(3) veteran organizations. Available 7 days per week.
• El Jefe Cocina Restaurant Full-service on-site restaurant operated by Chef Miguel Urrutia featuring Latin and Mexican fusion cuisine with a modern twist, designed to complement craft cocktails. Restaurant hours: Mon-Thu 3pm-10pm, Fri 3pm-11pm, Sat 12pm-11pm, Sun 12pm-10pm.
• Vingo (Music Video Bingo) Music video bingo event hosted Thursdays at 6:30pm with DJ Bob. Players watch music clips on screens, listen to music, and mark off bingo boards featuring artist names. Free to play with prizes available.
• Venue Rental Event space rental for corporate events, private parties, luncheons, event dinners, meetings, presentations, and fundraisers. Includes full-service catering, three separate bars, and in-house catering capabilities for large groups. Pricing is quote-based upon inquiry; flexible seating for 145 people or 440 standing capacity.
• VFW Membership Membership program for U.S. Military Veterans who served honorably in overseas combat operations and received campaign medals. Includes access to veteran services, community events, charitable giving programs, and camaraderie; over 5,000 active members reported. Dues managed through the national VFW website (vfw.org).
• Auxiliary Membership Family membership program for relatives of veterans who served in overseas combat — including spouses, parents, children, siblings, and grandparents. Offers volunteer opportunities and community service programs supporting veterans, active-duty military, poppy drives, and youth activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of charitable gambling proceeds donated to 501(c)(3) veteran organizations
• +4 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPost 246 is part of the national VFW organization founded in 1899. VFW is one of the nation's oldest veterans' service organizations with nearly 1.7 million members. The national organization provides membership infrastructure, advocacy support, and connects local posts for unified veteran advocacy and charitable programs.
• VFW AuxiliarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished 1914, the VFW Auxiliary is one of the nation's oldest veterans' service organizations. Members are relatives of those who served in overseas combat. The Auxiliary supports veterans, active-duty military, and communities through programs including Poppy Drives, veterans services, donations, and youth activities.
• Midwest KaraokecoreTechnology or IntegrationMidwest Karaoke operates the karaoke bar at Uptown VFW, which has been featured on Esquire TV's Best Bars of America. Karaoke operates 7 nights a week 9pm-1:45am with all song genres available.
• Minnesota TwinsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for Buddy Poppy weekends in May where Auxiliary members accept poppy donations at Twins games. VFW Buddy Poppies are assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals.
• Minnesota Veterans HomeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuxiliary donates time, food, and money to various meals and parties supporting residents of the MN Veterans Home. Part of community service initiatives.
• KRUSH (Dance Performance Troupe)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerKRUSH performs dance performances and go-go sets at Uptown VFW events including NYE Countdown to 2025 celebration. Part of nightlife entertainment programming.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• American Legion National Headquarters: Largest U.S. veterans service organization with similar member-based nonprofit structure, local posts, and community service mission. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the veteran nonprofit space with similar local-post operating model.
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV): Major U.S. veteran nonprofit organization providing services and advocacy. Comparable as a parallel veteran-mission organization competing for the same donor, member, and volunteer pool in the Minneapolis metro.
• Amvets (American Veterans): National veteran service organization with local posts operating bars and community venues. Direct comparable in the veteran nonprofit + on-premise hospitality space, with overlapping membership base and mission.

Direct peers

• Fine Line Music Cafe: Minneapolis live music venue hosting local, national, and touring acts. Direct comparable as a multi-night-per-week music venue in the same metro, with similar capacity range and ticketed general-admission model.
• Palmer's Bar: Long-running Minneapolis dive bar with live music and neighborhood-bar positioning. Comparable as a similarly vintage (mid-century) Minneapolis venue combining bar service with live entertainment and a loyal local following.
• Varsity Theater: Minneapolis historic music venue hosting live acts and private events. Comparable as a long-running Minneapolis live entertainment venue offering ticketed concerts and event rental, overlapping in target use cases.
• The Cabooze: Minneapolis music venue and bar near the University of Minnesota. Comparable as a multi-night live music venue with on-site bar service, drawing similar demographics of music-focused patrons in the Twin Cities.
• The Pourhouse: Minneapolis downtown sports bar with multiple bars, food service, and event programming. Comparable as a Minneapolis venue combining multi-bar service, food, and large-format sports viewing elements similar to Uptown VFW's offering.
• First Avenue & 7th Street Entry: Iconic Minneapolis music venue and club operator. Both operate live music venues in Minneapolis with similar target audiences (local music fans, nightlife crowds), multi-bar setups, and ticketed event programming. Both share the same Minneapolis live entertainment competitive set.

Emerging players

• Tickets Trigger / Midwest Karaoke: Operator of karaoke programming at Uptown VFW and elsewhere in the Twin Cities. Comparable as a niche entertainment services provider that supplies a specific recurring revenue-driving product (karaoke) to Uptown VFW and competing venues.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/james-ballentine-vfw-post-246

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about James Ballentine “Uptown” VFW Post #246