400 Bar

Dive bar would only be an appropriate term for this place if I could realistically see myself coming back here to have a drink or watch another show. That being said the 400 Bar does have a respectable selection of tap beer and libations to choose from if you ever find yourself here. A couple friends and I came here to watch a few bands play and I have to say that the acoustics and generally setting of this place fit the bill for music shows. Everythi

Funny thing about the 400 Bar, is that the space has some of the better sound in the twin cities that I’ve heard. While the Hexagon’s busy booking shows every night, infuriating all of the old timers that have been crushing cans there since forever ago, the 400 sits empty (and usually closed) most nights.
Yes, the drinks are overpriced. Is anyone getting a steal at the Mainroom/​Entry that I’m unaware of? It’s usually a total rip to drink at venues, that’s just the nature of the beast. But I’d much rather pay 4 bucks for a bottle of bud at a venue that doesn’t sound like garbage. I saw Sebadoh here a couple months ago with about 50 others. Can’t imagine a better way to have seen them.

I think this place beats the Hexagon for First Place in the shitty venue contest. With no air conditioning on a 90 degree day, slow bartenders, and overpriced drinks… the atmosphere was definitely not set for a great show.
I don’t get it… why such a crummy environment considering the great bands that have played here and have gotten their start here? Maybe that is the appeal, but it was lost on me. I was sweating half my weight off during the show, and fighting to keep the sweaty beer bottle from slipping out of my hand. Still, once the music started I kind of forgot about the displeasure I was feeling moments before.
Things to like are that tickets are so cheap, and a fair amount of well-​known acts have come through here… Mumford and Sons played here to a handful of people, they mentioned it at their First Avenue show. If you like uneven floors it’s a plus. The sound here is very clear, the audio techs here know what they are doing.
The only reason I would visit this venue in the future is if the benefit of seeing a band I love outweighed the environment I would have to endure in this place.