Mill City Nights

I’ve been to this venue many times over the years and has been great for smaller bands that come through … That said, the management of this club couldn’t possibly be any worse when it comes to larger acts. Saw Slash at a sold out show, stood in line for over two hours to get a spot where I could see. It was all good for about 15 min until a staff person moved us saying we were in a «VIP» section (apparently there were magic, invisible markers for people to know this). So okay, we moved to where HE SAID wasn’t VIP… then 5 minutes into the FIRST BAND PLAYING, they come back with «now this place is now VIP»! Really?! Are they just making it up as they go? Seeing how much cash they can suck out of people by offering «special» passes regardless of other patrons? I will never, ever come here again for a show they sell out, overbook and basically poorly manage.

I’ve seen two shows here, and after the second, I decided I’ll probably never go to another concert again (notwithstanding State Fair grandstand).
The sightlines are what really kill it. Pillars in terrible places and the whole layout is just jacked. I feel like they didn’t know how to design the layout; after you walk in there’s a weird elevated area on the right.
The staff was friendly, but I didn’t order drinks or really need anything from them. There are better places to see a show in the Twin Cities; it’s too bad when the performer chooses this one.
Their ticketing fees are complete highway robbery, too.

I went to a show here with some trepidation after reading the reviews. I was particularly worried about the sound quality, especially after reading complaint after complaint. I dunno, maybe I’m deaf (highly possible) but sound wasn’t an issue for me. I wondered too if the band we were seeing maybe brought some gear because I really didn’t have issues with the sound quality.
Moving on… we had a good time really. Mill City Nights isn’t going to be the fanciest, nicest venue you’ve ever been to for a show. It also isn’t going to be all historic like First Avenue. But it is a totally fine place to hang out in the dark and listen to some music. I did really dig the hard wood floor, which was worn in the best possible way. Fun for stomping around as you were dancing. We found the security procedure at the front door to be fine — Carded us, patted us down not very thoroughly, took a peek into my purse and that was about it. The ticket buying procedure could have been better. Seemed to take a long time. But once we were in the door, no issues. I found the bar staff to be friendly and competent. Security seemed a little intense at times (like, who’s going to jump the stage during the set break really?) But whatever.
I didn’t have to go to the restroom, so can’t comment there. Since we were downstairs, I also can’t comment on the balcony situation, except to say that whoever spilled a beer on my head sucks. Is it my favorite venue in the Twin Cities? No way. Would I go back if the right band was playing? Sure.

Worst venue in the cities! I saw one show here and will never go back. Off duty cops are the security, and they are horrible. You can’t see the stage very well, the bathrooms are impossible to get in, also very hard to get a drink without going downstairs. I would rather go watch the homeless guys outside of First Ave then go see a show at MCN!

Nice looking venue but the sound system is horrendous! During the Joshua Radin concert the speakers repeated popped and the crackling noise was distracting.

What a horse shit venue. Sound is fucking HORRIBLE. Security and Bartenders are nice but some of the other staff really hate their job and are total ass’ who are very rude (maybe get a new job if you don’t like working a Saturday night? Heard Costco pays well and is a great place to work!)
It’s too bad cause some of my favorite bands will play there and I’ll still go for them. Id give zero stars if I could.
*ALSO no re-​entry. So you cant grab a drink or a bite to eat after checking in. Maybe if they post band set times in the front, one could plan around it better.

I was at this place for Richard Marx. I have heard his songs growing up and when I heard he is coming, I had to go.
This place is not a huge place. Pretty small, almost like a bar. I don’t mind the setting because there is not one bad seat in this place. It’s cozy. The sound and acoustic can be improved for better experience but they are not too bad. Bartenders are friendly and drinks are good. If you have to use the restroom, you have to go downstairs.
Overall this is an OK place for a concert. You will not get the great acoustics but you will get a better view.

Mill City Nights is pretty meh as far as Minneapolis concert venues go (Skyway is incredible, and First Ave is pretty great as well). It’s small so you’re never too far from the stage which makes for a more intimate show, but it is awkwardly long and narrow. Also if you are not directly in front of the stage, viewing is not great. There are lots of columns and other viewing obstructions if you are too far to the side.
Positives: lots of good rock and metal/​metalcore bands come through here, and Mill CIty Nights sends out a weekly email newsletter with upcoming concerts so you’re always in the loop for shows. Tickets are usually pretty cheap, too. I don’t think I’ve ever paid more than $ 30 and I’ve seen some pretty kick ass shows here, blessthefall with Silverstein and The Amity Affliction most recently. However, what you don’t pay in ticket prices, you’ll make up for if you want to drink (which, if you’re like me, you probably do at a concert). $ 7 for a bottle of Budweiser is ridiculous to me. $ 7 is expensive even for good beer.

Difficult to see the stage if you’re not right up in front; however, there are large t.v. screens in many areas so you can always view the live stage on the (more visible) t.v. screen.
Asked a bartender for a Jameson and water. I received a shot of whisky in a plastic cup with 12 ounces of water poured on top; thus, I had very lightly-​flavored water. I did not order another. If I go to this place again, I must try to remember to ask for a whisky with a «splash or two» of water.
Security working the V.I.P. area entrance/​exit seemed ready to make some heads roll.

It’s really not a great venue. If the show isn’t sold out, there’s the chance you can find a spot to see the stage. But if it’s a packed house, it’s really difficult to find a good place to stand. The stage is oddly in the corner, and because of the balcony there’s a ton of pillars that always seem in the way.
On top of that, the whole flow of the place is awkward, and it seems like no matter what you have to push through a crowd or a line of people to get to the bar or bathroom.
The sound is clear, but not as loud as it could be. But maybe it’s for the best so that we’re all no deaf by our midlife-​crisis.
The beer selection isn’t great. They don’t have anything on tap, everything’s in a bottle. But they do have a could good craft brews (like Fulton, Odell’s) but otherwise it’s your standard «domestic» choices. The beer is $ 6, which could be worse I guess.

I attended a concert here last night to see Matt Hires who was opening for Parachute. I was excited to see him in concert for the 3^rd time, the first two times were awesome! But I am sad to say the venue ABSOLUTELY RUINED the experience.
The first opener (who I have never heard of) sounded TERRIBLE, and I thought maybe it was the band since they seemed so young. Well, when Matt came on, he didn’t sound much better! There were large portions of time that you couldn’t even tell if he was singing or not. The only time the sound seemed like they had a sound manager was for Parachute. They must not have done ANYTHING for the openers, which is who I paid to go see. The stage was so overcrowded with each bands equipment basically lined up first opener all the way in the front, 2^nd openers in the middle, main act last that the first two bands had no room to maneuver around.
The sound was SO awful that I got into it with another attendee because her friends and her were talking so loudly I COULDN’T HEAR THE MUSIC, so I asked them to quiet down.
I would NEVER recommend this travesty of a venue to anyone. It was THE single worst concert experience I have ever had, and I’ve gone to about 8 in the last 3 years.

When this place opened I was not sure if entering would be a good plan because of the Jane’s Addiction debacle, but after seeing the John Waters Christmas Show, Ghost BC and In This Moment, it was decided that this is my new favorite venue in Minneapolis. Yes, it may be owned by corporate big wigs, but the staff is more friendly than any other venue and the sound is impeccable. You can see from anywhere in the place and the crowd always seems to understand concert etiquette.
Highly recommend Mill City Night if you have not been there. (Not to mention they just had a BOGO sale on 20 different shows, saving more than $ 80 in tickets always makes a guy happy — always buy your tix at the Ticket Booth, will save you a few bucks.)

Pleasantly surprised by this venue given its history (open for one show, then closed down for renovations).
Here are some reasons I am a fan:
–Tables and chairs upstairs
–Several levels on the balcony level make sight-​lines much better for people in back
–Intimate space
–Good/​OK sound for the small space
–Nice bathrooms (upstairs any way, I did not visit the main level facilities)
–Multiple bars
–Lower level merchandise, separate from the concert
–Private party rental (this would be a great reception venue)
–Friendly staff
–Multiple exits makes for easier and faster exodus post-​show
I have only a couple negatives:
–Only beer upstairs, I don’t drink beer and got quite thirsty watching my friends drink their $ 7 beers
–The sound could be better, especially upstairs
–Doesn’t seem to have the best acts, but perhaps that is due to the size
Overall, Mill City provided a nice concert experience and I will certainly go back if there is a show worth seeing.

I registered for Unilocal just to post this.
I went to Mill City Nights last night and saw DRI (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles, a name which aptly describes whoever runs Mill City Nights) and Suicidal Tendencies, which I now have from attending the show. What’s wrong, you ask? Well, let me tell you…
This venue is, in one word, horrible. And that’s being forgiving. To say that this place is horrible is like saying cancer is an inconvenience. If you opened a business as bad as Mill City Nights, you’d be bankrupt by the end of the day and should be deported for treason.
This place is so bad, I’d report it to the Better Business Bureau, but I’d feel too guilty for the poor soul who would have to investigate it. I’m as far from Christian as you can get, but it’s like Club 3 Degrees cut their losses and sold this building to the devil, who now books some great acts with the intention of torturing their loyal fans for an evening.
Going to this venue is more disheartening than failing out of home school, which I think is how they hired the sound guy. Come to think of it, I’m not even sure they have a sound guy — in all honesty, I would not be surprised if the sound board was run by a computer programmed only to make people unhappy.
This place couldn’t sound worse if it was at the bottom of the ocean. Hearing impaired baseball fans will have a more enjoyable aural experience at Target Field. You can be arrested for animal cruelty if you walk your dog past this place while a show is going on. If I die of ear cancer after having attended a show here, my ashes will burst into flames if you try to bring them through the doorway again.
But I’m being unfair. Since reopening after the laughable Brick fiasco, they have made a fair amount of improvements. The upstairs, while still pointless, has actual sightlines to the stage. If you’re going to see a band, you’ll be fine — unfortunately, most people go to concerts to hear bands as well, but going here to listen to a band perform is dumber than going to the library for an oil change.
The mafia could learn a thing or two about extortion from the prices at Mill City Nights. As a rule of thumb, downtown drink prices are pretty steep, but a tallboy here is double the cost at First Ave. I assume this place was opened to compete with other local venues, but I can say with full confidence that they have nothing to worry about. I apologized to my checking account for spending money here, and that doesn’t even make sense.
On one hand, they’ve apparently learned their lesson about leaving fans waiting in the cold, as our half-​block line was inside in less than ten minutes. On the other hand, the cavity search at the door is slightly more thorough than being booked at Hennepin County jail, though it’s probably more fun to spend a night in jail than this place.
I almost feel sorry for Mill City Nights. I wanted to like it, but it’s just so utterly unenjoyable that I’ve even made it a point to personally tell touring bands to seek out other venues the next time they come through town.
I’d complain and try to get a refund, but I assume it’d fall on ears as unabashedly deaf as whoever runs sound there. If it turned out John Lennon had faked his death and The Beatles played a free private reunion show at Mill City Nights, I wouldn’t go. My own parents would walk out of my wedding if I paid $ 9million to book it here. I’m ashamed to admit I’ve been there twice, but I consider it a public service if this rant prevents even one person from going there. It’s that bad. It’s worse. It’s a blight on downtown and a public embarrassment for Minnesota.

I wasn’t sure what to expect after hearing about the viewing mishaps when this was The Brick, but Garbage was playing there and I wasn’t going to miss it.
Arriving just a bit late, it was a sold-​out show (I believe) which made it difficult to see the stage. Although, the older I get seems to affect how tolerant I am of navigating through crowds and eventually found a nice area towards the back to see the show.
Mill City Nights does do a great job by providing plenty of flat screen TVs for those who have trouble seeing the stage. The sound was great as well and should be noted. As well, I had a six-​buck 16oz. beer which is very reasonable for downtown.
It’s not the best venue, but from what I hear they’re continually making improvements. I’m sure I’ll be back as they’re drawing some impressive musicians.

Attended the «Pink Floyd Experience» at Mill City. After all the negative reviews I had my expectations set real low.
When we got there, the balcony wasn’t open, which had me thinking that we could be stuck with only 4 stalls for ladies the whole night in a bathroom that stunk even before the show started. Later on they opened up the balcony and those restrooms.
I didn’t see any seating, it appeared to be standing room only.
Not a bad experience, but not one that I would readily repeat. I guess I have outgrown the bar-​scene for concerts

I went to this venue to watch a comedian. They set out chairs so, though we were near the back on the main floor, we had no trouble seeing/​hearing. I can see how the long, narrow venue might be more difficult for a concert. The drinks were pricy ($ 6 for a Mich Golden Light tallboy), but that’s to be expected at a place like this. The bar was decent and since they had one upstairs and downstairs there wasn’t ever much of a line. The bathrooms were clean and we never had an issue with long lines and the venue was sold out.
I also agree with some other reviewers, that the convenience fees were a little ridiculous. Our $ 35 tickets ended up being $ 50 after all taxes and fees were accounted for. That’s almost a 50% increase.
So, if someone you want to see if playing there, it’s worth going, but beware the service fees.

What a weird experience. I went to Mill City Nights last night to see Nick Offerman, and while the show entertained, the venue did not. Flimsy chairs shoved so close together that we were forced to hug our neighbors, servers constantly flitting around and blocking the view, flickering stage lights, overpriced drinks… these are the things Mill City Nights seemed to be made of.
We witnessed a patron getting the boot from what the bouncer called the «VIP section», which wasn’t at all marked and was, in fact, a collection of seats crowded together off of the side of the stage. I pity the individuals who paid extra for those tickets, as I’m confident the vantage point from them was no better than where my friend and I sat in GA.
Watching the lighting change on the stage was a bizarre experience in and of itself — I’ll chalk it up to me only having experienced comedy clubs before and not seeing auditorium shows, but as Nick walked back and forth on the stage, the lights would dim, then brighten, then dim again… at the very least, it was distracting, and at its most evident, it was blinding. I won’t line up to see another show there, and if it hadn’t been Ron Swanson himself, I doubt very much I would have enjoyed this trip to MCN at all.

Mill City nights is owned by AEG Live and is the type of place that will try to get every last dollar out of you. Example: They charge a $ 7 convenience fee on each ticket when you buy your tickets on their website and charge another $ 6 to hold them at will call… it’s that kind of place.
Ive seen two shows, one small and one sold out. The first was nothing close to a sell out, maybe 800 people total. Security was quick and polite. The floor was nearly full with people and I could see the stage just fine from anywhere on the floor. All of the facilities were new and the sound was fantastic.
HOWEVER:
At the sold out capacity concert there were some very obvious problems coming up very quickly:
1^st — This is a roughly 2,000 person venue with 1 restroom. To get to the restroom you must go down to the basement. In the men’s room you will find 2 urinals and 1 toilet… not kidding. Whoever thought 1 small restroom was sufficient for 2k people at a concert…
2^nd — I saw 1 bar on the main floor with 2 bartenders. By comparison, First Ave has 6 bars despite a smaller capacity. There was a 10 – 15 min wait for dinks at both shows I attended. In the time it took me to weave through people to get to the bar, wait in line for drinks, and navigate back to my friends, 4 songs had came and went. Again, whoever thought 1 small bar on the main level was sufficient for 2k people at a concert…
Ill only mention one of my biggest complaints as it might not apply to everyone. Both shows I attended were on Saturday nights. Both shows started at 8pm and were done by 11pm. Unreal!
To some it up, If you enjoy giving your money to giant corporations in exchange for sub-​par services, you’ll love Mill City Nights.

This was not the best venue for a concert.
1. It was extremely hot with all the bodies crammed in there.
2. It was difficult to see with the odd long retangular shape of the room, even with the stage being raised.
3. The sound and acoustics are bad. Not sure why but the sound needs improvement.
4. There are large pilars throughout the main floor, so if you are far back towards the bar, good luck trying to see any part of the show.
The one good thing was there were multiple, easily accessible bars and clean bathrooms downstairs.