The Depot Tavern
Bar · Downtown West ·

The Depot Tavern

Bar · Downtown West ·

American pub with tavern food, full bar & concert ticket sales

The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null
The Depot Tavern by null

Information

17 N 7th St, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Get directions

$20–30

See Menu
Restroom
Accepts reservations
Trendy
Good for groups
Good for solo dining

Information

Static Map

17 N 7th St, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Get directions

+1 612 338 1828
thedepottavern.com
thedepottavern
𝕏
@the_depot

$20–30 · Menu

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Trendy
•Good for groups
•Good for solo dining
•Touristy
•Credit card accepted
•Debit card accepted

Last updated

Jan 28, 2026

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Kevin Smith Movie-Famous Fast Food Shop Pops Up Next to First Ave | Eater Twin Cities

"Owned by First Avenue and closed since March, I learned that the Depot Tavern will serve as the site of a nostalgic, takeout-only pop-up in December; the venue will use timed pick-up windows to manage orders and ensure social distancing during the experience." - Alex Lodner

https://twincities.eater.com/2020/11/23/21595329/kevin-smith-pop-up-moobys-depot-first-avenue
The Depot Tavern

Adam R.

Google
Stopped in here because I wasn’t sure where to go and had a good fast dinner. The buffalo brussel sprouts were good but no buffalo sauce which was disappointing. The patty melt is exactly what you want in a patty melt. Great service and very fast.

Manette H.

Google
We enjoyed a pre-game snack and drinks here. Its proximity to Target Center lends itself as a good meeting place for games. Having friends with us from out of town, the cheese curds were good for them to try. Good variety of drinks and nachos were good too. Friendly atmosphere and fast service.

Brian O.

Google
We stopped in before a show for a quick bite and a beer. My expectations were modest considering the convenience of the location, but was very pleasantly surprised. We found a spot easily, the staff is friendly and quick and the food was solid. We had a Kimchi dog and a BLT and both punched above their weight.

Jessica P.

Google
This is hands down my favorite bar in downtown Minneapolis before or after a game or a show! The drink prices are decent for being in the heart of downtown. It gives kind of a dive bar feel. Mike is my favorite bartender there. He's super nice. Honestly, the food is pretty good, too, and affordable, again for being in the herd of downtown!

Holly L.

Google
Atmosphere is great, it's near the Target Center and also right next to First Ave and 7th St Entry. The food is decent. The drinks are always good and a fair price. Staff is awesome. Can also buy concert tickets here 😊

Adam M.

Google
My friend and I try to go here before concerts over at First Ave/7th St. Timing it right is important otherwise you might run into crowds (most recently we waited 30 minutes for a seat) but that's not unexpected. Service and food is excellent. I was excited to start eating so my photo shows my burger with a bite out of it. Whoops, 5 stars!

SuzDurk

Google
Friendly, efficient staff and good food and tasty draft beer are there for you at the Depot Tavern. I like the new menu, but I do miss the fish tacos. Surley Hell on tap is always a welcome addition when visiting. We ate there before a Joe Jackson show and saw him walk by on his way to First Ave. Staircase wit never fails me, I should have ran out and told him “Hey Joe, you look sharp stepping out tonight.” Jackson’s got a beautiful head of white hair, you can’t miss him. You never k ow who will walk by the Depot Tavern when the garage doors are open and you’re having a beer and a buffalo chicken sandwich and fries.

Chris S.

Google
Relatively inexpensive food for downtown and of course very convenient to seeing a show at First Avenue. I love their gourmet hot dogs with a generous side of tater tots.
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Steve T.

Yelp
Great little addition to First Ave empire and super easy place to meet people before a show. Prices are a little better than inside, I think? But seriously, the best thing about this place? You can buy tickets for shows. I mean pay cash, card, whatever, not have to pay that ridiculous internet fee (saved $14 a ticket for the upcoming Jesus & Mary Chain w/ The Psychedelic Furs show) and guess what? I got a paper f'n ticket! Hell yeah! I like my paper tickets. I've even attached a shot of paper tickets from days gone by so yeah, I t's pretty f'n cool. I just wish the tix looked as cool but you can't have everything.

Carla S.

Yelp
Food is amazing!! Service not so much . Waitress was not friendly at all. We love this place but they need to hire people with smiley faces and contagious personalities and positive energy.. love the location and overall such a great place to eat!!! But tonight's service fell short...
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Kathie A.

Yelp
We arrived as we were looking for somewhere different and where we had not been before killing time before the Twenty One Pilots concert at Target Center. I had read other reviews and felt like I did not have high expectations but wanted food and beverages. Greeted right away drinks delivered right away including my water. Ordered buffalo chicken sandwich with fries chicken was overcooked/dry I ordered the beef brisket burrito which was under seasoned and flavorless, actually opened the burrito and mashed everything onto my tortilla chips dousing it with hot sauce. For almost $60 bill I would have expected better. Won't be back for food
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Katie Y.

Yelp
I really like this place every now and then for a pregame bite. Located conveniently near the Target Center and Target Field. We tried the poutine which was recommended - it was just ok. Not necessarily recommendation worthy. The burger and tater tots were fantastic. Service was a little slow and not super friendly, but that won't stop me from visiting this little spot.
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Meredith M.

Yelp
The Depot Tavern is a great spot to grab a bite and a drink before going to a show downtown, especially if you're going to 1st Ave or 7th Street Entry because it is right next door. The restaurant is casual and laid back, come as you are. The food is what I'd consider fancier bar food plus AMAZING tater tots. I haven't been disappointed by anything I've ordered on the menu. The waitstaff is kind, attentive, and quick. I have been several times and I'll be back!
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Momi S.

Yelp
Ambience great, service amazing. Food. Nope. Buffalo cauliflower super soggie, nachos add chicken worst nachos I have ever ate. However the double patty melt burger was absolutely delicious.
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Holly E.

Yelp
Decided to swing by after a show at Pantages. More of a sports bar vibe than a cocktail bar. Very open and well lit - not intimate, so keep that in mind depending on what you are looking for. Decent drink menu and service.
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Gayle W.

Yelp
We had boneless wings and fried cheese curds. Food and service were good. They had the garage door open to the street. The only thing we didn't like was the choice of music at that time. Just wasn't our type but not their problem.
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Jess H.

Yelp
Realistically this is a 3.5 for me, I love the location as it's right next to First Avenue (technically a part of it I think) and still walking distance to many other things in downtown, and the service has always been good (especially when they're busy gearing up for a concert) however the food has fallen a little flat for me our last few visits. I know when we're going to a show at First Avenue this is usually our go-to spot so it won't stop me from going but I also don't get excited if that makes sense. I want to love this place more than I do, if the food can get back to the days of yesteryears then I'll glad enjoy going here again! Something I love about The Depot is all the decor throughout, there's so much to look at. You can also buy advanced tickets for other shows which is a nice bonus if you're a regular! As others have said, the food is a little lacking - I think we ordered a variety of burgers and sandwiches and appetizers and really only the sandwiches landed everything else seemed to be very bland and or lukewarm. Like I mentioned earlier, it hasn't always been this way but as of late it seems to be more common so here's hoping it can change again!
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Malissa A.

Yelp
Camille is the SHIT!!!!! place is super chill with lots of beer options and live music
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Dave M.

Yelp
Stopped in for a quick dinner before going to a TWolves game. Located under the same roof as the iconic First Avenue music venue, The Depot Tavern has an extensive selection of beers (great for travelers like me who want to sample local brews!) and high quality food. Even though they were busy when I arrived, I was able to find a seat right away and did not have much of a wait to place and receive my order. I enjoyed my first visit so much that I came back the next night! I will definitely stop in again when I am staying in the area!
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Rizma W.

Yelp
Forget the 'Juicy Lucy'... the Encore Burger is where it's at! Topped with short rib and cheese curds, this is the juiciest, cheesiest, most delicious burger you will find in this city. Don't believe me? Try it!
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Barry M.

Yelp
Wow this is definitely not just bar food! In a venue that's one of Minneapolis's coolest music venues. We came here just because it was the 4th of July and one of the only places open but it did not disappoint. I had a dark and stormy and it was only $6 and served in a Cooper mug. I had the short rib cheese sandwich and it was amazing.
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Monique H.

Yelp
The Depot Tavern is conveniently located next to First Ave, so we took advantage of that convenience before a show. I got there first and went ahead and ordered some nachos because it seemed like a quick fix before we headed next door. My pals got there about 15 minutes later and perused the menu. A heaping plate full of nachos (I upcharged for some shredded chicken) came out looking tasty, but looks can be deceiving. They were a little bland and mildly warm. My friends continued to wait for our server to come back and take their order. And then they waited some more. I could understand the wait time if it had been super busy, but it wasn't. She was friendly enough but would go MIA for long periods of time. If you're looking for convenience you can stop in, but for quality of food and service hit up another location nearby.

Michael J.

Yelp
I saw a rat come out of the kitchen. Is this their version of ratatouille? Explains why the good tastes hope it does. I think I'm good on that.
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Brad O.

Yelp
Alright, after many many dinings, I have to say that I have mostly positive experiences. I love that The Depot is convenient for a person who goes to plenty of concerts at First Avenue whether I just want a beer or a whole meal before a show. Some of the food items are hit or miss, my main concern being portion size, but I love the apps and burgers. Beer selection is also great! Seating is usually pretty quick. Seems to be the most packed when there is a concert at the Target Center more than any other event. I've noticed that sometimes it takes a LONG time between saying you don't need anything else and getting the check. Not sure what that's about, but if the servers would just ask if I'm ready for the check right after saying, "I'm okay," that would help speed things along. But, overall, I recommend it as a convenient place to stop before a show at the Mainroom or Entry
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Kevin J.

Yelp
Easy, quick move in downtown Minneapolis for a bar Pregame, post game, or during game. Food is better than I expected from the look of the place, and the typically have a good burger special
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Sue S.

Yelp
It's easy to see how going to the Depot before a 7th Ave show could become a routine for folks. I mean, at the very least, it's so darn convenient! Right next door, it makes for a super easy stop. The beer list is very solid, and it offers a good variety of good beer from all over and local brews. Food-wise it's better than most bars. The menu is clearly designed to keep patrons who are pre-gaming or post-gaming very happy. There are lots of indulgent options, and the joint is open until 2 a.m. nightly. I especially was pleased to see breakfast options on the menu since I am such a breakfast junkie. I did order the breakfast, and the best thing on the plate was the toast, which had been cooked on the griddle to achieve that crusty, buttery exterior. My eggs, requested over easy, were not. One of the yolks was completely cooked through and the other two were over medium if I'm being generous. My hubby got the wedge salad and only ate about half of it. he didn't like the dressing, and the stuff in the salad was just OK. Our service was good, helpful and friendly without being overbearing or impatient. In all, a great place to visit and know about. Oh, and side note, you can buy show tickets at the bar. Yay for convenience.
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Marcos R.

Yelp
Not a bad spot for something quick before going next door to First Ave for a live show. The beer selection is decent. The food is your typical bar food selection. It's not a date spot, it makes for a solid choice for some grub with your buddy. The Depot also sells advance tix to First Avenue concerts, so you can buy your tix here and avoid some of the extra ticket charges that you typically get charged.
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Megan C.

Yelp
This place is what all bar food wishes it could be. They have a large menu ! You can get everything... appetizers,soups,salads,burgers,tacos ,falafel , grilled cheese ,etc. Everything our group ordered was amazing . Each dish was cooked perfectly and the flavor was a great combination of sweetness and sass. Portions are generous to say the least ! Things I recommend : *the totts *cheese soup . I'm from Wisconsin and I love all things cheese . The ingredients they use to make this soup come together are out of this world ! It honestly ranks top three for any soup slurped down in my life . *Dry rub wings - has both a sweet side and a little bit of a spice kick ! *homemade ranch Our waitress was great . She was attentive but never hovered . Located next to First Avenue music venue and Target Center .
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Graham K.

Yelp
Very industrial feel. Lots of exposed ductwork, modernist art on the walls. In the summer, the front of the restaurant has a huge garage door that they retract. Right next to First Ave, its a great place for a before or after drink for a show. Its downtown, so no validated parking or anything, and its not ritzy enough for valet. The menu offers your standard array of bar fare, burgers, wings, salads, sandwiches, but the Diamond Dog really stands out. 1/4 lb all beef dog, wrapped in bacon, fried, then placed in a pretzel bun. Very heavy, but very good. They do an eating contest with them every year for the 4th of July. Full compliment of drinks at the bar and plenty of TVs all around to watch whatever game suits your fancy.

Jesse P.

Yelp
No crowd, ever. Bar staff are super rude and make weak drinks. This place is an all around liability to your night on the town. Skip and save yourself a disappointment.
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Michael K.

Yelp
I love this place. Great vibe and lots of veg friendly menu items. Usually go before a First Avenue show but was very happy to come for lunch today. Had the veggie option of bison bleu burger: full of flavors, not dull or dry. Perfect tots.

Shandra C.

Yelp
Servers and bartenders are amazing. Drink are delicious and decently priced. The food is horrendous. The kitchen clearly has no idea what they're doing. You can hear the the cooks swearing and arguing back there. You'd be lucky to get a mediocre meal within 45 minutes.
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Lindsey K.

Yelp
Great beers and atmosphere, tucked right behind (and attached to) First Ave and 7th Street Entry. They have fantastic vegan and vegetarian options on the menu, and I always have good service. I came here the day Prince died and it became and all-out sanctuary and celebration of his life. I'm so glad I have the Depot in my city! Hot tip: skip the Ticketmaster fees and buy concert tickets for First Ave right at the Depot bar
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Lindsey D.

Yelp
Terrible takeout. Terrible. My wife's chicken sandwich was rubbery and she said it had a weird texture and taste. My BLT was...... meh. I thought brioche sounded great, it tasted like plain white bread to me. The bacon was obviously cooked hours ago and then steamed on the flat top... rubbery. And the Parmesan garlic fries were just ok..... They seemed like your standard frozen French fries from US Foods tossed in a topping..... Total waste of money. Huge let down. Maybe it's much better if you're inside drinking and having a great time. Not so great if you ordered takeout bc you and your wife are exhausted from your 6yr olds birthday party and too tired to cook.
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Kara D.

Yelp
The Depot Tavern is conveniently located downtown and next to First Ave. But its service and portion control is pretty inconvenient. I stopped in here with a friend as we awaited a show at The Orpheum (Alton Brown!!!). There were not many people here, probably 2 small tables when we arrived. However it took 30 minutes for us to get our orders taken. We ordered a turkey sandwich and fish tacos. The wait for our food was so long I wondered if they forgot our orders, especially since the place still lacked a crowd and one of our plates was just a cold-cut/deli sandwich. Once we received them, I was disappointed that the fish filets in the tacos were the size of my finger. We asked for ketchup and hot sauce, but it never arrived, so we had to flag down our server. We also had to flag her down for a water refill. The flavor of the tacos was ok, though, but nothing to write home about. The toppings were minimal but I did like the kick in the pico de gallo. I was hungry again 2hrs later (yay, overpriced theatre popcorn).
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jason s.

Yelp
Had the vegan tacos. Very good! Also cold brew coffee was great. Always hard to find veg friendly food on tour but this was right around corner from first ave club
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Anjo B.

Yelp
I haven't ordered or eaten my meal yet, but I used to come here all the time years ago.... Wtf happened to the beer cheese soup. It was the best in the state. I just talked it up to my friends for the past hour and we arrived to discover it's no longer on the menu. Please bring back the beer cheese soup.
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Kedar D.

Yelp
Oh First Avenue, you do disappoint me. Concert venues should not venture out of their comfort zone and The Depot Tavern is case in point. For one thing, the atmosphere at The Depot Tavern sucks. What is this place? It's a generic sports-bar in the back, but some kind of cinder block garage up front, with lame metal patio tables. There's surprisingly little space and securing a table took ten minutes (fortunately they have a host that keeps track of table openings). Given that most people there were in groups of two, it's silly to only have tables for four. The sports-bar mentality (multiple flat screen tvs showing a Twins game) suggests lameness. The beer selection was the clearest evidence of this---nothing but the usual, boring, crappy beers. Bud Lime on draft? Are you kidding me? What kind of a pathetic place serves Bud on tap, in a city of innovative and edgy microbrews? I ended up with a Leinie summer draft for $4.50 which was expensive and not particularly inspiring. The food sucks for vegans. While the menu labels its vegetarian options, it does not do so for vegan ones (in fact, it has no options that are vegan by default). Hello, First Avenue! It's 2010, not 1995. Vegan food is not only delicious, but it also serves the needs of vegetarians. Get with the times, man, and learn more about your customer base! We ended up getting their veggie burger ($8.95) which is, thankfully, home-made. That said, it's not vegan. You have to omit the bun and the aioli spread. The bun contains egg, which is ridiculous, but at least the waitress told us. This is another sign of utter mediocrity: The Depot Tavern is clearly just sourcing from some crappy food distributor and not looking to serve quality products. It's not thoughtful about ingredients, that's for sure. I asked if we could get the burger on a piece of bread instead, but was informed by our server, "That would require a favor from the chef. And he's not going to do that, given how busy it is." First, it wasn't that busy. Certainly not so busy that someone in the kitchen couldn't find us, paying customers, a piece of bread that's not made with animal products. Secondly, why should catering to your customers' dietary needs require a "favor"? The Depot Tavern isn't exactly sophisticated dining with a temperamental diva chef. It's a sports-bar attached to a music club. Come on. The burger itself was decent. It was a little dry, and could have benefited from some mushrooms in the mix, and maybe a light soy marinade, but that's asking too much out of the uncreative kitchen in back. I won't be going back to The Depot Tavern. If you like beer, go to Acadia. If you want a killer vegan burger, go to The Local. If you want hip atmosphere, go to Solera. The Depot Tavern offers nothing of value or interest other than the fact that it belongs to First Avenue. That's pretty sad.

Luke B.

Yelp
This was not a good experience! The so to call "onion ring" was undercooked in the middle and tasted awful! And then the "ranch" was litterally some reddish color and tasted awful! (Had to have been old)Won't be back here anytime soon.
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Amintha R.

Yelp
Good beer selection, really good bar food, right next door to my favorite venue, what's not to love! Also the kitchen can be quite speedy!
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Sara C.

Yelp
Not a bad stop. We came here for lunch trying to stay near the Target Center. The vibe was.. interesting. They had basketball and Mean Girls (not mad about it) playing on their TVs, and a playlist that varied from the Titanic soundtrack to 50 Cent. I ordered the "Punch Drunk Love" to drink (I hesitated and then made a bad decision - VERY strong). I saw someone else with a very delicious looking Bloody Mary, though, and am still disappointed at myself for not having that. Anyway, food-wise everything was fine. I ordered the regular grilled cheese and my husband at the short rib grilled cheese. Nothing to write home about on mine, pretty basic grilled cheese. The tater tots were good for sure, and so was the chips & queso appetizer. What I find really interesting about Minneapolis restaurants is that you have to pay for fries everywhere instead of potato chips ?? Anyway, it was an interesting little spot, lots of cool memorabilia and obviously a staple for the area from a musical perspective, but not sure we'd need to make a stop there again.
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Rasaq A.

Yelp
It's a dive bar so it meets expectations. Seems like they have a regular crowd here which means the must know something. I love they have local beers and an intimate open setting.

Steve A.

Yelp
Used to be a great spot to get late night food (after a show/game/whatever) now the menu is limited and the kitchen hours vary day to day and the food quality has dropped off the deep end. It would be nice to have a healthy option on the menu. We had a party of 10 that came in at 9:50pm and were told the kitchen closed at 9:45. Vegan tacos used to be bomb. Tl:dr miss the old depot.
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Jacob R.

Yelp
I met a friend here for dinner and drinks before a show at First Ave. The waitress was AMAZING. I didn't catch her name and I am sad about it because I am not kidding, she was great(she has short bangs-all I got atm). I ordered a Vodka Redbull and it was the largest drink I have ever had. My friend drank dark and stormy's and loved them. We both ordered food, I had the depot burger and it was very good, the fries were very crispy and well seasoned. My friend had a grilled cheese with avocado that she kept raving about. For 2 dinners( I couldn't finish mine) and 4 drinks the bill was $40.00. . . Like, what? Love it!
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Tara O.

Yelp
My most favorite concert tradition is leaving First Avenue to end the night at the Depot with some cheese curds. It's fun to see who pops in after the shows are done and the gear is packed up. I've seen countless band members stop in for late-nite food and drinks, but I never interact with them because the system that connects my mouth to my brain disconnects in situations like this. I love the staff members at the Depot because they're fast and apologetic when they aren't able to be fast, and when you catch them on a slower day, they've usually got great stories to share. It's one of my favorite spots downtown because you always get a fun atmosphere and good food and drinks. Oh, and a fun fact: You can buy FA tickets at the ticket window in the Depot and the fees are way less than they are online. Unfortunately, they don't reimburse the fee with Depot coupons anymore :(
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K M.

Yelp
Just went from some dinner while working at the venue next door. The menu looked pretty good with a good range of veggie options. The serving staff were lovely. I was in the restroom waiting for the cubicle to be free so I could blow my nose and was surprised as a chef walked out having just shat and didn't wash his hands. I watched him as he re entered the kitchen and got streight back to work.. Still with excrement residue on hands. I cancelled my order so cant comment on the food. No thanks to food with added feces.
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Jason K.

Yelp
My friend and I headed over to the Depot after some drinks at Mission in the IDS tower. There was a line, but somehow we snuck into a couple seats at the bar. I ordered the Cuban burger, but with a chicken breast instead, and it was fantastic! The happy hour had Surly Furious for $4, which was awesome, and then after that I get a Bud 16oz can for 3 bucks. The food was really good, lots of good ham and all the good things about a Cuban. My friend loved his order as well. There was a guy next to me that was from Louisiana that was pretty drunk and bought us a shot of Jameson. This dude was not normal, so my friend and I got out of there as soon as possible after the meal. Good service, and a cool atmosphere.
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Hung N.

Yelp
Wanted something affordable and greazy before the show. This fit the bill. Likes: Muffaletta grilled cheese. Cheesy and meaty. We literally got seated at the table next to Mayer Hawthorne (the badass singer that we came here to watch)..Amazing. Mushroom quesadilla and sweet fries Lots of seating. Meh's: pork belly spring rolls dipping sauce trio 90% chance would come back to meet more famous celebrities...with 99% chance that will be disappointed...But will stay to eat grilled cheese sandwiches to eat away the disappointment.
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Kate S.

Yelp
As huge First Ave. fans, we were incredibly relieved when the Depot Tavern opened next door. Usually we had to wait to grab a bite to eat until after our concerts because everything else around the area was a bit too fancy schmancy for a couple of folks about to head into a mosh pit. The Depot Tavern has great service (our waiters and waitresses are always stunningly pleasant), fast return after ordering (perfect for when you're not sure whether that opening band is going to play a full set) and the food is hot and delicious (the tomato basil soup with the Classic Grilled Cheese is epic).
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Don J.

Yelp
I stumbled into Depot Tavern because the restaurant I was looking for was closed for renovation. I stumbled out because Depot had so many great craft brews that I sampled more than I planned! I give Depot 4 stars overall; 5 stars if you're there mainly for the beer. The Surly beers were definitely the highlight. Abrasion was so wicked good that it's a shame it's a seasonal beer. Surly Furious was excellent. Even if you're not into craft brews, Depot has good deals on standbys such as PBR and Grain Belt. Food wise, very solid for a tavern. My favorite was the braised pork belly spring rolls. Full of flavor - don't ruin them by dipping them into the mustard sauce they're served with. Bavarian grilled cheese, wierdly, was a kind of healthy grilled cheese with 10 grain bread and apple slices. I enjoyed, but if tangy cheese turns you off, better go for the classic. Nice curry salad makes a good side dish.
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Adam S.

Yelp
Here's a solid place to put in your Downtown Minny toolbox. The Depot is open late, has a solid if unspectacular menu (served late) and a pretty good beer list. When you add the central location and the spacious and open layout, The Depot has a lot to offer. The Depot is right next door to the iconic First Avenue music venue. When you walk in, one of the first thing you'll notice is the huge collection of concert posters and memorabilia. It's a pretty convenient spot to hit before or after a show, if show-going is your thing. The food offerings represent a standard mix of Burgers, Wings, Sandwiches, Hot Dogs, Soups, Salads and Apps. It looks like a slightly kicked-up fast casual kind of menu - tasty but by no means will you seek this place out for the quality of the food alone. They do have a few things on the menu that pique my interest - Tater Tot Hotdish, for interest. (Oh, you betcha!) If you are not from Minny, you might not have a clue what Hotdish is. It's basically a casserole. They have a Short-Rib Grilled Cheese. I was surprised to see Stir Fry (cleverly named: Stir Fry ... yes, Minnesota is near Canada) on the menu. Reuben Rolls and Short-Rib Spring Rolls. Poutine. Cheese Curds! I had their Depot Burger, which is a straight-forward Cheeseburger with Caramelized Onion Curry Aioli. This is one of over 10 burgers on the menu. The burger is Angus Beef - I didn't go crazy for the patty, pretty average. (You can also swap in a Vegan Patty for no extra charge) On the description they note that "Everyone says their burger is the best, Everyone is wrong". Perhaps they were right in that they didn't claim their burger is the best. But, hey, it wasn't bad. And, they have Tots. Who doesn't absolutely love Tots? I also had, over the course of a few days in town, several of the local brews. This is by no means a Taproom, but they have plenty of Surly, Summit and one of my Top-5 Midwest Breweries: Bells. $6.50 is a little steep for a pint. ($8 if you are a sucker and drink the good but highly over-rated Sculpin) They do have a 3-6pm Happy Hour with $4 Craft and $3 Domestics. I drank late-night, and they were quite good hosts. And, much love to my impromptu drinking buddy at the bar who was nice enough buy a couple of shots. Glad I was staying a few blocks away. Overall I think this is a cool spot if you are looking for a chill beer, burger and bar food kind of menu. Bonus points for the cool First Ave memorabilia. Bonus points for the good layout with bar, tables, and retractable front patio area. The service was pretty darn good for most of it, with one baditude exception, but that was an outlier. And, I love unpretentious late night. I love that this is central to everything. I would definitely come after a Twins or Timberwolves game. Heck, maybe before and after.
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Hector A.

Yelp
They didn't want me to come in 'cause my id expired a day before (if like my age would change because of that) ... after all the arguing I wasn't being allowed to enter because they thought I would get alcohol... thanks for asking first if I was consuming a tear of alcohol

Michael J.

Yelp
Brought my food out with a cockroach in. Yes, a cockroach. I said not to complain...but there is a cockroach in my food. They said would you like us to remove it? Wow! That's customer service! Stay healthy and avoid this place. Where there is 1 bug there are probably many.

Amber A.

Yelp
Slow service and overcooked food was the theme for my visit. It was just me, and I'm a vegetarian so I picked this place because it has lots of options for me. I got the cheese curds and they were delicious. Then I got the grilled cheese with tots, both of which were overdone to the point of being just sliiiightly less than burnt. I really feel like it would taste good if only they'd learn when to stop cooking. Besides the food, the service was lacking. Bad. I waiting for almost ten minutes before even being acknowledged by my server. Then it would be along wait between any return visits. She brought the check, for instance, and I had my card ready about 20 seconds later. It doesn't take long, right? Usually servers come back fairly quickly. Not this one. I sat and waited and waited and almost went up to the guy near the register to see if he could just do it instead of me waiting any longer. Finally saw my server and flagged her down. Then, I wanted a go cup for my drink but couldn't find her. In fact, I hardly saw her. I would sit there looking around, waiting. You'd think if someone is just sitting there, not eating and looking around, you'd go check on them. Nope.
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Ashley H.

Yelp
Don't get the beet salad. Didn't have cheese. Drowning in dressing. Literally the most disgusting thing.
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Jackson W.

Yelp
Comedian Bert Kreisher showed up and the place was packed on a Tuesday night, the staff wasn't expecting it but our drinks and food came out quickly and to order. Great job!
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Linda F.

Yelp
We decided to get a drink before hitting up First Ave. My husband was told that because he had an ignition interlock notice on his license he was not allowed to have any drinks. He wasn't driving that night, and we used a Lyft. Really changed the whole night for us. Neither of us remember any place refusing to serve him before because of that notice, so it was quite a shock. His car has a device, and it can't start unless the driver has almost no alcohol in their system. Seems the management is really confused on what the purpose of the device is, or they just don't know the difference between having an interlock notice and having a drug/alcohol restriction on a license. They also refused to let him drink as First Ave when we went, but at least we were able to get a few at places that know the difference.