The Varsity Theater

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1308 4th St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55414

612-604-0222

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Best Concert Venue
Award Winner 2012

Entertainment: Live Entertainment

Description

This resurrected former theater is one of the best places to catch a concert in Dinkytown, whether it's a big-name touring act or some local heroes that've graduated past bar-band status. The Varsity boasts a spacious floor and an elevated seating area providing multi-level sightlines (and couches!), a high-grade sound system, vibrant lighting and the kind of art-deco decor that lends a certain swanky elegance to whatever pop debauchery might be unfurling on its wide, easily-viewable stage.

2012 | Best Concert Venue

We in the Twin Cities are pretty spoiled for choices when it comes to quality music venues. Even so, the Varsity Theater is one spot that shouldn't be taken for granted. Simply put, it's gorgeous. The lush decor, the result of a comprehensive remodeling a few years ago, is heavy on style and color and unique for how well it encompasses the venue's nearly 100-year history, from the red velvet curtains that line the walls to the swank, lounge-like bathrooms to the disco balls that hang... More »
2009 | Best Concert Venue

Though the Varsity Theater has only focused on music since 2005, the popular Dinkytown venue has been around for a whopping 94 years, operating as a theater until the 1980s, when it morphed into a concert hall. The new Varsity debuted four years ago with a Feist concert, wowing Twin Citians with its great sound, spacious main room, and sophisticated but easygoing character. The Varsity is the pin-up girl of music venues, with its lipstick-red decor and a sassy vintage style that shows off... More »
2007 | BEST CONCERT VENUE

To be honest, the Varsity could've won a number of categories, including Best Place to Have a Wedding, Best Bar-Mitzvah Venue, maybe even Best Place to Watch a Movie That's Not an Actual Movie Theater (which, of course, it was in its original incarnation). But the multipurpose venue is ideal for concerts. Resurrected just over two years ago, the Varsity boasts a spacious floor, an elevated seating area that provides multilevel sightlines, a high-grade sound system, and a certain swanky... More »
2005 | BEST ARCHITECTURAL RENOVATION OF AN OLD BUILDING

Those who hadn't set foot in the Varsity since it was closed to the public in 1991 were surprised to find the art deco landmark lovingly preserved when it reopened in January. Remodeled and refurbished by Loring Pasta Bar owner Jason McLean to be a multipurpose performance, film, and art space, the current theater stands as a culmination of many renovations. It opened as a movie house called the University Theatre in 1915, with Paramount motion pictures and Friday-night amateur vaudeville.... More »

Playwrights' Center 40th Anniversary Celebration: No Work, All Play

By Ed Huyck | Wed, May 09, 2012

Befitting the home of four decades of brand-new plays, the Playwrights' Center's No Work, All Play celebration comes packed with original work. How original? Well, the "New Play Bars" allow you to belly up with a few ideas, which the expert playwr... More »
Playwrights' Center hosts a new-play-centric party

By Ed Huyck | Tue, May 8, 2012

Forty years of anything calls for a party, and the folks at the Playwrights' Center are ready to celebrate their birthday in style this weekend at the Varsity Theater. They'll do it not just with food... More »
Lights

By Erik Thompson | Wed, April 25, 2012

Toronto electro-pop success story Lights (born Valerie Poxleitner) has certainly flourished after touring and recording with Owl City a few years ago. Now she has her own legion of dedicated fans in both her native Canada and the U.S. This intimat... More »
Fountains of Wayne

By Rob van Alstyne | Wed, April 25, 2012

Veteran power-poppers Fountains of Wayne are settling comfortably into the role of respected elder statesmen. They can gleefully cash royalty checks from the nine-year-old "Stacy's Mom" but have garnered enough critical cache and loyal cult follow... More »
Howler

By Erik Thompson | Wed, April 18, 2012

The boys in Howler have had little trouble generating press as of late, both locally and beyond. After the young quintet signed to the tastemaking U.K. record label Rough Trade, their brash debut, America Give Up, soon followed, as did the sound b... More »
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orangon | Minneapolis, MN | 3 Reviews

| Thu, December 2, 2010

Great ambiance. Unique concert venue.
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Niki54 | Minneapolis, MN | 40 Reviews

| Tue, March 23, 2010

My favourite theater by far!! Awesome sound system, great vibe. Get there kind of early and score a couch!
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leroycassandra | Minneapolis, MN | 16 Reviews

| Fri, July 16, 2010

Sooooooo beautiful. Great place to see a show.

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The Varsity Theater

1308 4th St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55414

612-604-0222

Description

The Early November

6:00 p.m. May 30

Jon McLaughlin

7:00 p.m. June 5

Alison Scott, Kevin Bowe & the Okemah Prophets (double CD-release)

7:00 p.m. June 8

Bloodnstuff

8:00 p.m. June 14

Chris Robinson Brotherhood

7:00 p.m. June 15

2012 | Best Concert Venue

2009 | Best Concert Venue

2007 | BEST CONCERT VENUE

2005 | BEST ARCHITECTURAL RENOVATION OF AN OLD BUILDING

Playwrights' Center 40th Anniversary Celebration: No Work, All Play

By Ed Huyck | Wed, May 09, 2012

Playwrights' Center hosts a new-play-centric party

By Ed Huyck | Tue, May 8, 2012

Lights

By Erik Thompson | Wed, April 25, 2012

Fountains of Wayne

By Rob van Alstyne | Wed, April 25, 2012

Howler

By Erik Thompson | Wed, April 18, 2012

orangon | Minneapolis, MN | 3 Reviews

Niki54 | Minneapolis, MN | 40 Reviews

leroycassandra | Minneapolis, MN | 16 Reviews

People Who Like The Varsity Theater