First Avenue & 7th St Entry – Haunted Music Venue in Minneapolis, Minnesota

First Avenue stands as Minneapolis’s most iconic music venue and cultural landmark. The building has witnessed decades of legendary performances and late-night revelry since its transformation into a concert hall.

Beyond the thunderous bass and screaming crowds, something darker lingers within these walls. Staff members and musicians have reported unexplained phenomena for years, creating a reputation that extends beyond its musical legacy.

The adjacent 7th St Entry shares the building’s unsettling atmosphere despite being a smaller space. Together, these venues have become known for more than just their impressive roster of performers.

Late-night crew members often refuse to work alone in certain areas of the complex. Their stories paint a picture of restless spirits who never left after the final encore.

Historical Background

The building first opened its doors in 1937 as the Depot bus station. Greyhound buses arrived and departed regularly, with travelers passing through at all hours of day and night.

During its decades as a transportation hub, the building witnessed countless arrivals and departures. Some passengers who passed through during this era reportedly met tragic ends within or near the facility.

The structure transformed into a music venue in 1970 under the name The Depot. Uncle Sam’s nightclub operated in the space before the current incarnation took over in the late 1970s.

First Avenue officially opened as a premier concert venue in 1981 after extensive renovations. The 7th St Entry served as an intimate side room for emerging artists and smaller shows.

Prince famously performed at First Avenue numerous times throughout his career, cementing the venue’s legendary status. The building served as a primary filming location for his 1984 movie “Purple Rain.”

Multiple deaths have been documented in and around the building over the decades. Some occurred during the bus station era, while others happened after it became a music venue.

A particularly tragic incident involved a young woman who died in the building during the 1950s. Her death was ruled accidental, but the circumstances surrounding it remained somewhat mysterious.

The venue has survived fires, economic downturns, and the constant wear of thousands of concerts. Each era seems to have left its own spiritual imprint on the building’s atmosphere.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Security guards patrolling the venue after closing frequently report hearing footsteps echoing through empty hallways. These sounds occur even when motion sensors confirm no living person is present in those areas.

Cold spots manifest randomly throughout the building, particularly in the backstage areas and dressing rooms. Performers have complained about sudden temperature drops that persist for several minutes before dissipating without explanation.

Stage equipment moves on its own when the venue sits empty between shows. Microphone stands shift position, and guitar cases get relocated to different areas without human intervention.

Shadow figures have been spotted darting across the main floor during late-night cleanup sessions. These dark silhouettes move with purpose, as if heading somewhere specific before vanishing into walls.

Disembodied voices carry through the sound system even when all equipment is powered down. Staff members have heard conversations, laughter, and occasional screaming coming from the speakers at odd hours.

The elevators operate independently, traveling between floors without being summoned by anyone. Workers have watched the doors open on empty cars that seem to be picking up invisible passengers.

Electronic equipment malfunctions frequently in ways that defy technical explanation and normal troubleshooting procedures. Sound boards reset themselves, lighting rigs flicker in deliberate patterns, and recording equipment captures unexplained sounds.

A spectral woman in dated clothing has been reported by multiple witnesses over the years. She appears most commonly near the former bus station ticket counter area, which still exists within the structure.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The most frequently encountered spirit is believed to be a woman who died in the building during its bus station days. Witnesses describe her wearing a 1950s-style dress and carrying what appears to be vintage luggage.

She’s been seen standing near the box office area, looking confused and distressed. Several staff members have approached her, thinking she was a lost patron, only to have her vanish before their eyes.

One security guard named Marcus reported a chilling encounter with this apparition in 2008. He was conducting his regular midnight rounds when he spotted her standing perfectly still near the main entrance.

Marcus called out to her, asking if she needed help finding her way out. She turned to face him with an expression of profound sadness before simply fading away like morning mist.

The 7th St Entry has its own resident ghost, reportedly a young man who died from a drug overdose in the bathroom during the 1980s. His spirit seems trapped in a loop, reliving his final moments repeatedly.

Bathroom doors in the Entry lock and unlock without anyone touching them, and faucets turn on at full blast. Patrons have reported seeing a pale male figure slumped in bathroom stalls, only to find them empty upon closer inspection.

Musicians preparing backstage have encountered an aggressive presence that seems territorial about certain dressing rooms. This entity has thrown items across rooms and even physically pushed people who entered uninvited.

A touring band from Seattle reported their experience in 2015 through social media posts that went viral. They claimed an unseen force knocked over their entire merchandise table moments before they were scheduled to perform.

The green room on the second floor has a particularly dark reputation among regular performers. Several artists have refused to use it after experiencing overwhelming feelings of dread and nausea.

Veteran stage manager Patricia Johnsen documented her experiences in a 2012 local newspaper interview. She described objects flying off shelves and doors slamming violently when the green room was occupied alone.

Late-night cleaning crews report hearing full musical performances coming from the empty main stage. These phantom concerts include drums, guitars, vocals, and even crowd noise, yet no living performers are present.

One janitor recorded audio on his phone during a 2017 incident, capturing what sounds like a complete song being performed. The recording made rounds on paranormal forums, with many believing it was genuine evidence of residual haunting.

Most Haunted Spot

The basement area beneath First Avenue ranks as the most intensely haunted location in the entire complex. This space served as storage and utility rooms during the bus station era and now houses equipment storage.

Workers refuse to venture into the basement alone, particularly in the southwest corner near the old boiler room. Multiple people have reported being touched, grabbed, and even scratched by invisible hands in this specific area.

The temperature in the basement remains unnaturally cold year-round, even during summer when no air conditioning reaches that level. Electronic devices drain rapidly, and flashlights fail consistently in certain sections.

A particular storage room nicknamed “the Cave” produces the most disturbing phenomena according to longtime employees. People entering this room report immediate panic attacks and an overwhelming urge to flee.

Security footage from the basement has captured anomalies including light orbs, shadow movements, and occasional full-bodied apparitions. Management reportedly keeps this footage archived but rarely shows it to avoid frightening new employees.

Can You Visit?

First Avenue remains open to the public as an active concert venue and nightclub. Visitors can purchase tickets to shows and experience the haunted atmosphere during regular performances.

Entry fees vary depending on the performing artist, typically ranging from fifteen to fifty dollars per show. The venue hosts events nearly every night of the week, providing ample opportunities to visit.

No official paranormal tours are offered, as the building functions primarily as a commercial music venue. However, the venue occasionally hosts special Halloween events that acknowledge its haunted reputation.

Photography is generally allowed in public areas during concerts, though professional camera equipment may be restricted. Flash photography can be prohibited depending on performer requirements.

The box office opens in the afternoon on show days, typically around 4:00 PM. Concert times vary but usually begin between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM, lasting until early morning hours.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity spikes during the overnight hours between 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM after shows conclude. Staff working cleanup shifts during these hours report the highest frequency of unexplained phenomena.

Late autumn and winter months seem to produce more intense supernatural encounters according to longtime employees. The anniversary of known deaths in the building also corresponds with increased activity.

Weeknights after smaller shows provide better opportunities to notice subtle paranormal occurrences than crowded weekend events. The quieter atmosphere allows unexplained sounds and movements to become more apparent.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

Sarah Mitchell, a bartender who worked at First Avenue for eight years, shared her story on a local podcast in 2019. She described serving drinks alone one Tuesday night when every glass on her back bar shattered simultaneously without explanation.

The incident occurred around 1:30 AM after the last patrons had departed. Sarah stated she felt an intense pressure in the air moments before the glasses exploded, followed by the sound of a woman crying.

Tour manager David Chen documented his band’s experience in a detailed blog post that gained significant attention in 2016. His band was storing equipment backstage when they all heard a door slam violently in the adjacent hallway.

Upon investigation, they found all the doors were propped open as required by fire code. No doors could have slammed, yet the sound had been unmistakable and incredibly loud.

Local paranormal investigator Jennifer Wade conducted an unofficial investigation in 2013 with permission from sympathetic staff members. She recorded significant EVP evidence including voices saying “get out” and “still here” in the basement.

Jennifer’s investigation also documented dramatic EMF spikes in areas where employees had reported the most activity. Her findings suggested at least three distinct entities inhabiting different sections of the building.

Photographer Mike Anderson captured what appears to be a full-bodied apparition on camera during a 2018 concert. The photograph shows a translucent figure standing in an area that should have been empty according to venue security.

The image went viral after Mike posted it to social media, with skeptics unable to definitively debunk it. First Avenue staff confirmed no one was standing in that location when the photograph was taken.

Local Legends & Myths

Local legend claims a traveling musician died of a heart attack in a dressing room during the 1960s before the venue became famous. His spirit supposedly helps younger artists by tuning instruments left out overnight, though this story remains unverified.

Another persistent tale involves a suicide that allegedly occurred in the building during its transition from bus station to nightclub. Former employees whisper about finding a body in the upper levels, though official records don’t confirm this incident.

Some Minneapolis music fans believe Prince’s spirit occasionally returns to First Avenue to watch over performances. Multiple concertgoers claim to have felt his presence during particularly emotional shows, though these accounts remain anecdotal.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

Several local paranormal investigation teams have attempted to study First Avenue with varying degrees of official cooperation. Most investigations occur informally through connections with sympathetic staff members willing to provide after-hours access.

The Minnesota Paranormal Study Group conducted the most thorough investigation in 2014 over three consecutive nights. Their findings included unexplained temperature fluctuations, EVP recordings, and unusual electromagnetic field readings throughout the building.

They reported particularly strong evidence in the basement and former bus station waiting areas. Equipment malfunctions plagued their investigation, with cameras and audio recorders failing repeatedly in specific locations.

While no major television paranormal shows have featured First Avenue, the venue has been discussed on several podcasts and online paranormal forums. The building’s active commercial use makes comprehensive investigations difficult to arrange.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

Visitors should respect the venue’s operational status and never attempt to access restricted areas without permission. Trespassing in backstage areas or the basement can result in immediate removal and potential legal consequences.

The building’s age means certain areas contain potential hazards including exposed wiring, uneven flooring, and cramped spaces. Always follow staff instructions and remain in designated public areas during events.

Those with heart conditions or extreme sensitivity to paranormal phenomena should exercise caution when visiting. Several people have experienced panic attacks in certain areas, particularly the basement and specific backstage rooms.

Emergency exits must remain accessible at all times, and tampering with safety equipment is strictly prohibited. Respect the venue’s rules to ensure continued public access to this historic location.

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