The Basement Bar in Minneapolis
The Basement Bar is a 21+ nightlife destination at 511 N Washington Ave in Minneapolis’s North Loop. Set in the basement of the NOLO’s building, it is geared toward evenings built around local live music, DJs, dancing, drinks and food. The venue’s separate entrance is on the east side of the building, reached from the parking-lot side rather than through the main NOLO’s entrance.
For travelers seeking a compact, music-led night out in a central warehouse-district setting, this is a useful option to check when planning a Friday or Saturday evening. The official site also positions it close to Cuzzy’s, making it easy to combine with other North Loop stops. It is an adults-only venue, so all shows are restricted to guests aged 21 and over.
Music, DJs and the Nightly Feel
The program is event-driven rather than a fixed club format. Its calendar features a mix of local performers, DJ sets and recurring activities, so the atmosphere may differ substantially from one date to another. For example, the official schedule has recently listed DJ nights alongside live acts and The Initials Game. That variety makes checking the upcoming-events calendar especially important before committing to a visit.
Music fans should arrive with an open plan: a live set may suit a more listen-and-socialize evening, while a DJ booking is likely to place more emphasis on dancing later in the night. The venue’s own description highlights local music, and its calendar is the best source for names, start times and any changes to the lineup.
Food and Drinks
The Basement Bar promotes food and drinks alongside its entertainment programming. It is connected with the NOLO’s building, whose restaurant operates upstairs at 515 N Washington Avenue, but visitors should not assume that every NOLO’s menu item or service arrangement applies downstairs. Check directly with the bar if food service, menu availability or timing matters to your plans.
The official website currently advertises a 2-for-1 drinks offer from 7–9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Promotions, drink selections and eligibility can change, so treat this as a planning prompt rather than a guarantee and confirm details with the venue before arrival.
Planning Your Visit
- Age policy: All shows are 21+.
- Current listed hours: Thursday 5 p.m.–10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 7 p.m.–2 a.m. The site lists Sunday as closed.
- Getting in: Look for the east-side entrance off the parking lot.
- Parking: The venue reports limited on-site parking after 6 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends. North Loop street and lot conditions can vary.
- Private events: The bar says it accepts inquiries for private parties, VIP-lounge arrangements and band bookings.
Because schedules, operating hours, promotions and event details may change, consult The Basement Bar’s official website or contact the venue before going. The official contact page provides a phone number, email form and location guidance, making it the most reliable source for same-weekend information.
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