The Depot Tavern

Nice place, especially in the summer when they open the glass façade and let all the summer air in. The people here are nice. I think my server was Natalie, and she should get a huge bonus/​raise for being pretty much the best server ever. So kind and cool and generous.
I came here two nights in a row to read my book, drink a few Bells Two Hearted Ales, and get some fried cheese curds. It was alternately quiet and busy, depending on what was happening at 1^st Ave next door. Great spot.

We were looking for Lunch and most places did not open until three. We walked in and it was very quiet but were greeted by a very friendly bartender who made us feel at home.
I am sure it is much busier at night after a concert, but we got what we were looking for.
We were visiting from New York and were walking around downtown for quite some time. I happen to like Reuben sandwiches so I order the Reuben Roll and it was very tasty. Like a Reuben flavored Spring Roll.

The official restaurant of the world’s most pristine music venue, First Ave! It’s a place that feels like home and they have the city’s best sweet potato fries and is a great place for drinks! Unless you plan on picking up some records at Electric Fetus, grab your concert tickets here at the bar!

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).

This is totally my new favorite place for oh so many reasons!
First, it has a great location. Downtown, part of First Ave/​7^th Street Entry… YES PLEASE
2^nd, it has a great ambiance! Relaxed, not overly trendy, but not overly «divey» either. And on nice summer days, when they open the garage door wall, that is just sublime!
3^rd, I was very pleasantly surprised by their diverse menu and quality of food! Everything on their menu sounds tasty. I went with the Vegan Tacos, which is really odd of me because I’m definitely NOT a vegan. I eat a lot of red meat. But the kimchi on the tacos is what sold me for that pick. They were absolutely delicious! And I actually do really like the fact that they have a lot of tasty vegan/​vegetarian options. I have quite a few vegetarian friends, and it can be really tricky for all of us to agree on a place to eat. So anywhere that offers a good mix of both is always a plus.
And finally, the fact that I can grab a beer, food, and tickets to upcoming shows all in one fell swoop is just so cool and convenient. I will definitely be back for more food soon!

Called to ask if they carried the UFC fights and was scoffed at and treated incredibly rudely. I guess don’t call and ask questions, unless you want to be demeaned. Avoid.

Had their wings which were cooked to perfection! They were charred enough where it was satisfactory but not over kill. Also had the inside out burger which I think should have bacon INSiDE and OUT but all in all was a good experience! Did not really enjoy how much the bartender was cussing so that’s my reason for 4 stars.

I was pleasantly surprised. If you need a quick spot to eat before an event downtown, come here. The wait staff were friendly and super competent. The H had a beer he enjoyed, along with a great burger and fries. (The fries were hand cut, home made.) I had chicken soup, and it was really nice. The waitress brought our food and our check at the same time and we had a great meal in ½ hour, and only had to park once for the concert and dinner. It was super crowded downtown, with the WCHA games going on, and a ton of people downtown. The restaurant was really clean, and you could look out the gigantic glass garage door at the crowds strolling to the Target Center with their jersey’s on. The wait staff handled the crowd as if they had hockey skates on themselves. In fact our waitress earned a Hat Trick for meeting our 3 goals, fun, friendly, and fast!

First off, can we talk about how legit it is to park once for dinner and a concert than trying to hit up two places? That alone give this place so much of an advantage.
But that’s not why I’m giving it 5 stars. Nope.
Three reasons; service, table availability, and the Bavarian.
SERVICE:
The people there are SOOOO nice, sweet, personal, and hard working. I know it’s easy to be intimidated walking into a place that has a «cool factor», but no need to google «what are the kids wearing now-​a-​days», bc they are very welcoming and warm.
Plus for a place that is built on the «party» feel of a great concert, you’d expect some slaking off from the servers. NOPE, they are go, go, go! No time for jam sesh for them.
TABLE AVAILABILITY:
This place may look busy, but we have never had trouble getting a table and a meal before a meal. This is UBER important to me bc if I don’t eat before a late night at a concert, I pretty much stare at the musicians praying they set their instruments down and start making me sandwiches.
BAVARIAN:
Grilled cheese with apples and honey that I am obsessed with. Done.

We came in from 7^th street entry, and asked a worker if we should just seat ourselves, to which he said yes. That was the last time we heard from anyone. We sat at our table for half an hour without a single acknowledgement from an employee. It wasn’t even busy.

Really can’t believe this place only has 3 stars. It doesn’t get better than beer pong atThe Depot Tavern on a Thursday night! Great staff too.

Just in from Kansas City. Local Flavor, Local Brew, not much more you can ask for. Friendly and fast service. Thanks for starting our time in Minneapolis off right!

Good bar food with decent tap beer selection and casual environment .
If I had to choose to get intoxicated before a Minnesota sporting event, I’d come for the happy hour, and stay for the cheese soup.

Warm beer. Crabby bartenders. Crappy food. Perfect location.
When you are located in this good of a spot and get much of the first ave crowd before and after shows and twins fans before and after games apparently you dont need to try very hard. The beer out of the taps is room temp. Gross.

I ordered the Breakfast Burger and I honestly haven’t had a burger that great in a while.
Our service was fast, even on a concert night, and out waitress was phenomenal.
The atmosphere was fun and hip. Little loud but I didn’t mind it. Everyone on staff was dressed very trendy, made the environment very laid back.

Whether it’s my infatuation for corned beef or that it’s the name of my best friend growing up, I love me a Reuben sandwich. So, when I had a meeting at The Depot Tavern and saw it on the menu, I, of course, ordered one.
It was Will Smith in Ali stacked, with layers of greasy corned beef and delicious sauerkraut all smothered in a sinfully awesome Swiss cheese. The rye bread — which was a bit over toasted, yet fell a bit apart when I went to shovel it in my mouth — was the only drawback.
I liked the side of fries that came with it, and how they burnt my fingers with each touch. Were they just immersed in a boiling vegetable oil? I think so, dawg. I. Think. So.
If it weren’t early afternoon, I would’ve ordered a pint or two off of their solid beer menu to wash everything down. Maybe my resistance to mid-​day drinking should change.
The industrial-​style, open, and airy space kicks ass, and it’s definitely great for watching the game. But, obvs, if it’s right next door to First Ave, I’m sure it’s great place to catch a meal and drink prior to a show.
Will return soon!

When in the downtown Minneapolis area I find it a little overwhelming to decide where to go for a few cocktails and a bite to eat before a show or event. I am glad we stumbled upon the Depot Tavern. It was welcoming and a nice mix of people that were just there enjoying themselves. The liquor prices were decent for downtown and the food menu offered a nice selection of comforting good old standbys like soup, grilled cheese, hot dogs, burgers, fries and tots. They also run some kitchen specials too. They had a lot of IPA and Rye beers on tap if that is your thing. The bartenders are efficient and friendly and do their job well.

There are three good things about this place.
1. The Diamond dog is tasty
2. They sell tickets for First Ave/​Entry
3. When the weather is nice, they can open up the big garage door for a psuedo patio experience.
This could also be listed as a worst thing because you’re not outside enough to smoke, but you’re not inside enough to avoid cigarette smoke from the sidewalk outside.
There are better places in downtown but if I’m going to First Ave anyway, I’m likely to stop before/​after.

I’ve been here for lunch A LOT and never took the time to write a review…#fail.
This place is great during the warmer months in MN, they open the industrial size garage door to let the summer air in :-)
As a worker in downtown Minneapolis, I love exploring the food scene and keep a short list of favorites to bring friends/​family. This place is on that list!
The décor inside is somewhat industrial, LCDs right above the long bar, which high tops in the back and the usual setup of tables/​chairs in the front. What I really like is the weekly special menu, which hasn’t cycled over yet (meaning it’s different every time I go).
My go to is the Turkey Burger, topped with lettuce, tomato, mayo, pickle spear and onion. It’s a solid choice… served on a warm kaiser bun, it’s always cooked right and consistent every time… juicy, with a light seasoning… it’s a winner in my book.
I most recently had the Cayenne Burger, which included a ¹⁄₃ lb (I think…) beef patty, BACON, cheddar, tomato, lettuce and gigantic onion ring… yeah, nothing about it sucked, NOTHING.
Need a place for lunch in downtown Mpls with fast service??? Go to The Depot Tavern :-)

It’s easy to see how going to the Depot before a 7^th 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.