The Saloon

Saloon, 3rd Year Anniversary Crew. Circa 1982.
Photo courtesy of Quatrefoil Library.

The Saloon Minneapolis is a gay bar located at 830 Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. It is one of the oldest operating gay bars in Minneapolis, initially founded in 1977. The Saloon is an essential gay culture icon in the Twin Cities, regularly featured in the popular press and oral histories. They feature top DJs, drag shows, disco dancing, and video bar presentations with four bars inside and outside. Local CBS affiliate WCCO rated it as one of the best gay bars in the Twin Cities.

In 2018, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo performed at the venue. Todrick Hall also performed that year to kick off the 2018 Twin Cities Pride festival. Over the years, many recording and performing artists have been highlighted within the Saloon’s historic walls.

See all featured leaders for LGBTQIA+ History on Hennepin.