Your The Armory Concert Guide

What Is It Like to See a Concert at The Armory?

Minneapolis, MNArena8,400 capacity

A 1936 National Guard drill hall where Prince shot "1999" and the Minneapolis Lakers played, saved from a county jail plan, then run as a parking ramp for two decades before concerts came back in 2018.

What to Know Before You Go

1
Park in the building, not near it
The Armory's own ramp sits inside the building and has rules about when you can arrive and when you have to leave (see [Getting There](#getting-there)).
2
Pick the long wall, not the back
The floor runs long and narrow, so standing near the back of the room puts you a long way from a low stage. Details are in the [Section-by-Section Guide](#section-by-section-guide).
3
Bags stay small
The official limit is a small purse or bag under 12" x 6" x 12", and every bag gets searched. Backpacks, duffels, luggage, coolers and camelbacks are restricted. It isn't a clear-bag policy.
4
Coat check fills up in winter
It's in the main lobby, first come first served, weather permitting, and it's capped at 1,000 coats per event.
5
No re-entry, but you can still smoke
Once you're in, you can't come back from the street. Smokers use the two outdoor smoking patios on site, since Minnesota law bans smoking and vaping indoors.
6
Cash still works
The Armory isn't cashless. The venue's FAQ says it takes all major credit cards, debit or cash, but not checks.
7
Bring an empty bottle under 16 oz
You're allowed an empty plastic bottle of 16 oz or smaller with no cap. The official line is that there's a free water station near concessions, though fans dispute how easy it is to use (see [Food, Drink, and Merch](#food-drink-and-merch)).
8
The box office is on the corner
It's at 6th Street and 5th Ave South, and Will Call needs a photo ID. Lost and found lives there too.
9
The line forms two hours out
Queuing starts two hours before doors and overnight camping isn't allowed. The building anchors the south end of downtown [Minneapolis](/cities/minneapolis), right by The Commons park.

At a Glance

Capacity: 8,400
Venue Type: Arena
Year Opened: 1936 (reopened as a concert venue in 2018)
Seating: GA floor + reserved premium balconies and suites
Cashless: No. Cards, debit or cash
Climate: Indoor, heated
Parking: In-building ramp (reserve ahead) + downtown ramps
Transit: METRO Blue and Green Lines, about two blocks

What It's Actually Like

A Long Drill Hall With Bars Down Both Walls

You walk into a room that was built for marching, and it still feels that way: long, narrow and concrete underfoot. A 2018 reviewer arriving for an early door noticed the big drill-hall windows still letting daylight onto the floor before the show. Bars run down both long walls, and one 2018 fan was bugged that the bars on both sides kept their lights on through the whole performance. The upside is that you're never far from a drink, which matters more here than in a squarer room.

Fans Rave About the Sound, but Openers Can Get Lost

The owners sprayed foam on the ceiling and hung wall panels, drapes and bass traps when they reopened the building, with acoustics firm Orfield Labs advising. Fans keep praising the result. Reviews from 2018 to 2026 call the acoustics "phenomenal," "fantastic" and, in one 2026 Google review, "AMAZING." The Star Tribune's 2018 verdict was cooler: good, not great, though better than most Twin Cities rooms over 3,000 except Xcel Energy Center. And a February 2026 fan review of a Tucker Wetmore night warned that the room's size swallows openers who don't command it, so don't judge the mix by the first act.

“the Club Level is way less crowded and more relaxed than the floor.”

— Tripadvisor reviewer, May 2024

Crossing a Packed Floor Takes Planning

When it's sold out, moving around is the hard part. A November 2025 Google reviewer said a packed night made it hard to get around, and a 2022 Tripadvisor reviewer found the stairs blocked on the way to the bathroom. The fix is simple: set up near a side wall, where the bars and restrooms are, instead of dead center.

Cold Lines Outside, Cool Air Inside

This is a Minnesota winter venue first. A December 2018 reviewer stood in a line that was "ridiculously long and in cold temps" until staff opened more front doors. Once you're in, it doesn't run hot: a fan who went in December 2017 found the room cool on entry, and none of the reviews we found complain about heat. Dress for the sidewalk, then hand the coat over in the lobby.

Section-by-Section Guide

The Armory stacks its levels up the two long walls of the old drill hall. The main floor is GA standing. The second level is the Club level, with Club East and Club West, the Club Boxes and the Platform Booths. The third level holds the Premium Balcony (Premium East and Premium West) along the long walls and The Generals Hall at the end, and The Penthouse sits on the fourth floor. Premium seating's sold show by show, so check the ticket link for each event.

Main Floor: The Front Third

The floor is flat, and fans have said since 2018 that the stage isn't high enough to see well past about ten rows back. That's the single most repeated complaint about this room, from five separate Tripadvisor reviews in 2018 and 2019, and shorter fans feel it most. So if you want to see the band and not the screens, the front third of the floor is where you need to be. A September 2018 reviewer pointed out that the cheapest GA ticket lets you get right up to the stage, which is a good deal if you're willing to stand for it. One 2026 reviewer described the stage as "big and raised off the main floor," so stage height may depend on the production, but don't count on it.

Fans who've done the floor are split on whether it's worth the fight. A Bandsintown reviewer wrote that "GA is not worth the fight or the struggle," and a 2019 Tripadvisor reviewer said they'd buy a balcony seat to get away from the floor crowd next time. A 2026 reviewer actually gave up mid-show and bought balcony tickets. On the other side, a 2019 reviewer called it "a small enough venue where you can see the stage decently," and a December 2025 fan at a laser-heavy EDM show said "being farther back didn't feel like missing out at all."

Main Floor: The Back Half and the Side Bar Rails

The back half is where the room's shape catches up with you. A 2022 reviewer called the hall "long and narrow" and warned that "you can be far from the stage if you are in the back of the room," and a 2026 reviewer said the floor "is not very wide in proportion to its length." A 2019 reviewer ended up watching the screens from back there.

The better move for a GA ticket is the raised bar areas that run along both long walls, with rail space in front. A 2018 Tripadvisor reviewer recommended standing on those raised side areas for a better view, and a 2019 Deep Purple fan described the floor as a "U" shape, with bar-level seating angled toward the stage. You'll get a clearer line of sight over heads, a bar right behind you and a restroom close by. A July 2018 reviewer noted that people who get in early can sit along the edges of the floor, which is the only seating a GA ticket gets you.

Club Level: Club East and Club West

The second level is mostly standing too. A 2018 reviewer said Club-level tickets still stand, but you can lean on bars or railings that overlook the main floor. A 2019 reviewer said this level is usually 21+, so check your show's age rule before you buy.

The trade-off is space for distance. A May 2024 reviewer found it "way less crowded and more relaxed than the floor," with easy restroom access and a rooftop patio for fresh air, but also said that because it's so high up, "you are far from the stage." The Star Tribune made a similar point in 2018: the long-wall balconies have strong views, though not strong enough to justify VIP prices.

The two sides may not be run the same way. A Bandsintown reviewer with epilepsy wrote that "Club West security kept waving their flashlights in my face on a strobe setting," and praised Club East for not doing it. It's a single report, but if flashing light is a problem for you, that's the one to note.

The Club Boxes also sit on this level. A 2018 reviewer described them as box seating on the second level for an additional fee, and we didn't find any fan intel on their views.

Premium Balcony: Premium East and Premium West

This is the reserved-seat option along the long walls, and it's two rows deep. A July 2019 reviewer in Premium East row 2 described the front row as movie-theater style and the back row as raised high-top seating, and a 2026 reviewer confirmed "one row of comfy seats and one row of barstool seating." In 2019, row 1 had "leather recliners, phone chargers, private bathroom and private bar," according to one fan.

Before you pick seats, know that the numbering runs backward from what you'd guess. A March 2019 reviewer warned that "Seat 1 is the furtherest from the stage, not the closest." So if you want to be near the stage end, go for the higher seat numbers.

The views are good when nothing's in the way, and sometimes something is. A Premium East reviewer in 2019 said "The view was great and the sound was terrific." But a November 2024 reviewer had a beam "blocking dead center of the stage," a November 2025 Google reviewer said the balcony and most club suites have obstructed views or cramped high-top chairs, and a 2022 reviewer said standing-room fans blocked the stage from their seats. Three separate reports across three years is enough to take seriously, so ask about obstructions when you buy. The venue's accessibility page also notes that some third-floor balcony seats involve steps.

Platform Booths

These booths sit higher, behind the Club Boxes, and seat 4 to 6. The venue itself says some spots "may have a partially obstructed view because of the building's structure," which is why each booth gets an 85-inch TV showing a live feed of the show. A 2022 reviewer described the booths as "as far from the stage as you can get." What you're really buying is a private base: a dedicated entrance, in-booth service, a rooftop patio and booth seating that doubles as storage for jackets, which is worth something on a January night.

Suites Up Top: Lakers Suites, The Generals Hall and The Penthouse

The Lakers Suites, named for the NBA team that used to play on this floor, take 12 to 20 people and promise an eye-level view of the stage plus a walk-out terrace. The Generals Hall is the big group space on the third-floor balcony, directly above the "Armory" sign, holding up to 150 with a wrap-around balcony view and its own bar. A February 2020 reviewer watched "from above with an amazing view" from there. The Penthouse is on the fourth floor, takes 30 to 40 and is the only area the venue says comes with private restrooms. All three have dedicated entrances and rooftop patio access, and none of them publish prices, so you'll need to call or reserve through the venue.

Accessibility Seating

The venue says it's fully ADA accessible. At GA shows, accessible viewing areas are set up in designated spots that change with the layout, and you don't need a separate ticket unless the listing says so. Companion space may be included. For reserved shows, accessible seats are sold through Ticketmaster at on-sale and inventory's limited. Elevators reach the public levels and the premium areas, including one up from the underground garage with a call button. One December 2018 reviewer said every elevator trip meant waiting for an attendant, and that wheelchair signage was thin on a very cold night.

Going to a Show?

Heading to The Armory? Add the show to Concerts Remembered before you go and it's on your phone whether or not you have signal inside. Afterward you'll have the setlist, your seat, and what you thought of it.

The Armory · what fans report

Everything fans report about The Armory is normal for an arena

Measured against 87 arenas we have documented. Every fault below is carried by most arenas, so none of them single this room out.

Normal for an arena

Sightlines go when it fills71% of arenas
The floor is flat, and fans have said since 2018 that the stage isn't high enough to see well past about ten rows back.

Common for arenas, not reported here

Getting out is punishing52% of arenas

Concerts Remembered Venue Index · 87 arenas tagged against a closed seven-category taxonomy · every row cites this guide · reviewed November 2026

Getting There

Driving + Parking

You can park inside the Armory. The Impark-managed ramp is in the building, you enter off 5th Ave S, and the venue says you can walk upstairs directly into the show. Book it ahead through the venue's Parkonect reservation page. The official page doesn't list a price, and a 2019 reviewer paid about $25 for a pre-purchased pass. That reviewer said the pass let them skip the line that wrapped around the building, and the venue says the heated ramp offers indoor queuing and expedited entry.

The ramp has rules. You can wait in your car until five minutes before doors, or wait out on the street, and the venue says there are no exceptions. No smoking or drinking in the garage. Impark's number is 612-341-8000.

Accessible parking is where the venue contradicts itself. The parking and accessibility pages say it's on P1 and P2, while the FAQ says ADA parking is on P1 only, with no ADA access from P2. Call Impark before the show if it matters.

If the ramp's sold out, a February 2025 reviewer recommended the Hennepin County Government Center ramp as "easy in and out."

Transit

The Armory sits between two METRO light rail stations, U.S. Bank Stadium and Government Center, which serve both the Blue and Green Lines. The venue's FAQ put the stations about two blocks away when it reopened.

Rideshare

The venue's recommended drop-off point is Portland Ave. If you need accessible drop-off, it's at the main entrance on South 6th Street, traffic permitting.

Getting Out

You can stay in the in-building ramp for up to one hour after the show ends, then you have to leave. The February 2025 reviewer said the underground ramp is fine if you're not in a hurry to get in or leave, and pointed people who want a quick exit to the Government Center ramp instead. A 2018 reviewer also noted some congestion leaving the building itself.

Food, Drink, and Merch

The Strategy

The Armory's best food-and-drink feature is that you barely wait. Bars line both long walls of the floor and there are long bars on each level, and fans have said so consistently since it reopened: "rarely a wait for bar service" at a sold-out 2019 show, "no lines for drinks even in a large crowd" on Bandsintown, and "Plenty of concessions so you hardly wait in line" in a February 2026 Google review. Restrooms get the same praise, with 2018 to 2026 reviewers describing many stalls, attendants, short waits and "Bars and bathrooms lined the sides of the venue (very easy access)." Drink prices split fans: one 2018 reviewer called them reasonable, while review summaries list high drink prices as a drawback. We didn't find an alcohol cutoff time.

Water: The Policy and the Complaints

Officially, there's a free water station near concessions, and you can fill your empty 16 oz bottle there. Fans tell a different story. A 2017 visitor found no drinking fountains and $5 bottled water, a January 2025 Tripadvisor reviewer complained about not getting a free cup of water when asking at the bar, and a November 2025 Google reviewer called the free water "a joke." Find the station early, before the room fills.

Worth Getting

Fan food intel is thin and dated, so don't plan dinner around it. A 2018 reviewer recommended the cheese curds, and another paid about $13 for a gourmet burger with fries in 2018. Premium booths and suites order from a full menu.

Venue History

The Armory went up in 1935 and 1936 with a Public Works Administration grant, the most expensive PWA-backed building in Minnesota at the time. St. Paul architect P.C. Bettenburg, himself a major in the Minnesota National Guard, designed it in the PWA Moderne style, and Elsa Jemne painted its murals. The Guard used it until 1985. Between the late 1930s and the 1970s it also hosted concerts, political conventions and sports, and the Minneapolis Lakers played here part-time from 1947 and full-time in 1959-60. In 1982, Prince shot the "1999" video inside.

Then it nearly disappeared. Hennepin County bought it in 1989 to build a jail, the Minnesota Historical Society sued, and in 1993 the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that state law protected it from demolition. It had been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1985. From 1998 it ran as a parking structure, which is why there's still a ramp inside today.

Developer Ned Abdul bought it in 2015 for $6 million, and his company Swervo runs it. He rebuilt the roof, raised the floor, remade the mezzanines and added the acoustic treatments. It reopened in January 2018 for Super Bowl LII, with Nomadic Live shows that Imagine Dragons and Pink opened. The Star Tribune noted that Jack White and Slayer were the first sellouts on its regular calendar, with Live Nation booking most of it.

Since then the room's hosted Dua Lipa, Arctic Monkeys, Weezer, Judas Priest, Deadmau5 and Janelle Monáe, plus country tours and EDM nights. The City of Minneapolis made it a local landmark in 2017.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a bad seat at the Armory?

Yes, two kinds. The back half of the flat GA floor is far from a low stage, and some balcony seats sit behind structural beams. The [Section-by-Section Guide](#section-by-section-guide) has the details, including which way the seat numbers run.

How early should I get to the Armory?

The line starts forming two hours before doors, and fans at big 2018 and 2019 shows saw it wrap around the building. A July 2019 reviewer who showed up 30 minutes before showtime spent the whole 30 minutes getting through the line and security. A November 2025 reviewer said lines moved quickly, so it's improved, but a winter sellout is still worth padding.

What does the Armory actually check at the door?

Bag size, and every bag gets searched. The rules are in [What to Know Before You Go](#what-to-know-before-you-go), and we didn't find any fan reports of the door being looser or stricter than stated.

Can I leave and come back in?

Is there a coat check at the Armory?

Do I need ID at the Armory?

Is the Armory accessible?

Where do I buy tickets in person or pick up Will Call?

The Armory Links

Website

Already Seen a Show Here?

Been to The Armory? Add it to your concert history in the Concerts Remembered app. Which section were you in, and was it worth it?

Published November 2026Last reviewed November 2026

This guide is based on fan reports, public records, and community discussion. Claims we can’t source are left out rather than estimated, and the charts render only where the sample is large enough to trust. It is not sponsored by or affiliated with The Armory.

Cite this guide

Concerts Remembered, "The Armory," concertsremembered.app/venues/the-armory-minneapolis, updated November 2026.