The Saloon, Minneapolis

About The Saloon

Gay-owned and running on Hennepin Avenue since 1977, The Saloon is one of the oldest continuously operating gay bars in Minneapolis. It opened as the Y'all Come Back Saloon, and co-owners John Moore and Jim "Andy" Anderson were behind the bar on day one before buying the place in 1981 — they marked 45 years in business in 2022. This was an era when police still raided gay bars, and Moore has called it "a sacred place where people could come and tell their stories." The main room runs a long bar, a large dance floor with dance boxes, and go-go dancers, while two back bars give you a lower-key spot to actually talk. Touring drag queens, guest DJs from around the country, and the annual Pride Block Party keep the calendar full, and the room turns 18+ on weeknight late nights. It remains the high-energy anchor of downtown's Hennepin strip — worth building a night around if you want to dance.