Minneapolis, MN

Walker Art Center - McGuire Theater

Venue review

The musician's read

Walker Art Center's McGuire Theater is a 385-seat performance space in Minneapolis used for contemporary music, interdisciplinary work, and experimental performance. The theater offers an expansive stage and advanced technical capabilities, making it a strong fit for artists whose live show depends on sound, lighting, projection, or a more theatrical presentation. Jazz, rock, electronic, experimental, and contemporary performance can all fit naturally within the room. For musicians, the seated audience and arts-center context create a focused environment where creative risk and strong production can make a major impact. The McGuire is best suited to established artists, ensembles, and projects that benefit from a sophisticated technical setup and a listening audience. It offers musicians a professional Minneapolis stage where music can stand on its own or become part of a larger visual or multidisciplinary performance.

Booking Information

Venue booking contacts

Free directory

Contact Information

Role
Talent Buyer

Booking email

info@walkerart.org

Member booking tools

Use Quick Pitch, saved venues, follow-ups, tour planning, and the Booking Dashboard with membership.

Open booking tools

Venue details

Capacity
385
Age policy
21+
Genres
Electronic, Experimental, Jazz, Rock
Sound & production
Confirm with venue
Address
725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis, MN 55403, United States
Venue phone
6123757600

Official venue links

Venue photos & reviews

See the room before load-in

See current venue photos, ratings, selected reviews, hours, and contact details.

Scout this venue

Reveal live photos, rating, reviews, hours, and contact details.

KEEP DIGGING

You might also try

Other venues in Minnesota, weighted toward the same city and genres.

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Crooners Lounge & Supper Club accommodates about 240 people under an All Ages policy. First Class Dining. World Class Entertainment. Crooners Lounge & Supper Club programs Acoustic, Americana, Bluegrass, Blues, Blues Rock, Classical, and Folk. Crooners Lounge & Supper Club accepts booking inquiries through the venue’s online form. At Crooners Lounge & Supper Club, a house PA is provided. Crooners Lounge & Supper Club’s seated (MainStage), 80 seated (Dunsmore Jazz Room), 150 seated (The Belvedere - outside) capacity detail should be factored into the stage and audience plan. Before confirming Crooners Lounge & Supper Club, settle the running time and any venue-specific promotion or settlement terms.

Read the whole thing

Seward Cafe is collectively run vegetarian cafe and community-oriented venue with reservable gathering and performance spaces.. Musically, Punk, Rock, Metal, Experimental, Multigenre fit naturally with the programming here. For musicians, the strongest fit is a polished act with clear stage presence and material that matches the venue’s audience and event format. Seward Cafe is best suited to performers that understand the room, adapt their dynamics to the audience, and approach the date as a specific venue fit rather than a generic booking. Overall, it offers musicians a distinct performance setting where the live show can become a meaningful part of the audience experience. A concise, well-paced set and professional transitions will help the performance feel complete. Strong audience awareness can make the difference between simply playing the room and truly connecting with it. Acts that prepare for the venue’s format and crowd are likely to make the strongest impression.

Read the whole thing

Aster Cafe is a riverfront live-music café with frequent programming and an explicit performer-inquiry email. The venue combines live entertainment with food, drinks, and conversation, so musicians need to complement the room while still giving guests a reason to listen. For musicians, controlled volume, strong vocals, and a compact, professional setup are especially valuable. Solo artists, duos, trios, and compact full bands can all work depending on the night, with the strongest performers able to move smoothly between atmosphere and higher-energy moments. Aster Cafe is worth considering for musicians whose audience size, stage setup, and live format match the venue’s scale and atmosphere. Before pursuing a date, bands should think about whether their normal set length, equipment footprint, volume, and audience draw suit the way people actually use the space during live events.

Read the whole thing