Minneapolis / St. Paul Music Blog

Photo by Tadson

​Bunker's Music Bar and Grill
761 Washington Avenue N.
Minneapolis, MN 55401
612.338.8188

Bunker's floats on the outskirts of downtown like a satellite tethered by Washington Avenue.  If it weren't for the neon sign on the corner of the building, this well-established Minneapolis venue would disappear into the backdrop of the warehouse district.  And, on the chilly, windy autumn night that I ventured out, the corner of 7th and Washington felt particularly desolate. But I could hear the insulated thump of rock music from down the block and as I locked up my bike I could see that, despite appearances to the contrary, a decent crowd had come to see G.B. Leighton.

Leighton has been playing a regular gig at Bunker's for years and is one of a handful of acts that play there on a weekly basis.  Like a theater that showcases particular performances for enduring runs, Bunker's music calendar features five nights a week with the same acts, like residencies.  Most other venues consistently strive to bring their audience something new while Bunker's does the opposite...consistently.  In addition to the schedule being the same week after week (except for the weekends and some occasional specified nights), the bands are mostly veterans of the Minneapolis music scene, adding yet another layer of dependability.  Dr. Mambo's Combo, The International Reggae All-Stars, and G.B. Leighton have all been playing in the Twin Cities for as long as I can remember.  The upside to this is that all of these bands are professionals and they are solid; you are not likely to see a band at Bunker's that hasn't earned their time on stage with a few years of prior experience.  But the down side is that, like the atmosphere and the beer selection, the music can be a little dated and, frankly, a little stale.

Despite the fact that Bunker's isn't located in what I would call a neighborhood, it does feel like a neighborhood bar.  I observed plenty of people in the audience socializing as if they were very familiar with each other and the surroundings.  I got the sense that, on particular nights, Bunker's is like Cheers for the fans of that night's band.  So, if you're looking for something fresh and contemporary, you will have to try a venue that takes a few more risks with their booking.  But if you are looking to relive your glory days and enjoy something comfortable and familiar like a Mich Golden Lite, Bunker's may have a night for you.

Freelancer Ted Bradford is on a quest to find music venues that offer recurring house gigs and provide patrons with a place to not only catch great local music, but to kick back, relax, and enjoy the ambiance. See his previous spotlight on the 331 Club in Northeast Minneapolis.