MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A little more than a year after shutting its doors, the popular West Bank music club, the 400 Bar, is set to reemerge as a multiple-use music complex at the Mall of America.
The new venue, expected to open in June 2014, will be located on the Mall’s fourth floor and will occupy around 25,000 square feet. It will include a concert hall, a music exhibit called the Midwest Music Museum and a restaurant space.
A MOA representative says the concert hall will be flexible in size and will accommodate up to 1,000 people in the audience. The variety of music acts will range from intimate seated performances to standing-room only events.
“From Soul Asylum and The Replacements to Bob Dylan and Prince, Minnesota has a storied history of offering some of the world’s finest music,” Maureen Bausch, executive vice president of business development for Mall of America, said. “The same holds true for Minnesota music venues – and one of the most loved was the 400 Bar located near the University of Minnesota. Many great musicians played the 400 and we are excited to have that same high caliber of music coming to Mall of America.”
The Midwest Music Museum portion of the 400 Bar will feature traveling and permanent exhibits showing the history of popular music and its impact on society. It will be open during mall hours and will offer easy access and free parking, including parking for school and tour buses.
“Our goal is to provide a unique music experience to everyone that visits,” Joe O’Brien, a business partner, said. “Tourists and locals alike will have the opportunity of experiencing educational programs and live entertainment in a fun, family friendly environment.”
The 400 Bar’s pub and restaurant, which will pay homage to the Minnesota music scene by offering specialty food and drinks, is expected to open later in September 2014.
