The Annex

Went here a couple times, fun atmosphere for dance crowd. Drinks were good priced. Now its closed and I have no idea why.

THE ANNEX IS CLOSED.
I hung out at the Annex one night a couple of years ago and had a decent time. This weekend I was trying to think of something new to do and thought I’d give the Annex another visit.
We made it there only to find it has been closed. In the little research I had done before we had left I found no mention that the place had closed in any reviews and they still had a functioning website up. Disappointing to say the least, we were looking forward to the all you can drink special they used to have on the weekends from 9:30 — 10:30.
We ended up going to some other neighborhood bars and had a good night. But I thought I’d get it out there so nobody else makes the same mistake: THE ANNEX IS CLOSED.

Went in expecting to see a TON of 18 year olds and younger atmosphere. I was pleasantly surprised! A prior to10pm arrival you got in plus free drinks until 10! I have NEVER heard of a deal this great! the place was decent in size, the DJ could have been a little better compared to those of NY… but I still danced my ass off! At around eleven there were dancing ladies in cages and cocktail waitresses to keep the party goin! I didnt stay for the duration, but the was a GREAT way to start of the evening for next to NOTHING!

Back in the day (by which I mean… until about three years ago), I was definitely a regular at the Annex when my friends and I would hit up downtown. I made a pit stop for old time’s sake this weekend, and actually couldn’t believe that this place is still open. Appearance-​wise, it hasn’t changed at all — still the same sticky floored, basement-​esque dance bar it always was. Clientele-​wise, it’s definitely gone downhill. Translation: it was pretty much empty. I don’t know if it’s just because it’s summer in the city and downtown on a non-​Twins game night is just not the spot to be, or if it really has lost it’s appeal to the 21 – 24 year old crowd, but either way, I am definitely an Annex-​er no more.
(although I will say that I do love Manny, who is still there!)

Surprisingly I guess I’m sort of a fan after all these years. I used to frequent this place in my heyday of dancing until all hours and then dragging myself into work the next day.
J and I went last Halloween. A friend was moonlight bouncing that night and let us in. Couldn’t beat that. The place was packed, dance floor was crammed, but still fun.
People were nice, outgoing and friendly for Halloween of all nights. We danced and had a grand olé time. Space is decent, music was average– lotta power remixes, but it kept the crowd moving.
For it being on Halloween the costume watching was fun. Lot of naughty nurses and Lady Gagster look alikes both in costume and without.
Who knows? Maybe we’ll venture back…

I am not a ginormous fan of night clubs in general. I’m just going to put that out there. It seemed pretty typical to me. Music too loud to converse much at all. Obnoxious music that is played on the top 40 stations. Bachelorette parties all over. My friend ordered a sex on the beach and it was made totally wrong (I think it was a tequila sunrise instead). The only thing the place did have going for it is that they offer free rail drinks until 10:30 (with a $ 6 cover). This is why I gave it two stars instead of one.

After a horrible experience at 414 Soundbar I decided to come check this place out. You can hear the music outside of the club and they were playing Miley Cyrus. I should have turned around and ran, but I really needed a drink. Cover was only $ 6 which is cheap. The club wasn’t that big, but it was pretty nice in there. The drinks were pretty solid though. I think I was almost buzzing off 1 long island. The music was ehhhh. There wasn’t too much variety like Chicago clubs. After gettin a few drinks in I was busting a move on the dance floor. I wound up having a good time towards the end.

I really enjoyed this club. They actually play different music in all the rooms! I really enjoyed the house room, but downstairs was the most busy. This is were VIP was located along with the hip-​hopers. A friends boyfriend was the bartender so he did a good job of hooking us up with a lot of free drinks/​VIP access. They have some cute go-​go dancers for the boys and some not so cute for the girls to mock. I would go back.

I went to this place last weekend for the first time and I really enjoyed myself. I like it beacuse it doesn’t seem too much like a club where the women have to dress half naked and the men of the wear nice shoes to get in. It is more like a bar and low key which I like. Plus the weekend specials are awesome! Friday and Saturday all you can drink rails and beer from 9:30 to 10:30 for just a 6 dollar cover! I don’t think there is a better place to start your evening in downtown Minneapolis if your looking to party.

The Annex is good if you’re planning on spending the night downtown and need to get schnockered up cheap. There’s free drinks from 9:30 to 10:30 on Friday and Saturday nights. Although there is a cover charge (usually $ 5), if you can drink fast, you can get drunk and it’s worth the money. There usually aren’t a lot of people there until after 10:30 so it’s pretty easy to get drinks and don’t have to wait. There are also 3 different bars in the building so that helps too. I usually stay until free drinks end and then head to Drink or Bootleggers. Fun dance music and go-​go dancers for the guys.

I went here a few weeks ago for the time in maybe 5 years for my Cousin’s birthday party. They have cheap strong drinks during happy hour, but charge a $ 5 cover on weekend nights. I stopped paying cover for bars, a long time ago, unless there is band playing.
It’s about the same as I remember it. You would probably have a fun time if you are under 24, but you will stick out if you much older than that.
There must have been puke going rotten somewhere, I distinctly recall the odor of stale vomit. Even grosser, it was difficult to move on the hard floors because they were sticky with drinks that I probably spilled five years ago. Walking on the carpeted area emitted a suction sound with each step.
I’m writing this review now because this past weekend I was walking downtown and one of those guys with the free drink cards was giving them out indiscriminately to passersby. In front of me, there was a 3-​set of inebriated, out of town, southern, cougars that accepted the tickets for free admission and one free drink and enthusiastically ran over to the Annex. I can only imagine the shenanigans that ensued, as the nearing 50 ladies, in the state that they were in, ended up at the Annex.

Always filled with lots of people, really fun atmosphere and great music! I love the drink specials too!

Always a place we usually hit up!

Solid and good dance music. Large dance floor and separate bar and VIP areas. Ladies, if you want to see attractive men then you’ve come to the right place! I wonder if it’s the go-​go dancers that attract guys to this club…