Steeped in rich community history along the bustling University Avenue corridor in Saint Paul’s Midway district, The Black Hart of Saint Paul represents one of the most innovative and intentional concepts in the Twin Cities’ nightlife ecosystem. Established in August 2018 by veteran local bartender Wes Burdine, the venue breathed new life into the iconic space formerly known as the Town House Bar—Saint Paul’s oldest continuously operating LGBTQ+ space. Rather than abandoning that profound legacy, Burdine famously reimagined the venue as a dual-identity sanctuary: a dedicated, progressive soccer bar layered over a vibrant, historically grounded queer nightclub and performance lounge.
The visual aesthetic of The Black Hart effortlessly embraces the raw, unpretentious charm of a classic neighborhood dive bar infused with eclectic, modern cultural touches. The low-lit, moody main room features walls draped in local and international soccer scarves, neighborhood banners, and retro televisions tuned to live global matches. Step deeper into the venue, and the environment transitions into an intimate back performance space complete with theater curtains and a main stage. Operating at a boisterous and energetic noise profile that easily pushes to club-level volume on matchdays and weekends, the venue serves as a primary hub for essential community life moments, including high-stakes international match viewing parties, post-game celebrations, casual Sundays, and late-night nightlife hunts.
Positioned less than 1,000 feet from Allianz Field—the home of Minnesota United FC—The Black Hart functions as the epicentral pre- and post-matchday hub for local supporter groups. To fuel this diverse, fast-moving crowd, the bar utilizes a low-interaction service style focusing on classic pub operations. The kitchen serves comforting, late-night bar staples past 10:00 PM, including hot fryer baskets and local favorites like Heggie’s Pizza, with options easily adapting for vegetarian and gluten-free diets. The beverage architecture is robust and straightforward, anchoring the space with multiple draft lines, hard seltzers, a full selection of premium liquor rails, and a curated assortment of local alcohol-free options.
True to its inclusive roots, The Black Hart acts as a vital platform for the local creative arts, hosting an aggressive weekly schedule of drag shows, burlesque revues, karaoke nights, pub trivia, and community meetings. Operating under a strict 21-and-over policy, the bar proudly maintains an transparent, accessible structure with zero hidden service fees or baseline surcharges. Conveniently situated steps from the METRO Green Line light rail, bike trails, and neighborhood street parking, The Black Hart remains an essential, boundary-blurring pillar of Saint Paul’s modern cultural tapestry.
