If you walk into a bar and see a group of rowdy Loons fans screaming at a TV on one side and a glittering drag queen prepping a wig on the other, you’ve probably found the Black Hart of St. Paul. It’s a weird mix. Honestly, on paper, it shouldn’t work. Sports bars are usually about tribalism and cheap domestic drafts, while drag lounges are about performance, subversion, and safe spaces. But at 1415 University Avenue West, these two worlds don't just coexist; they thrive.
The Black Hart of St. Paul isn't just another dive bar in the Midway. It’s a local landmark that took over the space formerly known as Town House Press, which was famously the oldest LGBT+ bar in the Twin Cities. When the ownership changed hands around 2018, people were nervous. They thought the history would be erased. Instead, what happened was a masterclass in community building that somehow turned a queer space into the unofficial home of Minnesota United FC fans.
The Mid-City Vibe: It's Not Your Typical Sports Bar
Most sports bars feel like a corporate franchise. You know the ones—thirty identical monitors, generic wings, and a crowd that looks exactly the same. Black Hart is the opposite. It’s gritty. It’s authentic. The lighting is low, the floors have seen some things, and the walls are covered in a mix of soccer scarves and queer art. It’s a place where you can wear a jersey or five-inch heels and nobody blinks.
Wes Burdine, the owner, is a massive soccer fan. He understood something that most people miss: soccer fans and the queer community actually share a lot of DNA. Both groups are built on a sense of "otherness" and fierce loyalty. They both love a good anthem. They both show up in rain or shine. By leaning into this overlap, the Black Hart of St. Paul created a "home away from home" for the Dark Clouds and Red Loons (the Minnesota United supporter groups) while keeping the stage lights warm for the drag performers who have called that stage home for decades.
It's basically the living room of the Midway. You’ve got the Green Line light rail humming right outside, the Allianz Field stadium just a few blocks away, and a literal cross-section of St. Paul sitting at the bar. You might see a construction worker finishing a shift sitting next to a college student from Macalester, both of them arguing about whether the Loons should have made a mid-season trade.
Why the Soccer Connection Matters
Let's talk about the soccer of it all. You can't mention the Black Hart of St. Paul without talking about Allianz Field. When that stadium opened, the geography of St. Paul sports shifted. Suddenly, thousands of fans were pouring into the Midway looking for a place to pre-game.
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A lot of bars would have just put up a "Soccer Fans Welcome" sign and called it a day. Black Hart went deeper. They became the heartbeat of the supporter culture. On match days, the energy is electric. It’s loud. It’s sweaty. It’s everything a sports bar should be. But there’s a nuance here—it’s a sports bar where toxic masculinity is checked at the door. If you’re going to be a jerk, you’re in the wrong place. This intersectional approach is exactly why it ranks so high in the hearts of locals.
The bar frequently hosts watch parties for away games, and the atmosphere often rivals the actual stadium. People aren't just there to watch; they're there to belong. That's a huge distinction. You’re not just a customer; you’re part of the "Hart" family.
Drag, Burlesque, and the Stage
But wait, there’s more. On Friday and Saturday nights, the soccer scarves stay on the walls, but the focus shifts to the stage. The drag scene here is legendary. We’re talking about performers like Monica West and a revolving door of local talent that keeps the legacy of the Town House alive.
The drag shows at the Black Hart of St. Paul aren't the sanitized, "Drag Race" style versions you see on TV sometimes. They’re raw, funny, and incredibly creative. One night it’s a classic glamour show; the next, it might be a weird, experimental burlesque night or a karaoke session where the host is more entertaining than the singers.
- The Variety: It's not just drag queens. You'll see drag kings, non-binary performers, and burlesque artists.
- The Accessibility: Usually, the cover charge is reasonable or non-existent for certain events, making it a place where you can actually afford to spend an evening.
- The History: This stage has been a platform for queer expression since 1969. That’s a heavy legacy to carry, and the Black Hart does it with style.
Some folks thought the "soccer bar" rebrand would kill the queer vibe. Kinda the opposite happened. It made the space more resilient. By diversifying what the bar offers, they ensured that the doors stay open even when the soccer season is over or when the nightlife economy hits a slump.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Midway
There’s a narrative that the Midway district is "rough" or just a transit corridor. People who say that clearly haven't spent an hour at Black Hart. This neighborhood is the soul of St. Paul. It's diverse, it's messy, and it's rapidly changing.
The Black Hart of St. Paul acts as a sort of anchor for the area. While new developments and shiny apartments go up around Allianz Field, the bar remains a place that feels "Old St. Paul" in the best way possible. It hasn't been "Disney-fied." The drinks are still strong, and the people are still real. Honestly, if you want to understand the current state of St. Paul culture, you just need to sit at the bar for a Tuesday night happy hour.
Navigating the Black Hart: A Few Tips
If you're heading there for the first time, don't be intimidated. It’s an inclusive spot, but it helps to know the "rules" of the house.
First, check the schedule. If you hate crowds and loud chanting, maybe don't go two hours before a Minnesota United home game. It will be packed to the rafters. Conversely, if you want the full "Loons" experience, that is exactly when you should show up.
Second, respect the performers. If you’re there for a drag show, bring cash for tips. It’s common sense, but you’d be surprised how many newcomers forget. The performers work hard, and the tips are a huge part of the culture.
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Third, try the local brews. They usually have a solid rotation of Minnesota craft beers on tap. It’s a great way to support the local economy while you’re soaking in the atmosphere.
The Future of Inclusive Spaces
In an era where many queer spaces are closing down across the country, the Black Hart of St. Paul offers a different blueprint. It suggests that the way to survive is to be "both/and" rather than "either/or." You can be a soccer bar AND a drag lounge. You can be a community center AND a late-night party spot.
This model of "radical inclusivity" is what keeps people coming back. It’s a place where you don't have to check a part of your identity at the door. You can love sports and love drag. You can be a straight ally who just wants a good place to watch the game without dealing with the typical "bro" culture.
The Black Hart of St. Paul has survived a pandemic, civil unrest in the neighborhood, and the general volatility of the bar industry. That doesn't happen by accident. It happens because the community decided this place was too important to lose.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you’re planning to check out the Black Hart, here is how to make the most of it:
- Check the Match Calendar: Use the Minnesota United FC schedule to decide what kind of vibe you want. Match days are high energy; non-match days are more chill and local-focused.
- Follow Socials for Show Times: Drag and burlesque schedules can change. Their Instagram or Facebook is the most reliable place to see who is performing on any given weekend.
- Take the Light Rail: Parking in the Midway can be a nightmare, especially during stadium events. The Green Line stops almost right at the front door (Snelling Ave Station). It’s easier and safer.
- Bring Single Bills: For the love of all things holy, have $1 and $5 bills ready for the performers. If you forget, there’s an ATM, but it’s better to come prepared.
- Explore the Midway: Make a day of it. Grab food at one of the nearby immigrant-owned restaurants on University Avenue—there’s incredible Ethiopian and Hmong food within walking distance—then head to the Hart for drinks and a show.
The Black Hart of St. Paul isn't trying to be the fanciest bar in the world. It’s trying to be the most authentic. In a world of filtered photos and curated experiences, there’s something incredibly refreshing about a place that lets you just be whoever you are, whether you’re wearing a scarf, a crown, or both.