Twin Cities Elites rock out at Yelp’s Band Geek Bash in Minneapolis!

Music madness swept downtown Minneapolis as scores of Twin Cities Elites rocked out and geeked out in their favorite concert T-shirts this week for Yelp's Band Geek Bash!

The Depot Tavern is the younger brother to First Avenue and the 7th Street Entry—and this music-lover's haven sits right next door to its kin in downtown Minneapolis. Not only can you grab a bite or a beer there before a show, but you can also buy your concert tickets at the bar without all those pesky fees.

For the Band Geek Bash, The Depot's incredible staff turned it up to eleven as they rocked palates with their inventive spin on bar food. Elites noshed (and moshed?) on a spread of portabella mushroom sliders, bacon-wrapped Diamond Dog bites, poutine-inspired cheese curd and potato skewers, assorted grilled cheeses and five-spice pork belly spring rolls—which aren't even on the menu yet. Of the culinary creations, Megan W says, "Anything that makes eating cheese curds feel fancier is top-rate in my book." Agreed! 

The bartenders and servers kept the liquids flowing too, as Elites imbibed on Odell Brewing Co.'s Red Ale (their spring seasonal), Menage e Trois Red and Revel Stoke Whiskey. Yelper Ryan P indulged in the whole set of beverages, dubbing this trifecta of booze "dangerously good."

Elites tested their local music trivia knowledge with a get-to-know-you version of YELP-O. The game included questions like… "What star clearly yells out 'Minneapolis!' in her 1989 single?" Ms. Janet Jackson, of course. And "What Minnesota band had their tour bus stolen on the way to Austin City Limits last year?" That would be our very own super-group, GAYNGS. Some excelled while others struggled, but everybody did quite well… once they all started cheating!

Below: The Squad caught in the act. Cheaters!

Bingo cheating aside, these generous party-goers also opened their wallets to a good cause and donated a chunk of change to Doctors Without Borders, an organization that provides medical care to those less fortunate around the world, including earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan. If you didn't get a chance to donate at the party, you can do so directly on their website.

Check out the rest of the photos on Flickr by the ever-talented Ryan Siemers of Capture M.O.R. Family & Event Photography! You know you need a new profile picture. And take a look at the reviews of the shindig on Yelp!

Rock on,
Annie D.

Twin Cities Yelp Community Manager