The little Quest Club that could(n’t)
The Quest Club in downtown Minneapolis is again closed, and I would personally just like to see it go away.
Opened by Prince in 1992 as “The Glam Slam” (named after the song), it was later sold and renamed the Quest Club. The 24,000 square foot venue includes two performance stages, including the b-stage in the “Ascot Room,” which was known for its fake foliage, trees and fountain (although recently painted tan and de-tree-ed).
I could tell back in October that this club was falling to pieces, and then there was losing their liquor license and then that Lil’Flip concert shooting back in December. Plus, their Web site was dark for about six months before just recently coming back up with a new url.
So a couple weeks ago, a fire in its building on July 31 ruined a good amount of electrical equipment and caused a bunch of water damage, causing the club to close again with a rumored $1 million in damages…
Ross has a listing of re-booked venues for all the acts slated to play the Quest before it closed. It’s currently planning to reopen again on September 1 with Head Automatica, Rock Kills Kid and Men, Women and Children.
I’m from Iowa, and in the late 90s and early 2000’s it seemed the best bands skipped First Ave and played the Quest. We drove 250 miles, often up and back down in the same night, to see major groups like the Beta Band, Our Lady Peace and the Vines play the venue — groups who would never think of stopping in Des Moines.
But as I alluded earlier, I’d just like to see it go away. Not only did it devolve into a Clear Channel clearing house prior to closing last year, it has poor sight lines with pillars everywhere, a super crowded 21+ balcony on all-ages nights and terrible restroom facilities. There are a variety of stellar alternative venues in the city, and fortunately, many of the groups I’m into now prefer to play smaller venues anyway (and actually, they stop in Des Moines now, too!).
I suppose we’ll see what the new facilities, booking and management look like when it reopens…although the new Web site has a Myth-esque vibe, and in my opinion, another dance club is THE LAST thing we need in the cities.
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I wholeheartedly agree with this whole post. I went to see Gomez there last fall (or was it this last spring?), and in addition to all the problems listed above, their ATM was broken, and the price for beer was only a little outrageous. The concert was still good, but only because my friends and I scored front-row spots.
Let’s hope the new ballpark sits on top of this place.
The Quest has gone through management change after management change over the years and their instability certainly shows.
Night clubs are often mismanaged; it’s almost become cliche. Very few have 36-year-staying-power like First Avenue, and even then, First Ave closed it’s doors in 2004 for awhile over major business problems.
I guess I don’t know much about the operations of the club… but I agree with some thoughts here. The sight lines ARE terrible there. You HAVE to get up close to see anything, which means putting up your arms and pushing and shoving for the heavy shows, but it’s just stupid. I’ve seen some great shows there but have never really enjoyed that venue.
So why does this club have this “legendary” air about it? Because Prince started it?
I’ve seen two shows there that I can remember (both several years ago), and they were both okay, but only because I worked hard to get a good spot to stand in.