Beast Barbecue, the Northeast Minneapolis barbecue spot on East Hennepin, will close its doors on Saturday, May 2, ending a seven-year run. The restaurant opened in 2019 in a former Legends Bar & Grill space and built a following with its smoked meats, St. Louis-style ribs, and laid-back bar menu. Owners shared a short farewell, thanking neighbors and guests for the memories at the Hennepin Avenue hangout. That May 2 service will be the restaurant's final shift.
Announcement and farewell
According to Bring Me The News, Beast posted on its website, "With a heavy heart, we are saddened to announce the permanent closure of Beast Barbecue." The message went on to thank the "friends, neighbors & guests who have blessed our presence at Beast since our opening in 2019." The public note did not explain the shutdown, leaving fans to simply circle May 2 on their calendars.
A late-night hub for house music
As reported by Racket, Beast's basement developed a second life as a house-music hideout, with Friday night residencies and other late-night dance parties turning the barbecue joint into an unexpected nightlife stop. Promoters and a co-owner told the outlet that committing to a weekly music schedule helped the events grow into a reliable crowd. The closure means both dancers and diners lose a neighborhood spot that pulled double duty as a club and a comfort-food refuge.
Property and ownership context
The Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal reported that the building that houses Beast and its sister restaurant Eli's East hit the market in summer 2024. That listing came on the heels of the closure of Eli's downtown location and hinted at a broader reshuffle of the ownership group's holdings along Hennepin Avenue. Beast was launched by the same team behind Eli's Food & Cocktails, which continues to operate across the street in Northeast.
What comes next
Beast has not shared plans for staff or announced a buyer for the 825 E. Hennepin space, according to Bring Me The News. The restaurant's official site still lists its address as 825 East Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis. For now, regulars and curious first-timers have until May 2 to squeeze in a plate of ribs and one last late-night at the Northeast spot.
