Minneapolis nightclub Visage closes doors

Another nightclub closure hits downtown Minneapolis.

By Tom Horgen, Star Tribune

Last update: August 5, 2009 - 11:30 AM

Add Visage to the growing list of nightclub closings in downtown Minneapolis (already recently shuttered: Trocaderos, Axis, Element and Bellanotte).

Even after a capacity crowd came out to see rapper Gorilla Zoe on Saturday, Visage still closed its doors the following night.

"They have been evicted for nonpayment of rent," said Lowell J. Osterbauer, the building's owner.

Visage (French for "face"), opened in 2006 as a European-style club specializing in fashion shows and electronic music. In the past year, Visage did an about-face -- so to speak -- by ditching the Euro flavor for a hip-hop vibe. The club regularly held shows by mainstream rappers such as Twista, J-Kwon and Project Pat.

The club was located at 400 3rd Av. N.

With the new Twins stadium next door, general manager Kevin Spahn said they had been intending to remodel the club into a sports bar.

Osterbauer is already fielding calls from people interested in the space.

Tom Horgen • 612-673-7909