If you haven't yet been to the best new hipster rock bar in downtown St. Paul -- OK, the only hipster rock bar in downtown St. Paul -- then this is the weekend to make it over to Amsterdam Bar & Hall. The spacious new beer-and-grub pub is celebrating its grand-opening all weekend and hosting a trio of shows, including an early all-ages show on Sunday.
Opened by the operators of the 331 Club and 501 Club in the former Fhima's and Pop! restaurant space at 6th and Wabasha (click here for the back story), the Amsterdam held a well-received soft-opening last month and has been refining its act since then. This weekend will be the first to prominently feature the club's "big stage," at the far end of the room with enough space for about 500 fans. It's also the first chance to check out the cool new home of Eclipse Records, located right next door and open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sunday from noon-5 p.m. Word is the Eclipse dudes have been beefing up their vinyl stock the past few weeks, which will now be the store's cornerstone.
Here's the Amsterdam's grand-opening weekend music lineup:
FRIDAY: Communist Daughter (celebrating a new EP and lots more), Fire in the Northern Firs (featuring former First Communion Afterparty singer Carin Bono) and Speed's the Name. 9 p.m., $8, 21 & older.
SATURDAY: Twilight Hours, Phantom Tails and Little Man. 9 p.m., $8, 21 & older.
SUNDAY: Zoo Animal (playing one of their last sets with current trio lineup) and the New Monarchs. 5 p.m., $5, all ages.
