Beast Barbeque closing in NE Minneapolis after 7 years

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The smell of smoke will soon dissipate across Hennepin Avenue in northeast Minneapolis after barbeque joint Beast Barbeque has announced it will close after a seven-year run.

Beast Barbeque closing

What we know:

Serving a selection of smoked meats, ribs and sandwiches – with a basement known to hold jazz nights and improv performances – a social media post from Beast says the doors at 825 E. Hennepin Ave. will close for good on May 2. Regular hours of operation can be expected until then.

"With a heavy heart, we are saddened to announce the permanent closure of Beast Barbecue. Thank you to all of our friends, neighbors & guests who have blessed our presence at Beast since our opening in 2019," a social media post from Beast states. "The countless memories, special occasions and laughs experienced at Beast have been memorable and will not be forgotten. We are grateful for everyone who helped to make Beast Barbecue Special. Come on in for one last hoorah."

The backstory:

The barbecue joint opened in the former Legends Bar and Grill building in 2019, backed by the owners of El’s Food & Cocktails – which closed its downtown location in 2024, but still operates a location across the street from Beast.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal notes that Beast has also been on sale since that summer as well.

Big picture view:

The announcement comes as yet another blow to the meat smokers of the Twin Cities barbecue scene, after Market Bar-B-Que announced in September 2025 that it would be selling out of its business as well after 80 years of being a family-run operation.

However, the embers still remain elsewhere, with Animales Barbeque Co. opening its first-ever brick and mortar location after years of operating a successful food truck.