ABOUT US
The Heartbeat of Entertainment in Historic Downtown St. Cloud
The Pioneer Place Theatre first opened its doors as a performance and entertainment space in September of 1998. The first theatre show at Pioneer Place was Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged), produced by Actors Theater of Minnesota. Over time, Pioneer place has made a name for itself as one of the premier theatres in Central Minnesota.
In 2018, Ray Herrington became the new head of Pioneer Place. Right from the beginning, Ray dedicated his efforts to developing the St. Cloud arts scene and transforming Pioneer Place into an important and influential cultural landmark. His innovative, forward-thinking ideas have breathed new life into our historic building and secured Pioneer Place’s future as a leader of the Minnesota arts community.
Today, our theatre provides musical groups large and small with an opportunity to make their voices heard, and the Veranda Lounge stands as one of the highest-quality bars in Minnesota, solidifying Pioneer Place’s position as the constant, beating heart of entertainment in an ever-evolving St. Cloud.
In 2005, the Veranda Lounge opened and quickly became one of the best bars in Central Minnesota. With a collection of over 200 bottles of the finest wine in the city and an unparalleled selection of whisky and spirits, the Veranda has a drink for any mood. Our mixologists are among the best in St. Cloud— one even took home the Central Minnesota Bartender of the Year award six years in a row from 2016 to 2021.
A Ground-
breaking Venue in an Historic Building
A Groundbreaking Venue in an Historic Building
The building that now houses Pioneer Place on Fifth was originally built in 1913 for the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE), who used it as a clubhouse. The music theatre is located in what was originally the BPOE’s ballroom, and its original hardwood floors are still intact to this day. The upper floors of the building, which now house a bar that services the theatre, originally functioned as sleeping quarters for members of the BPOE. The upstairs bathroom is of particular note, as it features an authentic, 900-pound urinal from the turn of the century, affectionately referred to as “The King.”
On the outside of the building, guests will notice the letters “BPOE” carved in stone and two clocks permanently set at 11 o’clock, when the Elks would hold a moment of silence for veterans and their fallen brothers. The Elks moved their headquarters in the late 1960s, and numerous businesses and organizations have occupied the space since, including a ski shop, a card store, and the Stearns County Theatrical Company. In 1982, Pioneer Place was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Our Team
