Every month, Worth the Trip, my series on KSTP’s Twin Cities Live, presents the top five Minnesota spots in a particular category. And since summer is officially upon us, I had to determine who sells the best ice cream in the state.
The winning locations are determined by your suggestions. Thousands upon thousands of votes came in. Honestly, it was a bit overwhelming.
All of the top five vote getters are ice cream parlours, not places where you would go for a soft-serve cone. They are using premium ice cream. But I did notice something peculiar: none of the spots make their own ice cream. It’s purchased from two ice cream wholesale producers in Wisconsin (one shop also tosses in ice cream from Kemps, so there are three producers overall).
I have personally attended many Minnesota shops who make their own ice cream. Many of you are extremely loyal to them. What these top five shops had that some of those shops don’t offer is top-notch customer service. You’re going to be more than a number at these parlors. The owners are always there. They live in the community. And many of the shops were able to rattle off a whole bunch of ways of how they connect with the school kids and the neighborhoods they are situated in. This is far beyond donating a $20 gift card to a silent auction, folks. To the loyalists: I recommend you venture to these shops before you comment back to me with your distain.
Sponsored content Some restaurants listed below advertised with Give Me the Mike to be highlighted in this guide.
It’s a question I get frequently: ‘Please recommend a restaurant where you can rent a private room. I’m planning a birthday party for a friend.’
I get it. It sure beats out inviting randoms into your house — and then having to clean up after them.
After a while, I thought, ‘Heck, there must be an extensive guide out there listing all these restaurants.’ Well, there are a couple. One, from 2016, is extremely out of date. Many of the restaurants listed have closed. Another one I found is good, but it’s limited.
Wedding planners have their own rental guides, but you don’t need to rent out a 300-person reception hall for your cousin Janet’s 50th birthday. So, I did my research and created this guide.
Happy planning! And if you know of a restaurant not listed, let me know! Reach out to me by filling out this form.
4 Bells, just on the edge of downtown Minneapolis, has incredibly fresh seafood.
1610 Harmon Place, Minneapolis 55403 (612) 904-1163, events@4bells.com More information
Overlooking Loring Park; the sister restaurant to Butcher & the Boar
Menus can be specialized with logo and special messages
Final bill can be split amongst guests
Valet parking is available ($11, hosted for $13)
Surface pay lot available next door
Venue: Quarters
There is lots of natural light in the Quarters Dining Room at 4 Bells in Minneapolis.
Private
Capacity (seated): 24
Capacity (cocktail): Not available
Includes access to smart TV
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: $1,000
Venue: Roof Top Atrium
Roof Top Atrium at 4 Bells.
Private or semi-private
Capacity (seated): 100
Capacity (cocktail): 130
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in own music, access to smart TV, private bar, private restrooms, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: varies depending on night and time of year (ranges from $1,500-9,500)
Additional experiences: includes indoor and outdoor spaces for guests
508 Bar + Restaurant is just one block north of Target Center.
508 North First Avenue, Minneapolis 55403 (612) 339-0036, events@the508mpls.com
Close to Target Center and Target Field
Final bill can be split amongst guests
Venue: Lower Level
The Lower Level at 508 Bar + Restaurant has no rental fee and no food and beverage minimum.
Semi-private
Capacity (seated): 150
Capacity (cocktail): 347
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in music, access to projector, private bar, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: $0
Venue: Pool Room Semi-private
Capacity (seated): 40
Capacity (cocktail): 60
Includes access to projector, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: $0
The Beer Garden at Butcher & the Boar in Minneapolis.
1121 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis 55403 (612) 338-8888, events@butcherandtheboar.com More information
Just a couple blocks from Minneapolis’ Theater District
Menus can be specialized with logo and special messages
Final bill can be split amongst guests
Valet parking is available ($11, hosted for $13)
Venue: Boar Room
The Boar Room in the basement of Butcher & the Boar in Minneapolis.
Private
Capacity (seated): 32
Capacity (cocktail): 40
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in own music, access to smart TV, private restrooms, private bar, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: $1,500
Venue: Butcher Room Private
Capacity (seated): 18
Capacity (cocktail): not applicable
Includes access to microphone, access to smart TV, private restrooms, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: $1,000
Venue: Beer Garden Private and semi-private options available
Capacity (seated): 80
Capacity (cocktail): 100
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in own music, access to smart TV, private bar, private restrooms, private entrance, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: varies depending on night and time of year (ranges from $2,500-9,500)
Cafe and Bar Lurcat, overlooking Loring Park in Minneapolis.
1624 Harmon Place, Minneapolis 55403
(612) 486-5500, lurcat@damico.com More information
Menus can be specialized with logo and special messages
Valet parking is available ($12 if hosted, $10 cash)
Venue: Private Dining Room
The Private Dining Room at Lurcat.
Private
Capacity (seated): 55
Capacity (cocktail): 70
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in own music, ability to rent private bar with additional charge, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: $1,500 Sunday to Thursday evenings, $6,000 Friday and Saturday evenings — all exclude tax and service charges
Additional experiences: Bose Sound Tower/microphone available for rental; includes access to back patio from June 1st to October 1st for cocktail hour; offers large windows overlooking Loring Park
Venue: Lofted Bar Mezzanine
The semi-private Lofted Mezzanine at Lurcat provides a more intimate setting.
Semi-Private
Capacity (seated): 30
Capacity (cocktail): 30
Includes access to private restrooms
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: $500 Sunday to Thursday, $1,000 Friday and Saturday — all exclude tax and service charges
Additional experiences: offers great views of the main bar floor; area for cocktail reception within the space
Venue: Bar Buyout
Planning a big party? Turn Lurcat’s bar into a dance floor!
Private
Capacity (seated): 150-180
Capacity (cocktail): 225
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in own music, private bar, private restrooms, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $500 Monday to Thursday, $2,000 Friday and Saturday, $1,000 Sunday
Food and beverage minimum: $10,000 Monday, $12,000 Tuesday and Wednesday, $15,000 Thursday, $25,000 Friday and Saturday, $12,000 Sunday — all exclude tax and service charges
Additional experiences: part of the restaurant can turn into a dance floor with room for a band
Venue: Chef’s Table Private Dining Room Semi-private
Capacity (seated): 20
Capacity (cocktail): not available
Handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: $20 per person, minimum of 12 people
Venue: Erte’ Main Dining Room Semi-private
Capacity (seated): 100
Capacity (cocktail): not available
Includes access to plug in own music, private bar, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: varies depending on night and time of year
Venue: The Peacock Lounge Semi-private
Capacity (seated): 54
Capacity (cocktail): not applicable
Includes access to plug in own music, private bar, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: varies depending on night and time of year
Guests at the The Freehouse can go on their own on-site brewery tour.
701 North Washington Avenue, Minneapolis 55401 (612) 339-7011, michelle.dimuzio@blueplateco.com More information
Part of the Blue Plate Restaurant Company
Menus can be specialized with logo and special messages
Final bill can be invoiced or split amongst guests
On-site parking is under construction (more details available March 2019)
Valet parking is available ($6)
Venue: Volstead Lounge
Volstead Lounge at The Freehouse.
Semi-private, curtains can be drawn closed
Capacity (seated): 50
Capacity (cocktail): 75
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in own music, access to smart TV, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: varies depending on night
Additional experiences: go on an on-site brewery tour or add a beer tasting or cocktail class for your group! The Volstead Lounge also offers beer and wine paired dinners.
Venue: Back Bar Area
The Freehouse in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis.
Semi-private
Capacity (seated): 25
Capacity (cocktail): 40-50
Handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: $250 per hour
Gluek’s Bar and Restaurant is in the heart of downtown Minneapolis.
16 North Sixth Street, Minneapolis 55403 (612) 338-6621, party@glueks.com More information
Menus can be specialized with logo and special messages
Final bill can be invoiced or split amongst guests
Venue: Banquet Room
The Banquet Room at Gluek’s has no rental fee.
Semi-private
Capacity (seated): 60
Capacity (cocktail): 60+
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in own music, access to smart TV, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: varies depending on night
Additional experiences: includes access to Beer Garden
Hell’s Kitchen is centrally located downtown Minneapolis, within walking distance to downtown hotels, U.S. Bank Stadium, Target Center and the Convention Center.
80 South Ninth Street, Minneapolis 55402 (612) 238-1427, events@hellskitcheninc.com More information
Venue: Hell’s Kitchen Underground Room
The Underground Room at Hell’s Kitchen comes with a full stage, a 12-foot projector screen, and no rental fee.
Private or semi-private
Capacity (seated): 160
Capacity (cocktail): 325
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in own music, private bar, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: varies
Additional experiences: full stage; 12 foot projector screen; professional sound system; attached parking ramp which goes into lobby; connected to Minneapolis skyway system
Venue: Hell’s Kitchen Minnesota Room
The Minnesota Room at Hell’s Kitchen in downtown Minneapolis.
Private or semi-private
Capacity (seated): 135
Capacity (cocktail): 200
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in own music, access to smart TV, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: varies
Additional experiences: attached parking ramp which goes into lobby; connected to Minneapolis skyway system
Venue: Hell’s Kitchen Far Side Pub
Hell’s Kitchen is connected to the Minneapolis skyway system and the restaurant has a parking ramp attached to its lobby.
Private or semi-private
Capacity (seated): 50
Capacity (cocktail): 60
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in own music, access to smart TV, private bar, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: varies
Additional experiences: attached parking ramp which goes into lobby; connected to Minneapolis skyway system
Venue: Hell’s Kitchen Full Restaurant Buyout Private
Capacity (seated): 345
Capacity (cocktail): 425
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: varies
Additional experiences: 2 full bars; private restrooms; 12 foot projector screen; professional sound system; attached parking ramp which goes into lobby; connected to Minneapolis skyway system
Masu Sushi & Robata’s location in Northeast Minneapolis has a private room with no rental fee.
330 East Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis 55414 (612) 332-6278, info@masusushiandrobata.com
Located in the heart of Northeast Minneapolis
Menus can be specialized with logo and special messages (with two weeks notice)
Final bill can be split amongst guests
Venue: Nomu Room
The Nomu Room at Masu Sushi & Robata in Northeast Minneapolis has its own bar and private restrooms.
Private
Capacity (seated): 40
Capacity (cocktail): 40
Includes access to plug in own music, access to smart TV, private restrooms, private bar, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: $1,200
DeGidio’s is located along West 7th in Saint Paul, not far from downtown, but quite accessible for guests.
425 Seventh Street West, Saint Paul 55102 (651) 291-7105, info@degidios.com More information
Final bill can be split amongst guests
Complimentary on-site parking available
Valet parking is available (for events and after 5:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday nights October – March)
Venue: DeGidio Event Venue
The Event Venue at DeGidio’s and seat up to 160 people and does not have a rental fee.
Private
Capacity (seated): 40 to 160
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in own music, access to smart TV, private bar, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0 (deposit of $100 required for Sunday – Thursday nights and $500 for Friday – Saturday nights)
Food and beverage minimum: There is a $22 food minimum per adult in the DeGidio Event Venue. Beverages do no count toward the minimum. There is a $1,000 food minimum for events with less than 45 guests on Friday and Saturday evenings. There is a $750 food minimum Sunday – Thursday evenings for events with less than 35 guests. Children under 10 are half price.
The Happy Gnome on Selby Avenue in Saint Paul. Photo courtesy Poppy Seed Photography
498 Selby Avenue, Saint Paul 55102
(651) 287-2018, emily@thehappygnome.com More information
Menus can be specialized with logo and special messages
Final bill can be split amongst guests
Complimentary on-site parking available
Valet parking available as a package
Venue: The Fireside Room
The second level Fireside Room at The Happy Gnome comes with white linens and a roaring fire. Photo courtesy Poppy Seed Photography
Private
Capacity (seated): 80
Capacity (cocktail): 125
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in own music, access to smart TV, private bar, private restrooms
Rental fee: $350
Food and beverage minimum: varies depending on night — $1,000 Sunday to Wednesday evenings, $2,500 Thursday and Friday evenings, $3,500 Saturday evenings
Additional experiences: room rental comes with linens, candles, coffee service and a fireplace
Holman’s Table is dinner and a show. Diners get a view of the tarmac of airplanes taking off at the Saint Paul Downtown Airport.
644 Bayfield Street, Saint Paul 55107 (612) 800-5298, contact@holmanstable.com More information
View of the Holman Field tarmac
Menus can be specialized with logo and special messages
Final bill can be invoiced and split amongst guests (based on event)
Valet parking available for hire
Venue: Earhart Room Private
Capacity (seated): 70
Capacity (cocktail): 100
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in music, access to smart TV, private bar, handicap accessible
Rental fee: based on event
Food and beverage minimum: based on event
Inside the Radisson Blu Mall of America; connected to the Mall by skyway
Menus can be specialized with logo and special messages
Final bill can be split amongst guests up to 5 ways
On-site parking is available ($17)
Additional on-site parking is available in the Mall of America ramps
Valet parking is available ($12 event parking, $25 overnight parking)
Venue: Dining Room
The Semi-Private Dining Room at FireLake Grill House and Cocktail Bar at the Radisson Blu Mall of America.
Semi-private
Capacity (seated): 60
Capacity (cocktail): 75
Includes access to smart TV (additional fee), private bar (additional fee), handicap accessible
Rental fee: $50
Food and beverage minimum: Varies
Venue: Lounge
Guests in The Lounge at FireLake can enjoy a game of pool.
Semi-private
Capacity (seated): 46
Capacity (cocktail): 100
Includes access to smart TV (additional fee), private bar (additional fee), handicap accessible
Rental fee: $50
Food and beverage minimum: Varies
Additional experiences: includes 2 pool tables
The Private Dining Room at Lela Restaurant in Bloomington.
5601 West 78th Street, Bloomington 55439 (952) 656-5980, events@lelarestaurant.com More information
Attached to the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel
Menus can be specialized with logo and special messages
Final bill can be invoiced or split amongst guests
Complimentary on-site parking available
Venue: Lela Private Dining Room Private
Capacity (seated): 36
Capacity (cocktail): 20-40
Includes access to smart TV, handicap accessible
Rental fee: varies
Food and beverage minimum: varies
Venue: Lela Lounge
The Lela Lounge gives you access to happy hour prices.
Semi-private
Capacity (seated): 58
Capacity (cocktail): not available
Includes access to microphone, access to smart TV, handicap accessible
Rental fee: varies
Food and beverage minimum: varies
Additional experiences: happy hour menu available in this space
Venue: Lela Wine Room
The Wine Room at Lela Restaurant in Bloomington.
Semi-private
Capacity (seated): 10
Capacity (cocktail): not available
Includes access to smart TV, handicap accessible
Rental fee: varies
Food and beverage minimum: varies
Whether your group has 4 people or 300, the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres has a venue to accommodate you.
501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen 55317 (952) 934-1524, randerson@chanhassendt.com More information
The Chanhassen Dinner Theatres isn’t just for date nights and wedding receptions!
Final bill can be invoiced or split amongst guests
Complimentary on-site parking available
Discounts or packages for groups of 12 or more may be available for performances in the Main Dinner Theatre, Stevie Ray’s Comedy Cabaret, and the Fireside Theatre Concert Series. Call (952) 934-1547 for details.
Venue: The Club
The Club at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres.
Private
Capacity (seated): 175
Capacity (cocktail): 225
Includes access to microphone, access to smart TV (additional fee), private bar, handicap accessible, private entrance
Rental fee: varies
Food and beverage minimum: varies
Venue: Garden, Jonathan and Carver Rooms
From 50 to 300 people, the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres can accommodate groups of all sizes!
Private
Capacity (seated): 250 — the rooms can be divided and closed off for smaller parties (as few as 50)
Capacity (cocktail): 300
Includes access to microphone, access to smart TV (additional fee), private bar, handicap accessible (note: dancing area is not handicap accessible)
Rental fee: varies
Food and beverage minimum: varies
Venue: Director’s Suites — available for Main Stage shows at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
Private
Capacity (seated): 4 or 33 (two Suites available)
Capacity (cocktail): 33
Includes access to smart TV (additional fee), private bar (additional fee)
Rental fee: guests must purchase dinner and show tickets
Food and beverage minimum: a minimum of 20 people for larger space
8672 Pineview Lane, Maple Grove 55369 (763) 424-4365 More information
Menus can be specialized with logo and special messages
Final bill can be invoiced or split amongst guests
Complimentary on-site parking available
Venue: Patioview and Fireside Rooms
The Fireside Room at the Lookout Bar and Grill.
Private
Capacity (seated): 60 (if booked together)
Capacity (cocktail): 70 (if booked together)
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in own music, private bar, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: varies
Additional experiences: Patioview comes with a private patio space
Throw a bowling party at the Park Tavern in Saint Louis Park.
3401 Louisiana Avenue South, Saint Louis Park 55426
(952) 929-6810, reservations@parktavern.net More information
Final bill can be invoiced or split amongst guests
Complimentary on-site parking available
Venue: Atrium
The Atrium inside Park Tavern.
Private
Capacity (seated): 36
Capacity (cocktail): not applicable
Includes access to smart TV, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: $0
Venue: Party Room
There is no food and beverage minimum for the Party Room at the Park Tavern.
Private
Capacity (seated): 40
Capacity (cocktail): not applicable
Includes access to plug in own music, access to smart TV, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: $0
Venue: Bowling Lanes
Semi-private or private
Capacity (seated): 200
Capacity (cocktail): not applicable
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in own music, private bar, handicap accessible, private entrance
Rental fee: No flat fee — determined by when event is held
Food and beverage minimum: No flat fee — determined by when event is held
Additional experiences: 20 bowling lanes; 3 buffet areas; children’s arcade; smoking patio
Venue: 11th Frame
Rent out the entire 11th Frame, which can turn into a private bar for your group.
Semi-private or private
Capacity (seated): 100
Capacity (cocktail): not applicable
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in own music, access to smart TV, private bar, handicap accessible
Rental fee: No flat fee — determined by when event is held
Food and beverage minimum: No flat fee — determined by when event is held
Additional experiences: space includes 13 TVs, 4 pool tables, 5 dart boards, Big Buck Hunter video game, Golden Tee video game, Skee Ball machine, TouchTunes juke box, seasonal outdoor patio with additional 120 seats available
294 Grove Lane North, Wayzata 55391
(952) 698-7900, party@6smith.com More information
Menus can be specialized with logo and special messages
Final bill can be invoiced or split amongst guests
Complimentary on-site parking available
Valet parking is available ($8)
Venue: Revel Room
The Revel Room at 6Smith includes panoramic views of Lake Minnetonka and a private patio.
Private or semi-private
Capacity (seated): up to 50
Capacity (cocktail): 50
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in own music, access to smart TV, private bar upon request, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: varies depending on time, day of week and time of year (ranges from $1,250-3,000)
Additional experiences: includes panoramic views of Lake Minnetonka, private patio space
Venue: Knotty Room
The Knotty Room at 6Smith in Wayzata.
Semi-private
Capacity (seated): up to 14
Capacity (cocktail): 25
Includes access to microphone, access to smart TV, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: varies depending on time, day of week and time of year (ranges from $500-1,250)
Venue: Revel & Knotty Rooms
Combine the Revel & Knotty Rooms at 6Smith for additional space.
Private or semi-private
Capacity (seated): up to 86
Capacity (cocktail): 100
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in own music, access to smart TV, private bar upon request, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: varies depending on time, day of week and time of year (ranges from $2,000-4,200)
Additional experiences: includes panoramic views of Lake Minnetonka, private patio space
Venue: The Tavern
Semi-private
Capacity (seated): up to 64
Capacity (cocktail): 50
Includes access to smart TV, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0
Food and beverage minimum: varies depending on time, day of week and time of year (ranges from $1,000-5,000)
Additional experiences: includes panoramic views of Lake Minnetonka
2170 Eagle Creek Lane, Suite H, Woodbury 55129
(651) 998-0474, angela@angelinaskitchen.com More information
Final bill can be split amongst guests
Complimentary on-site parking available
Menus can be specialized with logo and special messages
Venue: Tuscany Room
The Tuscany Room at Angelina’s Kitchen has no rental fee.
Semi-private or private
Capacity (seated): 70
Capacity (cocktail): 100
Includes access to microphone, access to plug in own music, access to smart Apple TV, access to private restrooms, private bar, handicap accessible
Rental fee: $0, a service fee of $30 per hour per staff member will be charged; staff count will be determined by guest count, menu and service style
Food and beverage minimum: private events: $1,500 Monday – Thursday, $2,000 Friday – Saturday; $0 for semi-private
With the crowdsourced list of restaurants below, it’s recommended you visit their websites to ensure they offer the private dining options you need.
