23 Minneapolis Event Venues Your Attendees Will Love
Searching for event venues in the Mini Apple? Look at this list of 23 next-level event venues in Minnesota’s Twin Cities and beyond. Among these Minneapolis spaces, you’ll find microbreweries, caves, orchestra halls, and historic mansions.
Minneapolis, the larger of the two Twin Cities, is a natural wonderland. With over 13 lakes, wetlands, and direct access to the Mississippi River, this Minnesota city is home to various beautiful landscapes. Originally founded by the Dakota Sioux peoples, the city eventually blended its founders’ indigenous culture with the French, who showed up later. Today, Minneapolis is the proud host of many cultural and artistic landmarks. From contemporary art museums to a thriving indie music scene, there’s something for everyone in this Land of 10,000 Lakes.
1. Aria
Source: ARIA
Location: North Loop
Capacity: 400-1,000
At Aria, you’ll find a grand hall with design features like marble columns and exposed brick, showcasing both the history and elegance of the city. They describe their style as old-world elegance meets new-world chic. Crystal chandeliers and pop art accents round out the venue aesthetic and make for a cohesive design that will enthrall attendees no matter the occasion.
2. The Neu Neu
Source: Crave Catering
Location: North Loop
Capacity:
- First Floor: 150 seated, 200 cocktail style; 150 seated ceremony; 175 standing ceremony with VIP seating only
- Second Floor, Natural Light Studio: 20 seated, 30 cocktail style
- Second Floor, 3rd St. Studio: 20 seated, 30 cocktail style
Formerly known as 514 Studios, The Neu Neu is a historic Minneapolis venue built for intimate wedding parties, large cocktail parties, and more across three unique spaces. All three areas in The Neu Neu feature lounge-worthy furniture, exploded brick walls, wood-rafter ceilings, and the ability to customize it to meet your event’s needs. Want a sit-down? The Neu Neu can meet your needs.
3. The Riverside at Minneapolis Event Center
Source: Minneapolis Event Center
Location: Northeast
Capacity: 50-500
One of the various spaces offered by Entourage Events Group, The Riverside at the Minneapolis Event Center offers various activities and food options for any event. Multiple food stations and bars are located throughout the space itself. As a bonus, they have secured partnerships with local breweries, rotating the spotlight to give seasonal and special edition flavors their due. If that wasn’t enough, they also host Ghost Tours in the historic basement!
4. Urban Growler
Source: Urban Growler
Location: St. Anthony Park
Capacity:
- Barrel Room: 110 seated, 225 mingling
- The Hayloft: 40 seated, 49 mingling
- + additional options
This next venue holds the title of the first women-owned microbrewery in all of Minnesota. Urban Growler® Brewing Company has a taproom, kitchen, and Beer Garden. Plus, this event space is open six days a week, and you’ll have the option to rent one or more spaces simultaneously. Serving a wide selection of traditional flavors alongside original beers that reflect local eccentricities, this is one locale you shouldn’t miss.
5. Wabasha Street Caves
Source: Visit Saint Paul
Location: West Side
Capacity: 200
This outside-the-box venue plays host to a variety of underground gatherings. The Wabasha Street Caves are a fascinating and mysterious event setting with more than 12,000 square feet available for your special occasion. The organizers behind this venue also offer winter light tours, Big Band dance nights, and private dinners. Inside, you’ll find a selection of lighting options, comfortable temperatures, and plenty of amenities for attendees to enjoy.
6. Varsity Theater
Source: Varsity Theater
Location: University
Capacity: 30 to 750
A performance and private entertainment venue, the Varsity Theatre has some serious art deco vibes. This multi-level venue has velvet booths, disco balls, and hidden lounge spaces. Organizers have hosted everything from big-name musical acts to galas to daytime conferences in this Minneapolis event venue. For particularly inventive planners, the space is highly transformable, so there’s plenty of room for creativity.
7. American Swedish Institute
Location: Phillips
Capacity: 20-500
The American Swedish Institute is a Harry Potter-esque castle come to life, with its historical Turnblad Mansion and contemporary, LEED-certified Nelson Cultural Center! With seasonal exhibits, workshops, and special collections on display, this venue is perfect for corporate gatherings, private events, and anything else you can dream up. Bring your vision to live in the courtyard, mansion, cultural center, Paulson Hall, Larson Hall, or one of their spacious board and meeting rooms.
8. Elliot Park Hotel, Autograph Collection
Source: Marriott
Location: Downtown
Capacity: 288
The Elliot Park Hotel, Autograph Collection is in the middle of one Minneapolis’ oldest neighborhoods and features 3,005 square feet of space. The venue’s goal is to bring boutique sophistication to a historic location — the wood-fired Italian restaurant and convenient parking are just a few perks for guests and event attendees. The Elliot Park Hotel also has three event rooms, three breakout rooms, and meeting rooms, plus WiFi and presentation equipment for events that need more privacy and focus.
9. Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center
Source: Heritage Center
Location: Brooklyn Center
Capacity: 15-1,000
The Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center embraces rustic beauty with its signature red barn. Organizers at this venue provide event services for gatherings as small as 15 people — think business lunches and meetings — or as large as 800 attendees for weddings and galas or 1,000 for trade shows. The center’s onsite staff members are highly trained and experienced in catering.
10. Minnesota Orchestra Hall
Source: Minnesota Orchestra Hall
Location: Downtown
Capacity: 2,000+
The Minnesota Orchestra’s impressive residence hosts entertainment, food, and drinks all in one place. Their thriving performance calendar has a classical focus but also includes themed evenings from family favorites — like Disney and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club. The venue features more than six customizable spaces so you can plan and orchestrate the event of your dreams.
11. Gale Mansion
Source: Eric Vest Photography
Location: Whittier
Capacity: 100-190
Hosting your next event at a mansion is impressive in its own right, but the Gale Mansion takes it up a notch with an onsite executive chef, boutique service, and full liquor license. Weddings and receptions are the mansion’s main attraction, but they also host corporate and social gatherings. You can rent the mansion and ballroom separately or together, making the Gale Mansion an elegant backdrop for any event.
12. US Bank Stadium
Source: US Bank Stadium
Location: Downtown
Capacity: 60-66,655
The US Bank Stadium has custom-built spaces for events of almost all sizes. With a total of 11 venues, each space has its distinct decor, but they all come with a variety of catering options and unique perks both inside and outside the stadium. With larger gatherings, it can be tough to keep track of your event. Consider implementing an event management software that can help you track registrations, boost sponsorship opportunities, and create segmented tracks for your program.
14. FIVE Event Center
Source: FIVE Event Center
Location: Uptown
Capacity: 350
Booking an event at the FIVE Event Center is an all-inclusive experience with onsite coordinators, wireless mic systems, projection equipment, two indoor bars, and a quaint outdoor patio — just to name a few features. As a benefit, FIVE’s alcohol packages are customizable, and if you’re looking for a transformational Minneapolis venue, FIVE is it.
15. Rogue Buddha Gallery
Source: Rogue Buddhism
Location: Northeast
Capacity: 250
The 2,000-square-foot Rogue Buddha Gallery has storefront windows, distressed wood floors, and art from international and local artists. Its staff offers event planners help arranging catering, live music, and equipment rental. They even provide discounts for nonprofits who book private events with them.
16. Nord Room
Source: Wedding Spot
Location: Uptown
Capacity:
- Seated: 86 seated
- Cocktail-style: 100
This next Minneapolis event space is all about convenience. The Nord Room (aka the private event space by French Meadow Cafe & Bakery) is open 24/7. The space includes a Tasting Room and Social Hall, and their french pastries are a hit with locals. Their staff will also help customize a menu tailored to your party. Although this venue is among the smallest on our list of Minneapolis event spaces, it makes up for it in delicious baked goods.
17. The Machine Shop
Source: Machine Shop
Location: St. Anthony/Northeast
Capacity: 300
A concert lounge with both sitting and standing room options for events, The Machine Shop primarily caters to live musical acts. The eclectic vibe makes for an unparalleled addition to this list of Minneapolis event spaces, perfectly capturing the one-of-a-kind sounds of this city. This venue is best for corporate events and fundraisers for brands with a slight edge.
18. Mintahoe at Solar Arts
Source: Pinterest
Location: Northeast
Capacity: 350-450
The 100-year-old Mintahoe at Solar Arts building features natural lighting, hardwood floors, exposed brick, wooden beams in their design, and newly renovated restrooms with private dressing rooms as well. With amazing offerings — partnerships with top-notch caterers, antique furniture and decor rentals, and professionally coordinated experience courtesy of their event specialist team — this is one Minneapolis space that is hard to pass up.
19. Food Building
Source: Food Building
Location: Northeast
Capacity: 150
The Food Building has three unique space options: Tasting Room, Bubble Hall, or the whole building. Although each space has its unique offering, they all accommodate food and beverage services and audio-visual presentations. Food Building’s thoughtful and informative website gives all the nitty gritty details and tips for event success that planners could ever want.
20. Warehouse Winery
Source: Wedding Spot
Location: St. Louis Park
Capacity: 100
The electric Warehouse Winery is privately owned and fully functional. The space has three in-house catering options and — you guessed it — a variety of award-winning wines to choose from. Reviewers were more than satisfied with hosting their weddings at this venue and cemented this location as a hidden gem. Take a break from the Minneapolis beer scene with this off-the-beaten-path option.
21. Trapped Puzzle Rooms
Source: Twin Cities
Location: North Loop
Capacity: 4-16
Escape rooms are a fun and clever way to encourage attendees to work on team-building skills while making lasting memories. Trapped Puzzle Rooms’ themed games are available in-person or remotely, so you can choose the best venue for your needs. For convenience, they have two locations in St. Paul and Minneapolis.
22. ModernWell
Source: Yelp
Location: Bryn Mawr
Capacity: 150
ModernWell is a coworking and event space focused on providing women with collaborative and holistic spaces, championing the work-life community with help from independent, one-of-a-kind spirits. Organizers can host both corporate and casual drinks, book launches, and meetings, to name a few.
23. The Holden Room
Source: Parallel MN
Location: North Loop
Capacity:
- Seated: 250
- Cocktail-style: 400
The Holden Room is a 5,000-square-foot warehouse venue that blends the historic with the contemporary. The Holden Room is flooded with light and can transform to suit any need, from weddings and corporate events to makers markets and creative gatherings.
Wrapping Up: Finding The Perfect Minneapolis Event Venue
There is a lot that goes into choosing the right space, but with this varied list of curated Minneapolis event venues, you’ll be sure to find inspiration for your next shindig. Plan on holding events outside of Minneapolis? Take a look at some of our other lists of venues in major cities:
