
A banging live music scene, more art museums than you can wave a paintbrush at, breathtaking natural scenery, and the largest mall in America—yep, there's a lot to love about Minneapolis, Minnesota. If you're planning a special event in the Twin Cities, you'd better believe that there's an endless list of possibilities just waiting to be explored.
And if you're searching for an amazing venue for your next celebration, the Giggster app might just be your new best friend. With a diverse range of local venues to choose from, each of which offers something memorable and unique for any occasion, it's a piece of cake finding your ideal special event space.
Minneapolis is oh so proud to boast iconic venues like the Cedar Cultural Center and U.S. Bank Stadium, which regularly host the best national acts. And then there's Bunker's Music Bar & Grill, where Dr Mambo's Combo has been giving weekly performances since 1987!
But if you're looking for a truly unique space where you can host an event to remember, you'll find a diverse selection of memorable settings with Giggster.
The Replacements, Soul Asylum, Motion City Soundtrack—a host of great bands have come out of Minneapolis, so the city's thriving live music scene should come as no surprise. Throw a birthday party to remember by hiring a couple of great local bands to pump out some live music in your own private bar space and rock around the clock.
No matter whether it's Friday after-work drinks or a Sunday night session, it's easy to find the perfect place for a fantastic Minneapolis work gathering. You could opt for casual cocktails in a relaxed pub setting, or opt for something stylish and sophisticated if it's an important corporate dinner.
Leave the freezing winter weather behind with an intimate gathering in a groovy jazz bar. You and your guests can enjoy smooth tunes and good vibes while you catch up with old friends.
Forget the main bar area. Give your special event an air of exclusivity by hiring your own private room. When you combine an intimate atmosphere with a private (and well-stocked) bar, the good times are sure to flow.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: There are 29 stunning venues to choose from on the Giggster app, each of which offers a bespoke touch to your celebration. But there aren't just spaces to suit all event styles—you'll also find settings to suit all budgets.
Hassle-Free Booking: Booking bar locations in Minneapolis is simple and stress-free with Giggster. Use the handy search filters to find venues that meet your needs, compare transparent prices, and contact the host directly if you need more info.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: You need to be flexible to host events, which is why we offer free cancellations within 24 hours of making a booking, provided you book at least 48 hours before the event date.
Platform Protections: Parties don't always go to plan, so enjoy increased peace of mind by adding optional damage, liability, and cancellation insurance to your booking.
Intimate or extravagant, low-key or luxurious, family-friendly or adults only—Minneapolis bar venues are suited to a huge range of private events and celebrations. Here are just some of the special occasions worth considering for your ideal event venue.
Birthday Parties – Bar Birthday Bash. Celebrate another lap around the sun with your closest friends and family in a cheerful bar setting. Minneapolis’s Most Glamorous Cabaret is the perfect fit for a wide variety of gatherings.
Karaoke Nights – Take to the Stage. There's nothing better than getting up on stage and belting out a tune or two, and it's even more enjoyable when you've got the whole bar to yourself. Gather your team from work and hold a fun competition.
Retirement Parties – Three Cheers. Drink a toast or two to a departing colleague and share a night of refreshments, food, and fun. Your colleague deserves a send-off in fine form.
Holiday Parties – Festive Fun. Welcome the holidays in style with good food and a few warming drinks in an exclusive private bar. After all, 'tis the season!
Rehearsal Dinners – Timeless Tradition. Celebrate your upcoming wedding with your nearest and dearest with an intimate rehearsal dinner in a cozy bar space. What better way to prepare for the soon-to-happen special day?
Like a delicious cocktail, the right bar space for you needs a carefully selected blend of quality ingredients. Here's what to look for when choosing an event venue.
Start with the location. The right space for you will be conveniently located in downtown Minneapolis or somewhere else easily accessible for you and your guests.
Then think about the vibe you want. Form a clear picture of the style of occasion you're planning—the bar you choose should match the ambiance you want for your celebration, whether that means casual, formal, or anything else.
Know what facilities you need. Make a checklist of all the must-have facilities you need in a venue, from a dance floor to a DJ booth, and then limit your options to those spaces that tick all the boxes.
Never neglect your budget. There's no need to get into a big financial hole for just one event, even if it's something as important as your wedding day, so only consider venues you can afford.
Are Minneapolis bar venues versatile and interesting enough to host a diverse range of special events? You betcha! But there are also a few factors that may inspire you to consider other venues.
Advantages
Social or corporate, family or friends, casual or sophisticated—bar venues are flexible enough to host a huge variety of celebrations.
Thanks to a long list of local bands contributing to an eclectic live music scene, you won't have any trouble finding entertainment for your event.
There's no shortage of cultural, sporting, and natural attractions to entertain interstate guests before and after your celebration.
Disadvantages
Want to book out the entire bar? It could be expensive, so you might be better off searching for more of a no-frills venue.
Popular venues book out a long time in advance, so you'll need to get in early or risk missing out. During festival time, like the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, bars will be extra busy.
Some occasions, like kids' birthday parties and formal occasions, aren't suited to bar settings, so you'll need to consider other options.
There's so much more to planning a great private event than just choosing a venue, so use the steps below as a handy checklist to guide you through the planning process.
What's the Occasion? – First things first, ask yourself what you're celebrating and how you want to do it? What ambiance and experience do you want your guests to enjoy? This will help you find the ideal setting and vendors for your party.
Choose a Venue – Compare Minneapolis bar venues to find your ideal event site. Whatever you want in a venue—a Minneapolis North Loop neighborhood location, experienced staff who provide amazing service, standing room for a cocktail reception, a dance floor, a stage for live music, or any other must-haves—shop around to secure your perfect space.
Sort the Guest List – Put together your guest list and send out invites well in advance to ensure that everyone is available to attend.
Book Catering – Great food is an essential ingredient for a successful celebration, so coordinate with the venue or your own caterer to craft an absolutely delicious menu. Don't forget to ensure that there's a full menu of local brews, wines, spirits, and cocktails to keep everyone well hydrated.
Arrange Entertainment – If you want to book live music from local bands or DJs, or hire any party games for your event, make all the necessary arrangements now.
Even small and humble gatherings can eventually end up being quite expensive, so it's totally worth your while to take steps to cut costs whenever possible. Here's how.
Get in gear early.
If you're a leave-it-to-the-last-minute kinda person, you're basically shooting yourself in the foot in terms of planning an affordable party. Check your laissez-faire attitude at the door and start planning your party as early as possible; this will give you the freedom to shop around for the most affordable venues.
Change the date.
Check whether you can save money by moving your event to a less popular date. Moving to a Sunday night instead of a Friday night, just as an example, could leave you with some extra wiggle room in your budget.
Limit numbers.
Sure, you might want a huge celebration with every single person in your phone contacts list, but what if your bank balance doesn't agree? Cutting down on numbers is a simple way to reduce costs, so be as ruthless as you can and trim the guest list down to the key people you want to share your special occasion with.
Give your guests a great experience—download the Giggster app today and start searching for the best Minneapolis bar venues for private events. From rooftop bars to diners with cabarets, we have unique spaces to make your event center stage!