Ask enough Minneapolis hosts where they held their most memorable evening, and eventually someone leans in and lowers their voice: a mansion. Not a rented ballroom with hotel carpet — an actual Gilded Age mansion, with carved oak, grand rooms, and just enough mystery in the hallways to make the night feel like a story. That is the Pillsbury Club, set inside the historic Charles S. Pillsbury Mansion at 100 East 22nd Street. And yes: you can book it for a private event.

Because the Club is open exclusively to guests with reservations, a private gathering here never competes with a walk-in crowd. When the mansion is yours for the evening, it is genuinely yours.

A Venue With a Story Built In

The mansion was built for Charles S. Pillsbury of the flour-milling dynasty and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places — a house that has been perfecting the art of entertaining for more than a century. We save the deep history for our History Journal (start with the story of Philip Pillsbury, the Master Miller who grew up in these rooms), but here is the short version that matters to a host: this house was designed for parties. The grand rooms flow into one another, and every one of them gives your guests something to talk about. History buffs in your group will also enjoy the Minnesota Historical Society for the wider story of the families who built this city.

The Spaces: a Dining Room, a VIP Suite, and a Bar Downstairs

The centerpiece is the historic dining room, originally designed for Gilded Age entertaining and still one of the most impressive rooms in Minneapolis — the kind of space that turns a birthday dinner, anniversary, or corporate gathering into an occasion.

For smaller celebrations, the Emerald Suite is a private second-floor VIP lounge that seats up to 10 guests — ideal for a champagne toast before a tour, an intimate engagement celebration, or a secluded spot to hold court while the rest of your party explores the mansion. And downstairs, the speakeasy-style bar pours themed and seasonal cocktails with all the theatrical flourish the house deserves; we wrote a whole post on where to find a speakeasy-style night out in Minneapolis if you want a preview. There is even a private theater tucked inside the Club for screenings and presentations with real drama.

Make It an Evening: Tours, Trolleys, and a Little Theatrical Mystery

What makes a mansion party here different from renting a hall is everything you can bolt onto it. The Club runs guided tours and experiences year-round — including paranormal ghost hunts and evenings of psychic readings, if your group likes its history with a shiver. And because the mansion is the launch point for Minneapolis Trolley Tours, your party can walk out the front door and straight onto a vintage trolley: the Murder Mystery tour is practically built for groups and parties, and the Candlelight Ghost Tour is a guaranteed conversation piece on the ride home.

The Practical Part (Hosts Love This)

The Club is open Monday and Tuesday from 5–10 PM, Wednesday through Friday from noon–10 PM, and weekends from 11 AM–10 PM, with admission by reservation. Guest parking is complimentary — there is a designated lot directly across the street plus free street parking where permitted — and rideshare drop-off is right at the front entrance in the Whittier neighborhood. One insider tip: if your event involves engagement photos or any staged shoot with professional equipment, book a photography reservation in advance; details are on the Plan Your Visit page.

Hosting out-of-town guests? 300 Clifton, a historic mansion bed & breakfast in nearby Loring Park, keeps the Gilded Age theme going overnight, and Oakland’s on 9th offers comfortable extended stays downtown for anyone lingering longer. Want to build a full weekend around your event? The Minneapolis Institute of Art is a short walk from the Club (general admission is free), and Meet Minneapolis is the best starting point for everything else in the city.

Ready to Plan Something Memorable?

Whether it is a milestone birthday, an engagement, a company night out, or a party that simply deserves better than a banquet room, the mansion is listening. Email info@pillsburyclub.com or start at our Plan Your Visit page to begin planning. The house has been hosting unforgettable evenings since the Gilded Age — it would be delighted to host yours.