Came here for a work team-building event and had a wonderful time! Paid street parking available on surrounding streets. There's probably parking garages as well! The space is fun and quirky: loosely circus-themed decor mixed with splattered paint and supplies leaves a feeling of organized chaos. After checking in, you are assigned a table, which you may share with others! Pick your project, order a drink, and get to work! Staff are very friendly and always around to help you out, if needed! The project options are varied, so everyone should find something that they enjoy! Minimal experience required and the instruction sheets are pretty good at explaining what to do! I had the Freakshow cocktail, which was their take on an espresso martini! Tasty, standard cocktail enjoyed while building my Stone Serving Board project. read more

Upstairs Circus - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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We went here to celebrate Valentine's Day! I had heard of it before but never tried it out. We did the making and mimosas Sunday social. We each got unlimited mimosas and to pick one craft from their craft menu. The crafts were easy enough to do and the staff was all so friendly and helpful! Such a fun idea for a date or girls day out! read more

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I think the DIY concept is cool and fun but I'm disappointed that a party of 8 or more has automatic 20% tip tagged to the service. To be honest there is no service really involved. You get your project of choosing and follow instructions and do things on your own, no one comes by to see if help is needed. There is a bar which great tip on drinks if you want but I don't think tipping on the project portion should be forced. Pay your workers fairly and tips won't be so heavily relied on. read more

This is my fourth time coming to UpStairs Circus and it is always a blast! Who wants wine and canvas when you can do full-fledged craft and cocktails! I've done the nail/string art, the aged three-piece wood sign, a bracelet, and a flask! This place is also great for groups - three of my visits has been a small corporate event. Finally, they also have flatbread pizzas. Why are they so good? No clue, but they are some of the best za's downtown. read more

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I assume most people think of this place for the crafting, but don't sleep on coming here for a cocktail! Definitely stop by here if you are in the area for a quick drink! There are so many fun alcohol, wine and n/a options, and I recommend coming here and not have to wait for a delicious drink. Secondly, I find this place to be fun for large groups of friends, bachelorette party, co-workers, family to gather and craft. There is a menu of options to choose from for a reasonable price. They have painting canvas, wood art, string/yarn art, jewelry, keychains, and so many more craft options. You can snack, chat, craft and drink with friends for under $40! read more

The atmosphere and vibe was good, music selection great. Received zero help with the projects which was not a huge deal but was confused on the 20% gratuity that I paid at the end when I didn't have a single drink. read more

Attended Upstairs Circus as a Galentine's event. I registered our group and had to fill out three or four different forms to reserve the spot which was a little confusing, but seemed to work itself out. The instructions are both overly detailed and not enough information. I did appreciate being able to create something that was useful to me. I'm certainly not a good crafter, but this was something to do that wasn't just sitting at a bar. We did order cocktails and takeout from Red Rabbit across the street (highly recommend both). We were there around 2.5 hours. Be warned there isn't great parking options. Some street (all full for me) and some nearby lots that started at $10. I don't think this is a place you would frequent often, but I'd go again if someone asked me. read more

Upstairs Circus - Leather luggage tags - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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This was really fun and I'd go back! They had a nice variety of projects and I think the prices were fair. The atmosphere was fun and bright (we went on a Saturday morning for their craft and bottomless mimosas class). However, they could've used more staff in my opinion. These weren't extremely easy projects and a lot of people needed assistance. There were 2 staff members checking people in, making/serving drinks and handling art supplies/answering questions. If you needed assistance, you had to wait and awkwardly flag down a very busy staff member. read more

We did a girls brunch here and it was SO FUN! Bottomless mimosas for $9, yes please! The craft options are great, all turned out cute, and I love that everyone can choose something different. The staff was able to answer our questions but honestly the instructions were fairly self explanatory. I would definitely come back again! read more

Upstairs Circus - Mimosas and starting the crafting - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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What a fun spot!! We came here for a friends birthday and it was a great experience. You can pick your craft and there were a lot of options based on how involved and artistic you want to get. This is a great spot for a date or group event. There is a bar and a few different simple food options. I saw a couple other people bring in food but keep in mind there isn't a ton of space at the tables. I chose a marble serving tray and it was simple enough but still took a couple hours to complete. Someone chose jewelry and someone else chose a flask. All turned out well!! read more

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When my cousin suggested we meet up for a double date here, I was super excited. I have been wanting to do something creative and fun for a while, and just hadn't thought of the right thing. We decided on a whim we were going to go, secured reservations for the next day online, and headed there on a Friday night. We parked in a surface lot across the street that is available after 6PM for a little over $10. It is pretty spendy, but it beat trying to find street parking in MPLS on a Friday night. Upon walking in, my first thought was that there is no upstairs (at least that I saw). It is more of a..."floor level" circus, which is fine, but kinda funny from the name. There is a large backdrop in the front for taking pictures with your crafty creations. We checked in, and were briefed on the process and shown to our table. While deciding what to make, we ordered drinks. They have fun variations on classic cocktails. My group then began to look at the project menus and headed over to grab our materials. You have a lot of options and there are opportunities for customizing your artwork. You are given laminated instructions and all of the materials you need to create your project (or shown where to grab paint and string if your project requires it). It was fairly straightforward, even if there were a few hiccups in the process of creating our projects. After about 3+ hours (yep...you heard that right), our masterpieces were finished. Overall the experience was good, but I have a few notes: -The place can get loud and it requires focus to work on a project. I would not suggest coming here on a first date or to catch up with an out-of-stat friend. -There is a LOT of stuff on the tables (toolboxes, water, hair dryers) so you have to be smart with your space. We didn't eat beforehand and decided to carry food in, so that made it a little more difficult to get started. -Every project is $42. For some of these projects, it might be a good deal. For others, you could order the materials on Amazon or pop into a craft store and get the materials for cheaper. However, I DO acknowledge that at Upstairs Circus, things are pre-measured and cut for you, so that is cool. -It is HARD to gauge how long projects will take. There are estimates on the project menus, but be aware that it could take a lot longer. read more

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I was given an experience here as a birthday gift with my sisters. I haven't heard about Upstairs Circus prior to coming. I was a little shocked to see that I drive by it every single day on my way to work. The name is a little misleading, you definitely aren't upstairs and there is no circus but that's besides the point. I do wish it would have been on a rooftop but that's an idea for them later on. We came on a Saturday mid morning with a reservation. We were able to bring in all of our favorite snacks and decided to go with the unlimited mimosas. The thing was unlimited mimosas is I feel like you need to do it properly, a.k.a. how many can you drink. I know not everyone else feels like this, but if I'm going to be paying for unlimited mimosas I want to get my moneys worth. The one thing I didn't like about their unlimited mimosas is they aren't quick to refill them. I had to ask multiple times for a refill and I started to feel a little shamed. It should be noted I only had five lol. All in all our group had a great time, we all chose a different craft to make. I personally went with the flask as a gift for my fiancé and I found it to be a little complicated. I am not a crafty person, and I really struggle to follow instructions. I didn't feel like I had The ability to check in with staff to see if I was doing it right. It could be due to Covid and there were really only two or three staff working so I didn't hold it against them. I would come back and try it again, maybe once Covid is over so I can see how they operate with a fully staffed team. If you're into crafts and having a drink with your friends this is a great option. read more

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Good ol' time, whether you're with someone else a large group, or solo. I made the magnetic shelf. I'm a slow crafter, and needed about 1.5hrs to complete this little project. My boyfriend made a coozie over Mason jar, took him about 50mins. The staff was mostly helpful, especially the young guy who I had to ask several times for missing items, or additional things needed. They don't have food (as noted on website) so be sure to have a bite nearby (Red Rabbit is across the street). read more

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Why aren't there more places like this? Came here with a group of girls for a friend's birthday. Between the bottomless mimosas and the options of crafts, you can't really go wrong. The staff was super friendly and helpful. There was something for everyone. They don't really have food on the premises, but they allow you to order from local restaurants nearby or doordash something over. With the size of our group, we really covered the spread of different crafts, bracelets, passport holders, key holders, etc. They have everything you need and the instructions are pretty clear and if you get hung up, the staff is happy to come and help. Each craft takes at least two hours, but some take a bit longer, so plan accordingly. I highly recommend for an afternoon out with friends. read more

Fantastic group experience at Upstairs Circus! We enjoyed a weekday afternoon as a work party and each in our group made some unique items, including: jewelry, flask, cutting board, bracelets, concrete coasters and trinket tray, board signs. We were all thrilled and enjoyed the friendly helpers and tasty drinks! A fun and different experience for a group! read more

Upstairs Circus - One of our creations at Upstairs Circus - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

WE HAD SO MUCH FUN!!! We 3 friends needed a girls afternoon out but wanted something a little different than just going for drinks. One of us suggested this place and the other 2 happily agreed! We arrived on a bright sunny morning and were cheerily greeted by the girls running the "event". We all got the bottomless mimosas and chose our projects. We are 3 very different girls and they had a project that was perfect for each of us. It was a great place to be able to drink, chat and create a fun craft that we all can look at and smile for a long time! We all agreed that there were other projects we wanted to do and so we would be returning. I can't wait! read more

Upstairs Circus - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

So fun and delicious drinks ! The staff is very helpful so you're not left with just a step by step card. Definitely a great time and not like other arts and crafts bar not that I've been to many read more

Upstairs Circus - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Went here with some friends to do a wine and craft night and was excited to see what this place was! We went on a Wednesday night and they do "friends-day-Wednesday" which gets you a bottle of wine for 1/2 the price (pretty good deal). when we got there, there was a twins game going on, and parking was tough and expensive, so plan for that if you are driving here. The place was also understaffed when we were here. There were two people in charge of the whole place, and it was a full house. They had to be bartender, craft distributor, and instructor. It was one of these workers first nights by themselves too. Service was slow (no fault of the workers, management should have planned better). It took over an hour for one of my friends to get a drink-the drinks were compensated because of the wait which was nice. The crafts are pretty expensive for what you get. These kits could easily be purchased at Michael's for 1/2 the price. I get that you're paying for the experience, but they also claimed that you would be guided by an instructor if needed. From previous comment about this place being understaffed, you're pretty much on your own. The instructions that are given on paper are not detailed, and you'll have to guess on portions. If you're paying a premium price, you should be getting a premium product/service. Overall, I still had fun because I was with friends, but the experience could be improved! The space was cute and they were playing good music all night, and the staff were friendly when we interacted with them. Would I go here again? Probably not. But at least I got the experience and know what upstairs circus is ‍ read more

Great place for a weekend trip, staycation, bachelorette, birthday party, etc. we get a table, one craft per person, drinks, and all the help you would need. They provide all the resources and tools you need to create your craft- hammers, tape, glues, paint, and even cement mixes. Each craft comes with a detailed step by step laminated "recipe". It was super easy to understand and complete. We had 6 people but decided to get a "table for 10" bc it was about the same price so we each did a craft plus 4 extras. We were able to bring food and treats for our bachelorette! read more

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Loved this whole experience. I made the passport holder. It was just the right level of difficulty for me to stay enjoyable. We brought in lunch and the orange julius was a refreshing cocktail. read more

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Food (and Drink): They have a full bar here, and I would recommend coming on a weekend when they have bottomless mimosas for $5! Well worth it. As for food, I would recommend bringing snacks of your own! When I went, I brought grapes, carrots, cheese and crackers. They also have a popcorn machine for light snacks. Venue: This is a fun, easy going, laid back place. The place is set up with a bunch of long tables with crafting materials on them. You pick out your project from a pretty big menu and they give you all the materials you need. You then follow the step by step directions that they give you and build your own craft. I've been here twice; the first time I made a wooden painted sign and the second time I made a mala necklace. Both were easy to make and follow. Parking: DEFINITELY Uber if you can. There's very limited parking around, but it's also worth it to Uber so you can take advantage of the bottomless mimosas. Service: For bottomless mimosas, they come around every 15 minutes or so to refill glasses. read more

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I visited Upstairs Circus with a friend when I was in town and absolutely loved it! On Saturday and Sunday mornings they offer any craft with bottomless mimosas. I don't remember the exact price, but with tip I paid $52. Given that a typical craft is between $30-40 and you normally pay for drinks on top of that, I thought it was a steal! The place opens at 11 am and bottomless goes until 1 pm. You have unit 2 pm to finish your craft, but my friend and I didn't end up leaving until closer to 2:30 pm and there were still lots of other people wrapping up their projects. You most definitely need to make reservations ahead of time. I made our reservations about a month before we went and the place was at capacity when we went. When you arrive, you check in with the hostess and she gives you a token (appropriately a small plastic animal toy) that you take to the back to pick up your project of choice. While there are many options, my friend and I both chose to do the nail and string art project. Also, all of the mimosa glasses are laid out on the counter when you arrive so you just pick one up and start drinking! The waitresses were pretty good about coming around and refiling out glasses, but there were a few times that they didn't come around for a while so we just went to the counter and they filled our glasses for us. Very honestly, I probably could have gone to my local craft store and done the same craft at home for a lot cheaper, but it was such a fun experience that I don't regret it. Overall, I had a great time at Upstairs Circus and can't wait to come back the next time I'm in town! read more

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Love this place!! I went here on a Saturday morning at 11am for a friend's birthday gathering & we enjoyed crafting and plenty of mimosas . I chose a tassel necklace and was able to choose the colors and beads that I would be crafting with. This choice required dexterity and ability to work with small objects and patience!! My friends chose a variety of other projects - shown on their website. Check out the different projects they offer prior to your visit so that you can pick up your chosen craft right away. At our session, the craft was $38 & the bottomless mimosas were +$4. The staff was friendly and helpful & came around to refill our mimosas frequently. I recommend ubering here to take full advantage of the delicious mimosas & bring snacks to munch on or order food from a local place - they even encourage it! They do have a popcorn machine which you can grab a snack from as well. When you first get to upstairs circus, you will check in at the front desk and hand them your credit card, which they will hang on to until the end, and they will check your ID if you plan on drinking. Our session was 11am-2pm, with mimosa pouring ending at 1pm. Around 1:30 or 2:00, the staff came around with an iPad & your credit cards to check you out. You have the option to tip and get a receipt or email it to yourself. They have a cute rainbow backdrop to take photos in front of so make sure to snap a few photos of you, your friends & your projects before you leave. It is an expensive day, but super worth it! I would recommend it to my friends & would for sure come here again read more

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This is such a cool place. Whoever decided to offer bottomless mimosas for $5 to get people in to buy crafts is a marketing genius. The website was incredibly helpful to pick projects ahead of time that fit your timeframe and skill level. My mom and I came here for the above mentioned mimosas and made some cute crafts to boot. There are plenty of helpful, patient staff to help you select a project and colors, and to answer questions throughout. We spent about 2 hours making string art projects and had plenty of refills. I HIGHLY suggest taking an Uber so you can take full advantage of the libations. The entire experience was a lot of fun and I've already stared inviting new people to give this a try. read more

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My husband and I came here with friends for bottomless mimosas. You should make reservations ahead of time, one of our friends didn't and he was able to get in because someone else didn't show so just a heads up. It was fun as always! read more

My fiancé and I went for an afternoon date and both enjoyed the complementary sangria. We were both a bit overwhelmed with all of the craft options, but found the display of ideas to be very helpful. The staff was also very knowledgeable and clear in their instructions. Once we decided which craft to do, the staff brought out detailed instructions and our supplies. I was honestly surprised at how focused we needed to be in order to complete our projects. While it was fun and I love my finished product, I definitely would suggest planning to go with a person or group that you are comfortable working alongside but not necessarily having involved conversation. We also ordered food (the popcorn machine isn't currently being utilized). There were quite a few options nearby for delivery and the staff provided us with silverware when our delivery didn't include it. read more

Upstairs Circus - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

My group had an amazing time at upstairs circus! My main tip would be to budget enough time to enjoy your night here. We anticipated it taking the 1.5-2 hours that our projects indicated, but we had an 8pm reservation and stayed until they closed. That wasn't a bad thing at all, though. The time flew because we were having fun working on our projects and enjoying the fun cocktails. I tried both the Julius the Great and the Circus Donkey, and they were both great! For projects, my group did the luggage tags, wooden 6 pack, and distressed wood art. The employees worked with us to personalize the project menu a bit which was so appreciated! They helped create more custom stencils for the wooden projects to paint which really topped off the experience for us. The last thing I noticed was the crowd at Upstairs Circus. I expected it to be mostly young women, but there was such a variety of people there! Men and women of all ages seemed to find a project to enjoy which was a pretty cool atmosphere to be a part of. I'd love to come back when the craft menu rotated again! read more

I went here for my birthday and had so much fun! I reserved the Mimosas n Makin' slot. The bottomless mimosa deal was great. Covid protocol was good. We sanitized upon arrival and any time you were walking around, we had to be masked up. I'll definitely be coming back when I'm in town. Wish they had a location in chicago! read more

Super fun place for a celebration or a fun night out for introverts. Haha. Their drinks are pretty good too, their Moscow mules are my fav. Their craft selections haven't changed as much in the years, I wish it did, or was at-least seasonal. However you can sorta make your own twist on your projects! It's pricey, in a sense that you gotta budget out about $60-$70 for the activity and two drinks. However they have deals on Groupon sometimes! So go here, it's really fun, staff are helpful and funny. Tipsy art making has never been more fun and communal. read more

Upstairs Circus - I made leather luggage tags! Dyed strips of leather, glued, cut and stamped them! - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Sounds great but there's no support or guidance on the projects ( which cost $42). Is do a hard pass on this.

Wow, this is so much better than all those painting+wine nights! It's basically the same concept but with crafts that can come out looking pretty darn awesome. I recommend going during happy hour (actually 3-6 pm) which they have even on Saturdays. During happy hour, you can still do any project they offer but select projects are only ~$25 as opposed to ~$35 during all other hours. Make a reservation in advance. You can do street parking but look for 4 hr limit spots or if you are sticking in the area for dinner use the flat fee lot (only $5 on weekend) directly across the street. For projects they offer distressed wood decorations, string art, pop art, jewelry, luggage tags, coasters, many more. They are all classified by how long they might take and level of difficulty. They have examples on display to help you make a decision. If you are indecisive like myself, I recommend browsing the website and having an idea of what you want to do beforehand! If not, you will be overwhelmed by the choices, templates, and colors available! I went with string art - and loved the result! They give you all the supplies (wood, hammer, paint, blow dryer, aprons, gloves, etc) and a step-by-step guide. Staff mill around and help you out if you are struggling. You only have 3 hours to complete the project so don't dilly dally. I couldn't finish stringing my art within 3 hours but they let me take string home to finish on my own which was really considerate. Overall it was a great time. They play great music, there's a bar for drinks, and the energy in the room is happy and fun. At times I did wish there was more table space because I like to spread out and you want to avoid inhaling when someone is sanding wood next to you. The fact that we were elbow to elbow with others is a testament that this place is popular. Will definitely want to come back! read more

Upstairs Circus - String art! - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Bottomless Mimosas and a time to spend with friends was all we needed to visit Upstairs Circus. Upon entry, the ceiling has these awesome open umbrellas that give it the circus or Mary Poppins feel (both which are great in my book). The distressed wood art was kind of a let down when comparing it to other pallet places. They don't give you a circuit style stencil but an image with carbon paper. You're stuck having to use someone else's previous lines in hoping you are pressing enough to get the carbon to transfer. The art still turns out fun but for the price, I suppose I would have expected more ease. The Mimosas and ability to do other projects gives me a reason to return. read more

Fun atmosphere. Nice variety of projects to choose from. Good service and friendly, enthusiastic staff.

You'd think with all of the positive reviews this place would be a great time-BEWARE! For $40 plus tax you "craft" something with cheap materials that you could BUY a much nicer version of somewhere else for $10. The stencils weren't working, the wood materials were not cut correctly so they didn't fit, everything looked like it was brought in from a dumpster and then had a $40 price tag put on it. The drinks are overpriced and contrary to the bartenders' opinion, not the best tasting. Overcrowded with no real space, it was not a comfortable experience at all and I regret every minute I spent there. The front check-in takes your credit card and holds it hostage, without even getting your name or information, and raises her eyebrows when you ask why. No easy parking, you have to find something on the street. Horrible place for a date (loud, overcrowded, overpriced), not comfortable or enjoyable with the minimal space (barely enough to do your craft), and just bad bad bad. I am eager to see how long this lasts in Minneapolis, although I'm sure the hipsters will keep it afloat. I would not recommend. If you're looking for a craft date/group activity, do a Paint Nite or Wine N Canvas. at least you're comfortable! read more

This place is great, the crafts are really cool and there is a great variety for everyone. Easy to get to with plants of street parking. Snacks and drinks are tasty. Also, the staff is super nice and helpful if you need it. I've been here for girls night and I've taken my 6yr old niece during the day during a weekend and both times were excellent! read more

Upstairs Circus - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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I went here once. It wasn't for me. I made a leather coozie that i still have, and I'm constantly underwhelmed by the craftsmanship. I guess I may be reviewing myself more than the actual bar here. Oh well, either way, I probably won't return. read more

This place is the perfect date night idea! The projects are pretty simple and very fun to do! The service was great, will be returning!

Absolutely intrigued by the name of this place, we had to check it out. Everything is painted black which was strange. We were greeted by a hostess who deftly explained the concept. It's a crafting bar. You book hours with them, choose a craft, collect your items and based on very intricate, detailed instructions you spend the time crafting your item. All of this done at a community table with drinks for purchase. We unwittingly signed ourselves up for 2 hours. I chose a yarn ring wall hanging thingy and she chose a nail art animal thang. Each person is given a plastic animal to "pay" for their items. I don't get it but I want that purple koala with all my being! You go to a counter and get directions and items that comprise your craft. You'll have to read your very long instructions to know that paint can be chosen or yarn colors or buckets of water will be needed eventually. As you get started you question why you're there as you likely could've bought this item for less stress from target or somewhere. Also when you're done it looks like garbage as it's your first attempt. You spend a lot of time doinG mundane tasks and it was not that fun. I don't really see this place lasting very long. Good idea, good try...but no thanks. read more

Upstairs Circus - The room - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

The ULTIMATE Girls Night (or date night if your man is into it)! Came here with a small group of friends on a cold Friday night and had a blast. We made reservations online in advance, then paid and picked our craft when we arrived. I loved how many craft options there were...everything from leather goods to jewelry to wall art to home accessories. Do NOT be intimidated by a tricky looking craft--the staff will gladly help you! Their drinks were all deliciously prepared--we loved the spicy margarita! The night is a little pricey overall (usually around $39 for a craft and an extra $6-9 per drink) but worth it for the unique experience. I hear their happy hour (3-6pm) is a great deal to check out! Keep in mind parking is always a challenge in NOLO, so Uber/carpool if possible. read more

Upstairs Circus - Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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The Upstairs Circus has earned my recommendation for every event, night out, date night. The drink menu is inspired (the circus donkey is my fave), and the project menu has something for everyone. We sat in the center of a GNO, bachelorette party, and a sweet first date. Everyone was engaged and having fun. The staff was attentive and helpful -- and they had fun doing it. It was wonderful watching all of these people proudly showing off their creations - paintings, jewelry, shelving, leather purses, serving trays... We had such a fabulous time. I'm going to try to go back next weekend for their Happy Hour weekend-long special! Except... I can't decide what to make next! read more