When we first toured Nicollet Island Pavillion we met Morgan. She was incredibly helpful starting from the initial planning stages, selecting a date, and arranging a special tasting to accommodate the bride's dairy and gluten allergies. Mintahoe was so on top of it that they even had multiple gluten and dairy free wedding cakes for the bride to taste. This was especially impressive to us because other gluten and dairy free bakeries wouldn't even accommodate cake tastings. (The cakes were all delicious. We went with chocolate raspberry/ lemon poppyseed with lemon curd and vanilla buttercream.) Morgan went above and beyond through every step of the planning process, and she and the Mintahoe staff thought of everything. At our final planning meeting we met Nikita. She had the venue set up and then we went through every step of the day according to the timeline. On the big day, Nikita coordinated with our DJ, Pastor, and Photographers and things could not have gone better! A few things that really stood out to us were: - After the ceremony, the venue had our favorite drinks and small appetizer plates ready for us in the back room. - The late night snack (nacho bar and wings) were also allergen free. - They put up all of our signage and place cards (which saves a lot of stress). Overall, the day was so perfect because of Morgan, Nikita, and Mintahoe's professionalism and planning. As the bride and groom, we were able to enjoy every moment of our wedding day! read more

From the moment my (now) husband and I virtually toured Nicollet Island Pavilion, we knew we had found the perfect place to celebrate our wedding. We are city dwellers but love the outdoors and NIP was the perfect backdrop that brought both of those worlds together. The well-maintained outdoor space provided a stunning backdrop for our ceremony and cocktail hour while the industrial vibe of the venue building provided some urban romance for the evening reception. The attention to detail displayed by the venue's staff was exceptional. Morgan, our event coordinator, was not only professional but also genuinely invested in making our day perfect. Coordinating an event with a very Type A bride (I'm the problem, it's me) and parents, who sometimes had differing preferences, is not easy, but Morgan navigated all our questions and changing plans with ease. She worked tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of our celebration was executed flawlessly, leaving us stress-free and able to savor every precious moment on the big day. The combination of breathtaking surroundings, impeccable service, and a dedicated team made our wedding day truly unforgettable. We are immensely grateful to Nicollet Island Pavilion for providing the perfect backdrop for our big day! read more

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I am not the kind of person to write a review but I had to make an expection for the Nicollet Island Pavilion as this was the WORST experience. I am newly engaged and was eager to start planning our wedding. I came across the Nicollet Island Pavilion and immediately reached out. I received a response back which got the ball rolling and we began the process. Many phone calls, a virtual tour and a follow up call and email with everything spelled out so that I could review with my fiance. The proposal was went to me on 8/6/2024. On 8/8/2024 I reached back out letting them know that we would like to move forward with the process. Prior to me reaching out, I was told that my date was on a "soft hold" and if any other parties were interested in my date, I would be notified so that I could make a decision if I wanted to move forward, or not. On 8/9/2024 I receieved a follow up email saying "Yay we are so excited to work with you, etc." My Fiance and I went into the weekend feeling good and accomplished. On 8/12/2024 I receive another email from the "day of coordinator" that, my date is no longer availiable and another party has already receieved a quote and is paying.We can offer you another date. They are fully aware my date is not flexible as that has been stated many times on our calls. In pure disbeilef, there is no way possible this is happening. How could this be if I was the first to inquire about this date and it was on a soft hold. How could this happen when not one person called me to let me know that someone was even interested. How could this happen had we JUST SPOKE ON FRIDAY? This is a brides worst nightmare and I wouldn't wish this on anyone. I will NEVER work or reccomend this venue to ANYONE! I wish I would have done more research as I have come across so many one star reviews from food quality to service. But I write this post in hopes this never happens to another Bride. read more

When ordering our beer selections, it wasn't made clear to us that Bud Lite was a "Specialty" beer and could not be returned if un-used. We are out $450! They are not easy to work with! Buyer beware!! read more

This is a review of the grounds, not the venue. I have spent many calm afternoons lounging at the picnic tables and benches here. As a matter of fact, this was one of my favorite places to sit and read while studying for my pharmacy board exams. When there isn't an event going on at the pavilion, the grounds are peaceful and a lovely spot to get away from the bustle of the city. There is a great view of downtown, the Mississippi River and St Anthony Falls. I would recommend taking a stroll through here on a sunny afternoon, laying on the grass with a good read, or setting up a picnic lunch with a loved one. read more

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Many positives - beautiful setting; historic building; good food. It costs considerably to rent this facility - expectations were higher. The tent outside the building (white) is very dirty, torn in many areas. The heater (extra cost of $500) didn't sufficiently heat the tent on a cold afternoon. Our bar was set to open at 5:30 - the ceremony ended early and 130 persons were looking for a beverage at 5:25. The bartenders were not ready causing a delay, beyond 5:30. The bar was then moved inside (extra cost to move $250). Toward the end of the evening the liquor bottles were moved below the counter so many guests were under the impression that only beer and wine was available. Only if you asked for a cocktail did the bartenders pull up a bottle. We paid for a top shelf bar package - felt short changed. After the wedding we asked for a response from Mintahoe and NEVER heard back. In addition to the rental, Mintahoe charges a 24% administrative fee. This is NOT a gratuity - separate gratuities had to be paid to the bartenders and servers. If rental includes tables, chairs, linens, "professional event staff" etc. - what does the administrative fee cover? The ready room for the bridal party needs a significant upgrade. The greatest disappointment is that one feels nickel and dimed; and that management doesn't respond . read more

Nicollet Island Pavilion is one of my favorite Minneapolis wedding venues! It's such an amazing venue, plus there is a lot of options for photos (which as a wedding photographer, I love!) onsite plus nearby. They have an outdoor ceremony option and their indoor reception venue. The Nicollet Island Inn also serves as a great option for a bridal suite for getting ready! I highly recommend checking out this venue if you're looking for a venue in an easy, convenient Minneapolis location! read more

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This is a truly beautiful venue. We were here for a wedding and the setting, with the mighty Mississippi behind it, was special. All of the guests seemed to enjoy the deck down at the river. As others have pointed out, it was quite warm inside. But the evening's festivities (and libations) quickly distracted us all from such petty concerns. The building is beautiful and was a great backdrop for a wonderful evening. Some venues feel cramped. This one, with its soaring ceilings felt comfortable and -- more importantly -- appropriate for the occasion. The park setting around the venue is a great place to spend an afternoon. I hope to return soon for more exploring. read more

I just attended an event at the Nicollet Island Pavilion on a quintessential spring night in Minnesota. Looking out from the Pavilion, you can see the waters of the Mississippi and the lights of Downtown Minneapolis. It's truly a gorgeous place to hold an event. I could imagine that it's also a gorgeous place to take wedding photos after a reception. Hint-hint. There's plenty of space and plenty of versatility within that space. It has an old-school feel with exposed brick wall and a built-in bar area and a basement area as well. The staff were helpful and accommodating, and it's fully capable of supporting complex staging/AV. Downsides: --Only one restroom for each sex. When you have 600 people in the space (it holds 660) and you're holding a cocktail event...one woman's restroom ain't enough, honey. --Minimal parking available (it's also pay-parking with a max of 6 hours--though the rates are fairly cheap). read more

the lights were cool, food was crap.

Nice place to visit. They have a large building for the event I attended. They have a very nice patio outside that looks out to, what I believe is, the St. Anthony falls. My only qualm about it is that they need AC in the building. All we had were fans blowing air around. Funny, the only other thing that stands out from the visit is that I had ordered a beer and my wife a gin & tonic. I was surprised by the price at the cash bar. $14 was a bit too much to spend on that. read more

I loved my wedding at the Pavillion, but that is no thanks to the staff there. You WILL incur unexpected additional costs. Our menu prices went up as we were "grandfathered" in to the new years pricing, which I would assume is added every year. The tasting is fun, but you won't have the opportunity to try many of the items that you might want to add to your menu. We took a risk on appetizers that we didn't sample and I was not impressed. However, the main course was good. The venue coordinator had no knowledge of the menu or the venue in general. She could not answer any of my questions regarding the appetizers or dessert options. So overall, if you have an unlimited budget and can hire someone else to do the planning for you (rather than the onsite venue coordinator) then this is the venue for you! read more

Very impressed with the space and what the designers can do with it. The walls are exposed brick with that goes up to the length of the roof. No worries about it being cold, they have the doors/windows insulated and an extensive powerful heating system. The building is right on the river, which was pretty cool to see out the windows but decided to admire the view from afar since the weather wasn't cooperating that night. I attended a company meeting during the daytime and it was just an empty hall with round tables and a stage setup in the front. It seemed to be a typical setup for a venue with no decorations at all; after all it was just for a company meeting. After returning in the evening to my company's kickoff party/celebration it was a totally night 180 (night and day difference). They made ample use of the space and everything was decorated and well done. Huge Kudos to the staff and the decorator(s)! The lighted up sculptures which adorned the pathway was a nice touch as well. I didn't complain with the valet parking either. There was a huge outdoor tent set up right behind the building which was very spacious and had a big ice sculpture between the bars. The bartenders were very friendly and knowledgeable when it came to the spirits. They had some specialty drinks (fire/ice) which was poured through an ice sculpture and dripped into your glass, very nice! It was an amazing event and a great space. Can't wait to go back again for another cool fancy event. read more

We attended a wedding here, and compared with other venues in the area (ARIA, machine shop, solar arts) this doesn't quite get the 5 stars of those venues for the following reasons (all of which combined lowered the quality of the venue). The positive - the staff were very friendly and approachable. The event flow from outdoor to indoor was seamless. The day of team seemed to keep things moving smoothly Some points of improvement- 1) catering was average, not stellar and something that we will talk about for months to come. My understanding is that you are restricted to the venues caterer, which is convenient for the planning but leaves something to be desired for the food 2) the indoor hanging lights combined with the exposed green pipes on the inside are outdated and make the venue look cheaper than it is. The more elegant venues we've seen have gorgeous chandeliers or the ceilings are taller and more elegant. The cafe lights with the hunter green color of the pipes and doors made the decor look cheap. Seems like a different paint, darker or white like the machine shop, and replacing the lights would be a worthwhile investment... 3) the grounds outside needed a clean up. The Minneapolis skyline in the background and the river are stunning, unfortunately the ground/concrete/stone outside needed a serious power washing and the decking outside could use a sand and stain...(or could be Trex material) All in all guests had a great time as we did! But if you're looking for a place every bride- and groom-to-be at your wedding wants to book after you, id look elsewhere. read more

I recently visited the Nicollet Island Pavillion for a wedding. It's beautifully located next to the Mississippi, and the grounds are well-kept. The outdoor patio space by the river is wonderful, especially in the early evening. The indoor venue is large (I believe the capacity is 600+) and well-appointed. It did get very hot during the reception, and I'm not sure if that was a product of no air-conditioning or conservative AC use. Either way, I'd double check that for summer events. read more