With the holiday season fast approaching, there's no better time to start planning your perfect gathering – and no better partner to help you pull it off than Jester Concepts. Known for their portfolio of elevated, chef-driven restaurants in Edina, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Excelsior, Jester Concepts offers a wide range of private and semi-private dining options perfect for everything from formal corporate dinners to cozy happy hours.
We sat down with Kelly Bergerson, events manager at Jester, to talk about how each space is tailored for hosting unforgettable holiday events.
Top-Tier Private Dining
Borough
Known for its contemporary design and inventive New American cuisine, Borough offers flexible event space options including semi-private and full buyout capabilities.
"Borough is great for groups looking for that balance of style and substance,” Kelly notes. “It has that neighborhood feel, but you’re still getting chef-driven dishes and a curated experience.”
Expect seasonal menus served family-style or coursed, and an intimate, welcoming vibe perfect for smaller business or personal gatherings.
730 N Washington Ave., Minneapolis | boroughmpls.com
Butcher & The Boar
Butcher & The Boar offers four private dining options including:
- Char Bar – A fully enclosed speakeasy with a private bar, seating up to 32 or 50 guests for a reception style event.
- The Alder Room – Glass-enclosed and elegant, it seats up to 24.
- The Shadow Room – AV-equipped boardroom-style space, seating 18.
- Full Buyout – Host up to 150 guests seated, making it the largest event space in Jester’s portfolio.
“Char Bar is our hottest space right now,” Kelly says. “It’s moody, intimate, and incredibly versatile – great for coursed dinners, pairings, or cocktail demonstrations.”
With coursed menu options, wine and spirit pairings, and even custom vendor setups, the team makes it easy to create the kind of event guests will talk about long after the last toast.
901 N 3rd St Suite 195, Minneapolis | butcherandtheboarmpls.com
Mirabelle
One can expect French-inspired menus and festive decor at Mirabelle. The space includes three event options:
- Semi-Private Elevated Section – Seats 38, just above the main dining area.
- Fireside Lounge – A cozy 20-person nook featuring an actual fireplace.
- Full Buyout – 75 seated or 115 reception-style.
“The Fireside Lounge will be just magical during the holidays,” Kelly shares. “It’s the kind of place you want to settle in with a glass of wine and a few small plates after a long day – it’s perfect for happy hours and post-event gatherings.”
200 Water St., Excelsior | mirabellemn.com
P.S. Steak
P.S. Steak has a lounge great for cocktails and mingling, and the Steakhouse Dining Room for a full-service, seated dinner.
“This is where formality meets fun,” Kelly says. “We often do receptions in the Lounge and then transition guests into the dining room – it’s seamless and makes for a dynamic event.”
Valet service is also offered.
510 Groveland Ave., Minneapolis | psmpls.com
Parlour
Parlour offers private spaces at each of their locations — St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Excelsior.
St. Paul has the most structured private event spaces, including the Parlour Bar (54 guests reception style), the Lounge, Dining Room, and Minnesota Room, each with a unique layout.
Minneapolis and Excelsior have full or partial buyouts only with a more casual and lounge-oriented atmosphere.
“Parlour is a vibe,” Kelly explains. “It’s dim, moody, and feels like the holidays without needing much decoration. And our seasonal cocktails? They absolutely shine in that setting.”
The menu includes the famous Parlour burgers along with buffet options.
267 W 7th St., St. Paul | 730 Washington Ave N., Minneapolis | 200 Water St., Excelsior | parlourbar.com
Starling
Located right next to Edina City Hall, Starling is Jester’s only Edina location, which opened in 2024. The Solarium, a semi-private space, can host up to 30 guests seated or 40 standing.
“It’s bright, modern, and completely flexible,” Kelly says. “We see everything from corporate luncheons, casual family-style dinners, to bridal shower brunches in this space.”
Menus include seasonal favorites, reception-style spreads, and customizable options from the main dining menu.
“We want our guests to enjoy the best of what’s on our menu – these are our greatest hits, designed for sharing and celebration.”
4925 Eden Ave., Edina | starlingmn.com
Off-Site Catering & Flexibility
While private dining is the heart of Jester’s holiday experience, most locations also offer catering and off-site services – a growing trend for clients who prefer hosting in their own homes or offices.
“We make it happen, no matter the setting,” Kelly says. “If someone wants us to bring the experience to them, we’ll build the menu, staff it, and deliver the same level of hospitality they’d expect in-house.”
The Jester Difference: Unreasonably Hospitable
No matter the restaurant or the format of your event, Jester Concepts is built on the belief that hospitality matters just as much as the food.
“We’re proud of our food, of course,” Kelly says. “But what really sets us apart is the way we treat people. We want guests to feel like they’re part of something special.”
From expert servers who know the menu inside and out to warm, festive atmospheres designed to inspire connection, Jester Concepts elevates every holiday celebration into something memorable.