Minneapolis’ historic North Loop neighborhood, on the bank of the Mississippi River, is experiencing a mini revival, and one of the old factory buildings holds a delicious surprise, in the shape of the critically acclaimed Bachelor Farmer restaurant.
The building was originally constructed in 1881, and owners Eric and Andrew Dayton tried to preserve as much of the original brick and timber structure as possible. The restaurant opened in 2011 after three years of renovation.
“Cool stuff is going on and the building is always buzzing,” says Bachelor Farmer’s private events manager, Julie Brousseau; so take a peek inside 50 North 2nd Avenue.
Lower Level: Get cozy at Marble Bar, a subterranean craft cocktail space that has been well-received locally and is furnished with comfy leather booths.
Main Floor: The “meat” of the Bachelor Farmer restaurant spans the building’s main level. The cuisine channels Minnesota’s Nordic heritage, but as the largest component of the menu is local produce, it is actually more of a “Minneapolis experience” than a “Nordic experience,” Brousseau explains.
Third Floor: The building’s top floor is where the real excitement lies for planners. The restaurant’s meeting and event space opened in late September, and the four rooms can be rented in any combination. The 24-seat Afghan private dining room is the most popular, and the walls are actually covered in colorful, patterned blankets.
Corporate groups like to reserve the space for meetings during the day and private group dinners are welcome at night.
