Important Planning Dates

1. Date Held: Once you have determined Pique is on your "shortlist" of options, we can place a "Hold" on that date for you. You will then have first right of refusal if we receive another inquiry for that date (you'll have 48 hours to either secure the date with a deposit or release the date)
2. Date Secured: At the time of booking with a deposit.
3. Booking Fee: At the time of booking (non-refundable, credited towards total rental rate
4. Contract Due: At the time of booking.
5. Final Payment Due: 45 days prior to the event (non-refundable unless the date is booked by another client).
6. Proof of Insurance Due: If required, due 10 days prior to the event.
7. Final Planning Details: 10 days prior to the event a completed floorplan with any furniture moving, rentals, additional hours requested must be submitted along with a timeline of vendor arrival.

How many guests can the venue fit?

Stand-up cocktail receptions can accommodate 200+ guests. For seated dinner receptions, we recommend not exceeding 130 guests. There is no minimum number of guests and the space can be set up to feel coze from 20 to 200 people.

What is included in the rental rate?

• Use of the event space “as is” with the following furniture included:
  • 4 brown leather club chairs
  • 4 rustic wooden tables made from reclaimed wood (4’x8’)
  • 40 vineyard cross back chairs with seat cushion
  • Metal cocktail table with two bike pedal barstools
  • Large rustic wood and corrugated metal buffet table on castors
• Use of built-in bar area including sink
• Use of built-in projector and projector screen (Client MUST come in prior for a test run prior to the event date)
• Use of built-in large screen tv behind the bar area
• Use of built-in speaker system. Please note this speaker system has limited volume and is not allowed for dancing/DJ use.
• Natural stone gas fireplace
• WiFi
• Coat rack
• Use of the handheld microphone
• Use of shared free parking lot behind

What is NOT included in the rental rate?

• Additional insurance. For all Saturday events, and some other events, you may be required to provide insurance coverage (typically a $200 expense). This is evaluated at the time of booking.
• Planning Services. Excelsior Events does not provide event management services or coordinating for the event. We highly recommend hiring a planner to coordinate and assist with planning your logistics, timeline, floorplan, vendors, decor, etc. Excelsior Events can only provide information regarding our venue.
• Food and beverage

Is staff on-site during the event?

On the day of your event, one of our team members will greet you upon arrival at the site. After the initial set up, the team member may be on-site periodically or available “on-call” by phone for any needs that arise during the event. During the actual event, your catering captain will serve as your main point of contact. All approved caterers have been trained to manage any venue day-of needs and have access to our team at all times. If you need more day-of support on-site, we recommend hiring an event planner (see Vendors page on this site).

When can I get into the space?

The rental rate applies to the following specific time parameters: Weekday Evening: 4 pm - 11 pm Friday Evening: 4 pm - Midnight Saturday: 12 pm - Midnight Sunday Daytime: 9 am - 4 pm Sunday Evening: 4 pm - 11 pm Sunday Full-Day: 9 am - 11 pm
All setup and tear down must occur within your rental timeframe including vendors. You can book additional time for setting up at $100/hour (additional time not guaranteed for every event).

Can I ship or drop-off things in advance?

If the shipment or drop-off is minimally disruptive to any other day-to-day operations we can accept it. We try to be as accommodating as possible without charging the additional rental time so just ask if you have a specific request.

Do you have additional furniture for rent?

The furniture below is in our "event closet" and access to these is a flat $50 rate for your entire rental.

• Three high-top cocktail tables
• Two 8-foot buffet-type tables
• 40 white folding chairs

What floorplan and set up details are required?

​Excelsior Events will send out a final details sheet to fill out and return no later than 10 days prior to the event. Our staff will arrange our furniture according to your drawn floorplan. Please provide a floorplan with all furniture/set up for the event and share with other vendors. You may visit the space any time with your party during working hours to assist with planning/set up.

What parking is available?

There is a 60-space lot directly behind the building that is shared by us, The Suburban restaurant, and CrossFit SISU. Additional free parking can be found across 3rd street and east of Water Street business, behind the Excelsior Brewery. Ask us for an area map of free public parking within two blocks of the event venue (can be shared with your guests).

Is there security on-site?

There is no security at the event site. If you are concerned that your event will be in need of security, please contact the South Lake Minnetonka Police Department. In addition, you can contact a private security company of your choice (can provide security personnel on an hourly basis). The space is equiped with a security system and cameras.

Will I need to purchase insurance?

We reserve the right to require any event to obtain event insurance, most commonly applied to weddings, receptions, or other private events with over 100+ guests serving food and alcohol. If we require it for your event, you will be responsible for providing proof of $1 million general liability coverage that includes bodily injury and property damage, and needs to be filed at least 30 days prior to the event. The “additional insured” needs to be listed as follows: Excelsior Events LLC, 362 3rd St., Excelsior MN 55331.

Is the space handicap accessible?

Yes, there is a ramp leading up to the front entrance and bathrooms are ADA approved.

What restrooms are available?

We have a separate men’s and women’s restroom with two private stalls in each.

Are we allowed to bring in our own decor?

Yes. We try to be as accommodating as possible but will want to make sure your plans adhere to a few key parameters.

• Please do not bring in confetti or glitter.
• Candles with live flames are not allowed, LED candles only.
• We do not allow nails or tape on the walls or permanent items to be affixed.
• We do not allow sparklers/fireworks inside, but they can be lit in the parking lot or front area (assuming they are legal).
• Any hanging fixtures must be approved by our team.

How do you handle food & beverage? Can we bring our own?

No. We do not have a kitchen on-site and do not hold a catering license, which is why we have identified our preferred caterers (see Vendors page on this site). The partner you chose for catering will be responsible for providing all the necessary equipment to prepare and serve the food.
We also do not hold a liquor license. For this reason, any bar services must be contracted by the catering company your choose, or with our preferred bar service, Liquid Motion. If you are planning on having guests or attendees pay for their own drinks at all, you must use the bar service from one of the catering companies as they hold a liquor license.

What is your food & beverage minimum?

Pique does not require a minimum dollar amount to be spent. Our catering partners provided on our Vendors page have their own minimums that can be addressed directly with them.

Can we bring our own alcohol?

You can bring in your own alcohol, but it must be served by our preferred bar service, Liquid Motion. With this option, it must be an open bar for guests and attendees. No money can be collected by you or the bar service for drinks.

Are food trucks allowed

Yes. As long as they are legally licensed to serve food and meet the necessary requirements to do so, they are allowed at our venue. They will be required to park in the back parking lot (most often directly behind the venue, just off the back steps). No food trucks are allowed to park in the front of the building, or on the side of the building along the deck. Food trucks are subject to a $500 outside catering fee.

Can I have both my ceremony and reception at Pique?

Depending on the guest count, we may be able to accommodate both (ideally for 100 guests or less). The only additional charges that maybe be incurred from Pique are if you decide to extend the rental timeframe. However, please be sure to talk to your chosen catering partner. They may have additional charges for increased staffing and labor for "flipping" the space.

Is there space for our bridal party to get ready?

Not really. We can show you a couple of potential spaces, but they are typically off-limits and available only for use by the catering partner. The restrooms would be the only guaranteed space available. Please be sure to discuss this with our team during your venue tour.
We often suggest that bridal parties contact The Bird House Inn (a quaint bed and breakfast less than a block away) for a quiet, fun space to get ready that day.

Are there nearby hotel options?

There are two good choices in nearby Chanhassen - AmericInn and Country Inn & Suites and are within a 10-15 minute drive. The Bird House Inn mentioned above could also accommodate a small number of guests. For a touch of luxury, the Landings Hotel in Wayzata is another good choice.