FAQs
What’s included in the cost of rental?
Our main goal is to make the booking and planning process as simple as possible. Beyond offering in-house food and beverage catering, we include tables and chairs, table linens, glassware, compostable plateware and utensils, votives with candles, and seasonally rotating dried floral arrangements. Ceramic plateware, proper silver, and linen napkins can be added to your rental for an additional fee.
What is the curfew for the event space?
The event space is open from 8am through 9pm Sunday through Thursday, and until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Can I use outside caterers?
We are lucky to have an incredible catering and bakery team right in our own building! As such, we do not allow outside caterers for food or beverage.
Can you include take home favors?
Yes! Take home favors are a sophisticated touch to any occasion, and our team is happy to work with you to plan a thoughtful gift for each of your guests at the end of your event. These might include a small bag of cookies, candles, or pantry staples. Please inquire with your Event Manager for our current gifting menu.
What kinds of serveware do you offer?
We offer locally crafted ceramics, proper silver, and linen napkins for rent, as well as table-scaping services. Please inquire with your Event Manager for pricing and details.
Do you have parking?
We share a parking lot with our adjoining retail shops. Smaller events are welcome to utilize the perimeter spots of that lot, while larger events (groups of 40 or more) are asked to take advantage of the residential parking nearby. Your Event Manager will provide a parking map prior to your event, and we are also happy to coordinate valet on your behalf.
Do you have any sort of AV set up?
Our event space is equipped with two wall-mounted and two rolling TV screens with HDMI or screenshare capability; one hand-held and two lapel microphones; Bluetooth hook up sound system; and video conferencing capability.
Are you family/kid friendly?
Family has always been at the core of the France 44 businesses! Kiddos are more than welcome in our space for private events, though certain public classes and pop-ups may be designated as 21+ depending on the context.
What flowers and décor can you do?
We are equipped with dried floral bud vases and votives, but should you have more elaborate décor needs, we have a list of trusted vendors to share. You are also welcome to bring in your own florals, votives, and other adornments within our list of allowed decorations. Please inquire with your Event Manager for details.
Are you pet friendly?
As much as we wish we could welcome all of your furry friends in our space, it goes against food safety and health regulations. We politely ask that you leave your pets at home (but we’ll always welcome a picture to show what we’re missing out on!)
Can you accommodate food allergies and aversions?
We’re always happy to work with folks on dietary restrictions as much as we are able. Please inform your Event Manager of any applicable allergies or aversions during the booking process.
Are you handicap accessible?
Our event space is handicap accessible via elevator. One of our lovely team members would be happy to guide you or your guest(s) up to the space upon arrival for your event.
What happens if we rent the patio space and it rains?
We’ll never have two events going on at the same time, so rest assured that in the event of rainy weather, we’ll have the classroom space available to the group as a back-up plan.
Do I get Club 44 points when I book an event?
Our Club 44 points are reserved for in-store purchases in our retail shops, and unfortunately do not apply to private event bookings.
Can I use my Club 44 points to book an event?
While we do not accept Club 44 points as a form of payment for private bookings, we do extend a 3% discount to Club 44 members organizing an event with us.
Do you serve hot food?
We have a variety of food options available on our in-house catering menu, including some wonderful hot food items! To see a full menu, please inquire via our intake form or with your event manager.
Do you offer Non-Profit discounts?
We offer a 10% discount on all food & beverages to non-profit groups and community organizations on a case-by-case basis for all three of our spaces (the Classroom, Lounge, and Patio). Our discounted rates are set to include appropriate staffing for your event.
Groups can opt for a cash bar to help meet the minimum (no discount provided with this option), with the opportunity for a portion of bar sales to be donated to the host organization.
Event Coordination + Policies
Fees and Taxes
Event Production Fee: All private parties and events will incur an Event Production Fee that is 15% of food and beverage ordered. The Event Production Fee helps cover costs associated with admin, liability coverage, utilities, and all the things that help make our space wonderful.
Minneapolis Tax: All events will be subject to the Minneapolis sales tax rate of 8.025% and liquor tax rate of 10.025%
Labor Fee(s): Event staff requirements will be planned by your Event Manager according to event size and context. Hour rates include set up and break down.
Event Lead: $47/hr
Bartender: $37/hr
Event Chef: $50/hr
Event Chef Support: $30/hr
Fee Schedule
At time of booking, we require a deposit of 25% of the contract food and beverage minimum. This deposit will be refunded 3 days after the completion of the event. A seasonal surcharge may be applied to the deposit. Deposit is refundable up to 30 days prior to the scheduled event date. A card must be kept on file from the date of the deposit up until the scheduled event date.
Two weeks prior to the scheduled event date: Full contracted amount due (food, beverages, Event Production Fee, valet, and non-beverage items); Event Order Form and Guest Count finalized and signed by event host. The Event Production Fee is calculated according to the total invoice amount as it stands at this date, with the understanding that small fluctuations may occur before the invoice must be paid in full. Any additional charges incurred on the event date are subject to a 25% Event Production Fee.
Within three business days of completion of event: Overages charged (extra beverages, overage time, cleaning fees, etc.); invoice paid in full. Deposit is refunded. Beverages are charged out according to guest consumption. Should the consumption quantity not meet the contracted food and beverage minimum, a flat fee in the difference amount will be charged.
Cancellations
Please inquire with your Event Manager for specifics on our cancellation and refund policy.
Club 44
All Club 44 members receive a 3% discount on food + beverage on the final invoice.
Gratuity
We make every effort to pay our staff an equitable, livable wage. As part of this, we pay our event staff a flat hourly wage that accounts for anticipated gratuity. With this in mind, we do not accept additional credit card gratuities on our invoices. Should an event host or guest wish to gift any additional gratuity, it may be provided in cash and will be distributed amongst the scheduled staff at the end of the evening.
Set Up
Our spaces are fully furnished, with a variety of tables and seating options available to fit your needs. We have twenty 18” x 60” tables available, forty eight chairs, twenty 32” round high-top tables, and black table linens for each. Our basic pricing package includes compostable plates, serving ware, utensils, and napkins, with the option to add locally crafted ceramic plateware. Every event includes stemware, cocktail glasses, water glasses, votive candles, and custom printed bar menus. Please inquire about any additional material needs.
Parking
Groups of 40 or more may be required to use valet parking services, depending on date and time of year. Valet is booked through France 44 Events, and is a separate charge from the Food + Beverage minimum.