For almost 60 years, Park Tavern Bowling & Entertainment Center has been a landmark in the City of St. Louis Park. Proud of our humble beginnings as a 3.2 tavern seating only 50 guests, Park Tavern has now become a dining and entertainment destination with the ability to cater events for up to 500 people. Our greatest asset has always been having the ability to offer something for everyone regardless of the size of your group or budget. Park Tavern hosts a variety of events including rehearsal dinners, weddings, baby showers, class reunions, small office get-togethers and corporate events. We also offer these services for off-site catering. Park Tavern features weekly events such as bingo, karaoke and Ladies Night. Our 11th Frame bar has become a favorite for guests looking for bar games, darts, pool and more.
On September 27, 1957, Ben Weber bought Park Tavern. After spending many years on the road selling women’s outerwear, Ben decided it was time to be at home to spend time with his family. Knowing nothing about the restaurant business, what he lacked in knowledge he more than made up for with a tireless work ethic eventually enabling the Park Tavern to become the #1 seller of 3.2 tap beer in the state of Minnesota.
In 1970, Ben’s son and current owner, Phil, came to work with him at Park Tavern. Nine years later, the City of St. Louis Park decided to widen Louisiana Avenue forcing Park Tavern to relocate. The new location gave us the opportunity to feature food, spirits and bowling in a 30,000 sq ft building. With the move, more family was brought into the business with Ben’s daughter, Diane, joining the business.
THE TAVERN TODAY
Although Ben passed away over 30 years ago, Park Tavern still thrives as a dining and entertainment fixture, not only in St. Louis Park but the entire Twin Cities metro area. “I live by the philosophy that my dad taught me,” says Phil. “Welcome everyone and show them a good time. It’s as simple as that.”
Park Tavern boasts a full dining room, 20 lanes of bowling, patio seating over 150 with lawn games in the summer and several private and semi-private dining rooms available at no charge with no spending minimums, and two full bars – one of which is a dedicated Packer bar with pool tables, dart boards and local beer and spirits. The bowling lane is the home of Fall and Winter bowling leagues, cosmic bowling and our famous summer bowling pass. We also open our bowling lanes to countless nonprofit groups to allow them to raise much needed funds for their organizations. Our pull tabs and other charitable gaming operations have raised over $700,000 to date for SLP community organizations as well.
What sets Park Tavern apart from our competition is we have so much more to offer aside from food and beverage. With the ability to cater and host events for up to 500 people, this puts us a step above most in our industry.