Parlour Excelsior — Restaurant in Excelsior

Parlour Bar in Excelsior: A Vibrant Neighborhood Gem

Living in Excelsior, Minnesota, I’ve always enjoyed seeing new places that bring life and energy to our beloved town. Parlour Bar, located at the corner of Water Street and Second, is one such place, and it has quickly become a standout destination. Operated by Brent Frederick and his partners at Jester Concepts, Parlour has taken over the space in Matt Mithun’s building, revitalizing it with subtle yet thoughtful renovations. The cozy lower-level basement is now an inviting, lively space that adds to the charm of downtown Excelsior.

On our second attempt to visit Parlour—our first was met with a bustling crowd and no reservations available—we decided to arrive early on a Monday evening. This time, we were greeted by the incredibly kind and warm staff, including Phyllis, who went above and beyond to make us feel at home. The hospitality stood out, as every server was attentive, thoughtful, and full of energy. Even our nearly four-year-old daughter was accommodated with her own “mocktail,” a fun mix of cranberry juice and soda water, which made her evening extra special.

The drinks and food at Parlour are just as impressive as the service. I tried the “Who Are You Callin’ Jerk?” tequila cocktail, which had a perfect balance of guava, lime, and a touch of spice that added just the right amount of kick. My wife, Sabrina, enjoyed the “Adios Amigos,” a tropical concoction with tequila, sotol, rum, pineapple, and demerara that felt like a mini vacation in a glass.

For food, we shared Parlour’s famous burger, a masterpiece made with ground chuck, ribeye, brisket, white American cheese, and served on a toasted egg bun. The flavors were rich and perfectly balanced—a true standout that lives up to its reputation. We also had the dill-brined fried chicken sandwich, paired with crisp lettuce, pickles, and dill sauce, and a side of fries. Each bite reflected the high-quality ingredients and care put into every dish.

The ambiance is another highlight, with upbeat music and a vibrant energy that perfectly complements the food and drinks. While the menu is focused, everything is executed to perfection, making Parlour an excellent spot for a night out. I’d recommend arriving early to avoid the rush—clearly, the word has gotten out about how good this place is.

Another feature worth noting is the free covered parking behind Water Street, near the newly developed rental homes by Red Leaf Partners. This new addition to downtown Excelsior makes it so much easier for locals and visitors alike to enjoy everything our charming town has to offer. It’s little details like this that enhance the overall experience of a visit to the area.

I’m incredibly grateful to Brent Frederick and the entire Jester Concepts team for bringing this gem to Excelsior. Parlour Bar seamlessly blends incredible food, expertly crafted cocktails, and a welcoming atmosphere. For anyone exploring Excelsior, this is a must-visit spot, and I encourage you to experience it for yourself.

Your friendly neighborhood...

AWFUL SERVICE. Do yourself a favor and just to go the Minneapolis location.

My fiancé and I had to wait an hour for 2 burgers and 1 order of fries. There was zero communication about the delay until the food was brought to the table, despite multiple wait staff and managers walking around the restaurant constantly while we waited. Only about 1/3 of the tables were seated, and everyone was visibly annoyed by having to wait so long for their food. We could hear other tables talking to each other about the long wait. When we got our food, all that was said was that one burger would be free due to the long wait.

When we received our bill, my fiancé asked to speak to the manager. The server asked what the issue was and if she could help. My fiancé stated we thought the entire meal should be comped because all of the food was late, not just one burger.

Our server came back and stated that she and the manager agreed with our view, and said the meal would be free. However, we were still frustrated that the manager didn’t come over to speak with us after we requested to speak with one.

We had wanted to express to management that we were just as frustrated with the complete lack of communication about the delay as we were with the delay itself. Both of us have worked in restaurants previously, and I’ve never worked with a restaurant manager who didn’t personally go to a table when a manager has been requested by a customer. It seems to both of us that the manager and entire FOH staff needs further training on how to handle situations like this.

Another note: our burgers were incredibly dry, nothing like the ones at the Minneapolis location. Both the food and service at the Minneapolis location are far superior. We will be going out of our way to go to that location from now on, even though Excelsior is much closer and...

August 3rd. My fiancé and I stopped in around 6:15pm and didnt leave until 7:45pm. We ordered and were greeted by our server fairly quickly and given water. After ordering we ended up waiting about an hour for our food. During that time it was NEVER communicated by management or the servers why the delay or just to check in with us. They stood around, and it was the impression given by the rest of the restaurant that it wasn't communicated to any other table either for the cause of the delay or thanking guests for their patience. After receiving our food they noted they would comp the one burger which i didnt feel was fair as the ENITRE MEAL was late - this wasn't adjusted properly until I asked to speak to management, who never even came to talk, just took care of the issue. But for me that wasn't necessarily the issue, it was the VERY POOR COMMUNICATION DURING the hour wait (which showed at the end too when wanting to just be heard in a respectful way)

I'm not one to tell a business what to do but, I believe the entire front of house needs retraining and how to communicate effectively. I would just go to the Minneapolis location (they are WELL worth it and a better quality burger) Excelsior location...