In 1902, H.P. Watson and his partners proposed constructing a thoroughly modern office building in the heart of the Minneapolis wholesale district. It was an unusual plan as there were no other office buildings in the district at the time. The building was to be known as Watson Block. For reasons unknown, the name of the building was changed to Commercial Building before construction was completed that same year.
Over 115 years later, the building returns to its original name. Watson Block is a gorgeous event venue located in Minneapolis' Warehouse District. The venue is equipped to accommodate corporate events, social gatherings and wedding receptions. The unique space combines the historic aesthetic of brick and timber construction along with elegant contemporary finishes.
From the moment we arrived to the venue for the initial tour, we wanted to get married here. We are so very glad that we did! The space itself is stunning - the brick and chandelier are quite elegant and honestly made our job so easy with decor. The staff on site were incredible and we couldnât be more pleased with the high level of attention to detail that goes on here. If you are looking for a 100-110 person size wedding, look no further and at the very least book a tour here. It was a lovely place to have the best day of our lives and we would recommend it to anyone who is looking to get married in the cities. Gaby, our contact there, did amazing and helped us feel so comfortable with the many moving parts that go into that day. Reviewed on 07-07-2023
ZIA MATTI(other)5 out of 5 Rating
When we saw the price of the venue we thought, \"we'll check it out, but there has to be something wrong with it.\" Boy were we proved wrong! The space is absolutely gorgeous - we barely had to decorate! And Gaby was great at communicating details and helping us through our big day. The 3rd floor was also a nice bonus - allowing us to store emergency items, take extra pictures, and providing a quiet spot for us to escape to when we needed some alone time. We've already recommended Watson Block to our friends (and anyone who says they're on the lookout for a wedding venue!). The only drawback would be since it is above a bar, there was a little residual noise from down below. This didn't negatively impact our experience, but should be noted if planning quieter events later in the evening (our ceremony was at 4pm with no distracting sounds from below). Reviewed on 20-11-2023
Sarah Neil(other)5 out of 5 Rating
We were married at Watson in August 2023 and loved everything about our day! The venue is beautiful and affordable. Our day went so smoothly due to the amazing staff. Gaby is an absolute gem! She has great communication and made sure even the smallest detail was handled. I would highly recommend Watson for any event needs. Reviewed on 18-11-2023
Ashley Josephson(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Watson Block was the first (and only) venue we ended up touring - Between the beautiful chandeliers, brick walls, and excellent customer service and communication from venue manager, Gaby, our choice was a no brainier - We IMMEDIATELY knew we had to book them for our wedding / reception and couldn't be happier with our decision! The space needed minimal decorating since it was already so incredible and it was perfect size and location for our 95 person celebration. It was also convenient for our family / friends to not have to move locations from ceremony to reception - We would HIGHLY recommend Watson Block to anyone looking to host a celebration / wedding in the Minneapolis area! Reviewed on 16-11-2023
Sarah Grundhoefer(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Beautiful space for a variety of events, staff are great to work with, and we were also a fan of the venue's preferred vendors that we worked with (catering, valet, A/V). Reviewed on 13-11-2023
Zoë Ryan(other)5 out of 5 Rating
The whole Watson block team was amazing and answered every question I had along the way. They were so accommodating and able to get back to me within 24 hours most times. We had the most amazing wedding in such a beautiful space. The chandeliers and drapes made for stunning pictures and we were able to use an arbor that was included in the venue rental. Itâs a great location downtown and easy for our guests to get to and from when staying at a nearby hotel. I highly recommend Watson Block! Reviewed on 07-11-2023
Isaac Stolzer-Gary(other)5 out of 5 Rating
We loved working with Watson Block for our wedding! Gaby and the whole team were so helpful in working together with us to answer any questions we had and guide us through the whole process. The space itself is beautiful and took almost no work on our end to get it looking perfect for the big day. Good location downtown with pretty easy parking and nearby hotels for guests. 10/10 would recommend! Reviewed on 06-11-2023
Liz Legatt(other)5 out of 5 Rating
We had absolutely the best wedding day at Watson Block! Gaby was so integral in making sure our day went smoothly and without a worry. From helping us finalize a schedule alongside the caterer to ensuring our vendors were taken care of, the Watson Block staff was just incredible. It goes without saying but the space was also a dream and exactly what we hoped for our special day. Reviewed on 05-11-2023
Tori Marinelli(other)5 out of 5 Rating
We absolutely LOVED having our wedding at Watson Block. We received so many compliments from guests on how beautiful our venue was! Watson Block is such an elegant and unique space. We toured many other venues and nothing stood out like Watson Block does. Watson Block made our day feel so special. It is also a great price! It was the perfect size for our guest list of around 90 people. There was plenty of space to mingle and dance.Gaby was amazing to work with and everything went so smooth on the day of! I would recommend Watson Block to everyone. Reviewed on 13-10-2023
Carley and Justin Moor(other)5 out of 5 Rating
An excellent experience overall. Our point of contact was helpful and responsive, and their staff were willing to do a lot for us, including a lot of day-of coordinating down to cueing the wedding party to start the processional. The space is gorgeous and pretty ideal for midsize weddings (meaning 80-120 people or so). The price also seems pretty good considering how much some other venues cost. One note is that if you're going to have your own playlist, like we did, create it in Spotify. Using any other app requires physically plugging a phone into their system, and even if you do that, the music probably won't be loud enough. This wasn't ultimately a problem for us, we just wanted to make sure that was clear. Overall we had a terrific day and would definitely recommend Watson Block to anyone else. Reviewed on 30-09-2023
Kierstin Bird(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Watson Block was the absolute perfect venue for our wedding! We were looking for a wedding for about 100 people and absolutely loved all the decor and that our guests didnât have to go to a separate reception space! The space is gorgeous and Gaby, the coordinator, made things so easy for us! The only issue we had was some noise from the bar below us. Otherwise, Watson Block was amazing!! Reviewed on 08-09-2023
Ashley Wehr(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Right when we toured this venue we knew it was going to be the one! Gaby was always quick with responses about the venue, pricing, caterers, etc. She made the planning process much easier! The venue was absolutely gorgeous on the day of- everyone was complimenting how cool of a venue it was. Day of coordination was spot on, so happy we chose Watson Block! Reviewed on 22-08-2023
Lindsey Rablin(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Our wedding day was more than we ever could have expected and a huge thanks goes to Watson Block. From the beginning we had great communication with the event coordinator and that continued throughout the process! Our wedding day was absolutely beautiful. Our guests still mention how it was the pretties wedding they have been to and they loved everything about the venue. The DJ also commented that the set-up for a dance floor and Dj was amazing! We love looking back the most special day for us and would highly recommend Watson Block! Reviewed on 11-08-2023
Taylor Potes Mangra(other)5 out of 5 Rating
We were so thrilled to have this space be our wedding venue! The vintage meets modern appeal was a perfect setting for our vintage-inspired wedding. It worked well to have our ceremony and reception here so that guests could show up and stay without having to travel to another location. The venue manager, Gaby, was great to work with and helped make our special day go smoothly alongside her team. Her responsive communication and organization made planning so easy. Also, this place really was affordable for hosting an event for up to 100 guests. Definitely would highly recommend! Reviewed on 04-08-2023
Kellie True(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Watson Block made our dreams come true! The venue itself is so elegant you barely need any decor other than candles to set the mood, which they turn down the lighting down as well as the night goes on! The venue manager, Gaby, was an absolute joy to work with. Her response time was quick and also offered many suggestions as this isnât her first rodeo! Gaby and her team made sure the decor, vendors, and even the small details were exactly how we wanted the day of and we canât thank them enough! We canât forget about how affordable it is for the venue. Watson Block was the first and only venue we toured because it fit our decor style perfect, the price was reasonable and the location to night life, hotels, and restaurants is within walking distance! All around, impeccable venue and staff! Reviewed on 12-07-2023
Olivia Pujols(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Absolutely LOVED getting married at Watson Block! When we first toured Watson it was love at first sight. We never looked at other venues. Our vision came to life. The staff was so helpful. I highly recommend Watson to anyone looking for an elegant venue. Reviewed on 08-07-2023
Audrey G(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Watson Block is a wonderful place for any event!The beautiful room with its full windows and chandeliers makes it warm and elegant.Having the ceremony and reception in the same room made it unique and memorable for all guests.The coorindators were helpful and friendly, something that adds much to the success of any event.Visit the venue and see it if would be the perfect place for your event!! Reviewed on 19-06-2023
Kylie Crull(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-02-2023 We had our intimate winter wedding and reception at Watson Block and the space was perfect for what we needed. Plenty of space for the guests to mingle, dance, etc. And the space is already so beautiful that you don't need to really do or spend much on decor - which is a huge bonus. The venue manager was very responsive and great to work with as well. Reviewed on 23-03-2023
Natalie Nelson(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-02-2023 This venue was amazing! The venue manager Gaby was very helpful. and everything was set up perfectly for our day. I had multiple guests come up and tell us how beautiful the space was! We had a winter wedding so our pictures had to be inside, and they turned out amazing as well. Reviewed on 08-03-2023
Abby Durken(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-01-2023 My husband and I had our winter wedding at Watson Block and everything was so wonderful - The perfect day!Their space is BEAUTIFUL. We especially loved the chandeliers, built-in bar, and additional upstairs space for the wedding party to prep in.The entire staff was so accommodating. Gaby was great to work with. She was responsive, reliable, and made our day go effortlessly. Reviewed on 30-01-2023
Jeremy Freedlund(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-12-2022 This venue was a perfect fit for my husband and my special day. Gabby and her team made everything throughout the process easy and stress free. We would highly suggest booking Watson Block! Reviewed on 01-01-2023
Josh + Amber MS(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 22-10-2022 Great value + Beautiful venue + Very supportive and communicative.Watson Block is a gem of a wedding venue, with an amazing location and stunning architecture (lots of exposed brick, tall windows) coupled with design choices that really sold us on the place. Their venue managers (Amber, now Gaby) were all wonderful, and we're so thrilled to have gotten to work with them.They have four in-house caterers at various price points, all through Hightop Hospitality (so same kitchen / location in St. Paul). Hightop manages the servers + bartenders, and we want folks to be aware that we had serious issues with serving (folks getting the wrong plates, allergies not accommodated despite a clear seating chart / order choice) despite our wedding being only 31 people. This doesn't necessarily reflect on Watson Block, hence our positive review, and we've been assured that Watson has had conversations with Hightop to ensure that it doesn't happen again. We feel that anyone booking should be aware of our experience. Reviewed on 27-11-2022
Elizabeth Coleman(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 12-11-2022 My new hubby and I just had our wedding at The Watson Block and it was exactly what we were looking for! The venue has a whole vibe all by itself which made decorating minimal, simple, and super cute- and very much added an extra radiance to our day/ photos. Amber and Gaby were super great and helped make the day what it was. The DECO team was also super awesome and we had the pleasure of working with Antigoni throughout our process to ensure a smooth and delicious celebration for us and our guests. I would definitely recommend securing valet (our guests were so grateful!). Thank you again to all of the wonderful professionals at Watson Block and Hightop Hospitality for helping create our perfect day. Reviewed on 17-11-2022
Shelby Simon(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-10-2022 We had our wedding here on October 30th and it was the perfect space for our small wedding. We had about 20 people in attendance and did a Gothic theme with red and black as our primary colors. The space was amazing when we first toured, exactly what we were looking for. I loved the black chandeliers and the red curtains. The brick and industrial/romantic feel of the space was amazing. We had a lot of our guests how we found this place and how much they liked it.They were very easy to work with and answered all of our questions. Set up and break down was a breeze and their customer service was fabulous. If I had to do my wedding again, I would pick this venue and will recommend it to others! Reviewed on 16-11-2022
Amy Opoien(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 10-11-2022 Absolutely gorgeous space and incredible staff. They made planning and the wedding day seamless. Highly recommend. Reviewed on 13-11-2022
Kelly Kaphingst(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-10-2022 We had our wedding ceremony and reception at Watson Block. Everything went so well! Gaby was wonderful to work with - she answered all of my questions up to and including the day of. We had a smaller wedding (50 people guests) and the space was a good size for us. A lot of our guests loved the venue - especially the chandeliers and piano! Reviewed on 08-11-2022
Kaleigh Baldwin(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-10-2022 What an incredible spot for a small wedding! We had the most intimate and sweet day all thanks to Watson Block. Their coordinator Gaby was phenomenal making everything flow perfectly, and the space is perfect for transitioning from ceremony to dinner/reception. With an overall vintage/industrial vibe, it fit so well with our theme too. I truly couldn't recommend them enough! Reviewed on 05-11-2022
Jennifer Sutton(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-10-2022 Watson Block was amazing for our group of ~85 people this October. They were easy to work with and everything the day of went exactly as planned. The best part about this venue is that it is gorgeous inside and takes minimal decorating to make it yours. Our guests thought it was absolutely stunning. Reviewed on 26-10-2022
Eleanor Wickstrom(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-09-2022 We are so happy that we decided to have our wedding at Watson Block! It is such a beautiful space and was the perfect size for our wedding of ~100 guests. We had both the ceremony and reception at Watson Block and the transition between the two was seamless. Amber was great to work with through the process as well! She let us come back and tour the space again after we had booked and was very responsive to all of our questions. There were so many things happening the day of the wedding that Amber and her team handled perfectly in the background. It allowed us to relax and enjoy the day knowing that they had everything 100% taken care of. We would highly recommend Watson Block to anyone looking for a venue! Reviewed on 03-10-2022
Nikki Browning(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-09-2022 What an incredible experience! We had our wedding this past weekend and it was absolutely perfect! Watson Block was the first venue we looked at and we booked without hesitation - and we are SO happy we did. Absolutely gorgeous space that didn't need a ton of decorating, the size was so perfect for our intimate wedding, and the staff were so professional and easy to work with. Also the floor was so easily danceable, which was very important to us. I cannot say too many nice things about this venue. So, so happy!!! Thank you for a perfect wedding experience! Reviewed on 26-09-2022
Nou Lia Vang(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-08-2022 Amber and the staff Iâve worked with throughout my planning has been the absolute best! Pure perfection and professionals at what they do. Amber was there to help me through the set up and flip from ceremony to dinner to reception. I cannot recommend this venue enough and Amber! The venue is so beautiful, you only need minimal decor. I have kids that got sick the night of my wedding and had to rearrange my whole schedule and cancel some things such as the grand March and cake cutting but Amber and her assistant was so understanding and helped communicate that to my vendors. Amber, you are truly appreciated! Reviewed on 30-08-2022
Jaime McGovern(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-07-2022 I had my wedding at the Watson Block, and I am so grateful they helped create the wedding of my dreams. The venue is GORGEOUS and resonably priced. Amber, the coordinator, was always so kind, helpful, and answered my (many) questions very quickly. She was such a professional and made the day go by so smoothly. Great customer service is rare to find these days but you will find it at the Watson Block. Reviewed on 13-07-2022
Janae Blake(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-06-2022 We had our wedding at the Watson Block and are so glad we did! It was the perfect venue for our intimate wedding, from the downtown location to the beautiful interior which needed minimal decoration. The chandeliers add so much to the space and showed up beautifully in photos. We got many compliments from our guests about how beautiful the venue was. We did both the ceremony and reception there and they flipped the room seamlessly during cocktail hour. Amber was an absolutely joy to work with, answered any questions we had and was always willing to help! Iâm so glad we found this venue for our wedding and I would 100% recommend it to anyone considering. Reviewed on 06-07-2022
Alex Kramer(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-05-2022 The space is absolutely beautiful and Amber was a joy to work with. We had a minor hiccup with the women's bathroom, Amber was quick to fix and have alternative accommodations. Reviewed on 05-06-2022
Allie Anttila(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 12-11-2021 The first time my husband and I got off the elevator on the second floor and walked into this space, we immediately fell in love and knew that Watson Block was where we wanted to celebrate our marriage with all of our closest family and friends. In our opinion, Watson Block is a hidden gem among all of the venues Minneapolis has to offer. The brick walls, chandeliers, vintage furniture, and the entire vibe of this venue is so classy and magical. We barely needed any decor because the space speaks for itself. To top it all, Amber Matsen, the venue manager is one of the kindest humans. She was so helpful and made our planning process effortless and fun. She went above and beyond her duties to ensure our day seamless.We truly had the most magical day getting married here. All of our guests remarked on how beautiful our wedding was, and a lot of that had to do with how fun and intimate the venue was. It will be a day I will never forget. Reviewed on 21-11-2021
Judith Graham(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-09-2021 From the pictures, this was our favorite venue from the start, and visiting it confirmed that totally. The price was very affordable as well. Our wedding was small, and this space was enough without feeling too large, and it's so beautiful we barely had to decorate, which was such a plus! They even had a triangle arch that they let us use for free! No one could stop commenting about how beautiful the venue was. Amber, the day of coordinator and contact person, was so helpful. She put up my centerpieces and tablecloths, set up the chair arrangement, and told everyone when to walk and where to be. I, as the bride, didn't have to worry about anything. It was fantastic. Reviewed on 08-11-2021
Matthew Leither(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-10-2021 My wife and I only needed to see one venue. Watson Block had everything we wanted. It was an intimate setting with great features. We had the ceremony and reception all in one location. We originally checked out the venue in November of 2019 for an October 2020 wedding. We ended up pushing back the wedding a year because of Covid and the staff were more than accommodating. Everyone was a pleasure to work with, our day went smoothly, and any time we needed anything they were quick to meet our request; no matter how crazy the request was. Amber and her staff are simply top notch. The entryway into Watson Block is private and as soon as you step into the venue, you know you are in for a treat. Our guests could not stop talking about how amazing the venue was. I looked at my wife after our wedding and told her we need to find any excuse to host another party at Watson Block. It is that great. Reviewed on 08-11-2021
Alexis Schneider(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-09-2021 Our wedding at Watson Block was perfect !! The best part about this venue is that you donât need a ton of decor to make the space, because the space is already so gorgeous. The exposed brick, piano bar, and chandeliers are breathtaking. I would also like to add the venue coordinator Amber is the BEST! she made sure all the details were taken care of, like setting up our decor, lining everyone up, and making sure outside vendors knew the game plan. I would 100% recommend booking with Watson, and know that if you do you will be in very good hands & will have a beautiful day. Reviewed on 05-11-2021
Alexis Schneider(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-09-2021 Watson Block was the perfect venue for our small intimate wedding. Our jaw dropped when we toured this venue for the first time, and that same feeling carried into the wedding day. Its breathtakingly beautiful with the brick, sparkling chandeliers, and beautiful bar area, oh - and that piano! Absolutely gorgeous! And the venue coordinator, Faith is so easy to work with. She took care of ALL the details, and is a big reason why our wedding went so smoothly! I wish we could do it all over again! Reviewed on 05-11-2021
Dakota koosmann(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-10-2021 Kick up your feet, grab a drink of your choice and relax; this is going to take a minute but itâll be worth it. When my (now) husband and I walked into Watson Block in late 2020, we fell in love. We didnât need to visit any other venues, this was it. From the brick walls to the chandeliers; from the STUNNING bar to the clear top piano; everything was US. It is an intimate space filled with so much romance, personality and love. We visited the space again a week before our wedding and fell in love all over again. Fast forward to our wedding day and our coordinator at Watson Block, Amber, went above and beyond. There was an instant where my husband and I finished our first dance and he moved into the Mother/son dance. I couldnât stop tearing up, my father in law was hugging me and out of nowhere, Amber appeared with a napkin to dry my tears. I donât know where she came from or how she knew I needed her, but she was there. Every guest was blown away with everything at Watson Block. Amber went above and beyond for us - we are forever grateful for everything she did. From set up to tear down she was right there helping everyone. Reviewed on 02-11-2021
John Pospy(guest)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 16-10-2021 DJ Faith kept the reception going! Reviewed on 22-10-2021
Jessica Ballard(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 12-09-2021 This venue was the absolute BEST!!!! So accommodating and great communication!!!! Very affordable, yet had such a luxury feel to it. I wouldn't change a thing! I am overjoyed with my experience here! Reviewed on 13-10-2021
Holly Dykstra(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-05-2021 Watson Block was my dream venue and it 10000% exceeded all of my expectations. It was small, intimate, and gorgeously decorated (I barely had to do any of my own decorating!). We got married in May 2021 and people are still complimenting us on our wedding! Amber is the absolute best and will make sure your wedding runs smoothly - we could not have done it without her! It was such a low stress and beautiful wedding and was everything I ever dreamed of. 10000/10 recommend! Reviewed on 12-10-2021
Emily Condon(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-05-2021 We are so happy we went with Watson Block! The space is absolutely stunning on its own; it was intimate, classy and impeccably decorated. The location is pristine-- right in the beautiful North Loop neighborhood. We received multitudes of compliments throughout the night. We worked with a few different event managers, Amber and Sarah, who were all wonderful. Amber ensured the day ran smoothly and was responsive and helpful throughout the planning process. Highly recommend-- it was a dream! Reviewed on 01-06-2021
Claire Luinstra(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-04-2021 Amazing is all I can really say. We fell in love with the space after a video tour and are so thrilled with how our wedding turned out. The space is so beautiful that minimal decoration are needed and the staff was just so incredible to work with. They made the planning process as stress-free as possible, which was huge during a pandemic. Highly recommend checking out the venue! Reviewed on 07-05-2021
Conan Sandberg(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 10-04-2021 The staff and venue were absolutely incredible. Our wedding was perfect with everything we could have hoped for.Amber is the best venue manager and will without a doubt give you an amazing wedding.Sarah was great with accommodating the catering and everything was so good!For anyone looking for a place to have a wedding this is a 10/10! Reviewed on 11-04-2021
Lindsey Barton(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-10-2020 We knew right away Watson Block was the perfect venue for our wedding - we booked it without seeing any other venues in person. The venue coordinator was kind enough to let us bring back family members multiple times to show them the space after we'd signed our contract as well. They had great recommendations for everything from a pianist to a valet parking vendor. As anyone who got married in 2020 can attest, planning was complicated to say the least. Amber at Watson was instrumental in helping us make informed decisions about the best way to create a safe, socially distanced but still elegant and memorable wedding reception. She so patiently answered all my questions and was a dream to work with leading up to the day of. We had the pleasure of working with Taylor at the venue on the day of our wedding. Taylor was a true rockstar. She helped coordinate deliveries from vendors, oversaw table setting setup, and helped add some of the finishing touches to our tables all while we were busy having photos taken and having out ceremony at an off-site location. She provided helpful, polite support all night long and I don't think we could have gotten through the day without her! Our reception at Watson was so lovely, not only for the decor and event design, but because the venue itself is beautiful. We especially love the bar and lounge areas and the large windows overlooking downtown provide amazing ambience. I would absolutely recommend Watson Block to anyone considering a venue in or near downtown Minneapolis. Reviewed on 12-11-2020
Molly Rudolph(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 06-09-2020 It took us years of searching to find a venue that really felt like âusâ. Iâd looked online for countless hours, reached out to numerous venues, and was always disappointed in either the price, the space, or the lack of response each time. We were so confident that we booked Watson Block before we even saw the space in-person. It has so much character and beautiful details; it is basically already decorated for you. We received numerous compliments from our guests about how excellent the venue was!The rate was very reasonable for similar type venues. It was less expensive than nearly everything else Iâd looked at. We had our wedding on a Sunday, so that helped. The space setup worked great for flipping between ceremony and reception. We were expecting 90 guests and only had about 60, and the venue was spacious without feeling like it was too empty.Beyond that, the staff was extremely helpful. Sarah did an excellent job during the COVID shutdown and Amber was great to work with. We were able to coordinate and bring our decor a day early. They helped with setup and even offered to play the music for our ceremony. Everyone was really responsive.There were a few tiny hiccups late in the evening (ie missing toilet paper in the ladies room, unable to find our boxes to carry items out at the end of the night, mic had feedback during speeches which DJ fixed). In the grand scheme of things these were all very minuscule.Watson Block gave us a beautiful space to hold the most important day of our lives and if we had the opportunity to do it all over again, we wouldnât change a thing! Reviewed on 14-10-2020
Thomas Uvaas(guest)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-08-2020 Our niece had her wedding and reception at the Watson Block in August. Hats off to Amber and her staff, who constantly and cheerfully served our needs. Amber never stopped working, helping people, always with a positive attitude. With all the COVID-19 concerns, they still enabled us to experience a \"normal\" celebration.Thank you to Amber and all. Reviewed on 13-10-2020
anna Strzyzewski(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-09-2020 We recently had our wedding at the Watson Block and it was absolutely perfect! The venue is beautiful, the food was delicious and the staff was very friendly and helpful throughout the entire process! Special thanks to one of the Operations Managers, Amber, who was so sweet and attentive and made sure that everything went smoothly! 10/10 would definitely recommend! Reviewed on 10-10-2020
Emma valker(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-09-2020 I LOVED my experience at Watson Block! Amber the coordinator was so amazing, she made everything run so smoothly and better than I ever imagined, she also helped us set up our flowers on the tables and on our arch!! I don't know how much she gets paid but it is not enough and she needs a raise! Even in a pandemic she was able to make our wedding day perfect! Not to mention how beautiful the place is, everybody is still commenting on how beautiful Watson Block isđ Reviewed on 16-09-2020
Amy Schadewald(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-08-2020 My husband and I were married at Watson Block last month, and we (and our guests) have nothing but positive things to say! The venue is elegant, classy, and in a great location. The large windows, deco bar, exposed brick, timber, and chandeliers make this a beautiful space. We worked closely with Amber in days leading up to the wedding to finalize details and day-of, she coordinated vendor drop offs and timing of our ceremony and reception so I didn't have to sweat the details. Even in the middle of COVID-19 and constant changes, they were with us every step of the way! 10/10 would recommend! Reviewed on 11-09-2020
Renae Tuschner(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-07-2020 From the moment we found Watson Block, we knew we wanted to have our July 2020 wedding there. After cutting our guest list down significantly, we decided to move forward with our plans and Sarah helped us to have a COVID conscious wedding. The catering (Watson Block provided three options of caterers they work with) and venue staff went above and beyond to ensure the safety of us and our guests to the best of their ability! Overall, a lovely venue that was easy to plan a very stressful wedding with. Reviewed on 05-08-2020
Laura Montour(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 12-10-2019 Watson Block was the perfect space for our fall wedding. I lost count of the number of guests who told me how much they loved the venue. We opted to have ceremony seating followed by a room flip for dinner for 110 people. The flip was seamless and Bria was amazing throughout the planning process. We had quite a few vendors (Claire Ward illustrations, North Mallow sâmores bar, Mirror Me Perfect photo booth, Adagio DJ) and Bria was incredibly helpful in figuring out how to maximize the space. She even sent a floor plan so we could visualize how everything would look. I highly recommend taking advantage of the beautiful piano and hiring a pianist. Sharon Planer played the piano throughout the ceremony, room flip and dinner. The price point was awesome and much lower compared to other venues we looked at. The best part - our dog Leonard was able to spend the entire day with us. I would recommend Watson Block to anyone! Reviewed on 19-01-2020
Jasmine Charee Lyons(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-12-2019 The second the elevator doors opened I fell in love with the venue! No questions asked.It was perfect for the intimate NYE wedding we were planning! Guests loved it and raved all evening. Plenty of room for your ceremony, the piano was a perfect touch (we had someone come in and play itâ€ïž)We had enough room for The magic mirror photo booth as well! Everything was picture perfect. No doubt that this venue will make it quickly to the top of Minneapolisâs favorite venues in no time! Reviewed on 06-01-2020
Jenny Marsh(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-11-2019 The second we saw Watson Block we knew that we had to have our wedding there.The space is gorgeous. For our 70 guests it was the perfect size. It was intimate but still managed to feel spacious. The chandeliers are stunning, the bar has a vintage feel to it. It feels like there are separate spaces even though itâs one room. We had our ceremony as well as our dinner and dancing there. Bria was wonderful to work with. She was very prompt about answering emails and calls and very flexible so we could get into the space to figure out decorations. The night of our wedding she made sure she had people outside shoveling because it was very slushy and snowy. The turn around of the room after our ceremony was seamless and not disruptive.Everything looked beautiful with candles and white flowers with greens. Our guests even commented on how pretty the toilets were (they are silver).Bria and her team helped with timing our ceremony and kept things running smoothly. They were also very helpful at the end of the evening.We used deco as our caterer and they exceeded all our expectations. Not only were they the nicest people, the food was delicious and the presentation was elegant. Also their desserts are AMAZING.We felt so lucky to have found a gem in this venue. As more and more people find out that Watson Block exists I am certain it will be even harder to book. I canât emphasize enough that our wedding was everything we hoped it would be! Reviewed on 04-12-2019
Jeff Rueter(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-11-2019 I couldn't have been happier with our experience at Watson Block. Our wedding was spread out across two days, with a larger reception on the second date at WB. We instantly fell in love with the aesthetic and received many compliments from our guests about the space and decor. The brick interior gives such a warm, home-style feel to such a big occasion, and it helped our guests settle in right away. The bar was very easy to coordinate and was quick to accommodate a couple of special requests we made.If there's anything we would have changed in retrospect, it would have been establishing some sort of off-site shuttle option. Luckily, our Sunday afternoon event was on a weekend where the Vikings were out of town and street parking was readily available. Still, this isn't any fault of the venues â just a logistical thing to consider for your day. We can confidently say we would have our event at Watson Block even if given a do-over. Reviewed on 06-11-2019
Katie Jonas-Goodlund(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-10-2019 Watson Block was absolutely wonderful!! We had a cocktail style reception with 70 people. We used the beautiful lounge furniture that they have and people enjoyed being able to have a few different areas to hang out when taking breaks from dancing. The space is so beautiful minimal additional decoration is needed, we only brought in a few floral centerpieces. The exposed brick, big windows and chandeliers really lend themselves to beautiful backgrounds for pictures (even ones the guests took turned out so lovely). The downtown location was wonderful and easy for us to do some outdoor pictures near by. Bria made sure the planning went smoothly and there wasn't anything to worry about the day of as she had it all under control. I can't recommend Watson Block enough and all our guests commented on how beautiful it was. Reviewed on 21-10-2019
Diane Ciardelli(parent)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-09-2019 Last weekend we had our daughter's wedding at Watson Block and it was wonderful!!I have received so many compliments from wedding attendees about the uniqueness of the venue, the big windows, the cool bar, the chandeliers - it was everything we had hoped for. Plus working with Bria to plan the event was a breeze. She was great to work with, answered questions quickly, and made everything run smoothly on the day of the event. We can't thank the staff enough for making this day so special. I would recommend Watson Block to anyone. Reviewed on 27-09-2019
Jennifer Chubb(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-09-2019 Having our wedding at Watson Block was truly wonderful! The venue itself is gorgeous and has a cool, dope vibe that completely fit our event! Our guests just raved about it! Bria, the coordinator, was incredibly accommodating and worked with us through the whole planning process to get things exactly how we wanted them from the set-up to the last moments of the wedding, everything was just perfect. Bria is just lovely to work with! The catering options were great, our food was outstanding and the bar set-up at Watson Block is fantastic! Honestly, I cannot say enough good things about this place and all of our guests felt the same way! Reviewed on 20-09-2019
Kim Isaacson(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-08-2019 This venue is absolutely beautiful! Our wedding reception was set up in a cocktail party fashion with appetizers and desserts. People couldnât stop talking about how beautiful the venue is. Catering options allowed for a great variety. Bria was fabulous as the venue manager and made sure that we were well cared for and made us feel comfortable asking any questions or requests. We decorated with simple floral centerpieces and candles scattered throughout the space, no need for more since itâs such a natural beauty on its own. Thank you! Kim and Ron. Reviewed on 06-08-2019
Alexis Medo(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-07-2019 We just got married at Watson block and it was a dream come true . Everyone complemented us on what a beautiful venue it was and how amazing it was ! The staff was so helpful especially Bria ! She was awesome to work with , organized and she on top of her game . She listened to every detail and remembered it all. I was so impressed !!!! I would definitely recommend this venue time and time again Reviewed on 29-07-2019
Alex Dye(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-07-2019 We had our wedding here this past weekend. We worked with Bria and Sarah, and both were awesome and accommodating. Bria coordinated closely with our other vendors so we didn't need to sweat the details about delivery drop-offs and setups, and really helped everything go to plan. We had just over 70 guests, and held both the ceremony and a seated reception here, and there was more than enough space for us. The venue is beautiful and the perfect blend of old and new, rustic and elaborate; It can really be whatever you want it to be for your event. Reviewed on 15-07-2019
Emily Louk(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-06-2019 Watson Block is the most beautiful wedding venue! We had our wedding two weeks ago and our guests still tell us how much they loved the reception at Watson Block! We had around 100 people (sit-down dinner) and it was perfect for the space. Loved the location and all the chandeliers. The managers and caterers were wonderful to work with. Would absolutely recommend! Reviewed on 02-07-2019
Nicole Naumann(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-04-2019 We had our wedding reception here in April. The space itself is beautiful, unique, elegant, and has gorgeous downtown views. Working with Bria was a dream! She is patient, prompt, professional, and easy to work with. She was instrumental in making the day of the event run smoothly. We had 120 people for a cocktail hour, a sit-down dinner, and then a full dance floor. The acoustics were great for both live piano music and a DJ. Our guests raved about the Watson Block space and how easy it was for them to access downtown. We would absolutely recommend for your next event- we were thrilled! Reviewed on 04-06-2019
Andrea Haughton(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-05-2019 We just had our wedding here the weekend before last and it couldn't have gone better! After a ton of shopping around, we found the price at Watson Block to be unbeatable, and the space was perfect for our 55 guests (and can accommodate more). We worked with Bria and Sarah throughout the process and they were fantastic, and responsive! Bria was an absolute hero to us because she took the initiative to persuade her bosses to remove the oversized TV that hung above the ceremony space. I can't describe the relief we felt to see the TV gone and not have to worry about trying to cover it up anymore. They were so open to helping us achieve our vision by letting us move other venue items around and get the exact layout we wanted. They even let our florist (Richfield Flowers) hang 50 ft of smilax vine along the ceiling beams, which completely transformed the space!Bria worked with our other vendors and our day-of-coordinator (Emmy Ross of Posies and Poise) to ensure the evening went smoothly. Having Bria there on the day-of was such a huge bonus that made things run so smoothly! We went through one of Watson Blocks preferred caterers, Sterling Catering, and couldn't be happier with how well they worked together. The food was delicious and working with one of their own caterers made it so easy because they already had a good working relationship. The venue came with so many items you don't often get at other places, such as beautiful lounge furniture, large area rugs (which we incorporated into the ceremony decor), tables, chairs (though we opted to rent different ones), and little decor items such as decorative books and small planters. We had a DJ who brought sound equipment, but Watson Block has a built in sound system that we could have used if we wanted to DIY the music. The preferred caterer we used (Sterling Catering) provides linens and dinnerware, in the cost, though we chose to make our own linens to fit our vision. But it's a huge cost saver if you use their linens! While they don't have their own parking at the venue (because it's downtown), there are plenty of options for self-parking, valet services, or opting to use public transport. A lot of our guests used Uber or Lyft, and some parked at the Ramp C parking garage, which is just a 3 minute walk from the venue (and you can leave the car there overnight). The aesthetics of this venue are what ultimately sold me on it. So many places just weren't to my taste, but Watson Block had the perfect elements that made it aesthetically pleasing, while also being easy to transform into your own unique design vision. We loved the huge walls of windows, the wood floors, the brick walls, and the fact that the other colors used in the space (deep red curtains, and gray-blue walls) went well with many other colors. The only sore spots were the TV (which Bria managed to get removed) and the 6 frames pictures that hung on the wall (which they allowed us to replace with our own art during the event). So with those things amended, it was ideal for us! Thank you so much Bria, Sarah, and everyone else affiliated with Watson Block who made our day so perfect! We have heard so many rave reviews from all of our guests and couldn't be happier with our venue choice! Reviewed on 29-05-2019
Sheri Wallace(parent)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-05-2019 My daughter was married at Watson Block just last night. The venue is absolutely beautiful. The venue was set up in a cocktail party fashion with appetizers on the piano, taco bar, donuts and late night pizza. People couldnât stop talking about how beautiful the venue is. Bria was fabulous as the venue manager and made sure that we were well cared for. We used Eat for Equity as the caterer and the food was perfect and Todd was amazing. The evening was perfect. Couldnât have asked for more. Reviewed on 12-05-2019
Ashley Johnson(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-02-2019 From the moment we walked into Watson Block, I knew this was it - we found our venue! Beautiful windows looking out downtown, tall open ceilings, modern tables and chairs that didn't need any covers or table cloths, brick walls, wood floors, modern lounge seating area, colorful rugs, the long bar with a beautiful backdrop of shelving cute decor and greenery, and chandeliers - show stopper! Like the rest have said below, you literally don't need to bring any decor, the venue itself is stunning.Quite possibly the best hospitality, we've experienced. The venue's Operational Managers, Sarah Carter and Bria Stenzel were so accommodating and made things stress-free. We fully entrusted them and were relaxed and confident that our day would go smoothly, and it went even better than I imagined. They went the extra mile setting up, coordinating with our caterers and bar staff, and took the time to learn not only what some of our close family members liked to drink to stock the bar, but also were putting fresh drinks in our hands when we were too busy talking to guests or enjoying our dinner. We had 115 guests that fit comfortably, allowing space in the back for a lounge area and a buffet line in front.Since we had a winter wedding we didn't want to make the guests travel outside, so got married at Watson. After the ceremony, Bria and Sarah flipped the room into seated dinning with a buffet line. They were efficient and helped organize our caterers to help too.I can't say enough great things about this place and the management. The price for what you get is a steal! Not to mention all my guests kept commenting on what a stunning place it was.Bria and Sarah thank you! Reviewed on 16-03-2019
andrea jones(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-02-2019 Watson block was the perfect venue for our wedding! The space is breathtaking all by itself. We had floral centerpieces and candles scattered throughout the space and I can't imagine needing any more decorations. Sara and Bria were a delight to work with, they both made planning and the day of a breeze. We were a smaller group (70 guests with offsite ceremony) and Sara assisted in designing our floor plan and helped reassure me that my vision would work out. We were able to have our dining, lounge area and dance floor set the whole night and the flow worked out perfectly. We trusted Sara and went with the venues preferred vendors for catering and DJ and they were both spectacular, plus they had all worked together previously which meant less organizing and coordinating for me. We had a room block at the AC hotel a block away, so we skipped the valet, but if you have a lot of guests driving I think it would be worthwhile. I literally can't say enough good things about this venue and the people working there. 11/10 recommend Watson Block. Reviewed on 05-03-2019
Holly Yamada(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-12-2018 I seriously cannot say enough positive things about our experience with Watson Block. The venue is GORGEOUS. Sarah was absolutely incredible to work with. She accommodated our needs and helped us create such a beautiful environment for our reception. We had a capacity (120) seated dinner reception and it was very comfortable. There was definitely enough space to walk around, to chat, to eat, and to dance! The space is beautiful. Tall ceilings with big windows and wonderful brick walls. This space really doesn't require you to do a lot of decorating - but if you should want to, I bet Sarah would help you with your needs in a heartbeat. We opted to use a valet service for our 120 guests, but there is also ample street parking and a few lots/garages near by. (Make sure to checkout what events are happening at Target Center just in case you are concerned about traffic downtown.) I would recommend Watson Block to anyone and everyone. So many of our guests have raved about how beautiful it was. I'm so sad I can't get married there again! Reviewed on 27-12-2018
Miriam Kim(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-10-2018 Our wedding reception at Watson Block was wonderful! The venue is really beautiful and looks really elegant, so there wasn't a lot of need for extra decor. Everyone we worked with was really nice and helpful - especially Sarah. She was really accommodating and it made wedding planning a lot less stressful than it could have been.We had 120 seated guests, so it did get a little crowded (with a photo booth at one end, and some lounge furniture at the other), but that's to be expected. Without the lounge furniture (or photo booth), there would have been more than enough room. Regardless, it was an enjoyable time and all the guests really loved the space!We're glad that we found Watson Block and were able to work with them. I would definitely recommend it! Reviewed on 25-10-2018
Karissa Caputo(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-09-2018 My husband and I had our wedding ceremony and reception here a few weeks ago and absolutely LOVED it! Our guests were raving about how beautiful the venue is from the moment we sent out our invitations. Since our wedding was smaller (around 75 people), we were able to set-up ceremony seating. The staff was very efficient in flipping our ceremony space to include a lounge and bridal party table for our reception while guests mingled during our social half-hour. During the reception, we had a live full band, and the acoustics sounded great.Sarah worked closely with us to make our dream day a success! She patiently and promptly answered all of our questions and was flexible with customizing our day (for instance, allowing our cat to join the bridal party!). All the staff scheduled for our wedding were phenomenal and pleasant.The space is gorgeous and unique and close to some awesome photo spots (we stopped by the Hennepin Avenue Bridge for a lot of our pictures). We have no regrets about having our ceremony and reception at Watson Block! We were truly very happy with the outcome and absolutely recommend Watson Block for your next event! Reviewed on 21-09-2018
Molly Butler(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-08-2018 Our entire experience at Watson Block could not have been better. Not only was the space beautiful, but the people were incredible. From menu planning to room design, the staff was informed, professional, and efficient. Further, the pricing is transparent- truly, no hidden fees. The food was excellent, and the bar was great. Due to the number of guests, we had a 'stations' style food service. There was a total of 2 stations, plus appetizer table (which we converted to dessert midway through the night). For 145 people, we used 4 small cocktail tables and 11 large round tables. This worked very well. We did very little to decorate because the space itself is so well done. Exposed brick, chandeliers, leather couches, piano-it's all there! We brought flowers, and that was that.Our guests had an amazing time- danced the night away. Our only constructive feedback is that it got a bit hot while dancing-not unbearably hot, but hot. This being said, we had 145 people in the space- near capacity- so that played a role. We feel so lucky to have found Watson Block- it really is one of the best deals in town. If you are on the fence, jump off right now and book Watson Block! You will thank yourself later. Reviewed on 11-09-2018
Amy Kelly(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 12-07-2018 It was love at first sight, I knew it was the place for our wedding reception the minute I stepped into this beautiful venue! There is a definite awe factor when you enter the space with a dozen or more crystal sparkling chandeliers, warm exposed brick, floor to ceiling windows, hardwood floors, gorgeous bar and a custom built lit piano( 3D lights inside, a replica of the W in Times Square in NYC). Crazy cool factor!! Our guests raved about the beauty of the venue and what a wonderful time they had that night! One end of the room is perfect for lounging with a living room set up, leather couches and chairs, etc. while the other end was lively with our piano player singing and keeping the guests entertained in the bar area. Perfect blend of chill and party atmosphere. Felt intimate and first class all the way. Can't wait for the next event we can think of having here to recreate the magical evening!Read Less Reviewed on 02-08-2018