Photos: Carnival Bar
Tommy Begnaud and the Mr. Paul’s team create a secret bar in Edina.
Edina’s dining scene has a whimsical new addition with the Carnival Bar, created by the team behind Mr. Paul’s Supper Club. Co-owner Carrie Erickson describes the new venture as a “super fun” space where wonder and nightlife collide. Carnival Bar—co-owned by Erickson, Tommy Begnaud and Courtney Briden—is tucked behind Mr. Paul’s and represents a fresh chapter for the whole team. “When we finished Mothership [Pizza Paradise], we thought, ‘What do we do now?’ We love to start new things.” They figured the sandwich shop behind Mr. Paul’s needed a facelift. “We thought it was time for a refresh. We wanted to focus on the nightlife business, and it would be fun to have a secret bar back there,” she says.
The secret bar is a mix of nostalgia and creativity that is anchored by a series of circus-themed paintings from the art collection of Begnaud’s grandfather, Mr. Paul. “We had these awesome paintings from Mr. Paul,” Erickson says. “We thought, ‘Why don’t we use that as the focal point?’” The paintings were originally painted onto a circus tent. “Mr. Paul had them pulled off and commissioned an artist to cut the tent apart and put them on these pieces of wood. It was all one piece on a tent before,” she says. The series of five paintings spans the eccentric and playful world of the circus. They are the perfect visual centerpieces for Carnival Bar.
The design of the space is a reflection of the bar’s playful spirit. The team meticulously planned every detail. “We designed it ourselves. It’s our brainchild,” she says. “We hired a painter, and we bought the glass and brass shelving. We shopped around. A lot of the glassware is one-of-a-kind vintage glassware we collected. We extended the bar and did new lighting, tables and barstools. We striped the ceiling to resemble a circus tent on the inside. We love color and pattern. We want people to have things to look at, to have a full experience.”
Carnival Bar dazzles guests with its lively circus-inspired interior and inventive cocktails.
Carnival Bar’s menu is as playful as its décor. There are shareable plates and a “burger of the moment,” which changes every couple of weeks. Recent creations have included a Pepper Jack Juicy Lucy and an homage to White Castle. “That’s our schtick back there,” Erickson says. “We always have something new for people to try.” Inventive cocktails also dazzle the menu. The Popcorn Margarita features lime, orange liqueur, popcorn and tequila. Giggle Water is a cotton-candy topped vodka drink mixed with cherry bark vanilla, cotton candy seltzer, sakura blossom and more. And the Circus Peanut Fizz is a nod to the classic marshmallow candy. It’s an eclectic yet delightful mix of banana liqueur, chai spices, nondairy creamer, seltzer and vodka.
Beyond its everyday offerings, Carnival Bar can also be rented out for private events. It’s open Thursday through Saturday evenings and closes at or around 11 p.m.
“We love to start new things and bring fresh experiences to the area,” Erickson says. “We pushed the boundaries with Carnival Bar.”
Carnival Bar
Instagram: @carnivalbarmn
