From Racing to Reunions: 12 Reasons to Book Your Next Event at Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar

Corporate parties. Weddings and receptions. Birthday celebrations. Summer festivities. When your next event is approaching, there's far more to think about than food and tables. Today's hosts want awesome experiences, delicious eats, fun surroundings, and a destination guests will enjoy visiting. From client entertainment to family reunions and milestone celebrations, every event benefits from the right setting.

Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar helps turn gatherings into memories. Located at Canterbury Park, Boardwalk is part restaurant, part event venue, and 100% destination. With views overlooking the track and the energy of race day just steps away, Boardwalk offers a backdrop that feels far more exciting than a traditional banquet hall or hotel meeting room. When you host an event here, you bring guests to hospitality and entertainment at its finest: delicious food, a buzzing atmosphere, and one of Minnesota's most iconic entertainment destinations.

If you're looking for a Shakopee event venue that offers more than tables and chairs, we'll deliver an experience guests will remember long after the event ends.

Why Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar Stands Out as a Shakopee Event Venue

Let's face it, every venue has tables and chairs, but not every venue creates excitement weeks before your event even begins.

Boardwalk brings something extra to every gathering. As an integral part of Canterbury Park, we host events in the heart of one of Minnesota's favorite entertainment destinations.

Live horse racing. Concerts. Festivals. Exceptional food. Top-notch drinks. Plenty of action and entertainment is built into the experience. When guests visit our restaurant, they know they're visiting one of the area's most exciting destinations. That means you can plan private events that people genuinely look forward to attending. Below, we'll break down 12 reasons why.

1. A Venue Your Guests Will Remember

Ever attend an event and wish someone had chosen a different venue? The location often sticks with you long after the happy hour is over and the invitations are forgotten.

Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar is different.

Located alongside Canterbury Park's racetrack, the venue offers a one-of-a-kind atmosphere your guests won't find anywhere else. Business dinners, rehearsal dinners, family reunions, birthday celebrations, and anniversary parties all feel more memorable when paired with the excitement of the track.

People remember experiences. They remember destinations. They remember gathering somewhere that feels unique. That's exactly what Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar provides.

2. Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar Isn't Just for One Type of Event

Flexibility is one reason event planners choose our restaurant again and again.

Our versatile event spaces can accommodate everything from business functions and networking events to weddings, reunions, and private celebrations.

Corporate Events

Every business wants a venue that supports productivity while encouraging meaningful interaction.

Our venue is ideal for:

• Corporate parties
• Team celebrations
• Networking events
• Client entertainment
• Sales meetings
• Employee appreciation events
• Holiday parties

Employees and clients enjoy an atmosphere that feels more like a conversation and less like another meeting.

Organizations planning professional gatherings can learn more about available options through our corporate events page.

Social Celebrations

Life isn't all work, and Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar is the perfect place to celebrate the moments that matter.

Popular gatherings include:

• Birthday celebrations
• Anniversary parties
• Graduation celebrations
• Family reunions
• Rehearsal dinners
• Alumni events
• Social club gatherings
• Private dinners

Whether guests visit us regularly or are discovering us for the first time, the atmosphere makes every celebration feel special.

3. Built-In Entertainment Appeal

The challenge with many event venues is that guests have to create their own entertainment. At Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar, the entertainment is already built into the experience.

Guests can enjoy dining, racing, seasonal activities, concerts, and other attractions happening throughout the property. That means guests have something to talk about before the event, something exciting to experience during it, and plenty of memories to share afterward.

Planning your event during race season? Guests can explore Canterbury Park's horse racing offerings, review the live racing page, or browse the events calendar to see what other activities are happening during their visit.

If you're hosting racing enthusiasts or newcomers alike, you can also direct guests to learn how to read a racing program before race day so they can enjoy the full Canterbury experience.

4. Foodies and Atmosphere Seekers Will Love Us

Whether you're hosting a small dinner or a large celebration, people will always talk about the food. That's why we place so much emphasis on hospitality, dining, and atmosphere.

Casual-but-Upscale Vibes

Some venues are too casual. Others are so formal that guests feel uncomfortable.

Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar strikes the perfect balance.

Our restaurant delivers a casual-but-upscale experience that feels polished enough for hosted events while remaining relaxed and welcoming. Guests can enjoy quality dining and handcrafted beverages without the stiffness often associated with traditional banquet halls.

Stress-Free Dining

One of the biggest advantages of our restaurant is convenience. Guests don't need to leave for drinks, appetizers, dinner, or post-event socializing. Everything is available in one location.

Hosts interested in menu planning can explore our drink offerings and ask about customized food and beverage packages and catering options designed specifically for private events.

5. Perfect for Local Hosts and Out-of-Town Guests

Choosing the right venue is about more than food and atmosphere. Location matters too. We are conveniently located in Shakopee, making it accessible for local hosts while offering plenty for visitors to enjoy.

For residents, it's close to home. For out-of-town guests, it's an easy destination with entertainment, dining, and attractions nearby.

As a growing Shakopee destination, the area continues attracting visitors looking for memorable experiences beyond downtown Minneapolis.

6. It's a Real Event Destination

There's a difference between attending an event and being excited about attending an event. Our venue falls firmly into the second category.

Instead of saying, "We have an event tomorrow," guests often say, "We're going to Canterbury tomorrow." That matters.

Canterbury Park already has a reputation for entertainment, racing, dining, and fun. Hosting your event here gives it an immediate sense of excitement before guests even arrive. Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar is a destination people look forward to visiting.

7. Mix and Mingle, or Seat Everyone Down

Not every event fits into a rigid seating chart. Our flexible event spaces make it easy to customize layouts for different group sizes and event styles.

Seated Gatherings

Formal seating works well for:

• Rehearsal dinners
• Awards ceremonies
• Alumni events
• Family reunions
• Banquets
• Private celebrations

Mix-and-Mingle Formats

Many events benefit from a more social setup. It doesn't matter if you're hosting 20 guests for a private dinner or a larger reception-style event, our flexible layouts help create a smooth guest experience. Mix-and-mingle works well for:

• Networking receptions
• Cocktail-style events
• Corporate parties
• Client entertainment
• Birthday celebrations
• Social club gatherings

Whether you're planning a seated dinner or a casual reception, our venue can adapt to fit your goals.

8. Holiday Events and Seasonal Celebrations

Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar's mood and theme is ever changing with the seasons, making us perfect for: 

• Fourth of July parties
• Holiday parties
• Reunion weekends
• Derby parties
• Year-end company parties
• Season kickoff parties 

View the event calendar to see what else is going on during your stay and plan your local event with other festivities taking place on campus.

9. Pair Your Event With Fun in Shakopee

Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar is ideal when your celebration is one destination on an itinerary. Guests can enjoy Sunday brunch, spend the afternoon at Canterbury Park, and then extend their celebration with horse racing, dining, and live entertainment. Pair your event with: 

• Concerts and live entertainment
• Hotel stays
• Weekend getaways
• Group outings 

Whether your guests are visiting for a day or weekend, Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar is the ideal destination to kick off a list of fun things to do in Shakopee. Few venues offer the opportunity to combine dining, entertainment, and celebration all in one destination.

10. Guests Will Share the Experience

Today's guests are eager to share experiences on social media. Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar's photo-friendly atmosphere gives guests plenty to share. Wedding receptions, birthday parties, reunions, and corporate events all provide countless photo ops that help keep your special day memorable for you and your guests long after the celebration has ended.

11. Planning Feels Easier With an Experienced Team

Every successful event has more than just an ideal venue behind it. There are also talented people working diligently behind the scenes. 

When you choose our restaurant you not only select a proven events venue, you also gain access to a well-connected hospitality and events ecosystem. As part of the larger Canterbury Park family of events facilities, you can take advantage of skilled event professionals, built-in venue resources, menu coordination, and streamlined communications all throughout the planning process. 

Whether it's offering planning help, assisting with menu coordination, or working with you on event day logistics, our team is here to make your event planning experience as simple as possible from start to finish. Learn more about Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar's hospitality philosophy and background. Also feel free to contact our team with event inquiries, availability, and planning help through our private events page.

12. Every Event Has a Story – Make Yours About Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar

Memorable events are the ones that guests talk about. At Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar, those stories usually revolve around exhilarating races, scrumptious food, meaningful conversations, and celebrations that will last a lifetime. 

Canterbury Park's racing heritage and the exciting atmosphere and hospitality at Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar are blended together to create something greater than your average event venue. Whether it's racing days, corporate holiday parties, private events, reunions, or life's milestones, Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar puts a storybook twist on every event. Your guests will remember where they celebrated, but more importantly, how much fun they had.

Tips for Booking Your Next Event Venue

Before reserving your event space, keep these planning tips in mind:

• Know Your Guest Count: Having an accurate estimate helps determine seating, layout, and space requirements.
• Define Your Event Style: Will guests be seated or mingling? Choosing your format early helps maximize the guest experience.
• Plan for Parking and Access: Easy arrival and departure contribute significantly to guest satisfaction.
• Ask About Food and Beverage Packages: Customized food and beverage packages can simplify planning while ensuring guests enjoy an exceptional dining experience.
• Consider Major Local Events: Aligning your date with racing season, concerts, or other local events can add even more excitement to your gathering.

Book an Event Venue That Feels Like More Than a Venue

Whether you're planning corporate parties, rehearsal dinners, alumni events, family reunions, birthday celebrations, holiday parties, or client entertainment, Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar offers something few venues can: a true destination experience. Guests come for the food, stay for the atmosphere, and leave with memories that last long after the event ends.

If you're searching for a Shakopee event venue that combines exceptional hospitality, flexible event spaces, catering options, food and beverage packages, live entertainment, and the excitement of Canterbury Park, Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar deserves a spot at the top of your list.

To check availability, make table reservations, or begin planning your next event, connect with the team through our private events page and start planning an experience your guests won't forget.