Rochester’s Historic Castle: Your Event, Elevated
Nestled in the heart of downtown Rochester, The Castle Lounge & Venue is more than just a building—it’s a piece of history. Originally built in 1916 as an armory for Minnesota’s National Guard, this iconic structure served the community for decades before becoming Rochester’s Senior Center.
Today, The Castle has been reimagined as a vibrant event space, where the past meets the present. Our team is honored to continue this building’s legacy, creating unforgettable moments and cherished memories for the Rochester community. Whether you’re hosting a wedding, corporate gathering, or special event, The Castle offers a timeless backdrop for life’s biggest celebrations.
Our Mission
At The Castle Lounge & Venue we are committed to providing nothing short of excellence. We strive to be the premier venue destination for all events. Our team is committed to delivering only the highest quality products, superior service and uniquely tailored touches for every event, creating a lasting impression for all in attendance. Regardless of event type, our mission is to ensure each client receives overwhelming value on their investment, and every expectation is exceeded.
Our Vision
We at The Castle Lounge & Venue focus on client satisfaction and loyalty as we deliver personal and unique experiences. Through our commitment of excellence, attention to detail and dedication to our clients, we aspire to become the industry champions for individuals, businesses and organizations seeking professional planning services.
Venues History
The Castle History
From its beginnings as an armory in 1916 to its transformation into a vibrant event venue today, The Castle has been a cornerstone of Rochester’s history. Over the years, it has served as a gathering place for the community, evolving while preserving its timeless charm.
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1915 Castle Building Built
Originally built in 1915 as the Rochester Armory, supporting Minnesota’s National Guard from 1916-1970. In 1980, the building transitioned into the Rochester Senior Center, serving the local community until 2016.
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2017 Private Ownership
In 2017, a private ownership group purchased the building from the city of Rochester and opened “The Castle Community”, with a focus on supporting local art and music. During the Coronavirus pandemic, the building was shut down like many others.
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2023 Arnett Family
In 2023, the building was sold to Rochester natives, The Arnett Family. Arnett’s vision was to create an unparalleled venue offering exceptional entertainment and dining options throughout each level of the building.
Our team at The Castle Lounge & Venue is proud to be writing the next chapter in this historic building’s legacy. We are committed to creating many more years of wonderful experiences and memories with the Rochester community and visitors from across the globe.
GALLERY
The Castle Building
The Castle team has made it a priority to keep the history of this iconic building intact. Transforming the space into an elegant event venue and restaurant while keeping its historical bones.
Bringing Your Vision to Life with Passion and Care
The Castle Team
Our talented and friendly staff at The Castle strive to make sure your experience with any event hosted with us is memorable and exactly what you had envisioned.
Kendra is an operating partner who oversees sales, catering and events. Born a Rochester native, her passion for hospitality began at a very young age as her grandparents owned and operated the Broadway Café and the Wabasha Resort which is now famously known as Slippery’s Bar and Grill. She has 25 years’ experience in F&B operations, in which 20 of those years were spent as the Sales and Catering Director at the Rochester Golf and Country Club.
She is very team-oriented and knows that a large part of events being successful is her and the team’s commitment to providing exceptional service. She loves attending community events as well as supporting charitable organizations to keep up with ongoing trends in food, beverage and event planning. Kendra married her husband, Adam, in 2013 and has 3 daughters, Alexis, Olivia and Paisley. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, music, sports and the outdoors.
I have always had a passion for entertaining and gathering with others. Over the years I found this often revolved around food, drink and events. My enjoyment for creating memorable experiences and interacting with others was a driving force in my desire to purchase the Castle in 2023. The Castle presented a unique opportunity to create multiple spaces focused around food, beverage, and entertainment allowing me to share my love of all three with others in the community. It has been a great privilege to be part of transforming the Castle into the multilevel venue that it is today.
Reide Martin A.K.A. “Chef Spiccoli”, is a young passionate chef and Rochester native. With 18 years of experience serving many roles throughout the industry, his passion continues within the Castle walls. Father of 5, he stays busy around the clock. Outside interests of fishing and foraging bring inspiration of fresh seasonal offerings and innovative techniques.
LOCATED DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER
Convenience, Right Around the Corner. Downtown Rochester, MN.
The Castle is conveniently located in downtown Rochester, MN with accessibility to many local businesses, hotels, parking, and much more. Our location is easy to access for any of your event needs and is within walking distance of many other local attractions.
