Check out our list of five Fargo-Moorhead businesses eager to help get that party started.
Those who rent out one of The Fargo Theatre’s two auditoriums for a holiday party can bring in any movie on DVD or Blu-ray to view or select from classics such as “White Christmas,” “Home Alone” or “A Christmas Story.”
David Samson / The Forum
The Fargo Theatre rents out its two auditoriums for private screenings. Most employers will likely opt for the 72-seat theater, but the historic 877-seat theater is available, as well.
“Everybody likes to watch a movie at the holidays. It’s even better on one of our big screens,” operations manager Nicole Larson told The Forum Monday, Nov. 15.
The Fargo Theatre allows guests to bring in their own food. A bar is also permitted as long as it’s catered by a business with a traveling liquor license.
“You can bring in anything you like, honestly, that isn’t popcorn. That’s our one hard and fast rule,” she said. “We don’t have a place for a sit-down dinner, but we’ve seen people bring in pizzas, sandwiches, cheese spreads, stuff like that,” she said.
You can also bring your own movie.
“For private screenings, where you just have your invited guests, clients or employees, we allow you to bring in any movie you like on DVD or Blu-ray. We have a limited selection, but we do have ‘White Christmas,’ ‘Home Alone’ and ‘A Christmas Story’ — all the classics. Otherwise, people can bring any film they like on one of those two formats,” she said.
Those who rent out one of The Fargo Theatre’s two auditoriums for a private screening can bring in outside food, with the exception of popcorn, which will be for sale at the concession stand.
David Samson / The Forum
Part of what makes The Fargo Theatre a great place to hold a holiday party is the ambiance of downtown, Larson said.
“There’s nothing quite like being downtown at Christmas time. … You can’t really beat the ambiance of downtown and the historic Fargo Theatre, especially if you want to do a movie night with clients or employees. Of course, there’s nowhere else you can get our popcorn.”
WHAT: The Fargo Theatre
WHERE: 314 Broadway, Fargo
CONTACT: Operations Manager Nicole Larson at 701-551-0501 or email her at [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.fargotheatre.org
Team “Sea Foam” is pictured at Puzzled Escape Room in Fargo. Owner Kay Cameron says escape rooms make a great office Christmas party option because attendees “are there to celebrate, but at the same time they’re having fun building communication skills with each other.” Contributed / Puzzled Escape Rooms
Kay and Steven Cameron, owners of Puzzled Escape Rooms and Fargo Escape Room in Fargo, believe an escape room is the way to go for your holiday party.
A major perk is that the experience helps build relationships and communication among co-workers, Kay Cameron said.
“No. 1, people come, they have fun. But while they’re having fun, they’re also building their communication skills. … It’s a team bonding thing. And what we’ve also found is that if they push themselves just a little bit harder, they can solve it and do more than they thought they could. It’s a very empowering feeling.”
Puzzled Escape Rooms has seven different rooms and can accommodate a maximum of 62 people. Fargo Escape Room has three rooms operational right now and can accommodate up to 30 people.
WHAT: Puzzled Escape Rooms and Fargo Escape Room
WHERE: Puzzled, 3301 S. University Drive, Fargo; and Fargo Escape, 2220 Main Ave. E., West Fargo
CONTACT: Puzzled: 701-446-8548; and Fargo Escape: 701-532-1138
WEBSITES: www.puzzledescaperooms.com and www.fargoescaperoom.com
Marcel Baumgartner is the owner of Triple Ax, ax-throwing facility in north Fargo. Chris Flynn / The Forum
Marcel Baumgartner says Triple Ax is the best place for your office holiday party because it offers an even playing field for all attendees.
“I feel like there are a lot of things like bowling where there’s always a group of people who are really good at it already. Everyone else is like, ‘Well, now I don’t want to play. I know I won’t be able to beat them.’ We do really well at engaging with everyone and getting everyone to try. Everyone is normally on a pretty even ground here,” she said.
Ax throwing is something she says everyone can do.
“It seems kind of scary the first time you come in, but everyone that’s been here has been able to stick axes. You come in and get some pointers. Once you get the flow of things, you’ll be the one to win your office party,” she said.
Triple Ax has 16 lanes and 32 targets. With eight people allowed per lane, the facility can accommodate 128 players at a time.
Interested parties can rent the entire facility outside of normal business hours or simply reserve the lanes they need.
They operate a mobile ax-throwing station, as well, that can be set up anywhere with adequate space, such as a hotel conference room.
Triple Ax also allows guests to bring in their own food and beverages and has a list of caterers available if needed.
WHAT: Triple Ax
WHERE: 2614A Broadway, Fargo
WEBSITE: Those seeking more information or to contact Triple Ax should visit their website at www.tripleax.com
This is Abby Januszewski’s first holiday season as owner of Clay Your Way, a painting and pottery art studio in south Fargo.
The Perham, Minnesota-native grew up visiting Clay Your Way and jumped at the chance to take over the business this summer.
Clay Your Way has a private party room available for groups of up to 20. Interested parties also have the option of renting out the entire business and its main studio after hours, which could accommodate an additional 30 or so attendees. That option is only available during the week right now.
“This past week, we had 13 parties. When it comes to renting the studio after hours, I could only do that on weekdays because the weekends are already so busy,” she said.
Owner Abby Januszewski is pictured in a party room at Clay Your Way Tuesday, Nov. 16. Angie Wieck / The Forum
Januszewski says a pottery painting party is a great bonding experience. But perhaps the best part of hosting your holiday festivities at Clay Your Way is the clay piece you bring home.
“It’s something you can use. It’s practical. You can always use a mug or a server,” and it will serve as a reminder of your party, she said.
WHAT: Clay Your Way
WHERE: 4600 17th Ave. S., Fargo
CONTACT: 701-356-9229
WEBSITE: www.clayyourway.com
The Clubhouse, an indoor golf lounge owned by Matt Gilbertson, Matt Lau and Jason Ennen, is expected to open sometime between Nov. 26 to Dec. 3. Once open, The Clubhouse will be available to rent for holiday parties. Forum file photo
For those open to scheduling a party closer to Christmas, The Clubhouse is another great option.
The indoor golf lounge under construction in Moorhead is expected to open sometime between Black Friday, Nov. 26, and Dec. 3, according to co-owner Matt Gilbertson.
The Clubhouse will feature five simulators with up to four players allowed per simulator. The 4,000-square-foot facility will also have a full bar. Owners plan to sell frozen pizzas and snacks, but they will allow outside food as well. The entire facility is available for private parties.
Gilbertson recommends hosting your event at The Clubhouse because “it’s a fun way to provide entertainment outside the stuffiness of a Christmas party.”
WHAT: The Clubhouse
WHERE: 805 30th Ave. S., Moorhead
CONTACT: Email [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.theclubhousefm.com.