Entry No. 17 — the Minneapolis file — filed under: haunted
Forepaugh's Restaurant
Housed in a stunning 1870 Victorian mansion, this newly reopened restaurant is famously haunted by 'Molly,' a heartbroken maid who hanged herself from a third-floor chandelier after her affair with the homeowner was discovered.
The story
You don't wander into Irvine Park by accident. Tucked into 276 Exchange St S sits an 1870 Victorian mansion that looks like it was plucked straight out of a Gilded Age ghost story—because, frankly, it was. Long before craft cocktails and dinner service returned with the mansion's recent reopening, the house was private ground for a 19th-century scandal that never quite cleared out of the top floor.
The trouble started when the homeowner carried on a secret affair with a maid named Molly. When the affair was discovered, a heartbroken Molly took her own life on the third floor, hanging herself from a chandelier. Decades later, despite dark trim, polished tables, and a brand-new menu, guests and staff still report mischievous encounters, unexplained cold spots, and an eerie lingering energy around the upper floor where Molly's life ended.
What it's like
Step off the quiet streets of historic Irvine Park and into the main dining room, where high ceilings and Victorian grandeur set a heavy, moody atmosphere. The play here is simple: settle in for dinner or a craft cocktail in the main room, then quietly slip up toward the third floor before you ask for the check. You won't get theatrical jump scares or gimmickry—just a sudden, noticeable chill in the air and the strange feeling that you're intruding on a private story. Book your table ahead on Resy, and confirm their evening schedule before heading out.
The move: Book a table for dinner or a craft cocktail in the main dining room, then head up to the third floor to see if you can feel the cold spots or see the chandelier where Molly's spirit reportedly still lingers.
- 📍 Irvine Park, St. Paul
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 276 Exchange St S, St Paul, MN 55102
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Science Museum of Minnesota - Questionable Medical Devices Collection — Just a short trip into downtown, trade Victorian ghost stories for a bizarre gallery of early 20th-century quack medical devices.
- Wabasha Street Caves — Double down on St. Paul's subterranean haunts with a tour of sandstone caves that doubled as a 1930s mobster speakeasy.
- The Historic Mounds Theatre — Pair your haunted mansion dinner with an evening event at this 1922 silent movie house known for its resident spirits.
Good to know
Who is the ghost said to haunt Forepaugh's Restaurant?
Local legend centers on 'Molly,' a 19th-century maid who hanged herself from a third-floor chandelier after her affair with the homeowner was exposed. She is described as a mischievous, harmless spirit.
Can restaurant guests visit the third floor?
Yes, patrons dining or having drinks in the main restaurant routinely make their way up toward the third floor to look for the chandelier location and feel for cold spots.
Do I need reservations to dine at Forepaugh's?
Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend dinner service, and can be booked online through Resy.
What are the typical operating hours?
Dinner service generally runs Tuesday through Saturday from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, though you should confirm hours directly before visiting.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · minnesotamonthly.com · hauntedrooms.com · resy.com
last checked: 2026-07-21