Lush bar in Minneapolis reopening under new ownership

Lush bar in northeast Minneapolis is set to reopen in December as Lush Lounge & Theater with new owners and a new well-known tenant serving food from the kitchen — Betty & Earl’s Biscuit Kitchen.

The gay bar has been closed since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

Four people bought 11,000 square-foot building, which includes a theater stage, for $2.6 million.

Owners Andrew Rausch and Jared Lawrence will oversee operations and entrainment programming. Both have been performing for more than a decade as Crystal Belle and Nikki Vixxen, respectively, and bring years of hospitality and business experience.

They have teamed up with the owners of Betty & Earl’s, Jason Matheson and Jennifer Lueck. Matheson hosts his own show on FOX 9 and myTalk 107.1.

"This project combines so many dreams of mine that I’m overwhelmed with gratitude," Matheson said. "Not only do I own a restaurant centered around my papaw’s name and biscuits but having that restaurant inside of a venue that I’m a co-owner of is beyond exciting. As a member of the LGBTQ community, I’m thrilled to work with great people like Andrew and Jared to create a space that not only reflects our community but invites everyone to a space where all are welcome."

Lush Lounge & Theater will be open weekly Wednesday through Sunday.

This will be the second location for Betty & Earl’s. Their original location is inside the Potluck food hall at Rosedale Center in Roseville.