New Sports Bar Planned for Former Salut Space at 50th & France in Edina
One of Edina’s most recognizable restaurant spaces is getting a new concept.
The former Salut Bar Américain location at 50th & France will soon become The General Sports Bar, a new restaurant concept created by the owners behind NOLO’s Kitchen in Minneapolis’ North Loop.
The new sports bar is expected to open sometime in July or August 2026.
A New Concept for a Well Known Edina Location
Salut Bar Américain operated at 5034 France Ave S for about 20 years before closing at the end of 2025.
The location sits in the heart of the popular 50th & France district, one of the Twin Cities’ most well known shopping and dining areas that attracts visitors from Edina, Minneapolis, and surrounding suburbs.
Brett Johnson and Marty Collins, who also own NOLO’s Kitchen along with The Basement Bar and The Rooftop Bar in Minneapolis, saw the vacancy as an opportunity to bring a new type of sports bar to the neighborhood.
Their concept aims to blend a sports focused atmosphere with a more comfortable and upscale feel.
A Sports Bar With a “Country Club” Feel
Unlike traditional sports bars that rely heavily on neon signage and memorabilia, the owners say The General Sports Bar will lean toward a “country club vibe without the country club fees.”
The space will feature:
• Seating for approximately 140 guests indoors
• An outdoor patio with about 40 seats
• More than 25 televisions throughout the restaurant
• A semi private event room for groups of up to 45 people
• A basement game room with darts and a golf simulator
The owners are also leaning heavily into Minnesota’s hockey culture and hope the venue becomes known locally as a hockey bar.
Expect the restaurant to host watch parties, trivia nights, and community events throughout the year.
Menu and Dining Experience
The food menu will focus on approachable comfort dishes with some elevated touches.
Menu highlights will include:
• Rotisserie chicken
• Fish and chips
• Burgers
• Grilled fish
• A rotating steak of the week
• Caesar salad wraps
The menu will rotate twice each year and include vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options. The bar will also offer 10 beers on tap.
Why This Matters for the 50th & France District
The 50th & France area continues to evolve with new restaurants, retail brands, and entertainment concepts.
Bringing a sports focused venue into the district could attract a slightly different crowd than the traditional upscale dining options the area is known for. A sports bar with a polished atmosphere may appeal to residents from Edina, Minneapolis, and nearby suburbs who want a place to watch games without heading downtown.
For homeowners and buyers looking at the Edina area, continued investment in dining, retail, and entertainment helps reinforce why this neighborhood remains one of the most sought after communities in the Twin Cities.
If you want more updates on Twin Cities developments, restaurants, and neighborhood trends around places like Edina, Woodbury, Stillwater, and the greater Minnesota real estate market, follow along for future local insights.
