Riverfront Times Bar Guide 2021 by Riverfront Times

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BAR GUIDE bars to fight boredom

BAR GUIDE 2021 | RIVERFRONT TIMES 1

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BAR GUIDE 2021 | RIVERFRONT TIMES 3

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Publisher Chris Keating Editor in Chief Doyle Murphy

E D I T O R I A L Art Director Evan Sult Contributing Writers Chris Andoe, Cheryl Baehr, Daniel Hill, Jaime Lees, Danny Wicentowski Proofreader Evie Hemphill Contributing Photographers Trenton Almgren-Davis, Doyle Murphy, Ryan Gines, Erin McAfee, Theo Welling P R O D U C T I O N Production Manager Haimanti Germain M U LT I M E D I A A DV E R T I S I N G Associate Publisher Colin Bell Account Managers Emily Fear, Jennifer Samuel Multimedia Account Executive Chuck Healy Director of Public Relations Brittany Forrest C I R C U L AT I O N Circulation Manager Kevin G. Powers E U C L I D M E D I A G R O U P Chief Executive Officer Andrew Zelman Chief Operating Officers Chris Keating, Michael Wagner VP of Digital Services Stacy Volhein Creative Director Tom Carlson www.euclidmediagroup.com N AT I O N A L A DV E R T I S I N G VMG Advertising 1-888-278-9866, vmgadvertising.com Riverfront Times PO Box 179456, St. Louis MO, 63117 www.riverfronttimes.com General information: 314-754-5966 Fax administrative: 314-754-5955 Fax editorial: 314-754-6416 Founded by Ray Hartmann in 1977

Table of Contents Introduction

Bars to Play

Bars to See the Show

Bars to Roll

Bars to See the Sights

Bars to Face the Music

Bars to Soak It All In

Bars of Interest(s)

In Defense of ‘Boring’ Bars 56

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On the cover: Sponsored by BEAM SUNTORY Photo by THEO WELLING Bartender Jordan sets you up at Salt and Smoke in Ballpark Village.

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Keyper's backyard patio.

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ERIN MCAFEE

welcome to the 2021 bar guide

rinking is a versatile pastime. It

doesn’t go with everything of course, but many a shy dancer and casual pool player can attest to its powers as an evening enhancer. Rod-and-reel fishermen have understood this for years. Same for beer league softball players. And yet, we don’t always take full advantage of the opportunity to mix booze and diversions. We here at the Riverfront Times hate to see anyone’s potential go unrealized, so we have focused this year’s guide on bars where you can not only drink, but chase a PAC-MAN high score, sing along with the band or practice your skeeball form. Like to drain a pitcher on the lanes? Check out our write up of

St. Louis’ bowling alley bars. Or skip over to our recommendations for spots to drink by the pool if that’s more your scene. We can point you to an unstuffy drag show, and we know the best places to relax with a view. Everyone’s idea of a fun night (or afternoon, we’re not making judgments) is different, so our writers, editors and photographers compiled a wide variety of possibilities. The guide is organized by activity. Look for your favorites, or open blindly to a page and see where it takes you. We’re sure you’ll find something to do and hopefully a new adventure. Here’s to no more boring outings. Cheers! —Doyle Murphy, editor in chief

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Up-Down St. Louis.

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ERIN MCAFEE

BARS TO PLAY SILVER BALLROOM

4701 Morgan Ford, 314-832-9223 thesilverballroom.com

The Silver Ballroom was built with the pinball-obsessed in mind. The owners, Steve and Shelly Dachroeden, are pinball-obsessed themselves, so they know what kind of experience a serious pinhead is looking for in a bar. The space here is split in half; the bar side is for drinking and flirting and talking about music, and the game side is strictly for playing pinball and has a rotating selection of games. Sure, some patrons dabble in both, but most of the people who walk into the Silver Ballroom are there to do one or the other and to go all out. This spot isn’t just a bar to play pinball — it’s a bar to win pinball. It regularly hosts tournaments and other events for other gamers. JAIME LEES

FRIENDLY’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL

3503 Roger Place, 314-771-2040 friendlyssouthcity.wixsite.com/mysite

If you want to hit up a bar that has an activity for everybody, Friendly’s Sports

Bar & Grill is the closest version we have to a Dave & Buster’s in the city. Drinking there is like being inside one giant video game. They have pool tables, video golf, darts, shooting games, boxing games, claw machines and more. You and your crew could spend all night hopping from game to game and never get bored. Another big plus of Friendly’s is that the drinks are super cheap (and the pours are crazy heavy), so you’ll have more money to pump into the machines. JAIME LEES

UP-DOWN ST. LOUIS

405 North Euclid, 314-449-1742 updownarcadebar.com/st-louis

Up-Down has more than 60 beers on tap, and all of the cocktails reference retro pop culture. While the names aren’t at all inventive (Captain America, Daria, Family Matters, to name a few), all the ones we tried were excellent. (Karate Kid straight up tastes like candy.) The real draw, of course, is the incredible selection of rare and retro game cabinets from the ’80s and ’90s sprinkled throughout the place. Each

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Milo's Tavern.

ERIN MCAFEE

only costs 25 cents, and they have everything from Donkey Kong to Captain Commando to that sweet, oversized X-Men cabinet where six people can play at once. You can even grab a slice of pizza like a Ninja Turtle. The clientele can trend toward pretty bro-centric, and on a humid night, it smells like a locker room, but it’s all easy to ignore when you’re zoned out fighting Scorpion in Mortal Kombat or shuttling fares in Crazy Taxi. JACK PROBST

4 HANDS BREWING CO.

1220 South Eighth Street, 314-436-1559 4handsbrewery.com

4 Hands Brewing Co. is a St. Louis staple at this point. Selling points include its selection of beers that you

can see being made to great food from Peacemaker and Sidney Street Cafe. While that’s all well and good, the real draw for those that aren’t as interested in suds is on the second-floor tasting room. The vast space houses two Skee-Ball machines and a row of free-to-play classic arcade games, so you don’t have to worry about bringing quarters. The gem of the collection is an original cabinet for the game Tapper. You play as a bartender that must sling beers to customers without dropping any off the bar. While it was later adjusted to be about root beer, this rare machine has actual Budweiser logos in-game and a place to set your beer while you play. It’ll keep retro video game nerds busy all night. JACK PROBST

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CBGB.

ERIN MCAFEE

CBGB

3163 South Grand Boulevard, no phone

True dive bars are hard to come by these days but CBGB on South Grand is one of the last authentic dives in town. It’s dark, it’s dingy and it’s everything that a dive bar should be, really. The drinks are super cheap and the bar is often full of regulars. One of the best ways to hear some great stories is to kick it with them and see what tales they tell. But bar gossip isn’t the only activity here — you can also play pinball, play a video game or take a crack at the long shuffleboard table. Sometimes there are bands crammed into the front window-cumstage, too. The shows are usually free and the sound quality is suspect, but this is a dive bar. Let your hair down. Lower your expectations. Live a little. JAIME LEES

MILO’S TAVERN

5201 Wilson Avenue, 314-776-0468 milosboccegarden.com

If you want to try to blend in with the locals and do some excellent daytime drinking, Milo’s Tavern is the place to hit up for some afternoon merriment. Located in St. Louis’ famed Italian neighborhood the Hill, this tight-knit community has more to offer than just jaw-droppingly delicious food and adorable family-owned shops. It’s also a place to kick back and relax. If you want to chill out Italian style, swing by Milo’s and play some bocce. With several bocce courts built into their patio area, Milo’s is the bocce headquarters in St. Louis. Learn to play on your own or wait around for a bit and you’ll usually be able to become a spectator. Old-timers meet there B A R G U I D E 2 0 2 1 | R I V E R F R O N T T I M E S 19

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frequently for a casual game and are usually happy to show off their skills for an adoring audience. JAIME LEES

PIECES BOARD GAME BAR AND CAFE

an appetite at the mic or from playing too hard, Westport Social also has some small plates — sliders, pizzas, nachos and more. JENNA JONES

TAMM AVENUE BAR

1535 South Eighth Street, 314-230-5184 stlpieces.com

1227 Tamm Avenue, 314-261-4901 facebook.com/tammavebar

Walking into Pieces Board Game Bar and Cafe, the first things to catch your eye are shelves and shelves of what looks like books. Walk a little closer and find your favorite board game waiting there to be played as you drink with your friends. There are more than 800 games available for play. The offerings range from classics, such as Monopoly and the Game of Life, to obscure — could anyone tell us what Qwirkle is without looking it up? If board games aren’t your thing, plenty of card games are available. There are also drinks for whatever your heart desires. Cocktails, coffee mixes and beer or wine can help bring out your competitive side; just don’t flip over the Monopoly board when someone buys out Park Place and Boardwalk. As of this writing, the bar is still operating at reduced capacity and games are sanitized after guests return them to the “Game Sanitization Station.”

This Dogtown favorite would be a fine stand-alone pub, but two not-so-secret weapons put it way over the top. First, it’s home to Nomad sandwich shop and its pastrami, which RFT food critic Cheryl Baehr describes as “the best pastrami in town — if not the state, or even the entire planet.” So there’s that. But wander through the bar and out the back door and you’ll spot the second surprise: an enormous patio. The outdoor space has evolved from a perfectly fine slab for downing pints to a handsome oasis with its own stylish bar, shaded by wooden overhangs, like a cabana without the kitsch. At the far border of the patio, Tamm has turned an old garage bay in a separate block building into a game room with vintage arcade games. Options include tabletop Atari Pong, a Silver Strike Deluxe coin pusher, skeeball and, of course, Big Buck Hunter. Another bonus: The back patio is dog friendly, meaning you and your best friend can hang out all evening. DOYLE MURPHY

JENNA JONES

WESTPORT SOCIAL

910 Westport Plaza Drive, 314-548-2876 westportsocial-stl.com

Friendly competition dominates the scene at Westport Social. Foosball, floor shuffleboard, washers, darts and basketball hoops are all available for you to impress (or embarrass yourself) on a date or with friends. Ping-pong tables are part of the setup as well, but keep it classy when you get to drinking and don’t try to use them for an impromptu game of beer pong. The drink list is extensive, and the karaoke room awaits your high notes after you get a couple in you. Summer Nights from Grease is one of the most-requested songs, according to the bar, so find your Sandy, Rizzo or Danny and have at it. If you’ve worked up

GRAMOPHONE

4243 Manchester Avenue, 314-531-5700 gramophonestl.com

Take a crack at pinball at the Gramophone or grab a sandwich — either way works at this bar. Self-described “sandwich kingz,” Gramophone advertises itself as a sandwich pub where they “focus all of our energy on creating great sandwiches and bringing people great craft beer and good times.” The drink menu and sandwich lineup are equally stacked, so bring your appetite and buy in for a round or two of pinball. Music is a constant feature in the bar, whether it’s a DJ or someone with a guitar on the stage. Beer flows, music plays, you drink. It’s a recipe for a good time. JENNA JONES BAR GUIDE 2021 | RIVERFRONT TIMES 21

A performance on the patio at Rehab.

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ERIN MCAFEE

BARS TO see the show REHAB ST. LOUIS

4054 Chouteau Avenue, 314-652-3700 rehabstl.com

The Grove’s undisputed drag capital is Rehab, where their elite “Divas of the Grove” reign supreme with shows every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday on the spacious patio. “We are the party bar!” announces show director Chasity Valentino. “The divas are a high-energy show and now the longest-running show in the Grove. People used to refer to us as the back-porch drag of St. Louis. We all know some of the funnest parties we’ve been to took place on the back porch!” she laughs. “So we took that title and ran with it!” There’s room for everyone at Rehab, and based on the way they pack ’em in, everyone seems to love it.

drag shows, burlesque productions and half-naked performance art. Moodily lit and thrumming with electronic, punk and industrial music, the downtown institution three blocks south of Washington Avenue has long been a haven for the subculturally inclined. As the bar’s website suggests, it’s a place for people looking for “something a little different.” And there’s a lot more to do than drink its popular pouch-served “Adult Hi-C” rum cocktail: The venue has a monthly burlesque show every first Saturday, a monthly drag show called BimboVision and weekly karaoke on Tuesday and Friday nights. It’s a sign the world is truly healing: You never know exactly what you’ll see on the Crack Fox stage — but be assured, it will be more than just a little different. DANNY WICENTOWSKI

CHRIS ANDOE

THE CRACK FOX

1114 Olive Street, 314-828-5064 crackfoxbar.com

The Crack Fox is where St. Louis goes when it wants to get weird. This is not your destination to watch the night’s Cardinals game on TV — you can go anywhere for that — but a dive bar for dance parties and

OFF BROADWAY

3509 Lemp Avenue, 314-498-6989 offbroadwaystl.com

For such an esteemed local institution, it's amazing how much change Off Broadway is constantly undergoing. Over the past few years its patio area has blossomed into one of the great outdoor relaxation hangs in town, and BAR GUIDE 2021 | RIVERFRONT TIMES 23

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Heavy Anchor owners Joshua Timbrook and Jodie Whitworth.

the venue area has somehow continued to quietly expand in size and scope. But the feel of the room is still classically rock n roll: a place where punks and cowboys and rockers and troubadours and local legends of all ages gather to watch great music unfurl in front of them. The sound in the room is top notch, the staff is always the best, and if you love music, it's where all your best friends are likely to be hoisting a City Wide or a WellBeing together to celebrate a record's release date. Off Broadway made it through the pandemic by the skin of its teeth and is forging ahead with a smart vaccine requirement plan to protect both patrons and staff, so you can hang out with a little more security and comfort. There are a lot more changes planned — even more patio space, an expanded side bar and a larger stage — so enjoy it now, but don't get too used to it, because as usual, there's more to come. EVAN SULT

THEO WELLING

HEAVY ANCHOR

5256 Gravois Avenue, 314-352-5226 theheavyanchor.com

Some bars are just for drinking. But most of the people who drop into the Heavy Anchor end up enjoying some other activity along with their drinks. In addition to darts and shuffleboard, the Heavy Anchor offers plenty of other entertainment. The entire back of the bar is a venue that hosts comedy shows and other events just as frequently as it hosts bands. The spot has been the home of many local comedy acts, variety shows, trivia nights and movie nights. The movie nights have taken on a new role, though, as the Heavy Anchor has partnered with neighboring business Arkadin Cinema & Bar (5228 Gravois Avenue) to host the guests who visit for the Arkadin’s outdoor movie nights out back. These moviegoers can get drinks from the Heavy Anchor and then enjoy a safe outdoor film in the Arkadin lot. It’s BAR GUIDE 2021 | RIVERFRONT TIMES 25

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Pro wrestling at South Broadway Athletic Club.

the new (better) version of dinner and a movie. JAIME LEES

NINTH STREET DELI AT HOWARDS

2731 South 13th Street, 314-664-3354 ninthstreetdeli.net

A couple of fun facts about Ninth Street Deli: It’s on 13th Street, and members of a band that often plays there, the 9th Street Surfers, actually live on 12th. Rather than us explaining those quirks, ask the friendly bartenders for the story. If you’re chatting with Jamie, the manager who lives upstairs, also ask about the ghost who turns on the light for her cat when she forgets. A favorite haunt of “Maven of Mardi Gras” Luann Denten, the socialite explains what she loves about the place: “Great food, fun drink options and the Cheers ambience! When the band is playing, the crowd is singing along, dancing, everyone’s totally engaged. The bartenders know your name, know your beverage of choice and are quick to ensure that you have one. A Soulard treasure!” CHRIS ANDOE

DOYLE MURPHY

SOUTH BROADWAY ATHLETIC CLUB

2301 S 7th Street, 314-776-4833 sbacstl.org

The old brick hall on the edge of Soulard is truly one of the city’s gems. It doesn’t matter if you’re dropping in to hear a band, partake in a fish fry or witness the majesty of local-level pro wrestling, a night at South Broadway Athletic Club is one you’ll remember. It’s an actual club, founded in 1899 with an early focus on boxing and wrestling, and has somewhat surprisingly managed to hang on (there were some close calls) to host a slate of events that varies but remains heavy on grappling and rock music. You can join SBAC, but it’s not a requirement as the members graciously open it to the public on a regular basis. The setup is a good-sized main hall with a bar partitioned off at the back, where you’ll order a domestic under the soft glow of stained-glass Busch beer lights. And if you just stayed back there, it would be a worthwhile night. But chances are good you came for the wrestling, and if that’s the case, you’re going to want to see what happens next. DOYLE MURPHY B A R G U I D E 2 0 2 1 | R I V E R F R O N T T I M E S 27

Pin-Up Bowl.

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ERIN MCAFEE

BARS TO roll SARATOGA LANES

2725 Sutton Boulevard, Maplewood; 314-645-5308 saratogalanes.com

Dripping with history from corner to corner, Maplewood’s Saratoga Lanes makes its case for being one of the city’s best bowling-alley bars because it sits inside the best bowling alley. Since 1916, this second-floor spot has provided a space to knock down some pins, as well as a few cold ones. The vintage vibe — the bowling alley was midcentury modern before it became en vogue again — is such a refreshing reminder of the way the game used to be played, sans cosmic lights and disco balls. It’s no wonder then that this feeling carries over to the bar, which has such good people watching, you don’t need to bowl a game to have a full night of entertainment. CHERYL BAEHR

PIN-UP OWL

6191 Delmar Boulevard, 314-727-5555 pinupbowl.com

One of the pioneers of the city’s craft

cocktail scene, Pin-Up Bowl has not just pushed our idea of what a bowling-alley bar can be — it’s pushed our notion of cocktail culture in general. Sure, you can hop on a lane and bowl a few frames in Pin-Up’s cool, vintage setting, but the real draw here is the bar and its selection of signature cocktails that will impress even the most discerning imbiber. This is a far cry from the warm draft Bud Light in a plastic pitcher that is standard at most bowling establishments; even the beer selection is an impressive array of craft labels that keeps up with any bottle shop or tasting room around. That such an outstanding drinking establishment happens to have a bowling alley attached is only a bonus. CHERYL BAEHR

S PU

506 Droste Road, St. Charles; 636-925-1033 plazalanesbowlingcenter.com

When someone asks you if you want to go to a bowling alley for drinks and a steak dinner, the natural reaction is to balk. Are they kidding? Can this actually be a passable dining experience or something that would make a truck-stop steak buffet BAR GUIDE 2021 | RIVERFRONT TIMES 29

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Flamingo Bowl.

RYAN GINES

look like haute cuisine? That incredulity gives way to pure joy the moment you step inside Tubby’s Pub 'n Grub, a bona fide family steakhouse located inside St. Charles’ Plaza Lanes Bowling Center. Tubby’s is an institution, and, aside from its surprisingly good steaks, the bar is its biggest draw, serving as the undisputed Cheers of the surrounding area. This is the sort of bar where you will likely see children running around, just as likely to be corrected by the bartenders as the parents because of how often they frequent the place. If bowling alleys were country clubs, this would be it. CHERYL BAEHR

FLAMINGO BOWL

1117 Washington Avenue, 314-436-6666 am obowl.com

The swanky Flamingo Bowl is the only bowling alley fit for Washington Avenue’s trendy nightlife reputation. The sister establishment to fashionable Pin-Up Bowl in the Delmar Loop, Flamingo Bowl takes the notion of the bowling-alley bar, adds in a dash of vintage style and craft cocktail culture, then shakes it up and pours it into a gold-rimmed coupe. The art deco aesthetic, outfitted in red and gold, calls

for heels rather than bowling shoes, and if you choose to dress the part, you won’t feel out of place. After all, this is maybe the one bowling alley where jeans and a T-shirt will get you a look more than a suit and tie. CHERYL BAEHR

OLIVETTE LANES ol

l tt la

o l ard s.com

If you close your eyes and conjure up an image of a bowling-alley bar, chances are it looks a lot like Olivette Lanes. This classic lounge stands as a living homage to the quintessence of bowling-alley culture. Vintage photos of bygone winning bowling teams that have graced its lanes — even one that held the world record for the highest-scoring game for decades — plus trophies and assorted bowling memorabilia decorate the no-frills space that is layered with history. This is not the bar to go to for a craft cocktail. Backlight signs with neon-colored, handwritten drink specials like Sex on the Beach are the closest thing you’ll get to a drink menu. But what Olivette Lanes lacks in trendy cocktail culture, it makes up for with longtime professional bartenders who make every guest feel like a regular. CHERYL BAEHR BAR GUIDE 2021 | RIVERFRONT TIMES 31

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Vin de Set.

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ERIN MCAFEE

BARS to see the sights VIN DE SET

2017 Chouteau Avenue, 314-241-8989 vindeset.com

If the gorgeous, French-vintage vibe of the inside bar and lounge is not enough to draw you to drink at Vin De Set, the stunning rooftop deck will seal the deal. This gorgeous outdoor space — unarguably one of the best open-air drinking experiences in town — boasts one of the best views of the St. Louis skyline, a vista made even more lovely when enjoyed under the soft glow of white twinkling lights that illuminate the space in the evening. You can order one of the bar’s wonderful cocktails to sip on while enjoying the view, but the more appropriate choice is a bottle of white Burgundy; it’s the best way to soak in the French vibes that underpin the city’s history. CHERYL BAEHR

world’s great waterways, it’s often treated here as an afterthought or something to avoid. And that is a fine topic to discuss on a tipsy afternoon at the dockside bar and Paddlewheel Café at Riverboats at the Arch. Have a few, stare out over the majestic river and get all philosophical about its starring role in the lives of various civilizations, its cultural influence or the policies of the Army Corps of Engineers. Also fine: simply hanging out with a cold one. A warm weather feature, Docktails Happy Hour, is 4-7 p.m. every Thursday through September (maybe longer, TBA). And if you’d like to see more of the river, book one of the cruise options. You may have driven over the Mississippi a million or so times, but it is a perspective-shifting experience to see the city and surrounding environs from the water. Plus, boat drinks! You can’t beat that. DOYLE MURPHY

RIVERBOATS AT THE ARCH

50 South Leonor K. Sullivan, 877-982-1410 gatewayarch.com/riverboats

The Mississippi River is criminally overlooked in St. Louis. One of the

THREE SIXTY

1 South Broadway, 314-241-8439 360-stl.com

For as much fun as a day at the ballpark BAR GUIDE 2021 | RIVERFRONT TIMES 35

can be, it also brings with it its fair can be,ofithassles. also brings fair share You with have ittoits secure share ofdeal hassles. have to secure tickets, withYou the crowds, sit outside tickets, deal with the crowds, sit outside the whole time enduring the elements, the timedollars enduring pay whole a bajillion justthe to elements, get a Bud pay a bajillion just to range get a Bud Light, and yourdollars food options Light, andthrown your food options between peanuts andrange warmedbetween thrown and warmedover hot dogs. If peanuts only there was a better over dogs. If only there was a better way! hot Enter Three Sixty, the rooftop bar way! the Enter Three the rooftop bar atop Hilton inSixty, downtown St. Louis. atop in downtown St. Louis. Here,the youHilton can take in the sophisticated Here, youand canstunning take in the sophisticated environs views of the city environs and stunning views of the that the space has to offer, while alsocity that the space has to also peering right over theoffer, wallswhile of Busch peering right overthe thegame wallsfrom of Busch Stadium to catch above. Stadium tothe catch theand game from above. And while food drink options And while thecheap, food and drinkcertainly options aren't exactly they're aren't they're better exactly than thecheap, ballpark fare certainly — say better than ballpark — say goodbye to the peanuts and fare crackerjacks, goodbye crackerjacks, and helloto topeanuts kimcheeand pizzas and grilled and hello to kimchee pizzas shrimp skewers. Farewell as and wellgrilled to $14 shrimp skewers. Farewell well Bud Lights, as Three Sixtyashas a to $14 Bud Lights, Three Sixty has asure to selection of as top-shelf cocktails selection top-shelf sure to sate your of thirst. Whencocktails put up against sate your thirst. When put up against the ballpark experience itself, there's the ballpark itself, just really noexperience comparison — in there's fact, just no comparison in fact, afterreally enjoying a game from— these classy after enjoying a game digs, you may not carefrom if youthese everclassy get digs, you may not care if you ever get back to the stadium itself. back to the stadium itself. DANIEL HILL DANIEL HILL

ECLIPSE ROOFTOP BAR ECLIPSE ROOFTOP BAR AT MOONRISE HOTEL AT MOONRISE HOTEL 6177 Delmar Boulevard, 314-726-2222 6177 Delmar Boulevard, 314-726-2222 moonrisehotel.com moonrisehotel.com

In ancient times, man held the moon in In ancient times, man the moon in such high esteem that held it was worsuch high that it was wor- In shipped asesteem a god in some cultures. shipped as a god inthat some In Norse mythology, bigcultures. ol' rock that Norse mythology, that big ol' rock that silently circles the Earth was personisilently circlesthought the Earth was personified as Máni, to be the brother fied as Máni, thought to be the of the personified sun, Sól, and brother an array of powers the personified sun, Sól, and an array of were ascribed to it. Nowaof powers were ascribed Nowadays, we mostly know of to theit.moon as days, we mostly know of the as it the place that MTV shot the moon bumpers the that its MTV shot the bumpers it usesplace between programming, but that uses between its can't programming, doesn't mean we relive the but old that doesn't mean can't relive the old days, with thewe help of the Eclipse days, with the help the Eclipse Restaurant atop theofMoonrise Hotel. Restaurant atopover the Moonrise Hotel. There, looming the rooftop bar, is There, looming over the rooftop bar, isin the largest man-made model of Máni the world, largestsilently man-made modeland of Máni in the spinning the world, silently spinning and 36

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demanding adulation. Clad yourself in demanding adulation. Clad yourself in your sturdiest armor and horned your sturdiest andyour horned helmet, gather armor here with brothers helmet, here with your brothers in arms,gather and hold aloft your turkey legs in aloft your turkey andarms, meadand (or,hold as the case may be, legs and mead as the maywhile be, she chicken po(or, boys andcase mojitos) chicken poher boys and mojitos) while she continues endless flight from the continueswolf her endless flight from the ravenous Hati Hróðvitnisson ravenous Hati across thewolf night sky.Hróðvitnisson For the glory of across the night sky. For the glory ofHILL Odin! DANIEL Odin! DANIEL HILL

THE BOATHOUSE THEGovernment BOATHOUSE 6101 Drive, 314-366-1555 6101 Government Drive, 314-366-1555 boathousestl.com boathousestl.com

When you think of the Boathouse at When think of the Boathouse Forest you Park, the image that comes at to Forestlikely Park, involves the image that comes to mind throngs of families mind likelyfor involves throngs of families clamoring a canoe, hours-long waits clamoring for a canoe, hours-long for a hamburger, aggressive geesewaits and for a hamburger, aggressive geese and aching leg muscles from being forced aching leg muscles from being forced to spend too long in a paddle boat. Go to spend too longthinking in a paddle Go ahead and keep that,boat. because ahead and keep thinking that, because the growing number of people who’ve the growing number of people who’ve rediscovered the Boathouse — now rediscovered Boathouse finally with itsthe stuff together——now don’t finallyyou with stuff together — don’t want to its know that this may be the want you toinknow this may be hour. the best place townthat to spend happy best place in town to spend happy Over the past couple of years, sincehour. Over past couple years, since Mike the Johnson and hisofSugarfire team Mike Johnson and his Sugarfire team have taken over the space, the Boathave taken over the space, thethe Boathouse has finally turned into bar house hasitfinally turned intoand themore bar and grill was meant to be, and more grill itpeople was meant to be, and and are catching on.more By and morelate people are catching on.place By the time afternoon hits, the the time late afternoon hits, the place becomes absolutely magical thanks to becomes absolutely magical its lakeside setting. Sip a coldthanks beer to its lakeside cold and beeryou’ll while gazingsetting. across Sip the awater while gazing across the water and you’ll feel like a visitor in your own town. Hop feelthe likewater a visitor in your ownpeople town. Hop on if you’re bored, on the ifwater if you’re people watch you’re feelingbored, low-key, or just watch if you’re feeling low-key, or just bask in the beauty of the environs now baskthe in the beauty of the environs now that secret is out. that the secret is out. CHERYL BAEHR CHERYL BAEHR

The Boathouse. The Boathouse.

ERIN MCAFEE ERIN MCAFEE

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Blueberry Hill's dart room.

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BARS TO face the music KEYPERS PIANO BAR y

ff rso rsstl.com

The keys at Keypers Piano Bar start their revving at 8 p.m. every Friday night, filling the diverse-friendly spot with the sound of show tunes, Broadway hits and whatever songs are stored in the vast mental library of “Piano Patty.” The friendly patrons, cheap drinks and patio would make it a pleasant neighborhood bar in its own right, but the weekly singalongs are truly the bar’s lifeblood, rollicking into the night until the patrons are either too hammered to sing the lyrics or Patty’s fingers simply need a rest. Keypers is like a chorus you want to sing again and again, and there’s a reason people keep coming back every week to request Chicago’s “When You’re Good to Mama” — because when you’re good to a bar, it’s good to you. DANNY WICENTOWSKI

BLUEBERRY HILL bl

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If you want to find your thrill — yeah, we went there — you definitely want to swing on into Blueberry Hill. The restaurant /

bar/venue has been a longtime staple of the University City Loop district and is owned by infamous local businessman Joe Edwards. The entire establishment is a palace built in tribute to the retro-loving boomer aesthetic that many people find so charming. The place is filled with vintage toys and memorabilia, most of which is displayed safely behind glass. There’s even a cast of Chuck Berry’s hands featured right near where visitors enter the bar. And while lots of drinking gets done here, the place offers more than just booze. There are often concerts held in the basement, there’s a room filled with video games, and they also have an entire section of the restaurant dedicated to darts. JAIME LEES

MCLAIN’S CORNER BAR o t mcla scor

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If you’re looking for a honky-tonk with space to breathe and a mic to sing into on Thursday nights, there’s a place for you at McLain’s Corner Bar — and, if you’re smart, there should be a plate of its famous grilled wings to go along with it. In operation for more than 40 years, this Maplewood institution sits in the shadow BAR GUIDE 2021 | RIVERFRONT TIMES 41

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Keypers Piano Bar.

of an overpass and is known for its full menu and easygoing atmosphere. Karaoke nights, which run from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., are wide open for selections, from country hits to those niche personal favorites you’re still working up the courage to attempt. Thankfully, McLain’s sells courage in liquid form — all you need to do is sing. DANNY WICENTOWSKI

POP’S

1403 Mississippi Ave., Sauget, Illinois; 618-274-6720 popsrocks.com

In St. Louis, the phrase “heading to the East Side” typically means you’re going into lawless international waters (Illinois) to partake in some debauchery. It means you’re going to a place like Pop’s. But Pop’s, a greater St. Louis institution since 1981, is really like two distinct clubs in a timeshare arrangement. Early in the evening, it’s a mainstream 1,500-capacity concert venue, pulling in great local and national performers for the types of audiences you’d expect anywhere in the region. Then those folks clear out by midnight and the late-night/early-morning crowd begins to trickle in, not hitting

ERIN MCAFEE

their stride until about 2 a.m. The scantily clad women — some of whom perform at the nearby strip clubs — and the young and the rowdy are all there to dance, hang out and sometimes fight. It feels as if any East Side vice one might be tempted to indulge in is there for the offering. Most cities don’t have a sinister alter ego right across a river where you can live life on the edge well past dawn, and I think the fact that we do is among the most interesting parts of living here. There’s most certainly an element of danger to it all, but many in our crime-accustomed metropolis will tolerate some danger for a good time. And for those with the appetite and the street cred, Pop’s keeps it poppin’. CHRIS ANDOE

BROADWAY OYSTER BAR 736 South Broadway, 314-621-8811 www.broadwayoysterbar.com

Broadway Oyster Bar is as close as you can get to a landlocked state’s interpretation of New Orleans life. The legendary establishment offers live music every night of the week — and often during the day — from a number of genres and artists, both locals and out-of-towners. BAR GUIDE 2021 | RIVERFRONT TIMES 43

@JUSTJOHNCLUB

ALL-INCLUSIVE SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

4112 MANCHESTER · ST. LOUIS · 314.371.1333 · JUSTJOHNCLUB.COM

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Takashima Record Bar.

Pair the music with one of their many neon-colored, NOLA-originating cocktails or St. Louis drafts, and you’re sure to have a good time. Whether you’re bringing a Tinder date, your grandparents or your dog, there are plenty of spaces, both inside and outside, to satisfy everyone. All you have to do is follow the sign painted on their front door: “Leave Your Attitude At Home.” ZOË BUTLER

ERIN MCAFEE

the alcoholic and nonalcoholic varieties. (You can’t go wrong with the Love & Happiness.) At the end of the night, your bill features a spot not only to tip the wait staff but also the DJ. Pay the piper! If you’re looking for an extremely chill and dimly lit night out, look no further than Takashima. JACK PROBST

BB’S JAZZ, BLUES & SOUPS

TAKASHIMA RECORD BAR

700 South Broadway, 314-436-5222 bbsjazzbluessoups.com

Takashima Records has a sign on every table asking customers to be mindful of those “enjoying the vinyl experience” and to please not ask the DJs for requests. This is a house built on vinyl, and the new owners take things seriously. Inspired by Japanese listening bars, some of which go back to the 1950s, the bar will always have a local or national DJ on the decks for your listening enjoyment. The revamped menu features a selection of small-plate foods (the pulled-pork sliders have a real kick to them) and several tasty cocktails, both of

We here at the RFT love this bar. We’ve written it up countless times and celebrated it in the past as St. Louis’ best blues bar, and here’s a bit of not-so-breaking news: It’s still great. Consistently a place for an outstanding night out, BB’s importance to St. Louis has only become more obvious since Beale on Broadway sadly went down in 2019, leaving BB’s and Broadway Oyster Bars as the only surviving points in the former “Blues Triangle.” We’re not expecting anything in BB's future but years of success, but remember to never take this landmark club for granted. And grab a catfish po boy while you’re at it. DOYLE MURPHY

4095 Chouteau, 314-925-8982 takashimarecordbar.com

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Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton.

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COURTESY

Bars to soak it all in THE LAST HOTEL

1501 Washington Avenue tlhstl.com

With its intimate feel and sweeping views of the St. Louis skyline, the rooftop bar at the Last Hotel is already one of the best spots in town to enjoy a beverage. However, pair its frozen tiki-inspired beverages and magnificent vista with a fashionable, art-deco-style pool, and you’ve got the coolest bar in town. A dip in the water doesn’t come cheap. Day passes, purchased through Resortpass, are $65 a pop and are currently available during limited hours (Monday through Friday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.). However, if you’re in a Vegas pool sort of mood, this is the place to be. CHERYL BAEHR

CINDER HOUSE BAR AT FOUR SEASONS ST. LOUIS 999 North Second Street, 314-881-5759 cinderhousestl.com

Step into the lounge at Cinder House inside Four Seasons St. Louis, and you’ll immediately realize why Architectural Digest named it the most beautifully designed bar in the state. Dark turquoise leather banquettes, soft wood accents and a stunning Amazonite bar are simply breathtaking, their only competi-

tion for your attention the best-in-thecity view of the Gateway Arch. The scene is made infinitely better by the hotel’s gorgeous rooftop pool and deck, which you can use even if you’re not a hotel guest. The admission is admittedly pricey — you have to book a spa service, then pay $35 on top of that for a pass (Monday through Thursday only), but if you’ve got some money to blow, there’s no better way to do it. CHERYL BAEHR

LE MERIDIEN ST. LOUIS CLAYTON

7730 Bonhomme Avenue, Clayton; 314-863-0400 marriott.com/hotels/travel/stlmy-le-meridien-st-louis-clayton

The city’s newest luxury hotel, Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton is angling to make its rooftop pool deck and lounge the hottest gathering spot in town. You don’t have to be a guest to use it, but you do have to buy a $50 day pass for access seven days a week. Once that’s covered, you’re free to enjoy the giant Jenga and chess games or simply lounge in your bathing suit at the bar while sipping a glass of rosé collins and noshing on some bar snacks. You’ll feel like you’re on vacation without having to leave town. CHERYL BAEHR

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Historic Crossroads.

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BARS of interest(s) HISTORIC CROSSROADS

2201 South Seventh Street, 314-807-2013

“Whose living room are you taking me to?” a longtime Soulard bartender recalled asking the first time she walked into Historic Crossroads. The former cigar factory, which has its back to the neighborhood as it faces the street most of us refer to as Broadway, does have the feeling of being in someone’s home, and for owner Margie Drury and her patrons, it is a home of sorts. The scrappy Drury worked three jobs for years, saving the $20,000 needed to buy the then-dilapidated building — “It had four inches of bird shit and feathers in it,” she recalls — and $180,000 for the rehab, much of which she did with her own two hands. Customers say Historic Crossroads has the best jukebox in town, with festive regulars who often sing along. The spacious patio, where there’s always a fire, has Arch views and is regularly the site of crawfish boils, corn roasts and live music. Be sure to try the pickle shot. CHRIS ANDOE

THE WOOD SHACK

1862 South 10th Street, 314-833-4770 thewoodshacksoulard.com

Soulard’s ubiquitous golf carts line up at

the Wood Shack like boats at a marina, which makes sense considering the neighborhood’s buggies are known as “the Soulard Yacht Club.” Tucked away on one of the historic district’s picturesque tree-lined blocks, award-winning chef Chris Delgado and wife Hope Blumeyer have created one of the most popular day-drinking spots around. Sip a spiked strawberry lemonade on their front patio while enjoying the exciting food options and prime people watching. Men, however, need to be aware that a ghost in the restroom likes to pull their leg hairs. CHRIS ANDOE

THE FORTUNE TELLER BAR 2635 Cherokee Street, 314-776-2337 thefortunetellerbar.com

Will your relationship work out? Is your life really on the path you think? Should you try a gimlet? (We’ll answer that third one: Sure, they’re delicious.) Friends, you have come to the right place, because the Fortune Teller Bar is not just some gimmicky name. The stylish Cherokee lounge has real-life tarot card readers regularly rotating in to sort you out. And whatever the answer, you can count on reliably excellent meals from Gooseberries, which now operates food service for BAR GUIDE 2021 | RIVERFRONT TIMES 53

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Shameless Grounds owners Michelle and Andrew Mueller.

the bar. Even if you’re fated for disaster, you won’t be sorry that your destiny has carried you into the Fortune Teller Bar.

TRENTON ALMGREN-DAVIS

ro-themed spot will be even bigger with a variety of events planned. The rise of the bar reader is upon us. DOYLE MURPHY

DOYLE MURPHY

APOTHEOSIS COMICS & LOUNGE

3206 S Grand Boulevard; 314-802-7090 apotheosiscomicsstl.com

Maybe you’re the read-your-book-in-bar type. It can be a little awkward, right? The drunk dude telling you about The Da Vinci Code. The midday maniac who decides to pump “Pour Some Sugar on Me” on the jukebox. The messy breakup a seat away. It can all be a lot to deal with when you’re just trying to have a drink and slip out of reality for an hour. And then along comes Apotheosis, which has smartly incorporated the drinking-and-reading experience into a comic book store. The concept worked so well at its South Grand Boulevard location (a formerly cursed storefront that had seen some rapid bar turnover in prior years) that Apotheosis is opening a second shop on Cherokee Street in what was once Foam Coffee & Beer. The new, superhe-

SHAMELESS GROUNDS

1901 Withnell Avenue, 314-449-1240 shamelessgrounds.com

A sex-positive sanctuary in Benton Park, Shameless Grounds draws visitors for its unique crowd, boozy drinks and diverse menu. But it’s the enormous in-bar library that sets this establishment apart, its shelves covering human sexuality, gender studies, history, academic research and, yes, other more spicy selections. To be clear, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill “adult bookstore” — it’s a bar for adults, with adult books. The selections range across the spectrum of sexuality and gender, from Victorian-era romance advice to photography to Simone De Beauvoir. It means there’s much more to be gained with a visit than just a good drink and a bite to eat. After all, it’s been said that the brain is the body’s largest erogenous zone — why not give it some new material? DANNY WICENTOWSKI BAR GUIDE 2021 | RIVERFRONT TIMES 55

In Defense of ‘Boring’

bars

ERIN MCAFEE

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good bar is like a small town.

Depending on the place, the owner or bartender is the mayor, ruling with the input of a wisened — or at least opinionated — council of regulars. The townspeople come and go during the course of business. As barstool neighbors in these mini municipalities, some become great friends. Others find ways to tolerate one another as life continues on. You have your village idiots. Tourists slide through if it’s that kind of place. Hang around enough and you’ll see everything. Marriage proposals. Weddings. Wakes. I’ve toasted strangers’ job promotions and bought beers for people who seemed like they could use a few. I’ve watched skilled barkeeps work a room better than any politician I’ve ever covered — and with about 1,000 times the sincerity and empathy. Fights break out. Couples meet. Couples break up. And, always, the gossip flows. I guess what I’m saying is that the ever-evolving life of a good bar has always been enough for me. Clear me a spot at the elbow in CBGB off of South Grand after work before the band starts, and I’ll happily disappear into the mix of off-shift restaurant workers, neighborhood regulars and newcomers who tend to enter a bit sheepishly after trying the wrong door on their way in. I don’t need a

TV or video games. Some nights, a few games of pool or darts sounds fun. Maybe that kind of place sounds boring, but it’s heaven to me. A few years ago, we took on the, let’s say “ambitious,” task of chronicling the city’s dive bars for an edition of the annual Bar Guide. My assignment involved splitting south city’s many examples of the form with another writer. I’m not sure I have recovered yet, but I also loved popping into those little ecosystems, those small towns, for a night or two. I met regulars, drank cheap pints (or cans!) of beer and rail gin and watched as the local officials conducted business. Off the clock, I often found myself at Civil Life, Tick Tock or maybe the Silverleaf, but I settled on Ryder’s Tavern for my local. The place had no gimmicks. It was pleasingly dark with no televisions, and the eponymous Ryder was a sharp observer of the world with a correspondingly gloomy outlook that fit the times. Ryder’s closed early in the pandemic. A couple of partners in the business, the Wamser brothers, have since reopened the bar as a brighter, more food-focused place called the Drawing Board, where you can use chalk to draw and color while you drink. I’m looking forward to trying the place out. Maybe I’ll doodle something with the chalk, or maybe I’ll just sit and look around. I can assure you it won’t be boring. —Doyle Murphy

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P L E A S E D R I N K R E S P O N S I B LY WHISKEY SPECIALTY, 35% ALC. BY VOL., (70 PROOF.) JACK DANIEL DISTILLERY, LYNCHBURG, TENNESSEE. JACK DANIEL’S, TENNESSEE FIRE, AND TENNESSEE HONEY ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS. ©2021 JACK DANIEL’S. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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