A nightlife guide for St Louis

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

St. Louis nightlife is an experience like none other. Within three downtown districts you will find a vast array of nightlife just waiting for you to discover. St. Louis has a large variety of nightclubs and bars that will without a doubt meet with your approval. One of the hottest places for night time entertainment is Washington Avenue which has dozens of clubs located within two blocks of each other. If the grumbling of the growing neighborhood hasn't ruined the liquor license of the nightclub of your choice, you can rest assured you will have plenty of time to party before everything shuts down at 3 AM. South of downtown St. Louis is historic Soulard, a conclave of 19th century red bricked buildings named after the French surveyor, Antoine Soulard, who surveyed historic St. Louis for the King of Spain. One of St. Louis's most popular hotspots, the Soulard consists of private homes, bars, live blues clubs, churches, and some of the best restaurants known to man. It is also the site of St. Louis's annual Mardi Gras celebration which consists of parties, parades, and the best music this side of Heaven.

To the West, Lafayette Square and Central West End both offer interesting options for your night out and about. Central West End has al fresco cocktails for the people watchers among you and the fabulous Club Viva where you can dance the night away to some hot and spicy salsa music, while Lafayette Square is home to many stylish restaurants and the lovely 33 Wine Bar.

Further to the west of Central West End is University City, the Loop Neighborhood, which features live music and a nightclub called The Pageant. Close by, another small municipality, Maplewood is quickly gaining in popularity among the party going set for its combination art gallery/trendy cafes/and nightclub, The Atomic Cowboy. West Port, aptly named due to its location in the western end of St. Louis County, plays host to the West Port Shopping, dining, and hotel complex. Ozzie's Restaurant and Sports bar and the Trainwreck Saloon occupies an important part of the West Port Complex. There is also a very popular comedy club called the Funny Bone, 2 casinos, and the UMB Bank Pavilion amphitheater where many top drawer acts have played throughout the years.

Laclede's Landing is St. Louis's ultimate hot spot for the younger generation. Located on the eastern edge of the city, it is THE place to see and be seen. Set in a renovated 19th century warehouse, Laclede's Landing is a phenomenal entertainment district filled with restaurants, shops and nightclubs. Mark this as a definitely a must see when you make your travel plans.

Lemmons Basement Bar is reminiscent of the legendary Cicero's Basement Bar, which in its day was located on the other side of Gravois Avenue. Not unlike Cicero's, Lemmons is thick with smoke and long-haired hippies, all of whom manage to keep their heads from knocking against the low doorframe of the smallish, but well-stocked bar. Its cheesy 70's interior with its thrift-store macram art and its ancient wood paneling gives you the direct impression of a early-'70s rec room. 5800 Gravois Avenue Ph.314.481.4812

Harry's is quite popular with the areas business people possibly for its enormous Paladin windows, or its brilliant view of the St. Louis skyline. Personally, I think it's for their enormous terrace and live music they have every Thursday through Saturday. Harry's is the place to be after a Cardinals, Blues, or Rams victory. The players tend to hang out there after the game so if you fancy meeting them, Harry's would be well worth your time. 2144 Market Street Ph. 314.421.6969

Hannegan's Restaurant and Pub was built as a replica of the 1940's Senate diningroom. Its atmosphere is a bit like stepping back in time, especially on the weekends when the live jazz bands are featured. At Hannigan's you will be treated to an enormous selection of American cuisine and on warm nights you can have your dinner outside while you marvel at the city's picturesque sights. 719 North Second Street Ph. 314.241.8877

Located in the downtown Sheraton Hotel, Jacques Sports Bar is just the place for the serious sports fanatic. You will adore this 10,000 square-foot sports bar with their numerous television sets while you sit back, relax and have a beer while you catch all the current sports matches. They even offer a free shuttle to Cardinals baseball matches if you park in their garage. On weekends Jacques features live music as well as broadcasts of every major sport known to man. Well, maybe not shuffleboard, but you get my meaning. Jacques also offers video games for you to play if you feel the need to get into the action itself, instead of just sitting back watching. Sheraton City Center Hotel 400 South 14th Street Ph. 314.613.6490

Mike Shannon's is owned by former St. Louis Cardinals baseball player, named interestingly enough, Mike Shannon. Located just blocks away from Busch Stadium, it serves some of the finest food in St. Louis. On game nights, Mike Shannon himself, broadcasts his radio program on KMOX from within the bar. Mike Shannon's boasts several televisions where you can watch the action of whatever game happens to be playing at the time. 100 North Seventh Street 314.421.1540

Show-Me's on The Landing, with its Hootersesque waitresses is one of the best places you can go to get great sandwiches, chicken wings, and oysters. Its a fun sports bar that boasts a lovely patio that overlooks the Mississippi River. This restaurant is open late and serves its full menu until they turn the lights off for the night. 724 North First Street Ph. 314. 241.8245

The ultra hip place to be is the Pepper Lounge. Its actually two bars combined into one, each with a feel all its own. The front of the building doubles as a dining area with exposed brick, subtle lighting and hardwood floors where you can treat yourself to over 30 different vodkas. Behind the kitchen is The Lounge, a bar within a bar which also doubles as a music room where they feature live music on weekends from 9 PM to 1 AM. It is known to the locals as "The Lamp Room" for its many interesting vintage lamps. 2005 Locust Street Ph. 314.241.2005

If a night out at a comedy club is your idea of entertainment, City Improv will be right up your alley. City Improv features unscripted comedy routines which range from the hilarious to incredibly zany. If you enjoy the program hosted by Drew Carey, Whose Line Is It Anyway? or the British BBC radio series, I'm Sorry, I haven't a Clue, you are in for a treat of the greatest magnitude. If you have kidlets along, the 7.30 PM show is always family friendly. All bets are off after that, though. If you are offended easily, I recommend you stick to just that time frame, otherwise, please come and enjoy the evening with City Improv and their exquisite brand of comedy. St. Louis Station Ph. 314.241.1527

The Funny Bone attracts some of America's top comics in a lovely intimate club setting. It is part of the nation's most popular comedy club chains and has been named one of USA Today's top 10 best comedy clubs in the United States. Each week a new comic stops by The Funny Bone to entertain you.

Mississippi Nights is an interesting concert venue if you are into country music. All tickets are priced as general admission to this thousand seat concert hall where you can dance to your hearts content on their spacious dancefloor. Mississippi Nights often plays host to some of the biggest names in the country music industry. To find out which artist is currently gracing their stage, please give them a call at the following number. 914 North First Street, Laclede's Landing Ph. 314.421.3853

The Savvis Center plays host to several different attractions during the year. From sports events to live music, the Savvis Center will be sure to have something that strikes your interest. Tickets are available at the Savvis Center box office (314.421.4400) or Ticketmaster (314.241.1888). Or you can ring them for information about upcoming events at 314. 241. 1527 1401 Clark Street

One of St. Louis's greatest landmarks isn't the Arch. It is the Casa Loma Ballroom, which has been in operation for the past 78 years. The Casa Loma Ballroom offers you the opportunity to swing the night away to the music of Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, and the Dorsey Brothers as well as many other class act musicians of the thirties and forties. It is a brilliantly satisfying alternative to the disco scene. Prepare yourself for a magical night of holding your darling one close as you listen to the sweet strains of Glenn Miller and his Orchestra. Don't know how to Swing dance, or ballroom dance for that matter? The Casa Loma Ballroom offers dance lessons as well. 3354 Iowa Ave Ph. 314.664.8000

Riverboat gambling has been immensely popular in St. Louis since the mid 1990s and it remains as such today, regardless of the fact the boats no longer cruise the Mississippi River. There are a total of five casinos, one of which, Harrah's Casino, has two themes, so technically there are six. Each casino is basically the same as the other with a few minor differences, depending which side of the river you happen to be on. On the Missouri side there is a $500.00 mandatory loss limit for each two hours you gamble. If you happen to be on one of the two boats over on the Illinois side there is no limit as to how much money you can lose, that is entirely up to you and no one will even think of stopping you. Also, there is an admission fee to The President Casino, while all the others are completely free.

The Ameristar St. Charles Casino is a brand new casino which features more than 3,000 slot machines and nearly 100 table games. Live music is featured in the Bottleneck Blues Bar and has had the likes of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, .38 Special, and Mark Wills. Karaoke is offered weekly and offers a free valet and covered parking areas. 1260 Main Street, St. Charles Ph. 636.949.7777 or 800.325.7777

Harrah's St. Louis Casino and Hotel is basically two casinos within the same structure. The Island Casino is a laid back and carefree sporting palm trees, large aquariums and waterfalls. The Island boasts over 1,500 slot machines and nearly 36 gaming tables. There are seven restaurants and a 300-room hotel that has its own Mardi Gras themed casino. Harrah's also has a New Orleans-style casino which has more than 1,600 slot machines and 37 gaming tables. Harrah's signature restaurant, The Range Steak House, is a cowboys dream come true. Western atmosphere with a simple elegance. In addition to the Range Steak House, Harrah's offers a varied selection of restaurants in which to choose from. Antonio's Italian restaurant, which serves up authentic Italian cuisine, The Town Square Buffet, that includes over 100 different mouth watering items for you to choose from, Club Aroma with their specialty coffees, pastries, sandwiches and cold drinks, and the combined Jester's and Island Deli, on the Mardi Gras side, serve a variety of deli sandwiches, pastries and icecreams to satisfy even the most ravenous of appetites. 777 Casino Center Drive, Maryland Heights Ph. 314,770,8100

The afore mentioned Presidents Casino is docked at Laclede's Landing and is contained within The Admiral, a former excursion craft built in 1907 which has been a piece of St. Louis history since shortly after its completion. The Presidents Casino has over 1,200 slot machines, keno, video poker, live poker and numerous table games to while away the hours. A champagne Sunday brunch is offered as well as an all-you-can-eat buffet. The Presidents Casino also features The River's Edge Deli which serves up numerous deli sandwiches, pizza, hotdogs, salads, and desserts. Live music plays nightly in the Galaxy room and features, Blues, Jazz and rock-n-roll. Boarding hours for The President are 8 AM to 4 AM on weekdays and around the clock on weekends. Parking is free, but there is a $2.00 admission charge. St. Louis at Laclede's Landing Ph. 314.622.3000 or toll free at 800.772.3647

All in all St. Louis offers you a multitude of activities that are sure to both please and entertain you during your stay in Missouri.