1. Focal Point
City: Maplewood, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 781-4200
Address: 2720 Sutton Avenue
Description: Focal Point showcases traditional and original folk music concerts, with 55 to 60 concerts held a year. On non-concert evenings, dancers take to the venue’s maple hardwood floor for lively nights of swing, Cajun, and zydeco dancing, along with special nights dedicated to Argentine tango or English country dance groups. The venue also hosts a number of acoustic jams, poetry nights and improvisational theater presentations throughout the year.
2. Boogaloo
City: Maplewood, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 645-4803
Address: 7344 Manchester Road
Description: Boogaloo’s bar swings—literally. Well, the bar itself is pretty solid, but the bar stools certainly swing. They’re hung from sturdy cables in the ceiling, and each “swing” has a pole attached to the underside for a little added support for those who might feel a little uneasy swaying with their cocktails. The eclectic bar and colorful atmosphere makes for a unique experience, but it’s one you will enjoy. Boogaloo’s DJ spins include everything from reggae and Latin house to soul and dance “oldies” from the ’80s and ’90s, Tuesday through Saturday nights.
3. Schlafly Bottleworks
City: Maplewood, MO
Category: Nightlife
Address: 7260 Southwest Avenue
Description: Schlafly’s brewing and bottling facility, Schlafly Bottleworks, is located in nearby Maplewood, a fun and funky neighborhood that is enjoying a resurgence among artists. The Bottleworks currently includes an indoor bar, retail shop, full-service restaurant, and an outdoor beer garden. There’s live music on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Brewery tours are available daily. The bar also hosts some unique “movie nights” and film series throughout the year.
4. Mihalis Chop House
City: Maplewood, MO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (314) 333-3301
Address: 1603 McCausland Avenue
Description: If you like steaks and chops, then this upscale, contemporary steak house is sure to feed your need. In addition to hand-cut steaks and chops, the menu includes various salads and seafood and pasta dishes. Specialties include shrimp and crab fettuccine, lamb osso buco, fennel-encrusted ahi tuna, and the Mihalis Harvested Salad, made with field greens, grilled beef tenderloin, and roasted baby beets with wild mushroom vinaigrette. They also have an extensive wine cellar—more than 1,800 bottles—and offer approximately 20 wines by the glass. Open Monday through Saturday for dinner only. Reservations are recommended.
5. Schlafly Bottleworks
City: Maplewood, MO
Category: Restaurants
Address: 7260 Southwest Avenue
Description: Schlafly Bottleworks features a full-service restaurant, an indoor bar, a retail shop, and an outdoor beer garden. The menu is extensive, and it offers a lot more than typical bar food. There are numerous vegetarian items available, along with dozens of soup, salad, and sandwich options, as well as some creative pizzas and calzones. Entrees are in abundance as well, with heartier fare like the Hoisin Glazed Short Ribs, Gluten-Free Chicken Pesto Pasta, and pretzel-encrusted chicken. Desserts are huge—big enough for at least two people—but well worth the calories. Oh, and they make their own beer here, too. Try one of the regular beers or get a little adventurous and sample some of the seasonal brews. Open daily.
6. Monarch
City: Maplewood, MO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (314) 644-3995
Address: 7401 Manchester Road
Description: The contemporary atmosphere and “global fusion” menu quickly made Monarch a favorite destination for sophisticated palates throughout St. Louis. There are two dining areas—the bistro and the main dining room—as well as two menus for each room for both lunch and dinner. Both feature soups, salads, and appetizers, with the entrees serving as the big difference. Monarch offers haute cuisine made with French overtones such as Grilled Orange Nairagi, Pistachio Encrusted Lamb Chops and a six-course vegetarian menu. Wine list features more than 450 varieties, with 30 available by the glass. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-through Friday, dinner only Monday and Saturday.
7. Olympia Kebob House And Taverna
City: Maplewood, MO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (314) 781-1299
Address: 1543 McCausland Avenue
Description: Olympia Kebob House and Taverna is an unassuming neighborhood tavern and eatery that offers an assortment of unique beverages and authentic Greek cuisine at reasonable prices. Steeped in Greek culture and a casual ambience, Olympia serves up a host of dining and drinking options. The hummus is stellar, as well as the spanikopita (spinach pie), traditional and vegetarian gyros, baba ghanoush, and a selection of Greek wines and, of course, ouzo. The daily specials nearly double the overall menu, and the baklava itself is worth the trip. Open daily.
8. Maya Cafe
City: Maplewood, MO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (314) 781-4774
Address: 2716 Sutton Boulevard
Description: Maya Cafe is the reincarnation of a Central West End restaurant that was popular in the 1970s. Relocated to the hip and funky Maplewood area, Maya is a welcome addition to the diverse neighborhood. The dual-storefront restaurant is filled with neat tables and chairs and a small but well-stocked bar and is accented with numerous eccentric pieces of colorful artwork. Margaritas and sangria are excellent ways to start off the meal, along with the (complimentary) warm tortilla chips and a chunky, spicy salsa. Daily specials spice up a somewhat small menu, but everything served is delicious. There are paella, fish tacos with saffron rice, chimichangas, enchiladas, and a tasty salad of black and green olives marinated in olive oil and vinegar with slices of celery and onions. Open daily.
9. Femme
City: Maplewood, MO
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (314) 781-6868
Address: 7270 Manchester Road
Description: This trendy women’s boutique features the hottest and hippest fashions from both coasts and Paris. In addition to its fresh styles, Femme offers a distinct collection of unique jewelry, purses, and accessories, along with assorted French soaps and lotions. Closed Sunday.
10. Maplewood Farmers’ Market
City: Maplewood, MO
Category: Shopping
Address: 7620 Southwest Avenue
Description: Every Wednesday from mid-May through late October, the Maplewood Farmers’ Market takes place in the parking lot adjacent to the Schlafly Bottleworks. Vendors include area farmers who produce organic fruits and vegetables, free-range meat and poultry, seasonal herbs, and plants and flowers. You can also pick up homemade goodies like apple butter and jams. Open 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. only.