1. Backstreet Jazz And Blues
City: Maryland Heights, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 878-5800
Address: 610 Westport Plaza
Description: This eclectic music hall seems a bit out of place in the suburbs, but it holds its own when it comes to live music. In spite of an occasional karaoke night, most of the entertainment offered here is top-notch, with many of the area’s most popular blues bands and jazz musicians making the trek westward to play at Backstreet. Open 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. nightly.
2. Ozzie’S Restaurant & Sports Bar
City: Maryland Heights, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 434-1000
Address: 645 Westport Plaza
Description: The former Cardinals shortstop and Hall of Famer’s namesake eatery is one of the top places to watch a game in the region. There are two big-screen TVs and numerous other monitors of varying sizes located throughout the bar. In addition to a collection of Smith’s Rawlings Gold Glove awards, the bar is decorated with all sorts of pro sports memorabilia from St. Louis teams and others around the world. Ozzie’s is a family-friendly sports bar that serves excellent food at a reasonable price and offers a diverse lineup of domestic and imported beers.
3. Pujols 5 Westport Grill
City: Maryland Heights, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 439-0505
Address: 342 Westport Plaza
Description: Albert Pujols is the most beloved man in St. Louis these days, so it’s only fitting that he have a restaurant named after him. But Albert and his wife, Deidre, are much more than just namesakes of this popular eatery. Both were very involved with creating the menu—Deidre provided her recipes for some of her husband’s favorite foods—and Albert provided input on the decor, donating some of his numerous trophies and awards for display. The eatery features a high-tech sports bar with a state-of-the art audiovisual system and 32 LCD and plasma screens, with each table in the bar able to control a screen. Patrons can choose what game they watch, and the table’s speaker lets them control the volume of the play-by-play.
4. Funny Bone Comedy Club
City: Maryland Heights, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 469-6692
Address: 614 Westport Plaza
Description: The Funny Bone showcases some of the nation’s top comics in an intimate club setting. This location, part of the comedy club chain, enjoys a reputation as one of the most successful comedy operations in the country, and it was named one of USA Today’s top 10 comedy clubs. Weekly shows include a house emcee, an opening act, and a headliner. Touring comics perform Wednesday through Sunday nights, with two shows on Friday and three shows on Saturday. Tuesday is open-mike night. Open nightly.
5. Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
City: Maryland Heights, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 298-9944
Address: 14141 Riverport Drive
Description: Another popular concert venue that is still referred to by its pre-corporate sponsor name is the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. Originally known as Riverport Amphitheatre, the outdoor venue brings in all types of live music shows. With 7,000 “covered” seats, the pavilion also has a lawn-seating area that can accommodate up to 13,000 music lovers. Headliners range from James Taylor and Toby Keith to Ozzy Osbourne and the Dave Matthews Band. Parking fees are included in the ticket price, which should help speed up the parking process at this one-way-in-one-way-out venue, but it’s a good idea to allow extra time to get into the show. And don’t be in any huge rush to get out afterwards.
6. Ibar Harrah’S Casino
City: Maryland Heights, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 770-8100
Address: 777 Casino Center Drive
Description: The iBAR, situated inside the Island Casino section of the Harrah’s complex, features a full-service cocktail bar, stand-up blackjack gaming tables, and live entertainment. Patrons can enjoy nightly performances by the iBAR Dance Revue, which features a choreographed dance troupe and light show, all set to the rhythms of hot dance tunes. Open Thursday through Saturday nights.
7. Trainwreck Saloon
City: Maryland Heights, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 432-7222
Address: 342 Westport Plaza
Description: Trainwreck Saloon is a popular happy-hour destination for West County workers and residents, along with visitors housed in one of Westport’s many hotels. Nightly drink specials, interactive special events, live music, and a good-time atmosphere contribute to Trainwreck’s overall inviting atmosphere. Beer lovers will appreciate the number of beer options, with a variety on tap, plus an assortment of domestic, microbrews, and imports, as well as a full bar and restaurant menu available seven days a week.
8. Voodoo Cafe & Lounge
City: Maryland Heights, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 770-8100
Address: 777 Casino Center Drive
Description: VooDoo Cafe & Lounge is located in the heart of the Harrah’s casino complex. The VooDoo features lots of action, including “flair bartenders”—those who put on a show while making your cocktail—live music, and cage dancers on Friday and Saturday nights. The lounge frequently brings in national bands, and has hosted such big names as Bo Diddley, Los Lobos, Martin Sexton, Jefferson Starship, Toots & The Maytals, and, yes, even Air Supply. There are also plasma screens and a 45-foot video screen that let you keep an eye on the big game. Open daily until 1:00 a.m.
City: Maryland Heights, MO
Category: Nightlife
Address: 777 Casino Center Drive