31. The Sheldon Concert Hall
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 533-9900
Address: 3648 Washington Boulevard
Description: Built in 1912, the Sheldon hosts a variety of concerts. The 702-seat hall is the site of more than 300 events each year, including jazz, folk, and classical music from some of the world’s finest musicians. The Sheldon also presents family concerts, educational programs, and daytime Coffee Concerts during certain times of the year. Notes from Home is a popular series of weeknight performances that showcases local artists playing all styles of vocal and instrumental jazz, classical, folk, blues, and gospel. The venue is known for its outstanding acoustics, which some performers have described as “acoustically perfect.”
32. Jazz At The Bistro
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 531-1012
Address: 3536 Washington Avenue
Description: The Bistro, also located in the Grand Center Arts & Entertainment District, is St. Louis’s premier jazz venue. The club features a stellar lineup of the finest national and international jazz artists in a charming, intimate setting. The club has hosted such noted performers as Jane Monheit, Jeremy Davenport, Bucky Pizzarelli, Diana Krall, and hometown hero Jeremy Davenport. Open Wednesday through Saturday only, the club offers two sets: one at 8:30 p.m. and a second at 10:15 p.m.
33. Cafe Eau
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 454-9000
Address: 212 North Kingshighway
Description: Cafe Eau is one of St. Louis’s most popular nightspots, and it’s known for its top-notch martinis and specialty drinks, as well as an eclectic menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Two of the more popular specialty ’tinis are the Eau Get Up (vanilla vodka, Bailey’s, caramel syrup, and a shot of espresso) and the raspberry chocolate martini (Godiva white and dark chocolate liqueurs, vanilla vodka, and Chambord). The bar does feature some live entertainment, but this colorful and contemporary watering hole is more of a “scene” to be seen in than a live-music venue.
34. Dressel’S Pub
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 361-1060
Address: 419 North Euclid Avenue
Description: This pub has been an anchor of the Central West End neighborhood for more than two decades and continues to offer a welcome change from the usual bar scene. Its stained-glass windows and decor dedicated to paying homage to famous composers and writers give the place an almost Ivy League feel, and the regulars still like to engage in the ever-dwindling art of conversation. For those seeking further respite—or an impressive selection of single malt scotches—take a trip up the circular wooden staircase and visit the pub-within-a-pub called, appropriately, the Pub Above. Dressel’s is open daily, and the Pub Above is open Thursday through Saturday. The pub also hosts live music on occasion.
35. Tom’S Bar & Grill
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 367-4900
Address: 20 South Euclid Avenue
Description: Tom’s is one of the most comfortable and laid-back establishments in the Central West End. Whether you want to check out the big game on TV or talk sports with friends, this cozy tavern is the perfect place. Part of the charm of this casual eatery is its furnishings. When the bar was built in the mid-1970s, the original Tom went around to old buildings throughout the area and procured the antique wood fixtures and furnishings that make up the restaurant’s decor. An extensive menu features burgers, sandwiches, and other great pub grub, along with plenty of ice-cold adult beverages. Open daily.
36. Club Viva
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 361-0322
Address: 408 North Euclid
Description: Viva, in the Central West End neighborhood, is a spicy, multicultural, and intergenerational addition to the local club scene. Open Tuesday through Saturday, Club Viva offers live Latin, reggae, and hip-hop dance music, as well as a mix of salsa and merengue sounds. Free salsa dancing lessons are offered on Thursday and Saturday.
37. Milo’S Bocce Garden
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 776-0468
Address: 5201 Wilson Avenue
Description: Milo’s is a neighborhood bar that doubles as a family-friendly restaurant during the day and into the early evening hours. The front room handles the restaurant chores, although the hearty wooden bar anchors almost one entire wall. Behind the bar is a game room where patrons can play foosball, darts, and assorted video games. It’s what’s in the backyard, however, that makes Milo’s different from all the other neighborhood bars in the area: Bocce courts are located on a large enclosed patio area that is about the same size as the entire interior of the bar and restaurant. Bocce, Italian lawn bowling, is fun to watch and easy to play. And, most importantly, you only need one hand to play, which leaves your other hand free to hold your beer. Closed Sunday.
38. O’Connell’S Pub
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 773-6600
Address: 4652 Shaw Avenue
Description: Located just across the street from The Hill neighborhood, O’Connell’s relocated to its current location in 1972. The pub was one of the most popular bars in St. Louis’s legendary entertainment district called Gaslight Square. Today, the clubby pub features almost all of the original woodwork and fixtures, including the beveled glass windows and the bell bronze chandeliers that hung in the Belgian exhibition hall at the 1904 World’s Fair. Modern day patrons choose from a menu of beers, wines, Irish Whiskeys, and Single Malt Scotch. Open daily.
39. Pop’S Blue Moon
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 776-4200
Address: 5249 Pattison Avenue
Description: Pop’s Blue Moon hosts live local bands six nights a week, and on Tuesday nights, it’s open-jam night for anyone who wants to play. The building that houses the small, family-owned bar has been around since the end of Prohibition, and the current owners have done a nice job of updating it without losing the original charm. Great local blues, folk, and “soul funk” bands play here, so check them out. Friendly service, creative cocktails, and a respectable beer list make this bar a comfortable place to visit. Closed Sunday.
40. The Royale
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 772-3600
Address: 3132 South Kingshighway
Description: The Royale is a destination of choice for those who enjoy debating politics, poetry, and policy—or just about any other intellectual endeavor. Specialty cocktails are testaments to St. Louis’s political past and present, with many named for some of the city’s most recognizable neighborhoods. Try the Forest Park Southeast (Tanqueray, fresh orange and grapefruit juice), the Cherokee Street (tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, a touch of sugar, served straight, with a sugar and salted rim) and the South Side Snob (Maker’s Mark, Stolichnaya Orange, triple sec, and a splash of orange). A distinctive food menu draws in the crowds as well. Open daily.
41. Club La Onda
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 772-0877
Address: 4920 Northrup Avenue
Description: Located on The Hill, La Onda offers hot Latin sounds and a variety of world music. The club serves up Viernes Calientes every Friday night with Mexican music from local DJ La Raza. On Saturday nights it’s Musica Nortena en Vivo, live, authentic Mexican music. Open Friday and Saturday only. Eighteen and up to enter.
42. Casa Loma Ballroom
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 664-8000
Address: 3354 Iowa Avenue
Description: For more than 70 years, the Casa Loma has been a landmark of live entertainment, including music and dancing. From the early days with Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, and Frank Sinatra, this unique ballroom has been the place to go and dance in St. Louis. Today the ballroom features some touring groups, along with top-name bands from throughout the area. Dances and dancing lessons range from ballroom and rock ’n’ roll to old-school Imperial swing dancing, and the venue features a calendar of special events including Mardi Gras balls, salsa dances, and private parties.
43. The Famous Bar
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 832-2211
Address: 5213 Chippewa Street
Description: Located in a mostly residential area on Chippewa Street, the Famous Bar is continuing a neighborhood tradition. Its location has been a tavern of one type or another for more than 70 years, so the current “loungey” version is also stocked with lots of history and charm. On Friday and Saturday nights, there’s live music from local bands, and you can usually join in a game of pool. In addition to its signature Bloody Marys, the bar stocks an extensive selection of imported and domestic beers, along with an assortment of wines. Open until 1:30 a.m., Monday through Saturday.
44. Lemmons Basement Bar
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 481-4812
Address: 5800 Gravois Avenue
Description: If you like your rock ’n’ roll as gritty and as basic as it gets, then make sure you catch one of the live shows here. A former southside mainstay eatery, Lemmons has been transformed into one of the best places to catch “no-name” bands making the rounds and paying their dues on the road. The decor is somewhat of a frat house/living room combination, and the place gives new meaning to the phrase “no frills.” But it’s a great place to hear some barroom rock ’n’ roll on Friday and Saturday nights and the pizza ain’t bad either. Other events include film “feastivals” (with free pizza buffet), card tournaments, Trivia Nights, and DJ spins. Closed Sunday.
45. Delmar Restaurant And Lounge
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (314) 725-6565
Address: 6235 Delmar Boulevard
Description: Delmar offers upscale, contemporary cuisine in a plush—yet relaxed—setting. The menu includes a host of fine wines, classic cocktails, and specialty martinis, while the musical lineup includes some of St. Louis’s finest jazz musicians on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. The restaurant and bar are both open late, with alcohol available until 3:00 a.m. The DJ spins rock during the late-night hours.