Like many major cities, St. Louis’s debate on whether or not to impose a smoking ban is undecided and ongoing, but many St. Louis watering-holes have gone forward with their own tobacco-free policies.
At The Royale in South City, you can still get the full neighborhood public house experience that they’ve been cultivating for years, but with a smoke-free interior. 3132 S. Kingshighway, 314-772-3600. What the pocket-sized 33 Wine Shop & Tasting Bar lacks in square footage, it makes up for it with its extensive wine and beer selection and long-winded, yet entertaining beverage descriptions. With its diminutive size, one can only imagine how smoke could easily engulf the space, but alas, 33 is nicotine-free. Plus, wouldn’t smoke in the air mess with all those tannins or stunt the growth of the wine’s legs or something? 1913 Park Ave., 314.231.9463. An unexpected non-smoking venue, South City’s Off Broadway is a no-nonsense, “we’re focused on the music” venue and nightclub, which features regionally and nationally know bands in an unpretentious setting. It’s the type of rugged space that one would expect to be cloaked in a tobacco-infused haze, but concert-goers are often struck by the distinct lack of smoke. 3511 Lemp Ave., 314.773.3363.
Tags: 33 Wine Shop & Tasting Bar, Off Broadway, St. Louis Nightlife, The Royale
While St. Louis boasts a blossoming variety of swank boutiques, there is also a colorful array of well-established vintage shops that offer one-of-a-kind finds and rare fashions that are well worth the hunt. If you long for the days of hat pins and watch fobs, Alice’s Vintage Clothes in the Loop can be your own little slice of vintage Eden. 6178 Delmar Blvd., 314.361.4006. A few blocks west of Alice’s, Avalon Exchange is the place to go for oversized sunglasses and ironic t-shirts. Offering men’s and women’s fashions, Avalon Exchange is a vintage chain store that promises a constant flux of erstwhile fashions for the hipster in us all. 6388 Delmar Blvd., 314.725.2760. Located on Cherokee Antique Row, Ruth’s Vintage Clothing features rack upon rack of authentic vintage fashions and an eclectic assortment of accessories. 2003 Cherokee Ave., 314.865.1091. In addition to its whimsical moniker, the Vintage Haberdashery offers vintage-hunters a funky selection of clothing and accessories, and yes, a large inventory of hats from days gone by. 3181 Morganford Rd., 314. 772.1927.
Tags: Alice’s Vintage Clothes, Avalon Exchange, Ruth’s Vintage Clothing, St. Louis Shopping, The Loop
Well, there may no such thing as a free lunch, but every Tuesday evening at Frazer’s Restaurant & Lounge in Benton Park, there is such a thing as free appetizers! Nestled in the hops-infused shadow of the Anheuser Busch Brewery, Frazer’s is a neighborhood favorite–boasting a mosaic-covered bohemian vibe and some of the tastiest, yet unpretentious cuisine you’ll find on either side of the Mississippi. What began toward the end of last year as a tentative experiment in Happy Hour gimmickry, Frazer’s Free Appetizer Tuesdays have really taken off. Food does tend to taste better when it’s free, but at Frazer’s the free fare goes far beyond cheese cubes and tired canapés. So, if it’s a Tuesday between 5pm-7pm and you find yourself in the neighborhood, or nowhere near it for that matter, be sure to make a beeline to Frazer’s and indulge in the yummy freeness. If you can’t make it on a Tuesday, don’t fret–Frazer’s regular weeknight Happy Hour offers a $5 featured martini and, like a good neighbor, specials on all Anheuser Busch products. 1811 Pestalozzi, 314.773.8646
Tags: Dining, Frazer’s Restaurant & Lounge