Sports bars near Busch
By Bernell Dorrough
Of the Post-Dispatch
Thursday, Jul. 21 2005
It's hard being a Cardinals fan on a budget. Ticket prices are already high,
and when you throw in the cost of drinks and food, a visit to Busch can seem
downright prohibitive. But if you know where to go to avoid the high prices
inside the stadium, you'll be able to enjoy a game without needing to take out
a second mortgage on your house.
Just in time for this weekend's series against the Cubs, the team we all love
to hate, I have four recommendations for stops near the stadium. The first two
are good places to fill your stomach before the game, and the last two are the
top places to celebrate after watching the Cards hammer another nail in the
coffin of their opponents.
Steakhouse gone cheap
A couple blocks north of Busch, you'll find a very appropriate place to grab a
pre-game meal, Mike Shannon's Steaks and Seafood (100 North 7th St.), named
after the former Cards player and longtime radio announcer. Normally entrees
average over $35, but on game-day the restaurant offers a menu with many
options under $10. If you show your St. Louis pride by ordering the Toasted
Ravioli ($8.50), you wouldn't be disappointed. The warm ravioli packed with
extemely flavorful meat made this some of the best I've ever had, and it
arrived at my table in less than 10 minutes. To take advantage of these
pre-game deals, you'll have to sit in the lounge, but that's not much of a
sacrifice. Everything from the cardinal-red tableclothes to the glass case
filled with memorabilia creates a great sports bar atmosphere.
Saving you a hike
Jacque's Restaurant (400 South 14th St.) won't just save you from the
high-priced food inside the ballpark; it also will save you from spending an
arm and a leg to park downtown. It's located in the Sheraton Hotel and offers
customers free shuttle rides to the stadium -- a great incentive given that
parking near the hotel is only a few bucks. The restaurant itself is an
interesting mix of a fancy hotel place and a sports bar. The fireplace and the
giant wood and stone bar exude class, but you'll still find sports-bar staples
like pinball and darts tucked away in the corners. Selecting from a menu with
several sandwiches and appetizers under $10, I ordered the Buffalo Chicken Wrap
($7.95). It wasn't life-alteringly good like the ravioli at Mike's, but it was
definitely up to the standards of a nicer bar.
Don't miss the obvious
Paddy O's is so close to Busch that you could be downing a cold one before Jim
Edmonds has even made it to the dugout. The large brick building immediately
south of the new stadium is filled with Cardinals banners and beer
advertisements. Although many brews are available (including a personal
favorite, Pabst Blue Ribbon), the large, red Budweiser airplane hanging from
the ceiling is a good indication of the drink of choice. A widescreen
projection TV makes it easy to catch the post-game coverage, and the friendly
bar staff is incredibly efficient. They quickly serve drinks to the impending
college-age crowd, reducing the wait to a minimum. In addition to the main bar,
there's a lower level with its own bar and pool tables, and there's a tent in
the parking lot if you'd like to enjoy your drink outside.
An option for all ages
The aluminum building just west of Paddy O's may look like a small airplane
hangar, but Al Hrabosky's Ballpark Saloon (800 Cerre St.) is a favorite
post-game stop for Cards fans young and old. The bar opened less than a year
ago, and everything about it still feels new, from the bar stools to the
countless framed photos. Fans in their 30s and 40s, who weren't as prevalent in
Paddy O's, seemed to prefer Hrabosky's pristine, well-lit atmosphere. Inside,
close to 20 TVs ensure you'll catch the highlights no matter where you're
sitting. Although the building can become literally packed with people, it
isn't that hard to get around or make it to the bar; plus, the bartenders are
fast and courteous. Outside, two large tents keep dozens of tables in the
shade, and there are outside bars if you don't want to venture inside.
Visit the 20-Buck Bernie home page for a baseball music mix.
Did I miss something? Think I'm way off-base? (No pun intended.) Drop by the
20-Buck Bernie forum to offer feedback and suggestions for future stops. |