Living it up on Wash Ave.
By Bernell Dorrough
Of the Post-Dispatch
Thursday, Aug. 11 2005
Downtown is home to plenty of bars and clubs. Laclede's Landing has a host of
fun places aimed at the college-aged crowd, but sometimes you want something
more refined and trendy. Downtown's hippest location (at least for those of us
pulling in less than six-figures) has to be Washington Avenue. Within two
blocks, you'll find a host of clubs and bars worth visiting. Here's a primer on
some of the top spots. Even if these nightspots aren't your style, the masses
of young, sexy people they attract are sure to make your night an enjoyable
one.
Perfection's as easy as 123... 4
Lucas Park Grille and Market (1234 Washington) is simply the best new location
in the St. Louis area. The atmosphere, crowd and even the price are all
literally perfect. Simple walls are complemented by columns and stone accents,
and a large wood frame hangs over the square, marble-like bar in a subtle nod
to modern stylings. The room's lighting is the far-too-rare balance between
keeping things dim enough to maintain the vibe while being bright enough for
you to see the people around you. Supplementing the main lights are hidden
lamps that seamlessly rotate through all the colors of the spectrum.
Proving that this town has plenty of people with taste, the bar attracts a
large, vibrant crowd of patrons smiling and enjoying themselves. The wide age
range includes couples, small groups, large gatherings and more than a few
clusters of sexy women in their 20s and early 30s. Best of all, everyone fits
in. Although most clearly aim to look trendy, anything from a cool T-shirt to a
fancy tie will blend in fine. The large turn-out doesn't even have a negative
impact on the service; half a dozen bartenders ensure you won't have to wait
for a drink. And, oh yeah, there isn't even a cover charge.
Break out the glow sticks
If you've been looking for a hip techno club ever since watching the opening
scene of "Blade," look no further than Velvet (1301 Washington). Everything
about downtown's most prominent dance club is reminiscent of a rave, from the
bright strobe lights to the glow sticks. On a typical Saturday night, a crowd
of predominantly 20-somethings pack the floor and dance to techno beats so loud
they literally shake the floor. If you plan on going, it's probably a smart
idea to bring your own dance partner though; the loud music and dark lighting
can make meeting new people more difficult than at most places.
The club's $7 cover charge is fairly steep, but in Velvet's case, the cover is
understandable. After all, Velvet has to do all of its business on the weekend
— unlike the neighborhood bar that wants to charge you $5 because the owner's
nephew is playing his guitar. And if you enjoy the techno scene, even an actual
rave would probably cost you money, and it would definitely be in a far less
swanky neighborhood.
One for the older crowd
If you're too old to enjoy the throbbing music and flashing lights of Velvet —
or for that matter, if you're prone to epileptic seizures — you're probably
better off heading next door to Rue 13 (1313 Washington). The bar's yellow
walls and blue accents are illuminated by dozens of candles sitting on tables
and mounted on the walls, creating an atmosphere that is as mellow as it is
trendy. That atmosphere draws a slightly older crowd of people in their 30s and
40s who prefer conversations over club dancing. With a large square bar in the
middle of the room, private round booths in the back and even a few chairs by a
fireplace, there are plenty of good spots to sit and talk with friends late
into the night.
The one downside to Rue 13 is the price of spending time there. The $5 cover is
inconvenient, especially considering the fairly high price of drinks. A
domestic bottle will run you $3.75. But if you're looking for a place to chill
out while still feeling hip, it's worth taking the loss.
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