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Typically when I here the word tavern my thoughts turn to a small bar with little more than foosball, pool tables and power drinking good old boys, but in the case of the Crystal Tavern in Crystal City Missouri I couldn’t be more mistaken.  High energy dance music and popular tunes from every generation feed the patrons and turn this medium sized tavern into a pulsing club to rival any large venue.  Add to that the relaxed atmosphere of the outside patio area and dual bars and there is something to keep everyone happy.

Upon entering the front door of The Crystal Tavern patrons are immediately faced with the bustle of the dance floor.  The DJ is tucked away in the corner where the sound permeates the entire bar making the music easily heard from every corner, but not overwhelming in the further reaches.  The main bar is large and well managed by experienced and prompt bartenders and the smaller secondary bar is placed conveniently near the gaming area.  Crowd participation is encouraged and adds that special niche that makes this tavern feel personalized for each customer.  When asked if ladies where encouraged to dance on the bar, owner Randy Althage said to me while arming me with a bottle of Pucker “There’s only one way to experience this bar, get up there and pour them girls some shots!”  Good looking out Randy, I had a fantastic time! 

The Crystal Tavern boasts a capacity of 500, showcases two live bands per week and the awesome energy of area favorite Karaoke Joe on Saturday nights.  They are located at 118 Mississippi Ave. Crystal City Mo, just thirty minutes south on I-55 from St. Louis.  Check out their MySpace page also.  Special shouts go to Randy for showing me a great time, the bartenders, the beautiful girls and the biggest bouncer I’ve ever seen, Big Baz who keeps this place safe for all!  Also, Thanks to Mike and Caroline for introducing me to the biggest little bar on the river.   Make that drive if you get tired of the large commercial clubs in the city, I promise, you won’t be disappointed.

When you’re in the mood to listen to St. Louis’ up and coming local bands, check out Off Broadway.  This personal sized corner bar provides a great venue and a comfortable atmosphere to listen to new rising talent from all over Missouri and Illinois. 

Upon entering Off Broadway, you’re presented with a good sized bar to the left.  The staff is welcoming and ready to start your night off with a drink and a smile.  You can stay on the ground level and choose from abundant seating either close to the dance floor or stage or you can make your way up the stairs for a bird’s eye view of the stage.  While up stairs you can also play pool or foosball.  Some of the premier up and coming bands in St. Louis have performed at Off Broadway before going around the nation on tour. The live music club features national and local music in a small venue where the audience is never more than 30 feet from their music. Focusing on blues, folk and rock acts, fans can buy tickets for some shows online in advance or wait until the day of the show. Off Broadway even serves up sandwiches and a few various snacks for those who work up an appetite while watching the show.

For a great night of live music and great food go to Off Broadway, you may catch the next superstar act out of St. Louis, contact them at: 314.773.3363.  Off Broadway is located at: 3509 Lemp Ave in the Historic Cherokee Lemp District, St. Louis MO, 63118.  You can also visit the website at: www.offbroadwaystl.com

America’s Pub has been providing great dance and live music to St. Louis since 1996.  When you’re in the mood to dance and listen to great DJs spin top 40 music, make the trip to Westport Plaza and visit America’s Pub.

DJs at America’s Pub are there to play top hits, mixes and entertain the crowd as well, something that doesn’t happen at other clubs. At St. Louis’ Westport Plaza, when the business people leave, the club crowd comes in. Live music on the patio is a blast when weather is warm, but even when club people have to stay indoors there is plenty of entertainment from the DJs. If you’re interested in the sports scene, and if you’re in St. Louis you better be, you can watch The Cardinals, The Rams or The Blues on over 50 TV screens and three giant screens.  Want to play a unique bar game, try the beer pong tables. Wednesday is ladies night at America’s Pub and there are drink specials every night of the week. Every night is a party at this upstairs bar.  America’s Pub boasts 10,000 watts of sound featuring all of your favorite dance songs every night.  Karaoke is also available here making America’s Pub a perfect spot for Birthdays & Bachelorette Parties.  The dance floor is large and always full of St. Louis’ hottest people enjoying their great atmosphere of fun and energy.  America’s Pub is 21 and older and dress to impress.  Located at 621 Westport Plaza Dr. St. Louis, MO 63146 they can be contacted at 314-205-8508.  Club hours are Monday through Thursday 7pm to 1:30am, Friday 4pm to 1:30am and Saturday 7pm to 1:30am.  Visit the website at: www.americaspub.com/stlouis/index.html

America’s Pub is the perfect place to start the night in St. Louis.  This clean, patron friendly bar successfully caters to all and is a great place to warm up before heading out to the East side of St. Louis.  Kudos go out to the management and the great staff, this is one of my personal favorites and it will be yours to.

If Dorothy had arrived at The Oz in Sauget Illinois, she may have never returned to Kansas.  The Oz boasts a large main room that always seemed to be packed with St. Louis’ most attractive people.  Travel across the bridge after a warm-up in the Missouri clubs and finish out your night in style, even if you finish it the next morning.

Four extended bars offer up great service alleviating the stress of waiting for drinks. Color changing walls and advanced sound, light and dance platform configuration turn the club experience into a fantastic trip.  Booths and ample seating surround the sunken dance floor and provide a birds eye view of the action.  No nightclub would be complete without a well mixed, hyper-driven dance beat, Oz is no exception.  The main floors’ music is powered by some of the areas best DJs, including DJ Josh Waters, DJ Emilio, DJ Reece, DJ Maze and DJ Johnny Orr.  What the land of Oz be without the Emerald City, or in this case, The Emerald City VIP Room.  The VIP Room is a lush, Moroccan style lounge that includes bar service, couches, private booths and its’ own DJ.  This room is a great place to throw your own little private club vibe.  This type of treatment does come with a price, either $20.00 per night or there is a $200 Annual Membership available!  Bring a guest FREE every time you visit!  The Oz also offers private parties for both personal and corporate events and is also designated as a fund raising facility.

The Oz is located just over the bridge in Sauget Illinois at 300 Monsanto Avenue.  The Oz does have a dress code and it is enforced, so dress to impress!  Doors open at eleven Friday and Saturday nights and they are for the 21 and up crowd with a cover charge of $5.00 for the main floor and $20.00 for the VIP room.  Sunday night is college night, 19 and up to enter for $10.00 and 21 and over pays $5.00.  You get a $5.00 discount if you possess a valid college identification plus you can enjoy $3.00 Yagerbombs, Yager Shots and Rails.  Get out and follow any type road to see this wonderful land and listen to their wizards spin. 

For more information contact The Oz at:info@oznightclub.com or call 618-274-1464

If you’re in downtown St. Louis for an event like a ball game or a concert, why not finish off the night at The Big Bang Piano Bar?  This isn’t Billy Joel’s piano bar, it’s more of a join in and have fun making a fool of yourself bar.  The Big Bang is located on Laclede’s Landing just two blocks from the Edward Jones Dome (Rams Stadium), the St. Louis Convention Center, and the Gateway Arch.   First opening its doors in the spring of 2001, they have boasted great popularity since introducing the dueling piano concept. 

From the moment you walk in the door you can feel the pure energy flowing through the bar, which is located immediately to the right.  After a slight struggle through the crowd you find the main floor.  The stage holds two pianos, set of course as the center pieces to the stage, and the rest of the musical compliment one would expect of live music.  Don’t be fooled though, this live band isn’t only on stage, but throughout the entire bar.  The Big Bang relies on crowd participation to fill out their show.  Crowd members are encouraged to shout requests for songs and then expected to provide some accompanying lyrics.  The energy level of the top shelf musicians is off the chart and the music selection is as broad as can be expected.  Expect to hear songs from every era and remember, this isn’t a cover band; it’s a “get you involved band”.  Also, be prepared to dance along with the staff and show off your stuff.  Band members regularly climb up on the pianos and shake it too.  This short trip to the landing from any of downtown’s great events and hotels is well worth the walk. 

The Big Bang is located on Laclede’s Landing at:
807/809 N. Second Street
St. Louis, MO 63102
Phone: (314) 241-BANG (2264), Fax: (314) 241-1064
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 7 p.m.-3 a.m. / Friday & Saturday 5 p.m.-3 a.m.

Looking for a great after hours spot for live music that’s close to downtown St. Louis?  Pop’s nightclub is the place to visit, and it’s right across the bridge into Illinois.  Pop’s has been in business for twenty five years and remains St. Louis’ premier club to catch live local bands, national acts and special events.  Add to that, they NEVER close!

The atmosphere is definitely that of a rock and roll bar and you know you’re in for a great live band and an all night party as soon as you walk in.  National headliners regularly take the spotlight and you can always get live music Thursday through Saturday.  Three separate bars spaced throughout the club make getting a drink easy and close.  There are televised sporting events playing on screens throughout the club and if you’re more interested in bar games, Foosball and Pool tables are also available.  If you didn’t take advantage of St. Louis’ great dining attractions you can still stuff your face with “Bar food”.  Drive over and don’t worry about parking your car, it’s abundant and FREE parking.  Pops is a dual level bar so seating is available and makes seeing the acts on stage easy.  Pops is about two minutes from downtown St. Louis and is located at 1403 Mississippi Ave. Sauget Illinois, about 3/4 mile south of I-55 N on Route 3. Route 3 is the first exit on I-55 N, going east into Illinois from St. Louis. You can see Pops plainly on your right from Route 3.  For more information call 618-274-6720.

Pops is a mainstay of the St. Louis club scene and rightfully so, it is the best Rock and Roll bar in the area.  Take the time to visit Pops and you will not be disappointed, just be ready to Rock the night away and probably most of the morning!

Website: http://popsrocks.com