urbanSTL

Thanks for the explanation. Makes perfect business sense.

Bastiat wrote:

Framer wrote:The Side Bar will be having their official grand openning this Friday. Live music by The Shrinking Violets.

Does this mean that there will actually be something on the east wall? I think it has potential to be a good bar, but that bare wall sucks all of the energy out of the place. Even a friend commented on it as we drove by it. They need some plasmas on that wall or something...

As much as I am a technodork and love HDTVs that wall should have some paintings or pictures.



But you're dead right in that the empty wall sucks the energy out of the place.

Bastiat wrote:

Framer wrote:The Side Bar will be having their official grand openning this Friday. Live music by The Shrinking Violets.

Does this mean that there will actually be something on the east wall? I think it has potential to be a good bar, but that bare wall sucks all of the energy out of the place. Even a friend commented on it as we drove by it. They need some plasmas on that wall or something...

Hopefully they'll have draft beer by then too

Had lunch there today, and everyone should be happy to hear that they've hung pictures on the blank east wall. They're black and white photos of Washington Ave: a couple from the Lindbergh parade in '27, one from a parade celebrating victory in WWII, and I think a couple random ones. They also have put up the now ubiquitous chalk boards with drink specialties on them. Finished, it has a great casually classy ambience.

OK.... I AM SO MAD.......

"Wanted" to go to Lucas Park and Grill yesterday. (I KNOW THERE IS SEPERATE THREAD ABOUT PARKING.. Cannot find it).

Saw Valet cones outside, blocking all available spaces. Parked in one of those places, and saw a valet running up. Very politely (I have to give him that), he said these were reserved spaces for Valet. I told him that should be limited to the weekend, but he said he could show us the permit for 7 days Valet (which I did not insist on).

I went to the Side Bar instead, and had their food (for the first time) which was AWESOME. This is amongst the better bar food places I have been at.



All in all, I give this an A.

I would have, but for the fact that I am opposed to businesses DT blocking spaces on EMPTY (weekday) nights. I was a the Side Bar (and later went to Flannery's) and during the ENTIRE time, thse spaces were "coned". I called Lucas and let them know that even though the provide "free" valet parking, in "my" opinion that was wrong to block spaces for people who were not going to use them.

If I had the valet park my car and gone to Lucas (where I was going to go), I would not have been able to get my point across. There were 2 other cars in our group and the "point" is not being able to park you car where you want, rather, having to hand your keys over to someone to park your car RIGHT THERE.

I am sorry to vent, and maybe I am nitpicking, but I truly believe if businesses have to have "valet parking", they should use a private lot somewhere.

Kinda funny,



but the exact same thing happened to me a few weeks ago. The guy ran over and everything, I said "this is a public street and I should be able to park" he started with the permit thing. Anyway ended up at side bar, which I have been to a lot.... Great place, and although I use valet when it is more conveinent, they do not need to take up all of the spaces.

I agree. I have used Valet before (in order to impress my GF , by going to a ritzy joint.... hey at least I admit it) and am not opposed to it, since they have their own space



Public streets should "not" be blocked if they are going to remain vacant in case someone does not use the valet, which was the case yesterday.

Is the Side Bar smoke-free? On a recent trip there, I didn't notice anyone smoking. It was a stark contrast to The Dubliner, where the wall of smoke hits you the second you walk through the door.

Actually I have found the opposite to be true. Been to both many times and the Side Bar seems to have a much bigger smoke problem than Dubliner. You must have gotten lucky when you went.

DeBaliviere wrote:Is the Side Bar smoke-free? On a recent trip there, I didn't notice anyone smoking. It was a stark contrast to The Dubliner, where the wall of smoke hits you the second you walk through the door.

No they're not.



I was there one time for lunch and there were five people sitting at the table right by the front door. All five were smoking and the sun was shining just right on them: the haze was so amazing I had to laugh.

This place has some of the best pizza in St. Louis.

trent wrote:This place has some of the best pizza in St. Louis.

Agreed, the pizza is quite tasty and the quality of food in general is beyond excellent for a sports bar.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...Chicken Spedini

Very good quesadillas too.

Sounds like I'd better give this place a try. BTW, trent, what kind of pizza do they serve?



(For the record, I'm okay with St. Louis style pizza, but only in small doses.)

They also have a great steak sandwich!!! Mmmmmm

do they still not have beer on tap there?

It's similar to St. Louis style, but it kills anything Imo's has ever made. I've had two of their pizzas, the BBQ Chicken, and the tomato basil. Both were excellent. Thin crust, and they use provel, but I think it's more, probably a blend. Lots, and I mean, LOTS of cheese.

trent wrote:

ContractorKitchens wrote:do they still not have beer on tap there?

No. No beer on tap.



Another strike against them is there lack of beer selection. They only carry the traditional domestics, Schlafly, and Grolsch. Maybe a few more, but not many.

For me, the biggest strike is not having beer on tap. What in the heck is the deal with this? It's simply part of the bar experience to watch your beer poured fresh from the tap. Similarly, I don't relish receiving measured shots of liquor in my mixed drinks at the Dubliner.