St Louis - Greetings From Kelly

You get chocolate. You get wine. You’ll learn which ones go best together so you can taste delicious things all the time. To be quite honest, I didn’t “get” food pairings until I tried a pairing suggestion from someone who really knew what they were doing. Now I love learning about what pairs well together. It’s easiest to find out when Kakao is hosting these events by following them on their Facebook Page.

2. Take a tour of Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate

If chocolate is really your thing, take this date night a step further and see a real life chocolate factory! If you pair this tour with an event at Kakao, you’ll get to compare these two companies that are very different, even though they both share a love of chocolate. Check out their website or give them a call to find out more about their tour.

3. Find the Best Donuts in St Louis

Take a road trip around the city to find the best donuts in St Louis. You’ll run out of room in your stomach before you run out of donuts to try. Check out Strange Donuts, World’s Fair Donuts, Pharoah’s Donuts, Vincent Van Doughnut, and so, so, so many more. If you find a favorite, be sure to let me know!

Do you really love donuts? I featured an entire series of my favorite donut places in St Louis on my Instagram, and I have that entire post series saved on my blog, just click the button below to check out my favorite stops from my St Louis Donuts series:

4. Taste all the Handcrafted Ice Cream Flavors at Clementine’s

Clementine’s Naughty & Nice Creamery was named “Sexiest Ice Cream Alive” by Oprah Magazine, and for good reason. Clementine’s is delicious. Try one (or several) of their delicious flavors. Be sure to try a boozy ice cream, too. If you visit their Demun location, head on over to Sasha’s Wine Bar afterwards and end your evening by sharing a bottle of well-curated wine.

There are eight Clementine’s Creamery locations around the St Louis Area: Lafayette Square, DeMun, Central West End, Lake St Louis, Town & Country, South Hampton, Edwardsville and Kirkwood.

Patio Seating available at Clementine’s Creamery.

5. Take a Mini Road Trip to Kimmswick, MO for some Levee High Pie

If you love apple pie, you’re going to want to venture out to Kimmswick, Missouri for the “Levee High Pie” at Blue Owl Bakery. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. The Bakery is also a restaurant, and there are plenty of other shops in Kimmswick, too, so it is easy to make a day trip out of this destination.

Try the Levee High Pie at the Blue Owl in Kimmswick, Missouri.

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For the Cocktail Aficionados, Wine Snobs, and Craft Beer Experts

1. Grab a Drink on top of the City

There are tons of rooftop bars in St Louis, and there really isn’t a wrong answer here. One option might be 360 Rooftop. As the name implies, you get a 360 degree view of the city.

I love to go to Angad Arts Hotel for drinks. They’ve got a sophisticated drink menu (that comes with some sophisticated prices $$$) and a very unique view of the city. Most of the buildings around the Angad are short, so you can see straight into Illinois from this midtown hotel.

A few of the beautiful drinks from the Angad Arts Hotel rooftop bar.

2. Try a Tasting Survey at Urban Chestnut.

Urban Chestnut in the Grove offers tastes of experimental beers they’re testing out in their tasting room. Grab a taste, complete a survey to let them know what you think, and your opinions might just influence their next great pint. While you’re there, grab a bite to eat in their beirhall!

3. Head Underground at the Thaxton Speakeasy

Speakeasies are popping up all over the country, but the Thaxton Speakeasy in St. Louis is a real gem. It’s downtown and down an alley. And honestly, that kind of freaked me out at first. But once we were inside, I couldn’t get enough. The place was adorable and the cocktails were delicious. Plus they had live music with a piano and jazz singer.

4. Try one (or several) of Missouri’s Wineries

Missouri Wine Country is a great place to spend a date night, or an even better place to make a weekend getaway. There are so many options, but my favorites are Blumenhof, Balducci, and Noboleis. If you’re split down the middle between wine and beer, check out Chandler Hill, who’s recent partnership with Perennial gives you the best of both worlds.

5. Tour a nearby Distillery

There are plenty of options for distilleries to check out in St Louis, but my favorite in the area is actually in Saint Charles. Cardinal Sin Distillery offers tours and tastings. Their vodka is filtered with coconut for an extra smooth finish. The Cardinal Sin tasting room also offers delicious bottled cocktails if straight liquor isn’t your thing. Their tasting room is conveniently located on Main Street in St. Charles, so there are plenty of other restaurants and date night favorites you can pair with a stop at Cardinal Sin.

6. Take a Distillery Road Trip

The best distillery in the region will take you well over an hour outside of the city out to New Haven, Missouri. (But trust me, it’s worth it.) I’m talking about Pinckney Bend Distillery. They’ve got the best spirits, the best guided, customizable tasting, and the best team. This would be a great adventure on it’s own, or can be easily coupled with a trip out to Wine Country.

7. Take a Brewery Tour

St Louis is a city known for its beer. While Anheuser-Busch (or “Missouri Legislation”) prevented the growth of craft breweries in the area for far too long, new breweries are popping up in the area all the time. Learn about the brew masters of the past (and sample two beers on your tour) at Anheuser-Busch. Or learn more about the man who was brave enough to take on the King of the Beers at Schlafly’s Brewery Tour. No matter which one you pick, you’re leaving with a free taste.

The Anheuser-Busch Brewery offers five different tours. Each visitor is bound to find something they love!

8. Drink Beer in a Cave New Idea Coming Soon!

Did you know that below the streets of St Louis there are tons of caves? Most of them are closed off to the public now, but decades ago the first brewers in this region used these caves as a natural refrigeration system to keep their lagers cold during the brewing process.

We don’t need caves to brew beer anymore (obviously) but Earthbound Beer is holding onto this tradition. Their historic space with a brewing past has cave access, and they’d love to show it to you on a tour. Enjoy a beer inside a cave, then head back up to surface level and enjoy one more at their bar.

Need more ideas?

St Louis is a drinking city. If you are looking for more great places to grab a drink, check out any of these post: Best Cocktails in St Louis, A Beer Lover’s Guide to a Weekend in St Louis, The Best To Go Cocktails in St Louis.

Sorry, wine lovers, I haven’t created a guide for you yet! In the meantime, check out the website for the Hermann Wine Trail. You’ll be sure to find something you’re looking for there!

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St Louis Dates for the Adventurous

1. Paddle Boat in Forest Park

Rent a paddle boat, paddle board, or kayak at the boat house in Forest Park. Paddle around as long as you’d like (you’re charged by the hour). My recommendation is to paddle all the way to the Grand Basin and sit next to the fountains while gazing up at Art Hill.

The Boathouse is a great place to grab a bite to eat once you’re done. It is now operated by the same people who brought you Sugarfire Smokehouse, but it is way more than barbecue.

2. Rent a Bike

You’ll see tons of bikes available to rent all over Forest Park along with miles and miles of trails to explore. Rent a bike and take a ride. The paths are wide enough to ride side-by-side, and you can stop to explore along the way.

3. Go Kayaking

Take a drive out to Creve Coeur lake to rent kayaks for a day of exploring. There are also hiking trails and bike paths around the lake, too. This is a perfect place for the outdoorsy to escape to.

4. Get a Strike

Bowl a game at one of my two favorite bowling alleys in St Louis.

Tropicana Lanes in Brentwood is hands-down the biggest bowling alley I’ve ever been in (52 Lanes!). If you go at the right time, you’ll have a lot of privacy while bowling here.

Saratoga Lanes in Maplewood is unique for so many reasons: Their bowling alley is on the 2nd floor of their building, you have to keep score with pencil and paper, and they’ve been in business since 1916. You’ll want to stop here at least once in your life, but I’m sure they’ll be glad to see you time and time again.

5. Pet a Sting Ray

While you could have an average day of animal gazing at the Saint Louis Zoo, there is also an exciting opportunity to do something you may have never done before. At Stingray cove, you can pet and even feed stingrays of all different varieties. Want to take it up a notch? You can also pet a shark.

6. Take a Hike

There are local paths that you can take a stroll on through Forest Park, Tower Grove Park, or Benton Park within the city limits. If you are looking for something a bit more nature-y, you’ll have to hop in the car and take a drive. I’ve previously mentioned the hiking trails at Creve Coeur Lake, and that’s a great spot, but you could also check out one of the trails at Rockwoods Reservation. You can catch some great views of the Missouri River from here. You could also head even further out of town to Elephant Rock for a great day trip.

7. Meet a Family of Ghosts

If you’re feeling brave (or maybe a bit skeptical) a great place to end an adventurous date night is at the Lemp Mansion. They offer haunted tours of this house that belonged to a brewing family with a very mysterious past. St. Louis locals will know that four members of the Lemp family died in this house, three by suicide. The keepers of the Lemp Mansion would like you to get to know the family better on your visit and will encourage communication with the family. Believe it or not, this place is eerie and the tour is very well done. When you’re done here, head on over to Soulard for a drink.

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BONUS: “Outdoorsy things for non-Outdoorsy People” St Louis Date Ideas

1. Explore a Drive-Through Safari

Lone Elk Park is what I like to call a “Midwest Safari.” It’s full of bison, deer, birds, and of course, elk! This park is the perfect place to go for a drive with the people in your immediate household for ultimate social distancing fun. I highly recommend you arrive here early in the morning for optimal animal viewing. The park rangers feed the animals around 8am, so they tend to be most active around that time.

Checking out the Bison at Lone Elk Park.

If you want to stay here longer, there are a couple hiking trailheads nearby. The Trail inside of Lone Elk Park is called White Bison Trail, and it is a 4 mile loop. There is a trail head just outside of the park entrance for Chubb Trail which is 7 miles one way and connects to even more trails in West Tyson Park.

2. Go Stargazing (with a free Telescope!)

Did you know you can check out a telescope at your local library? I’m serious. You can walk into your nearest public library and leave with a telescope! And not just some tiny one that’s fun for kids. A real one that lets you see Saturn! As long as you have a clear view of the sky, you’ll be able to see something from anywhere in the city. You can see the craters of the moon, check out constellations, and even see Saturn.

If you want to have an even better view of the night sky, you’ll have to get out of town a little ways. It’s pretty safe to say that if you drive an hour in any direction away from St Louis, you’re going to have a much darker sky. And darker skies mean more stars!

If you want even more adventure, make a camping trip out of it. I’ve got a Guide to Tent Camping For Beginners that you might want to check out if the whole camping thing is new to you.

3. Hike Through History

Cahokia Mounds is a great place to go for a hike. It has relatively flat terrain, until you get to the giant mound, that is. Once you climb to the top, you’ll have some great views, including the Arch and the Stan Musial Bridge in the distance. But there’s more to do here than hiking!

Cahokia Mounds is home of the first people to inhabit this region. And this spot is all about teaching you more about these people. There is a museum that you can walk through if you’re comfortable with that, but there is plenty to see outside, too.

The Visitor’s Center offers self-guided audio tours to narrate you through the park, which is really helpful to understanding what you see here.

A view from the top of Cahokia Mounds.

I’ve written an entire post for everything you need to know visiting Cahokia Mounds. Be sure to check that out before visiting!

4. Ride the Grafton SkyTour

Maybe you want to get outside, but hiking isn’t your thing. That’s okay. I’ve got something for you, too. The Grafton SkyTour is perfect because it’s one of those social distancing activities that doesn’t remind you that you have to be distanced. Each lift seat is disinfected after every use and you’re 20 feet away from the next closest rider. You can ride the SkyTour round trip or jump off at the top of the Bluffs.

If you choose to jump off, you can spend some time at Aerie’s Winery on their large outdoor patio. They’ve even converted their entire parking lot into an outdoor patio so everyone has plenty of room. The only way to get to Aerie’s Winery is by using the SkyTour, so they’re able take temperatures as guests arrive and keep very close tabs on how many people are entering and leaving their space.

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For the (St Louis) Sports Fan

1. See the St. Louis Blues

If you follow me on Instagram, it’s no secret to you that I’m a Blues fan. The Blues haven’t always been as good as they are this year. In fact, I have never seen the Blues win in person. This year, the Stanley Cup Champions are on fire, and it’s always a great time to catch a game at the Enterprise Center. If you haven’t been to a game since Enterprise bought the stadium, you’ve got to get back there! The concession stands have gotten a huge makeover and the selection you can get at these games is incredible.

2. Watch a Cardinals Game

There is really nothing more St Louis than the Cardinals. And with the second expansion of Ballpark Village recently completed, now is a great time to make a date night out of a ball game. Grab a bite to eat at Budweiser Brewhouse before the game, or grab a drink at Tengo Sed after. If you’re lucky, you can grab tickets to the game for as cheap as $4, and if you arrive before the first pitch, you can grab a $5 beer at Budweiser Terrace.

A view of the Arch from Busch Stadium.

3. Cheer on the Battlehawks Return

If you’re a fan of St Louis Sports, you’re well aware that the Rams left (ditched) St Louis in 2015. As a small form of revenge, St Louisans bring some serious energy to the Battlehawks games promising a good time and plenty of cheering.

4. Eat your way though an STL City SC Game

St Louis’s newest team, our MLS team known as St Louis City SC is a great time for soccer fans and foodies alike. City Park’s concessions are entirely made up of local restaurants from around the St Louis region. Grab a bite from Balkan Treat Box and dessert from Ice’s Plain and Fancy all without leaving the stadium.

5. Get in on the Action

If you’d rather be playing sports than watching them, try your hand at a round of Top Golf! It doesn’t matter how many times I play or how horribly I do, Top Golf is FUN. It’s also the perfect spot for a relaxed date night. There are plenty of food and drinks to satisfy any appetite and zero skills are required to have fun at Top Golf.

There are now two Top Golf Locations in St. Louis, the O.G. in Chesterfield Valley, and their new location in Midtown near SLU’s Campus.

If you’d rather keep your golf game traditional, you could check out the driving range at the Highlands in Forest Park or a round of mini golf at Union Station.

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For the History Buff

1. Walk the Main Streets of Saint Charles

On the surface, the Main Streets of Saint Charles appear to be lined with cute boutiques and delicious coffee shops. But it was also home to Missouri’s first State Capitol building. Owned by the State Parks, this Historic Site is opened for tours year-round. You’ll be able to see the inside of the old Congress Chambers, an old shop, and an old home. After touring this historic building, grab a glass of wine or dinner at any of the nearby shops.

2. Tour a Historic Home

There’s no better place to learn about history than in the very places it happened. Lucky for everyone, St Louis is filled with beautifully preserved homes of those who came before us. If your ideal date is one where you are able to learn about the past, you’ll have a blast exploring one (or several) of the historic homes in the area. The Thomas Sappington House, the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, and the Daniel Boone Home, are three great options for tours, but there are so many more.

The Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site in Crestwood, Missouri.

If you love exploring historic homes, you’re going to love my list of the 9 Best Historic Home Tours in St Louis.

3. Visit the Museum under the Arch

Many people are familiar with the Gateway Arch, but did you know there is a ginormous museum under the Arch that covers the entire History of St Louis? This exhibit is brand new, and will be celebrating its second year in existence this summer. The museum was the result of a huge renovation. If you haven’t checked this out yet, you’ve got to see it! Be prepared to spend hours here (or take a few trips!) When you’re done, grab a drink at my favorite downtown bar, Trust.

The Arch at the Gateway Arch National Park.

No matter if you’re visiting the arch for the first time or the hundredth time, check out my Guide to Gateway Arch National Park before you go so you don’t miss a thing!

4. Explore one of the Rotating Exhibits at the History Museum

While there are quite a few permanent exhibits at the Missouri History Museum, their two largest galleries feature new exhibits a couple times a year. There’s always something new to check out here. Once you’re done exploring, you can grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants in the Central West End.

5. Ride in an Old Train

Explore history by admiring old cars, airplanes, and trains at the National Museum of Transportation in Kirkwood. You can even take a ride on their “miniature” train. While it is smaller than a real train, it is nowhere near as tiny as the name implies.

If your love of history can’t be beat, check out my guide to the National Parks of St Louis for some quick information about learning more about the history of the region.

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Actually Fun Dates for the Budget Conscious

There are so many free things to do in St Louis that are perfect date night spots. A few of them have already been covered above, like the museum under the Arch or the Missouri History Museum. Taking a hike is always free, and a visit to the U.R.B. will only cost you $1, but there are even more things that can be done for free in St Louis.

1. Have a Picnic on Art Hill

Taking a picnic to Forest Park is a must on a nice St Louis summer day. You won’t be the only one with that idea, trust me. If you need an excuse to head to the park for a picnic, you can join hundreds of people for a picnic in the park before the Shakespeare in the Park show. Details about this annual event are below.

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The Saint Louis Art Museum sits on top of Art Hill and overlooks the Grand Basin in Forest Park.

2. Tour the Saint Louis Art Museum

The Saint Louis Art Museum is free all the time and stays open late on Fridays, perfect for a St Louis date idea! Despite the low cost, this is a high value resource for our city. Like all of the free museums in St Louis, it would be difficult to get through this entire place in a day, so you could easily get a couple of dates out of this spot. We like to pick one type of art and explore and compare just that section and then return another time for more.

3. Tour the CAM

Like the Saint Louis Art Museum, the CAM, or Contemporary Art Museum, is also free! Explore a unique collection of art that is constantly changing. Don’t forget to stop by their sculpture garden. The best part about the CAM is they host a “First Friday” event on (you guessed it) the first Friday of every month with a live DJ, cocktails, apps, and entertainment that matches their evening’s theme. The Saint Louis Art Museum does a similar event (which they call SLAM Underground) but I find the vibe at the CAM’s first Friday to be much more sophisticated.

4. Tour Anheuser-Busch

Visit the Anheuser-Busch brewery for a free one-hour tour that offers up free beer. This tour is where history lovers, beer lovers, and budget explorers all combine.

The Historic Clock Tower on the Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour in St Louis.

5. Go to the Zoo

As I briefly mentioned above (when talking about one of the paid exhibits) the Saint Louis Zoo is top-notch! While you could easily see all there is to see in a day, this zoo is huge, has been voted best in the country, and is completely free to get in! This is the perfect place to spend a day or to spend a couple of hours. There is a paid parking lot which at times can be more convenient, but there’s always a place to park on the street in Forest Park as long as you aren’t afraid of a little bit of walking.

6. Visit the St Louis Basilica

Not interested in Religious stuff? Hear me out on this one! The entire interior of the Basilica is mosaic. Every inch of the ceiling and walls are covered in beautiful mosaics. And you can visit this Cathedral for free.

And because visiting a religious site isn’t anyone’s idea of the perfect date you should stop by the Central West End when you’re done exploring and grab drinks or dinner, or maybe catch a movie at Chase Park Plaza.

One thing I love most about St Louis is how much of this city you can explore for free. If you’re looking for even more free date ideas in St Louis, check out this list of 21 Free Things for Adults to Do in St Louis.

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For the Art Enthusiast

1. See a Show at the Fabulous Fox Theater

The Fabulous Fox Theater is a beautiful, historic theater on Grand Avenue. And, yes, “Fabulous” is in it’s actual name, although locals will just call it “The Fox.” They frequently host musicians, comedians, and theatrical productions. Check out their latest schedule here .

2. See a Show at Powell Hall

Powell Hall is home of the St Louis Symphony Orchestra. There’s truly something here for everyone, whether you love classical music, or would like to see the Orchestra take on the songs of a popular musical artist. The SLSO also loves to play movies with the Orchestra playing the score live (they especially love doing this for John Williams movies like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Jurassic Park!)

3. See a Show at the Rep

The Repertory Theater of St Louis is another great place to catch a theatrical performance. This theater, located on Webster University’s campus, makes it a great spot for a date night. Park your car, grab dinner in the Old Orchard section of Webster Groves, and then stroll over to the theater. A list of their performances can be found on their website, or by clicking here.

4. Catch an Indie Movie and Support Independent Movie Theaters

There are so many places you can catch one of the summer’s biggest blockbusters around St Louis, but there are only a few places where you can watch an independent film. My favorite is the Hi-Pointe (their Backlot theater has the comfiest chairs!) Before or after the show, you could grab a casual dinner, maybe a beer or milkshake even, at Hi-Pointe Drive-In.

5. Visit the Blues Museum (Blues Music, that is!)

As I mentioned above, if you follow me on Instagram, it’s no secret that I love the Blues. But this museum is for a different type of Blues. The Blues Museum in St Louis is all about highlighting the history of Blues music and how it shaped this city and many other Mississippi cities. A visit to the Blues Museum in downtown St Louis is perfectly paired with dinner or drinks at a downtown restaurant. Most restaurants downtown are more of a fast-casual style, as opposed to a romantic restaurant setting.

6. Take a Hike through the Sculpture Park

Many are surprised to find this large sculpture park hiding in plain sight in Crestwood. Also hiding are over 60 sculptures on 105 acres of land and 1.5 miles of hiking trails. Laumeier Scuplture Park is the perfect spot for a morning hiking date or an all day hike-and-picnic date. This park is also home to an Art Fair in the Spring and Concerts in the Summer, so plan accordingly for even more to do at this perfect spot.

An eye sculpture in the Laumeier Sculpture Park in Crestwood.

7. Visit the International Photography Hall of Fame

Another prime St Louis date idea spot that people often forget about is the International Photography Hall of Fame in the Downtown West neighborhood of St Louis. They stay open until 9pm on the first Friday of every month and can be perfectly coupled with dinner at Small Batch or drinks at Urban Chestnut, both very close by, along with many other bars and restaurants popping up in this up-and-coming area.

8. Check out the World Chess Hall of Fame (and Gallery!)

The World Chess Hall of Fame could have fallen into several categories because it is a lot of things all at once. Most people shy away from this stop because they “don’t like chess.” But, my friend, it is so much more than that! One of the best kept secrets of the World Chess Hall of Fame is that it is actually an art gallery! They have rotating exhibits that change all the time, but they love to feature local artists. Located in the Central West End, this Gallery can be perfectly coupled with dinner or drinks.

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For the Date You’ll Never Forget

1. Glass Blowing at Third Degree Glass Factory

Watching glass get made has always been mesmerizing to me. What is even more fun is getting in on the creation process yourself. At Third Degree Glass Factory, you can take a glass making class or you can join them for their Third Friday events and try your hand at their featured project.

2. Make your own Candle

If you want to create a scent for your space that is all your own, try making your own candle at The Candle Fusion Studio on Main Street in St. Charles. Explore the scent wall and make notes of all the scents that you love, then select a container that you’re going to build your candle in. A member of their staff will help you select your oil blend and help you put them all together in a candle. You will have to leave your candle for about an hour, which is the perfect amount of time to go grab a drink or dinner at a nearby restaurant.

3. Learn to UpCycle

At Perennial you can take a class to teach you how to upcycle the old into a new, usable item in your home. Past projects have included how to turn reclaimed wood into plant stands or tea trays. You could also turn a sweater into mittens, or crochet a rug out of old t-shirts. New to their class line-up, you can take classes that will teach you how to do your own electrical or plumbing work. Not only a great St Louis date night, but also a super helpful skill for your future together!

4. Create your own Mosaic at Yucandu

This one might also be a good date to pair with seeing the Basilica. At Yucandu, they provide all the supplies, you pay for the studio time, and you can create any one of their pre-made pieces or invent your own. I have made some really cool things here. I also love browsing their menagerie of supplies for inspiration.

5. Learn to Dance

There are tons of places around town that offer dance lessons, but one of the coolest places we’ve learned to dance was with the West County Swing Dance Club. In their auditorium, they have weekly swing dance lessons, followed by an actual dance (like the ones you went to in middle school, only everyone is actually dancing.) I love this one because you can pay by the week and work through the lessons at your own pace.

6. Throw Some Pottery

If Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore’s pottery scene from Ghost is your idea of a hot date, then relive the magic yourself at a local pottery studio. In St Louis, you can take a one-time workshop, or a multi-week pottery class at Krueger Pottery Supply. Now the only question you have left to answer is if you are looking for a one-time date night or a standing date with your squeeze.

7. Explore the Vintage Shops and find Something Unique

There are tons of vintage and antique shops all around St Louis, but you can find some of the best assortment of shops along Cherokee Street. Spend a day searching for some perfect eclectic pieces for your home that doubles as a souvenir for a wonderful day together.

8. Try your hand at Painting (even if you suck at painting!)

If you like wine and wish you knew how to paint, you’re going to love one of the many wine-and-paint nights around the St Louis area. Painting with a Twist and Pinot’s Palette are two of the best known names in the wine-and-paint business. But you could also Wine & Design or Board & Brush for another unique DIY painting experience. Check the calendar of events for any of these places, sometimes they even host date nights themselves and have couples complete two separate pieces of a whole painting.

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For the Lover of all things St Louis

A lot of the things on this list are iconic to the city of St. Louis, so by no means are any of the five date ideas below the exclusive list of things for Lovers of St Louis. These are more of the unsortable-but-still-important things that you’ve gotta do in St Louis.

1. Stay-cation: The Last Hotel This one is closed, check out some more Staycation spots below!

The Last Hotel is relatively new to St Louis, but its impact has already been huge. I love that The Last Hotel dove into the deep end, so to speak, and has gotten itself involved as a staple in the St Louis community. I love going to events at the Last Hotel, I think they’ve got the most beautiful aesthetic and the most beautiful rooftop bar in the whole city.

I’ve added a bonus section of St Louis Staycation spots below.

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The rooftop view at the Last Hotel in downtown St Louis.

2. Missouri Botanical Gardens

The Missouri Botanical Gardens could have easily been added to the list of seasonal St Louis date ideas because their Christmas lights are by far one of my favorite date nights in the winter, but that severely discounts all the things they do year round. It also could have been grouped with date ideas for history buffs, because the historic Shaw residence calls the Botanical Gardens home. All the same, the adventurous date seekers might enjoy exploring the trails that wind through the gardens. No matter what kind of date night you’re looking for, this icon of St Louis is the perfect spot for it.

3. Visit the Butterflies

A spin-off of the Missouri Botanical Gardens is their Satellite location out in Chesterfield, the Butterfly House. You’ve likely visited a Butterfly house in the past. It is always exciting when a butterfly chooses you to show off it’s beautiful colors. For a really exceptional date, you could try to align your visit to the Butterfly house with a picnic in Faust Park, or better yet, a visit to the Food Truck Fest when it comes to Faust Park.

4. Ride the Ferris Wheel

You have likely noticed the observation wheel by Union Station. It’s hard to miss the bright lights on our skyline. I have a view of the wheel from my desk at work, and I love seeing it light up as the sun goes down. All of Union Station has transformed over the past few years and I’m so excited for what this change means for our city. The Ferris Wheel is a great spot for a quick date destination, day or night, and can easily be tacked on to any downtown date night.

5. See a Shark

Surprisingly, there are a couple of places you could go on a St Louis date night if you wanted to see a shark. There are tiny Tiger Sharks at the St Louis Zoo. But if you’re looking for the big daddy, you’ll have to go to the St Louis Aquarium for that! The aquarium is built inside Union Station. Although no real trains enter or leave this station anymore, there is a virtual train ride to get into the aquarium. I for one love that they’ve held on to the roots of the past in designing this exhibit.

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Seasonally Available Dates

There are some St Louis date ideas that only come by once a year, but just because you can’t make plans for these on Valentine’s Day, that doesn’t mean that you should rule them out all together. These are some great ideas for season specific times of the year.

1. Catch a show at the Muny (Summer)

This staple of a St Louis Summer runs every year between June and August, and has for the last 103 years. While you don’t need to search for St Louis date ideas to know about this spot, the Muny is an easy opportunity to head out for a perfect summer evening with a date or a friend. If you’re trying to grab a free seat, you’ll want to pack a picnic dinner and arrive early, especially for the performances that will be targeted towards families.

2. Shakespeare in the Park

Also a great spot for a summer date in St Louis is Shakespeare in the Park, hosted in Forest Park every summer. The Shakespeare performance changes every year, and there is always a “quick start guide” at the back of this section of park, known as “Shakespeare Glen” to help you get the most out of the performance. There are no seats in Shakespeare Glen, so you’ll want to bring a picnic blanket or some lawn chairs to sit on during the show. You’re also going to want to pack lots of snacks and a bottle of wine to enjoy before, or during, the show.

3. Movies in Forest Park (Summer)

Another favorite activity for a summer in St Louis is to catch a movie in the park. It doesn’t really matter which park, because so many local municipalities host their own Movies in the Park event each year, but the most well known Movies in the Park is held a few times every summer in Forest Park. A large projector screen is set up near the bottom of Art Hill, and hundreds of visitors set up chairs and blankets to watch the feature. This date night is easily coupled with exploring the galleries of the Art Museum before the show.

4. Look at Christmas Lights (November – December)

In the winter, we make multiple dates out of driving around to look at Christmas Lights. A well known neighborhood for Christmas Light viewing is Candy Cane Lane in South City. But that’s not the only place to catch Christmas lights this time of year. Some of my other favorite spots are Tilles Park, the Zoo, and the Botanical Gardens. For an impromptu St Louis Date Idea, you could even fill up a thermos with some cocoa and drive around your own neighborhood to look at the light displays your neighbors set up.

This is one of our favorite, and cheapest, date nights in December. And because it’s our favorite, you know I’ve created a guide completely dedicated to it! Check out my post, The Best Drive through Holiday Lights in St Louis.

The Brewery Lights happen every December at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery.

5. Sweet Tooth Tour (January)

Every year, Maplewood hosts two events that double as the perfect St Louis date idea. The first is the Sweet Tooth Tour in January. The local shops that line Manchester and Sutton offer up delicious treat samples to anyone holding a tour ticket. This is a great opportunity to get to know the stores in this neighborhood better.

The Sweet Tooth Tour in Maplewood gives out samples of the most delicious desserts in town.

6. Coffee Crawl (March)

The other event that Maplewood hosts is the Coffee Crawl, that typically falls on the last weekend of March or the first weekend of April. This event is even bigger and better than the Sweet Tooth tour. There is a morning and afternoon session, both featuring different stops and new opportunities to try local coffee.

For more information about Maplewood and why it makes a great St Louis date idea any time of year, check out my neighborhood guide to learn all about it: St Louis Neighborhood Guide: Maplewood

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BONUS: Make it a St Louis Staycation!

You don’t have to venture far from home to have a memorable vacation. Add a stay at any one of these St Louis hotels to your date night and keep the fun going all weekend long!

1. The Chase Park Plaza

The Chase Park Plaza is one of the most central locations to all the best St Louis date ideas. This historic hotel is home to a restaurant & bar, a movie theater, and a beautiful outdoor pool. The newly updated rooms makes this a truly enchanting spot to end a date night.

The Chase Park Plaza is a beautiful hotel year round, but is even more magical during the holidays!

2. The Last Hotel

I wish whoever designed this hotel could also come decorate my house. The Last Hotel exudes style and sophistication. They serve up delicious cocktails, have an upscale restaurant right inside the hotel, and a rooftop pool with great views of downtown.

Just a taste of the homey yet sophisticated decor at the Last Hotel.

3. The Angad Arts Hotel

The Angad is a truly unique hotel experience. Guests are able to select their hotel room by color, so they’re sure to stay in a room that fits their mood. Select from Green, Blue, Yellow, or Red during your stay and find unique items in your room to match. Plus, the Angad is a great spot for a roof top happy hour with delicious drinks and great views of the city. Their location in the Grand Center Arts District makes it easy to pair with one or several other St Louis date ideas on this list!

The Rooftop View from the top of the Angad.

4. The Cheshire

I’m a sucker for the cozy interiors like you will find at the Cheshire. The dark wood, dim lights, and cozy fireplaces makes you feel like you’re staying at a remote cabin instead of right in the heart of Demun. The Cheshire is just a short walk away from Forest Park, and close in proximity to plenty of great places to grab a bite to eat. Plus, it is conveniently located off of interstate 64/40, making it a quick drive away from plenty of other St Louis date night destinations.

5. Hotel Saint Louis

Another beautifully modern hotel housed inside a historic downtown building. One of the best features of Hotel Saint Louis (aside from their rooftop bar with a great drink menu)? The beautiful stained glass ceilings in the lobby. You won’t be able to stop looking around while staying at this hotel. And, trust me, there is plenty to see!

6. The Drury Plaza

Drury Hotels are local to St Louis and the Downtown Drury Plaza location is made up of not one, but several buildings that were all slated to be torn down on the riverfront before the Drury purchased them. This hotel features great views of the Arch, as well as a free happy hour drinks and snacks included with your stay.

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If you’re new to St Louis or have been living here for decades, there are always new St Louis date ideas popping up. I’ll do my best to keep this list updated so you can always find the greatest places for a date night in the area. If you have a favorite spot for a date night that was not mentioned in my post, please drop it in the comments below.

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The post 60+ St Louis Date Ideas That You’ll Absolutely Love first appeared on Greetings From Kelly.

A Complete Guide to Annual Pop-Up Bars in St Louis

Greetings from Kelly — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 18:37:33 +0000

Pop-up bars have had a huge surge in St. Louis over the last couple of years, and they’re here to stay. They seemed to have all started with the Christmas Pop-up franchise, Miracle, and have grown into a phenomenon that extends beyond the winter holiday season. The pop-up bars in St Louis are plentiful, and it’s getting hard to keep track of them all.

I’ve created a list of all the area pop-up bars, sorted by holiday. That way you always know which pop-up bar to look out for next!

Pop-Up Bars by Theme:

Christmas Pop-Up Bars

Halloween Pop-Up Bars

Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Bars

Mardi Gras Pop-Up Bars

St. Patrick’s Day Pop-Up Bars

Christmas Pop-Up Bars

Miracle by Small Change

The most common type of pop-up bar in St Louis, first introduced to us by Miracle. It might be the delicious flavors of this season, or it might be the holiday spirit, but nothing gets me ready for Christmas quite like these pop-up bars.

Many people are probably familiar with Miracle Bar. There is one in almost every city. Call me biased, but I think Small Change puts on the best Miracle Bar. Their decorations are top notch, all their employees are decked out in Christmas spirit, and the drinks are phenomenal. I recently found out that the drinks at each Miracle Bar are not all the same, so if you’ve been to one before, be sure to check out one in another city for a new flavor.

Sippin’ Santas

The same team that brought us Miracle has taken over Planter’s House and transformed it into the Christmas Tiki Bar you didn’t know you needed.

Frosted by Tower Grove Park

Frosted is a unique pop-up event that serves as a fundraiser for Tower Grove Park. They transform the Piper Palm House into a pop up bar winter wonderland. Holiday themed cocktails are curated by created by Pat Gioia of STL Barkeep

Every Saturday in December, Tower Grove Park is hosting the Frosted event in person with hot cocktails so you can purchase cocktails and sip them in Tower Grove Park.

Toasted Chestnuts by Public School House

Public School House has brought the holiday pop-up bar concept deep into the suburbs of St Louis. This holiday pop-up bar is held annually in St. Peter’s. Public School House hosts pop-up bars for many different Holidays.

Toasted Chestnuts was Public School Houses’s first ever pop-up bar back in 2019, and they’ve continued their pop-up trend with a Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Back-to-School, and Halloween Pop-up. Needless to say, they’ve become experts in the pop-up game and have quickly become a must-see pop-up bar any time of year, but especially this holiday season.

Lit by Molly’s

Molly’s in Soulard was one of the first to announce their entrance into the pop-up bar race and one of the few locations to keep up the fun longer than just the Christmas season. At their Lit pop-up bar, they offer one of the most Instagram-worthy drinks: a bright blue cocktail served inside of a glass ornament. Unfortunately, they don’t let you actually drink it out of the ornament. They give you a moment to snap a photo and then pour it into a blue-sprinkle-rimmed martini glass for you to drink.

Mistletoe by Paddy O’s

Mistletoe by Paddy O’s has the unique advantage of being partnered with the Anheuser Busch Brewery Lights. Guests at Mistletoe drink their holiday drinks and even roast marshmallows from the comfort of the heated bar, and then get shuttled over to the Brewery Lights for a full evening of Christmas Spirit.

For more information on the Anheuser-Busch Brewery Lights or other drive through lights in St Louis, read my post about the The Best Drive Through Holiday Lights in St Louis.

Up on the Rooftop by Three Sixty

This one is all about the location. Three Sixty Rooftop bar in downtown St Louis hosts Up on the Rooftop from their rooftop bar. The cocktails are all named after Christmas movies. One of my favorite ingredients listed on their drink menu: cocoa puff infused almond milk.

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Halloween Pop-Up Bars

Numbskull (Formerly known as Corpse Reviver)

If you loved the Yellowbelly / Lazy Tiger’s infamous Halloween Pop-up Bar, Corpse Reviver, then you do not want to miss what they have in store this year. New for Halloween 2023, they’ve created a new concept: Numbskull.

Think of Numbskull as the Miracle Bar of Halloween. They’ve franchised the idea and it is popping up in several cities across the U.S.:

St. Louis (Westport Social)

Columbia, MO (Room 38)

Nashville, TN (Pearl Diver)

Birmingham, AL (Pilcrow)

Drinks include: The Executioner, Human Canvas (it comes with a temporary tattoo àla the Ghost Malone of pop-ups past), Lobster Boy, Death By Pumpkin, Pennywise Punch, Inside Out Man, and “Trick or Treat shots.” Each drink is served in a glass to match the drink and I for one cannot wait to check this one out!

The Ghoul House by Public School House

Public Schoolhouse isn’t a bar. It’s an event space in Cottleville that is killing it with their pop-up concepts. Their newest pop-up concept is their Halloween bar, which they are calling the Ghoul House. Make your reservation in advance to guarantee you will have a seat. Each table reservation costs $10 (or $15 at the door!) and the money raised from these cover charges is being donated to The Cottleville Firefighters Outreach & LBB Scholarship Fund.

Reservations allow you to have a table for 1.5 hours. At the end of your reservation, you’re invited to walk the Haunted Trail which is put on by the Cottleville Fire Department.

Their menu is being held under wraps for the moment, but if it is anything like their other pop-up bars, it will not disappoint!

Cauldrons & Cocktails by Presto Wine Bar

New this year, Presto Wine Bar is hosting their very own Halloween Pop-Up bar the last two weekends of October (October 20th, 21st, 26th and 27th). Tickets must be purchased in advance, $5 per person, sold as groups of 4 or 6 only (aka: $20 or $30 per table.) Multiple tables can be purchased for larger groups. Time slots are 2.5 hours and food, beer, seltzers, and wine are also available for purchase in addition to the halloween themed cocktails.

Check out Eventbrite to purchase tickets.

Bars with Halloween Drink Menus

There are tons of bars in town breaking out their halloween menus without going full-blown holiday decor. Here are a few more bars around St. Louis where you can grab a spooky cocktail:

Small Change

Small Change is probably most recognized for their annual Miracle pop-up bar. This year, they’re starting the fun a little early with some halloween themed cocktails.

Noto Pizza

Noto Pizza is a new, upscale pizzeria in St. Peter’s. They’re joining in on the Halloween fun with a few themed cocktails. Grab a Vampire Kiss, Dark Magic, or Hocus Pocus at Noto Pizza this halloween.

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Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Bars

Love Shack by Public School H ouse

For Valentine’s Day, Public School House transform their space into Love Shack, complete with His & Her Mules, Chocolate Strawberry Martinis, and the elegantly refreshing “Galentine.” Each pre-reserved table gets a plate of cookies and chocolate covered pretzels on the house.

The Love Shack Pop-Up Bar in Cottleville, Missouri.

It’s hard to pick just one favorite drink on their menu, because they were all so good. Their Love Shack Old Fashioned features a blackberry simple syrup. They make the Whiskey Mule with a honey lavender simple syrup. They use fresh strawberry puree in their Chocolate Covered Strawberry Martini. Love Boat Float tastes just like a root beer float with hints of caramel. The Galentine was lightly sweet and refreshing, again featuring their honey lavender simple syrup and elderflower liquor.

The unique flavors and beautiful decorations make this pop-up one you do not want to miss! If you want to know more about their Christmas pop-up bar, you can check that out below.

Want to learn more about Love Shack? I’ve got a whole post dedicated to it! Check out more of the inside of this adorable pop-up bar.

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Mardi Gras Pop-Up Bars

Carnival by Molly’s

Molly’s in Soulard hosts a Mardi Gras themed pop-up, dubbed Carnival. Their drink menu includes a King Cake Cocktail, a house Hurricane, a Bourbon Smash, and a large, smoking fishbowl called “The Rex.”

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St. Patrick’s Day Pop-Up Bars

Shamrocked by Public School House

Public School House is a small event space in Cottleville. Every March, Cottleville is home to a very large St. Patrick’s Day Parade and celebration. So it was no surprise when Public School House decided to get in on the celebration, after all, they have the perfect location for it!

The Salted Caramel Pretzeltini from the Shamrocked Bar at Public School House in Cottleville

Like all their other pop-up bars, Public School House’s Shamrocked is just as delicious. Their drink menu is amazing, and their festive decorations are sure to get you in the mood to celebrate.

My favorite on the Menu was their Salted Caramel Prezeltini (so good, I guzzled down two!) Other drinks include a Pot of Gold Mule, an Irish Old Fashioned, and a Sham-Rita.

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The post A Complete Guide to Annual Pop-Up Bars in St Louis first appeared on Greetings From Kelly.

The Best St Louis Curbside Cocktails

Greetings from Kelly — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 19:00:40 +0000

A collection of my favorite St Louis curbside cocktails as told by my Instagram feed. I ran this series of the best places to find curbside cocktails in St Louis on Instagram starting in July of 2020.

Each photo is linked up with the restaurant or bar’s website. Further down the page, I’ve added a feed of all the original posts on Instagram so you can explore each post without ever leaving this page! Pretty cool, right? Scrolling through this feed of the very best cocktails and dreaming up which ones you’re going to order next.

Explore St Louis Curbside Cocktails

Click any photo below to be taken to the website for the featured restaurant or bar. Each of these photos were taken by me and originally appeared on my Instagram feed. If you’re not following me on Instagram yet, click here to view my profile and hit that follow button.

Explore the St Louis Donut Feed

I’ve saved all my posts from Instagram over here too. Check them out below without ever clicking off this page!