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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Donna Andrews or Rebecca Rodgers
St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission
(314) 421-1023 or pr@explorestlouis.com
Your readers should call 1-800-916-0040 (USA and Canada) or 1-314-421-1023 for a free copy of the Official St. Louis Visitors Guide or point, click and explore St. Louis online at www.explorestlouis.com
ST. LOUIS NAMED ONE OF
"50 FABULOUS GAY-FRIENDLY PLACES"
St. Louis is included as one of "50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live," in a book authored by Gregory A. Kompes. Kompes conducted extensive research into 400 American cities for the project and discovered what most GLBT residents already know - that "The Lou" is a gay-friendly place to live as well as to visit, with a host of attractions, restaurants, cultural, nightlife and shopping options. To quote City of St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, one element central to St. Louis' renaissance is, "Our willingness to celebrate our diversity." St. Louis' revitalized downtown is an exciting addition to the destination's numerous amenities, including myriad parks, neighborhoods, galleries, museums, music venues, sports facilities, universities, events and activities.
Art and Architecture
St. Louis architectural "must sees" include the Gateway Arch, the Eero Saarinen-designed stainless steel wonder that soars 630-feet into the sky; the Wainwright Building, Louis Sullivan's original skyscraper; the Victorian "painted ladies" homes in the trendy Lafayette Square neighborhood; the Central West End's historic homes of turn-of-the-century railroad magnates, fur traders and beer barons; the world's largest collection of mosaic art in the Cathedral Basilica
of Saint Louis; the Beaux Arts-style Saint Louis Art Museum; the ultra modern Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis; and the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, which sharp-eyed readers of GQ
magazine will recognize as one of GQ's Top 25 Guide to The Most Important and Beautiful Structures in America.
Fabulous Food
St. Louis' resurgent restaurant scene serves up treats for the taste buds and a host of hot new eateries and classic dining spots. Foodies can find everything from St. Louis' classic Italian fare to Pan Latin to New American cuisine from the newly revitalized Washington Avenue loft district to the sidewalk cafés in the Central West End neighborhood. Enjoy a fresh microbrew and some high-end pub grub in Maplewood or sup on classic French cuisine -- often served with a side of cabaret-style drag shows -- at Chez Leon. For a variety of Asian restaurants, visit the South Grand neighborhood and select from a cornucopia of international offerings.
Neighborhoods
Speaking of neighborhoods, enjoy some of the best Italian food in the country on The Hill,
St. Louis' own Little Italy, or shop the bakeries and specialty shops brimming with olive oils, cheeses and pastries. Shop for furniture, vintage clothing and home décor items in the quaint shops along Cherokee Antique Row or check out museum stores like those at the Saint Louis Art Museum, City Museum and Missouri Botanical Garden.
Visit a shopper's paradise at area malls including Plaza Frontenac, the Saint Louis Galleria,
St. Louis Mills, St. Louis Union Station and the Warrenton Outlet Center or explore specialty shops and boutiques in the Kirkwood, Maplewood, Webster Groves and the Central West End neighborhoods. The South Grand neighborhood is home to a number of GLBT-owned shops,
eateries and ethnic groceries, as well as Tower Grove Park. The National Historic Landmark Victorian strolling park serves as the site of St. Louis' annual Pridefest parade and events held each summer. Pridefest draws more than 80,000 participants each year, and the two-day event has grown to include individuals and families from all walks of life and sexual orientation.
The Loop neighborhood is an eclectic area that features a cornucopia of ethnic restaurants, vintage clothing stores, book and record shops, and a host of galleries and boutiques. There's always a live band playing or a DJ spinning somewhere nearby, and other entertaining options include The Pageant concert nightclub, Pin-Up Bowl - a martini bar/bowling alley - and Blueberry Hill's Duck Room, where legendary rocker Chuck Berry plays each month. The
St. Louis Walk of Fame, which stretches along Delmar Boulevard, honors more than 100 favored sons and daughters with bronze stars and informational plaques embedded in the sidewalk. Famous names include luminaries like Tina Turner, Lou Brock, Stan Musial, Kevin Kline, Agnes Moorehead, Bob Costas, Vincent Price, Nelly, Phyllis Diller and Redd Foxx.
Damn Good Theatre
There are plenty of live theater options in the region, ranging from edgy, contemporary works to traditional classics. Broadway touring shows shine at the elaborate Fox Theatre, and the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis' stages an inventive season mixed with shows like "Take Me Out" and "Witness for the Prosecution." The renowned Opera Theatre of Saint Louis performs famous works like "The Barber of Seville" sung in English, and the annual St. Louis Shakespeare Festival presents The Bard's best in the lush environs of Forest Park. The St. Louis Black Rep electrifies audiences with an eclectic assortment of comedy, drama and musicals, while the Muny Opera in Forest Park showcases Broadway revivals under a starry summer sky. Hot City Theatre and New Line Theatre are just two of the myriad independent companies that spice up their seasons with provocative, adult, alternative musical theatre.
Nightlife
The burgeoning Grove neighborhood is a popular destination for night owls of all preferences, and includes mainstay gay bars such as Novak's Bar & Grill (4121 Manchester Avenue,
314-531-3699, www.novaksbar.com). The atmosphere is open and friendly, among the clientele includes gay, lesbian and straight patrons. Voted best lesbian bar in a 2006 Riverfront Times (RFT) readers poll, Attitudes (4100 Manchester Avenue, 314-534-0044, www.attitudesnc.com) is a nearby neighbor, along with Atomic Cowboy (4140 Manchester Avenue, 314-775-0775, www.atomic-cowboy.com), the RFT's "Best Omnisexual Bar." Atomic Cowboy is indicative of St. Louis' nightlife and social scene, in that sexual orientation is a non-issue among the city's hipsters and night owls. Other hot spots in the area include Spot, Freddies, and Rainbow's End.
In Soulard, just south of downtown St. Louis, Clementine's (2001 Menard Street, 314-664-7869, www.clementinesbar.com) has ruled the neighborhood roost for decades, and remains one of the most popular in town. As "St. Louis' Oldest Gay Bar," Clementine's has succeeded in providing the vibe of a neighborhood tavern that just-so-happens to cater to a largely gay clientele. In addition, the adjacent restaurant, the aptly named "Oh My Darlin' Cafe," serves up home style breakfast, lunch and dinnertime comfort foods like chicken pot pie and prime rib at reasonable prices. Another longtime Soulard favorite - though still a ‘rookie' compared to Clementine's - is Bastille (1027 Russell Boulevard, 314-664-4408) another neighborhood bar for men that has a great patio space and an even greater sense of humor. In addition, Soulard has a number of clubs featuring live blues bands, including BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups, Broadway Oyster Bar, and Beale on Broadway.
Other popular night spots include The Complex, a large techno-dance club complex for men and women, and Magnolia's, which features a dance floor, leather bar and cabaret drag show. In the
Central West End, it's Loading Zone, Southern Belle, and St. Louis Eagle, while South Grand features one of the best martini bars in the city, Absolutli Goosed (3196 South Grand,
314-772-0400). St. Louis is also home to six area casinos, including the newly opened Lumiére Place in downtown, with the President Casino and the Casino Queen located across the river from one another in the shadow of the Gateway Arch. The Argosy Casino is located in nearby Alton, Illinois, along with the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, Missouri, and Harrah's Casino in west St. Louis County. For more info on GLBT night spots visit www.gaystlouis.com or www.stlouisgayguide.com.
Gardens and Grandeur
Opened in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden was named one of the Top Three Public Gardens in the world and features horticultural delights like the Climatron geodesic dome's tropical rainforest, two rose gardens, a Victorian garden complete with walk-through maze, the largest authentic Japanese garden in North America, a Chinese garden, Boxwood garden and English woodland garden. Each year, a variety of beautiful homes and gardens in St. Louis' historic neighborhoods open their gates to visitors for tours, including holiday parlor tours in Soulard, home tours in the Central West End and Lafayette Square.
The Saint Louis Art Museum features a stellar permanent collection and hosts a variety of touring exhibitions and the Missouri History Museum provides an intriguing overview of
St. Louis' past, where Charles Lindbergh, Lewis & Clark, and the 1904 World's Fair come to life via galleries featuring cultural icons like "Lucky Lindy," Miles Davis, Tennessee Williams and others who lived and worked in St. Louis. View artifacts from Colonial St. Louis, the Lewis & Clark expedition, Civil War and the opening of the American West. "Seeking St. Louis" illustrates the region's story with state-of-the-art displays and interactive exhibitions featuring thousands of artifacts.
Pillow Talk
After a whirlwind day touring The Lou, you'll need a comfy place to rest your head. There's no shortage of luxury hotels, quaint inns and B&Bs to choose from, so check out the special
St. Louis hotel deals by clicking on the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission's website at www.ExploreStLouis.com. With a simple click of the mouse, you can book your room on-line, and many of the special packages include tickets to events, souvenirs or other amenities. Or, call the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission at 1-800-916-0040.
MEDIA NOTE: For more information or photography of St. Louis, send an e-mail to pr@explorestlouis.com or call Becky Sharp at 1-314-992-0652. For up-to-date information about St. Louis, your readers should call the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission at 1-800-916-0040 or check out our website at www.explorestlouis.com. This news release is also available in electronic form. To obtain an electronic version, e-mail your request to pr@explorestlouis.com or go to St. Louis’ online media center at www.explorestlouis.com/media.
