Bars to See the Show

A performance on the patio at Rehab. ERIN MCAFEE

REHAB ST. LOUIS

4054 Chouteau Avenue, 314-652-3700 rehabstl.com The Grove’s undisputed drag capital is Rehab, where their elite “Divas of the Grove” reign supreme with shows every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday on the spacious patio. “We are the party bar!” announces show director Chasity Valentino. “The divas are a high-energy show and now the longest-running show in the Grove. People used to refer to us as the back-porch drag of St. Louis. We all know some of the funnest parties we’ve been to took place on the back porch!” she laughs. “So we took that title and ran with it!” There’s room for everyone at Rehab, and based on the way they pack ’em in, everyone seems to love it.

CHRIS ANDOE

THE CRACK FOX

1114 Olive Street, 314-828-5064 crackfoxbar.com The Crack Fox is where St. Louis goes when it wants to get weird. This is not your destination to watch the night’s Cardinals game on TV — you can go anywhere for that — but a dive bar for dance parties and drag shows, burlesque productions and half-naked performance art. Moodily lit and thrumming with electronic, punk and industrial music, the downtown institution three blocks south of Washington Avenue has long been a haven for the subculturally inclined. As the bar’s website suggests, it’s a place for people looking for “something a little di erent.” And there’s a lot more to do than drink its popular pouch-served “Adult Hi-C” rum cocktail: The venue has a monthly burlesque show every first Saturday, a monthly drag show called BimboVision and weekly karaoke on Tuesday and Friday nights. It’s a sign the world is truly healing: You never know exactly what you’ll see on the Crack Fox stage — but be assured, it will be more than just a little di erent.

DANNY WICENTOWSKI

OFF BROADWAY

3509 Lemp Avenue, 314-498-6989 offbroadwaystl.com For such an esteemed local institution, it's amazing how much change O Broadway is constantly undergoing. Over the past few years its patio area has blossomed into one of the great outdoor relaxation hangs in town, and

Heavy Anchor owners Joshua Timbrook and Jodie Whitworth. THEO WELLING

the venue area has somehow continued to quietly expand in size and scope. But the feel of the room is still classically rock n roll: a place where punks and cowboys and rockers and troubadours and local legends of all ages gather to watch great music unfurl in front of them. The sound in the room is top notch, the sta is always the best, and if you love music, it's where all your best friends are likely to be hoisting a City Wide or a WellBeing together to celebrate a record's release date. O Broadway made it through the pandemic by the skin of its teeth and is forging ahead with a smart vaccine requirement plan to protect both patrons and sta , so you can hang out with a little more security and comfort. There are a lot more changes planned — even more patio space, an expanded side bar and a larger stage — so enjoy it now, but don't get too used to it, because as usual, there's more to come. EVAN SULT

HEAVY ANCHOR

5256 Gravois Avenue, 314-352-5226 theheavyanchor.com Some bars are just for drinking. But most of the people who drop into the Heavy Anchor end up enjoying some other activity along with their drinks. In addition to darts and shu eboard, the Heavy Anchor o ers plenty of other entertainment. The entire back of the bar is a venue that hosts comedy shows and other events just as frequently as it hosts bands. The spot has been the home of many local comedy acts, variety shows, trivia nights and movie nights. The movie nights have taken on a new role, though, as the Heavy Anchor has partnered with neighboring business Arkadin Cinema & Bar (5228 Gravois Avenue) to host the guests who visit for the Arkadin’s outdoor movie nights out back. These moviegoers can get drinks from the Heavy Anchor and then enjoy a safe outdoor film in the Arkadin lot. It’s

Pro wrestling at South Broadway Athletic Club. DOYLE MURPHY

the new (better) version of dinner and a movie. JAIME LEES

NINTH STREET DELI AT HOWARDS

2731 South 13th Street, 314-664-3354 ninthstreetdeli.net A couple of fun facts about Ninth Street Deli: It’s on 13th Street, and members of a band that often plays there, the 9th Street Surfers, actually live on 12th. Rather than us explaining those quirks, ask the friendly bartenders for the story. If you’re chatting with Jamie, the manager who lives upstairs, also ask about the ghost who turns on the light for her cat when she forgets. A favorite haunt of “Maven of Mardi Gras” Luann Denten, the socialite explains what she loves about the place: “Great food, fun drink options and the Cheers ambience! When the band is playing, the crowd is singing along, dancing, everyone’s totally engaged. The bartenders know your name, know your beverage of choice and are quick to ensure that you have one. A Soulard treasure!” CHRIS ANDOE

SOUTH BROADWAY ATHLETIC CLUB

2301 S 7th Street, 314-776-4833 sbacstl.org The old brick hall on the edge of Soulard is truly one of the city’s gems. It doesn’t matter if you’re dropping in to hear a band, partake in a fish fry or witness the majesty of local-level pro wrestling, a night at South Broadway Athletic Club is one you’ll remember. It’s an actual club, founded in 1899 with an early focus on boxing and wrestling, and has somewhat surprisingly managed to hang on (there were some close calls) to host a slate of events that varies but remains heavy on grappling and rock music. You can join SBAC, but it’s not a requirement as the members graciously open it to the public on a regular basis. The setup is a good-sized main hall with a bar partitioned o at the back, where you’ll order a domestic under the soft glow of stained-glass Busch beer lights. And if you just stayed back there, it would be a worthwhile night. But chances are good you came for the wrestling, and if that’s the case, you’re going to want to see what happens next. DOYLE MURPHY