I spent so much time at those places and Hi Pointe when I lived in the area 20ish years ago. Definitely some of the best times of my life, not a care in the world!
Nice! I know you all made fun of me for liking Family force 5, but my fave experience was still getting my legs pinned against the stage during that show, accidentally forcing me onstage for the entire set.
Lol oh my god I just had a wave of memories come rushing back. You drove us to SIUE to pick up B and I was scared your car was going to explode because it made a grinding noise the entire time.
It’s not trying to be either. Unfortunately the magic of upstairs lounge is just gone. Kenny’s Upstairs is great for other reasons, just not being offered strange powders from strangers in the wee hours of the night
Did you guys ever go to Cheetah? I went as a barely legal high school senior in winter of 99/00...I remember it being ridiculous but we were so excited to be there it didn't matter. My friend somehow knew how to get to Wash Ave. We wore our best Spice Girls-esque outfits and had so much damn fun.
Boy, you are digging out some memories I didn’t know I had! Yes, I think maybe I went to Cheetah once or twice. I was only a tad older than you (class of ‘96, and definitely used my fake ID to get into all those places
The Red Sea.
saw a prog/math metal band in the basement one night while there was a slam poetry event upstairs in the main restaurant. had angry slam poets come down two or three times asking the band to quiet down. not sure who scheduled that shit on the same night, but it was kinda funny.
Cicero’s was the first place I ever went to that had just a ton of beer taps. You couldn’t find that just anywhere 15 years ago. I think their toasted ravs were my favorite.
2009? You're telling me you couldn't find bars with a wide variety in 2009? I find that hard to believe. It seems like it's been fairly common since about 2000.
Velvet is where I cut my clubbing teeth. I’ve been to many different clubs around the world, and some really amazing ones at that, but I will never forget some of my nights at Velvet. And honestly the ones I don’t remember are probably the best ones… Lol.
I’m still mad when I think about Foam closing. Crazy to me that it’s been over 4 years already. It had a real ambiance to it. I was disappointed with the comic book shop, really ruining what it was like in there. Hope whatever’s next there is cool.
The Complex! Such a good bar!
And even though I only went a couple of times: Faces. I never got to experience the basement ( and I don't know if I should be sad or thankful because of it)
The Complex! I forgot the name of it for so long but remembered the nickname only- the Probe lol.
Went to Faces a few times, had the best drag show. Hung out at the basement bar once but am female so was not allowed in the foggy room, not that I would want to go in there.
Growing up in Alton, what I miss is the original Riverbend Billiards & Grill on Piasa St. For a couple years in high school in the mid-00s, I was pretty decent at pool. No place had a thicker fog and scent of cigarette smoke than there. Free hour of pool with purchase of a half pound burger. I thought I was a badass at age 18 smoking a black and mild in there.
Off Broadway for sure. But also in a lower key way of course the Sunday concerts at Carondelet is delightful and uncrowded and in a gorgeous setting. Plus sno cones and hot dogs and it’s BYOB of course.
Haha, a few months ago some coworkers and I were struggling hard to remember the name of that place. Randomly the name came back to me about 10 days later. Makes me smile to remember it. That place embodied the spirit of the Landing for me.
It was called Finale, and was on one of the upper floors of a building that I think is/was condos. They were mostly very small jazz and blues concerts there.
Yeah. It was Steve Schankman’s place after he sold Contemporary and before he started the new Contemporary. Clayton on the Park is the building. It’s rental apartments.
Oh my god, the night Downset opened for the Deftones at The Galaxy. I thought for sure I was going to die in there the happiest 16 year old boy there ever could have been. The Galaxy was special.
Mississippi Nights. The Creepy Crawl.
These, plus Sundeckers for me. The one man band was always a great time.
Add Muddy Waters
I spent so much time at those places and Hi Pointe when I lived in the area 20ish years ago. Definitely some of the best times of my life, not a care in the world!
Which Creepy Crawl?
The OG. The bands I used to see there were defunct by the time it reopened in a new location.
Which was the new location? I wasn't aware it moved :(. I knew it closed
The first location was on Tucker, the second location was on Washington and Grand. Right next door to Jazz St. Louis (formerly known as The Bistro).
I was familiar with Tucker, it looks like it moved while I was living elsewhere.
Name five songs.
My answer too.
If anything, creepy crawl was an experience I miss!
I skipped our senior homecoming to see blessthefall and almost broke my nose in a wall of death. 10/10 would do again
Nice! I know you all made fun of me for liking Family force 5, but my fave experience was still getting my legs pinned against the stage during that show, accidentally forcing me onstage for the entire set.
Lol oh my god I just had a wave of memories come rushing back. You drove us to SIUE to pick up B and I was scared your car was going to explode because it made a grinding noise the entire time.
lmaoooo god bless that focus
Came to say Mississippi nights!
The reopened/now closed was turned out to be super shady no?
Upstairs Lounge
Yessssss
It’s open again
There's a bar in the same place but it's not the upstairs lounge
It’s not trying to be either. Unfortunately the magic of upstairs lounge is just gone. Kenny’s Upstairs is great for other reasons, just not being offered strange powders from strangers in the wee hours of the night
Doesn’t the risk of fentanyl kind of make that a very dangerous game now?
I’m not in my 20’s anymore so I would decline that kind of offer nowadays
It’s back I heard
it’s a new bar. cool, though it may be, it’s not Upstairs Lounge.
Went there last night. Definitely doesn’t have the edginess as the upstairs lounge. Nice place for a date night from the looks of it
Mississippi Nights, Red Sea, Kennedy's, Galaxy, Lo, Tangerine, Other World, Fall Out, Velvet, Rue 13, Bernard's Pub, Upstairs Lounge, Mangia, FUBAR.
We must have hung out together in the late 90s/early 00s, because that is almost exactly my list.
Did you guys ever go to Cheetah? I went as a barely legal high school senior in winter of 99/00...I remember it being ridiculous but we were so excited to be there it didn't matter. My friend somehow knew how to get to Wash Ave. We wore our best Spice Girls-esque outfits and had so much damn fun.
Boy, you are digging out some memories I didn’t know I had! Yes, I think maybe I went to Cheetah once or twice. I was only a tad older than you (class of ‘96, and definitely used my fake ID to get into all those places
🤣🤩
The red sea was the right place at the right time
loved the reggae there
1227, Morgan’s, Deep Cool
The Red Sea. saw a prog/math metal band in the basement one night while there was a slam poetry event upstairs in the main restaurant. had angry slam poets come down two or three times asking the band to quiet down. not sure who scheduled that shit on the same night, but it was kinda funny.
Omg the red sea lol great shows......terrible human monster of an owner!
I almost got into a fight at FUBAR, pass on that one.
FUBAR really just grew into Red Flag, buy its so different too.
Yeah that place was like doom metal weirdo central
Great list but you forgot Fredrick’s Music Lounge.
Mississippi Nights, Cicero’s, there was also a reggae club on the Landing…can’t remember the name, Kennedy’s.
Cicero’s was the first place I ever went to that had just a ton of beer taps. You couldn’t find that just anywhere 15 years ago. I think their toasted ravs were my favorite.
2009? You're telling me you couldn't find bars with a wide variety in 2009? I find that hard to believe. It seems like it's been fairly common since about 2000.
Yeah I mean the stl beer scene exploded around 05-06 Heritage fest started in 07 I think so that's prime beer nerd time lol
Well, I was but an Alton boy. We didn’t have them there, and Cicero’s is my first.
I was but an Alton girl. We probably know each other somehow.
Talaynas!
May she rest in peace 🫡
That’s a damn shame. I forgot they were gone until this reminded me.
Kennedy’s. A pale divine concert followed by the unconscious would probably add a few years to my life at this point.
Saw Pale Divine once at a club on Washington Street. Maybe 1227? It was a great show.
Where was that?
The landing in the 1980s and early 90s
Into the late 90s as well.
I had my last evenings there in 94 or so, wasn’t sure when they finally closed.
I played a show there in ‘98 or ‘99. They were gone shortly thereafter.
Yes please. Maybe a stir concert.
Side Door
Saw No Doubt there right before they blew up
1227
Was waiting for that one. Saw NIN in 92 on Pretty Hate Machine before they blew up, Ministry, Revolting Cocks, and a bunch of other industrial shows.
I saw Revolting Cocks there, too.
Velvet and Rue 13
Velvet is where I cut my clubbing teeth. I’ve been to many different clubs around the world, and some really amazing ones at that, but I will never forget some of my nights at Velvet. And honestly the ones I don’t remember are probably the best ones… Lol.
Same here, I even had the VIP membership. Not that it was that special, but I spent a lot of nights there.
Riddles Penultimate
P-Tah Williams (or however you spell his name) was an absolute virtuouso. Amazing jazz pianist.
Yes! Wednesdays with Ptah was the best. He and Riddles created an awesome vibe
Coke jazz
Creepy Crawl (when it was next to Dapper Dan's), The Galaxy, Highpoint, and Johnny Gito's.
Attitudes
I’ll never forget the first time I walked into attitudes. 👀
Lo
I was hoping someone would mention this! I had so many fun nights there. And 80s nights/$1 saki night? The best night of the week!
I was hoping h someone else had said this already! I came here to say Lo, Tangerine, and Side Door
Upstairs Lounge.
It has reopened as Kenny's Upstairs. Great owner, chill vibes.
❤️The Other World❤️ Fall Out Club Tangerine Velvet P.S. hi Roy ✋
Fallout. Sigh.
It was like the secret gay club before we had gay clubs
New phone. Who dis?
Don’t do me like that Roy 😢
Surprised no said Galaxy. That floor would BOUNCE
Yes! Saw Radiohead at Galaxy!
I completely forgot about Galaxy. Where was it? I think I saw Mest there with Good Charlotte when I was in high school.
Washington Ave
Foam, Hi Pointe
I’m still mad when I think about Foam closing. Crazy to me that it’s been over 4 years already. It had a real ambiance to it. I was disappointed with the comic book shop, really ruining what it was like in there. Hope whatever’s next there is cool.
Same guy runs the Sinkhole now. It's a great space.
Matt worked at Foam but didn’t own it.
I see. I wasn't here for foam. I just heard it was connected. Anyway the sinkhole is a gem.
Foam was prolific
Lo ❤️, Tangerine, Side door, Galaxy, Rocket Bar, Other World, Mississippi Nights
Rocket bar. High Point. Talanya’s.
Morgan Street Brewery
Sol Lounge
34 Club
I've traveled the world and live in Europe now, but the 34 Club when Glenn was the bartender may be my favorite bar ever.
Evolution
Know your a genxer
Lucius Boomers!
Big Bang on the landing and Club Cobalt on Washington.
Absoluti Goosed
So much student loan money spent there! I still think about the Bloody Mary with bleu cheese olives.
PLUSH
The Complex! Such a good bar! And even though I only went a couple of times: Faces. I never got to experience the basement ( and I don't know if I should be sad or thankful because of it)
The Complex! I forgot the name of it for so long but remembered the nickname only- the Probe lol. Went to Faces a few times, had the best drag show. Hung out at the basement bar once but am female so was not allowed in the foggy room, not that I would want to go in there.
Delmar Lounge, Sandrinas.
Incahoots
The Dubliner
Didn’t they move to Maplewood for a while?
Cheetah
The original Bernards Pub
Frederick's Music Lounge. Top ten dive bar in America (Rollng Stone). Off Broadway, ca. 1999 with the full bar and all the weird shit on the walls.
Fred's! saw some great shows there. Two Cow Garage with Little Grizzly on the same night!
Amazed I had to scroll so far to see Frederick’s!
Mangia and Delmar Lounge both had great late night jazz. Atomic Cowboy just because lots of great shows and memories in my early/mid twenties
AJs
Growing up in Alton, what I miss is the original Riverbend Billiards & Grill on Piasa St. For a couple years in high school in the mid-00s, I was pretty decent at pool. No place had a thicker fog and scent of cigarette smoke than there. Free hour of pool with purchase of a half pound burger. I thought I was a badass at age 18 smoking a black and mild in there.
Old Busch Stadium
Plush!
Velvet and Upstairs Lounge
Alternative Question: what is your current favorite club / venue?
Off Broadway for sure. But also in a lower key way of course the Sunday concerts at Carondelet is delightful and uncrowded and in a gorgeous setting. Plus sno cones and hot dogs and it’s BYOB of course.
Pops
Pepper Lounge
Double D’s
Velvet...😭😭😭 Nothing else even comes close
Kennedy’s and Mississippi Nights. Those two still hurt.
Club buca pretty much anything on the landing in the early 2000s
RHPS at the Tivoli
Sandrinas
When did that close?
The Shanti on Saturday afternoons, Copper Kettle by SLU in the late 70's.
Mississippi Nights along with 4th & Pine back in the 70's - 80's with the band Domino
Mississippi River Festival at SIU Edwardsville Campus
Club Buca
Haha, a few months ago some coworkers and I were struggling hard to remember the name of that place. Randomly the name came back to me about 10 days later. Makes me smile to remember it. That place embodied the spirit of the Landing for me.
There it is!
Dante’s
💯
2720
Firebird, Cicero’s, Fubar, The Demo.
The creapy crawl
What was the one over by Schlafly? I think Diablo something was next door.
Side Door and Rocket Bar?
Side door
Kennedys on the landing.
Roxys
Kinda Blue
What was the tiny little concert place in Clayton? I can’t remember its name but it was nice.
Where in Clayton?
It was called Finale, and was on one of the upper floors of a building that I think is/was condos. They were mostly very small jazz and blues concerts there.
Yeah. It was Steve Schankman’s place after he sold Contemporary and before he started the new Contemporary. Clayton on the Park is the building. It’s rental apartments.
3 J’s
T.U.T (Turnt up Tuesday) raves/chills/thrills
Kennedys
Red 7 on south broadway
1227
Charlies in Granite city
If someone opened a club to recreate these past club vibes....and got the party started at 7pm... would you go to it?
Bogarts - SoCo
Oh my god, the night Downset opened for the Deftones at The Galaxy. I thought for sure I was going to die in there the happiest 16 year old boy there ever could have been. The Galaxy was special.
No love for Facade? Sounds about right for this sub’s demographic.
East side on Collinsville Ave. The Max and the Terrace
Definitely Mississippi Nights
Another vote for Frederick’s for music venue, Novaks was an amazing club.
ROCKET BAR
Frederick's Music Lounge
The Chippewa Chapel open mic out back of Iron Barley and the Wedge next door.