5 Bars to Get the Creative Juices Flowing

I decided to suggest a few of the best places in town to spend your Happy Hour while also feeding your creative inspiration. I bring you, five Launchpad approved bars in the downtown St. Louis area:

1. Taha’a Twisted Tiki

View fullsize

Photo by St. Louis Magazine.

4199 Manchester Ave | St. Louis, MO | 63110

The vibe: Say aloha to Taha's Twisted Tiki! This tropical oasis is a rum bar located in The Grove with a $4 shot menu to make you forget all about your worries at work. Looking for a more laid back? No worries! Taha's also has a variety of rum cocktails served in shark heads, Easter Island statues, and pineapple halves.

The Crowd: A mix of trendy Grove regulars as well as businessmen and women looking to kick loose and relax over some delicious run cocktails.

2. Planter’s House

View fullsize

Photo from the Riverfront Times

1000 Mississippi Ave | St. Louis, MO | 63103

The vibe: As the premium bar of Lafayette Square, the mixologists at Planter's House have turned bartending into an art form. This bar is equipped with fuzzy wallpaper and multiple cocktail menus featuring custom creations and creative takes on classics. Indulge in new and old favorites while soaking in the upscale atmosphere.

The Crowd: Anyone from hipsters to seasoned bar veterans. Everyone in the Lafayette neighborhood usually frequents this popular St. Louis favorite.

3. Three Sixty Rooftop Bar

Photo from www.360-stl.com.

1 South Broadway | St. Louis, MO | 63102

The vibe: Sporting views of downtown, Three Sixty is a contemporary bar located in the heart of St. Louis. The rooftop bar is a unique venue with one bar inside accompanied by a DJ; and a second bar outside with fire pits, plasma screen TVs, and plenty of seating overlooking the city. Be sure to bring plenty of money if you come here because although their drinks are delicious, they are pricey.

The crowd: Get ready to see a huge following of Cardinals fans if you go on game day, but it's a great place to come out and get a drink with a view.

4. The Fountain on Locust

View fullsize

Photo from www.jonwilliamson.com.

3037 Locust St | St. Louis, MO | 63103

The vibe: Embrace your inner kid with alcoholic milkshakes at the Fountain on Locust! Decorated with 1920's art decor and armed with a friendly staff, the Fountain is one of midtown's best kept secrets. The social servers will be happy to recommend customer favorites and even some off-menu items. The welcoming service, specialty drinks, and classic American eats will keep you coming back to The Fountain for years to come.

The crowd: St. Louis University undergrads and graduates can be spotted at the sweet bar, along with the occasional cute couple splitting a milkshake.

5. The Broadway Oyster Bar

Photo from reallifestl.com.

736 S Broadway | St Louis, MO | 63102

The vibe: A hometown favorite with an eclectic Cajun atmosphere, Broadway Oyster Bar is your destination for Mai Tais, Hurricanes, and their famous Horny Gators! This lively bar has a mouth-watering seafood menu and an outdoor patio where they play nightly live music. The Launchpad crew tried it out last week, and it made for a delicious lunch! The aromas of oysters, Mardi Gras décor, and happy bar-goers make the Oyster Bar a little slice of Bourbon Street in St. Louis!

The crowd: Anyone with a free spirit or a love for live music and great Cajun food!

From Chi-Town to The Lou

I’m the odd one out in this intern bunch, being the only one not from St. Louis. This past weekend, I set out to check out what this city really has to offer, and let me tell you: it’s a lot!

First stop: The Galleria

An amazing shopping experience with pretty much every store I could hope for. Having lived in Columbia, MO for the last four years, I forgot how much I missed Forever 21. Retail therapy is a real thing, I swear to you.

Second stop: Downtown Clayton

I had no idea that St. Louis essentially has two downtown areas. Clayton rocks! Lots of bars and food options make for an interesting night out. Many bars are in walking distance of each other, which makes for easy perusing around town through the night. Wheelhouse and John P. Field’s were two of my stops and definitely worthy of a recommendation.

Third stop: Ballpark Village

The current crown jewel of St. Louis is just as awesome as you think it will be. This past Saturday night, the band Reel Big Fish was playing the main stage in the center of the venue, and having never heard them before, I was thoroughly impressed. Although the drinks were on the expensive side, I was prepared for such and still had a great time.

Fourth stop: The Arch

A St. Louis classic! The panoramic views from the top are absolutely unparalleled. On weekends especially the wait to go up is going to be a little long, but you can take in a lot of the history of the Lou while you’re in line. It’s definitely a tourist attraction, but everyone goes up at least once.

Fifth stop: Broadway Oyster Bar

Ask anyone and they’ll tell you that Broadway Oyster Bar is one of their favorite places to eat in St. Louis. Our intern crew had a celebratory lunch after finishing our first presentation complete with a round of fun drinks. Being allergic to shellfish, I ended up ordering the muffuletta sandwich—absolutely delicious. It was huge and I ended up taking half of it home. The other interns ordered classic dishes off the seafood menu and said only good things. A stop at the oyster bar is a must when you’re in St. Louis. Make sure to bring cash, though—no separate checks here!

Sixth stop: Ad Club STL Event

Miranda already mentioned this in her blog post "Revolution and Reverence," but it's worth mentioning again. Our visit to Urban Chestnut Brewing Company provided me with a chance to take a look at some award winning work and inspired me to take a closer look at what the ad club in STL can offer me. St. Louis has not necessarily been the city I immediately think of when it comes to great advertising, but I am starting to realize how very wrong I have been. There is so much amazing talent in this city once you start looking for it.

I’d consider my first few weeks as a St. Louisan a success. This city has so much more entertainment, food and attractions that I can’t wait to check out. Stay tuned!