By Kristin Baird Rattini
map by Danielle P. Marino
Street Scene:
Delmar Boulevard
BRIEF: GO
Aim for the stars on a stroll along St. Louis’ top dining
and entertainment thoroughfare.
M
ORE THAN A century ago, St. Louis streetcars used the Loop, a stretch of Delmar Boulevard
in the suburb of University City, to turn around and do a 180 straight back to St. Louis. Today
the Loop is a destination — a revitalized six-block shopping, dining and entertainment district
that buzzes day and night with an artsy vibe.
The sidewalk doubles as the St. Louis Walk of Fame, with 128 (and counting) stars honoring hometown
heroes from Yogi Berra to Tina Turner. As the Loop has expanded eastward into St. Louis proper, those
stars now stretch toward the Delmar Loop MetroLink station, an access point to what the American Planning Association calls one of the 10 greatest streets in America. While there, check out these highlights:
D EL M A R B O
U LE VA R
Westgate
Avenue
N . Skinke
r
Boulevard
BLUEBERRY HILL For 40 years, people have
found their thrill at this landmark bar/restaurant/
music club that’s the heart of the Loop. The decor
is nostalgic — jukeboxes, dart boards, pop-culture
memorabilia — but the atmosphere is collegetown cool thanks to patrons from nearby Washington University. The basement Duck Room sells
out quickly for performances by hometown favorite Chuck Berry, whose star graces the sidewalk
outside and whose statue stands across the street.
6504 Delmar Blvd., (314) 727-4444,
www.blueberryhill.com
VINTAGE VINYL Think of the John Cusack film
High Fidelity and you’ll understand the passion
behind St. Louis’ top independent record store.
Yes, records — tens of thousands of LPs ranging from secondhand Smothers Brothers to the
Kings of Leon deluxe LP issued for 2011’s National
Record Store Day. (Stop by April 21 for this year’s
festivities.) CD selections run equally broad, especially in jazz. While the store champions local artists, it also hosts jam sessions by national
acts headlining at concert hot spots around town.
6610 Delmar Blvd., (314) 721-4096,
www.vintagevinyl.com
PI PIZZERIA Pi’s deep-dish pizzas and inventive
topping combinations earn raves in a town where
thin cracker-crisp crusts smothered with Provel
cheese is the pizza norm. President Obama himself called in an order, inviting Pi’s owners to whip
up 20 pizzas at the White House. On crowded
nights, an impressive beer list and happy-hour
specials help pass the time until a table opens up.
6144 Delmar Blvd., (314) 727-6633,
PHOENIX RISING A fixture on Delmar Boulevard for 20 years, this eclectic gift shop is a
visitor’s best bet for souvenirs that capture the
Loop’s creative spirit. Consider a delicate silver
pendant engraved with “We All Shine Differently”
($74) or a whimsical dog statue fashioned from
cable from St. Louis’ iconic Gateway Arch ($45).
6331 Delmar Blvd., (314) 862-0609,
www.shopphoenixrising.com
PIN-UP BOWL This art deco mashup of a martini bar and an eight-lane bowling alley rocks ’n’
rolls until 3 a.m. Potent signature cocktails such
as the Dutch Harvest (with van Gogh apple
vodka) or the Sicilian Twist (Absolut with limoncillo) embolden patrons to attempt a perfect
300 — or at least to challenge the 257 rolled by
rap star Nelly on one of his occasional drop-ins.
6191 Delmar Blvd., (314) 727-5555,
www.pinupbowl.com
ROOFTOP TERRACE BAR AT THE MOONRISE
HOTEL Eight stories above the Loop, this openair retreat is an ideal spot to take in the skyline
views and chill after a hard day at work. A rotating
model of the moon competes for attention with
the real luna. Snag a comfy couch and settle in
with a cocktail, a glass of wine or a local microbrew.
6177 Delmar Blvd., (314) 721-1111,
www.moonrisehotel.com
PIN-UP BOWL: MARK S. GILLILAND
nue
D
Melville Ave
www.restaurantpi.com
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