Mimi's wasn't always Mimi's, but it has been an underground (literally) neighborhood drinking establishment in old Ferguson for nearly 50 years. And it shows. The old linoleum tile floor, the scuffed-up tables, the carved wood bar, the early Reagan-era Atari-like Galaxian console game and a few long-in-the-tooth patrons make you feel as if you've slipped into a time when, well, a time when north county was still crawling with blue-collar stiffs who worked hard for Mr. Mac or Mr. Ford and knocked back a couple brews before heading home. The jukebox, appropriately, features the likes of Sammy Hagar, Metallica and Aerosmith, but there's a nod to classic crooners such as Sinatra and Martin. On a recent Tuesday at around 9 p.m., the place hosted about three dozen regulars, yukking it up, enjoying their 50-cent draft Buds (Tuesdays and Thursdays only). While Mimi's has a full bar, based on the ornate signage (including the rotating Clydesdale-wagon-light fixture that you'd love to have in your basement), this is definitely Anheuser-Busch Country. Mimi's offers pinball, darts, Keno, a couple of pool tables and, occasionally, live music. And we like the fact you have to climb up the stairs to get out -- it's harder to fall up than down.
