The Stratford Bar & Grill (800 South Highway Drive, Fenton), the sprawling complex instantly familiar to anyone who's driven south of the city on I-44, will close after last call on Saturday.
The news is sure to be a sad development to fans of the Fenton dive, which was located within the Stratford Inn but was a far cry from your usual hotel bar. With a 6,250-square-foot interior, a 30-foot stage, foosball, pool and arcade games, plus three sand volleyball courts outside, the place has hosted everything from burlesque to bands to midget wrestling — and boasts serving 10 million drinks since its 1993 opening. Forty-plus TVs beamed in sports games from all over the nation.
The one consolation to the closure news: Volleyball on-site will continue, according to a rep for the bar (who declined to be interviewed, but answered a few questions). Other special events scheduled for the facility will be honored.In the mean time, if you have an idea for the space and know your way around a restaurant kitchen, there's a listing on Craigslist with all the details. And if you thought the bar & grill was huge, think again — there's also an adjacent 7,200-square-foot ballroom and a 4,500-square-foot banquet room, both included in the lease.
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