1. Best of St. Louis 2019
  2. Readers' Choice
  1. Best of St. Louis 2019
  2. Readers' Choice
St. Louis Wing Week Returns April 8-15, 2024

Best Of 2019

Best of St. Louis 2019 Issue Cover
Best of St. Louis 2019 Issue Cover

Best of St. Louis 2019 Readers Choice

Anyone who has explored the ingenious weirdness of the City Museum knows it's a St. Louis Treasure.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Best All-Ages Venue
Delmar Hall
6133 Delmar Boulevard, 314-726-6161

Runner up: The Loading Dock, 401 East Front Street, Grafton, Illinois; 618-786-3494




Best Art Event
Strange Folk Festival
strangefolkfestival.com

Runner up: St. Louis Art Fair, saintlouisartfair.com




Best Art Gallery
Saint Louis Art Museum
1 Fine Arts Drive, 314-721-0072

Runner up: Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, 3750 Washington Boulevard, 314-535-4660




Best Bar to Die in 2019
Southtown Pub
3707 South Kingshighway Boulevard

Runner up: Propaganda, 2732 Cherokee Street




Best Blues Club
BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups
700 South Broadway, 314-436-5222

Runner up: Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 South Broadway, 314-621-8811




click to enlarge Matt Basler is St. Louis' smoothest musician. - CHRIS WARD
CHRIS WARD
Matt Basler is St. Louis' smoothest musician.

Best Concert
Matt F Basler presents "20 Years of Smooth"

Runner up: Janelle Monáe




Best Book Store
Left Bank Books
399 North Euclid Avenue, 314-367-6731

Runner up: Apotheosis Comics & Lounge, 3206 South Grand Boulevard, 314-802-7090




Best Comedy Club
Funny Bone614 West Port Plaza Drive, Maryland Heights; 314-469-6692

Runner up: Helium Comedy Club, 1151 St. Louis Galleria Street, Richmond Heights; 314-727-1260




Best Comic Book Store
Apotheosis Comics & Lounge
3206 South Grand Boulevard, 314-802-7090

Runner up: Fantasy Shop, Multiple locations including 7329 Manchester Road, Maplewood; 314-644-3070




Best Dance Club
Club Viva
408 North Euclid Avenue, 314-361-0322

Runner up: HandleBar,  4127 Manchester Avenue, 314-652-2212




Best Dance Company
Saint Louis Ballet
stlouisballet.org

Runner up: COCA, cocastl.org




Best Film Series
St. Louis International Film Festival
cinemastlouis.org

Runner up: Saint Louis Art Hill Film Series, slam.org




Best Haunted House
The Darkness1525 South Eighth Street, thedarkness.com

Runner up: CreepyWorld, 1400 South Old Highway 141, Fenton; creepyworld.com




Best Hip-Hop Club
The Ready Room
4195 Manchester Avenue, 314-833-3929

Runner up: Pop's Nightclub, 1403 Mississippi Avenue, Sauget, Illinois; 618-274-6720




Best Jazz Club
BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups
700 South Broadway, 314-436-5222

Runner up: Jazz St. Louis, 3536 Washington Avenue, 314-571-6000




Best Live Music Venue
The Pageant
6161 Delmar Boulevard, 314-726-6161

Runner up: Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Avenue, offbroadwaystl.com




Best Movie Theater
Moolah Theatre & Lounge
3821 Lindell Boulevard, 314-446-6806

Runner up: The Hi-Pointe Theatre, 1005 McCausland Avenue, 314-995-6273




Best Museum
City Museum
750 North 16th Street, 314-231-2489

Runner up: Saint Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Drive, 314-721-0072




Best Music Festival
Festival of Nations
festivalofnationsstl.org

Runner up: Riverfront Times Music Showcase, rftshowcase.com




Best Local Artist
Don Bailey

Runner up: Tonina Saputo




Best Rock Club
Blueberry Hill's Duck Room
6504 Delmar Boulevard, University City; 314-727-4444

Runner up: Old Rock House, 1200 South Seventh Street, 314-588-0505




Best Theatrical Ensemble
The Muny
muny.org

Runner up: Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, sfstl.com

[page]
click to enlarge Lulu's Local Eatery is a vegetarian spot that everyone can love. - JENNIFER SILVERBERG
JENNIFER SILVERBERG
Lulu's Local Eatery is a vegetarian spot that everyone can love.

FOOD & DRINK

Best Bar
Broadway Oyster Bar
736 South Broadway, 314-621-8811

Runner up: Tamm Avenue Bar, 1227 Tamm Avenue, 314-261-4902




Best Barbecue
Salt + Smoke
6525 Delmar Boulevard, University City; 314-727-0200

Runner up: BEAST Craft BBQ Co., Multiple locations, 314-944-6003




Best Bartenders
Duke's
2001 Menard Street, 314-833-6686

Runner up: Planter's House, 1000 Mississippi Avenue, 314-696-2603




Best Brunch
The Shack
Multiple locations, including 13645 Big Bend Road Suite 105, 636-529-1600

Runner up: Rooster, 3150 South Grand Boulevard, 314-772-3447




Best Burger
Mac's Local Eats
1821 Cherokee Street, 314-479-8155

Runner up: Hi-Pointe Drive-In, 1033 McCausland Avenue, 314-349-2720




Best Chicken Wings
Kimchi Guys
612 North Second Street, 314-766-4456

Runner up: Syberg's, Multiple locations including 2211 Market Street, 314-231-2430




Best Chinese
Wonton King
8116 Olive Boulevard, University City; 314-567-9997

Runner up: Lona's Lil Eats, 2199 California Avenue, 314-925-1888




Best Coffeehouse
The Mud House
2101 Cherokee Street, 314-776-6599

Runner up: Sump Coffee, 3700 South Jefferson Avenue, 917-412-5670




Best Desserts
Cyrano's Cafe
603 East Lockwood Avenue, Webster Groves; 314-963-3232

Runner up: Baileys' Chocolate Bar, 1915 Park Avenue, 314-241-8100




Best Doughnuts
Donut Drive-In
6525 Chippewa Street, 314-645-7714

Runner up: World's Fair Donuts, 1904 South Vandeventer Avenue, 314-776-9975




Best Fast Food
Byrd & Barrel
3422 South Jefferson Avenue, 314-875-9998

Runner up: Shake Shack, 60 North Euclid Avenue, 314-627-5518




Best Food Truck
Balkan Treat Box
balkantreatbox.com

Runner up: Seoul Taco, seoultaco.com/food-truck




Best Fried Chicken
Hodak's Restaurant & Bar
2100 Gravois Avenue, 314-776-7292

Runner up: Byrd & Barrel, 3422 South Jefferson Avenue, 314-875-9998




Best Chef
Katie Collier, Katie's Pizza & Pasta Osteria

Runner up: Chris Bertke, Utah Station




Best Frozen Pizza
Dogtown Pizza
dogtownpizza.com

Runner up: Lena's, lenaspizzastl.com




Best Frozen Treat
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
Multiple locations including 6726 Chippewa Street, 314-481-2652

Runner up: Clementine's Naughty & Nice Creamery, Multiple locations including 1637 South Eighteenth Street, 314-858-6100




Best Gay Bar
Just John Club
4112 Manchester Avenue, 314-371-1333

Runner up: Rehab Bar And Grill, 4054 Chouteau Avenue, 314-652-3700




Best Greek
Olympia Kebob House and Taverna
1543 McCausland Avenue, 314-781-1299

Runner up: Michael's Bar & Grill, 7101 Manchester Avenue, 314-644-2240




Best Indian Restaurant
Himalayan Yeti
3515 South Kingshighway Boulevard, 314-354-8338

Runner up: House of India, 8501 Delmar Boulevard, University City; 314-567-6850




Best Italian
Anthonino's Taverna
2225 Macklind Avenue, 314-773-4455

Runner up: Trattoria Marcella, 3600 Watson Road, 314-352-7706




Best Margarita
El Burro Loco
313 North Euclid Avenue, 314-224-5371

Runner up: Mission Taco Joint, Multiple locations including 398 North Euclid Avenue, 314-930-2955




Best Martini
Drunken Fish
Multiple locations including 1 Maryland Plaza, 314-367-4222

Runner up: The Fountain On Locust, 3037 Locust Street, 314-535-7800




Best Meat Market
Kenrick's Meats & Catering
4324 Weber Road, 314-631-2440

Runner up: Bolyard's Meat & Provisions, 2810 Sutton Boulevard, Maplewood; 314-647-2567




Best Mexican Restaurant
Mi Ranchito
887 Kingsland Avenue, University City; 314-863-1880

Runner up: La Vallesana, 2801 Cherokee Street, 314-776-4223




Best New Restaurant
Balkan Treat Box
8103 Big Bend Boulevard, Webster Groves; 314-733-5700

Runner up: Crawling Crab, 6730 Page Avenue, Pagedale; 314-328-3421




Best Pizza (St. Louis Style)
Dogtown Pizza
dogtownpizza.com

Runner up: Joanie's Pizzeria, 2101 Menard Street, 314-865-1994




Best Pizza (Non-St. Louis Style)
Felix's Pizza Pub
6401 Clayton Avenue, 314-645-6565

Runner up: Pizza Head, 3196 South Grand Boulevard, 314-266-5400




Best Place for Day Drinking
Fast Eddie's Bon Air
1530 East Fourth Street, Alton, Illinois; 618-462-5532

Runner up: Blueberry Hill, 6504 Delmar Boulevard, University City; 314-727-4444




Best New Bar
Up-Down
405 North Euclid Avenue, 314-449-1742

Runner up: OAKED, 1031 Lynch Street, 314-305-7517




Best Place to Dine Alone
Tucker's Place
2117 South Twelfth Street, 314-772-5977

Runner up: Shake Shack, 60 North Euclid Avenue, 314-627-5518




click to enlarge Lulu's Local Eatery is a vegetarian spot that everyone can love. - JENNIFER SILVERBERG
JENNIFER SILVERBERG
Lulu's Local Eatery is a vegetarian spot that everyone can love.

Best Restaurant for Vegetarians
Lulu's Local Eatery
3201 South Grand Boulevard, 314-300-8215

Runner up: Frida's, 622 North and South Road, University City; 314-727-6500




Best Restaurant Service
Sidney Street Cafe
2000 Sidney Street, 314-771-577

Runner up: Anthonino's Taverna, 2225 Macklind Avenue, 314-773-4455




Best Restaurant to Die in 2019
Reeds American Table

Runner up: 50/Fifty Kitchen




Best St. Louis Sandwich
Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe
Multiple locations including 3722 Laclede Avenue, 314-802-7410

Runner up: The Gramophone, 4243 Manchester Avenue, 314-531-5700




Best Steaks
Tucker's Place
2117 South 12th Street, 314-772-5977

Runner up: Twisted Tree Steakhouse, 10701 Watson Road, 314-394-3366




Best Wine List
Sasha's on Shaw
4069 Shaw Boulevard, 314-771-7274

Runner up: OAKED, 1031 Lynch Street, 314-305-7517




Best Taco
Mission Taco Joint
Multiple locations including 398 North Euclid Avenue, 314-930-2955

Runner up: Taco Circus, 4940 Southwest Avenue, 314-899-0061




Best Thai
Pearl Cafe
8416 North Lindbergh Boulevard, 314-831-3701

Runner up: Basil Spice Thai Cuisine, 3183 South Grand Boulevard, 314-578-9541




Best Seafood
Broadway Oyster Bar
736 South Broadway, 314-621-8811

Runner up: Peacemaker Lobster & Crab, 1831 Sidney Street, 314-772-8858




Best Sushi/Poke
Drunken Fish
Multiple locations including 1 Maryland Plaza, 314-367-4222

Runner up: BLK MKT Eats, 9 South Vandeventer Avenue, 314-391-5100




Best-Kept Secret
Party Bear Pizza and Tiny Chef
4701 Morganford Road, 314-832-9223

Runner up: Wood Shack, 1862 South Tenth Street, 314-833-4770

[page]
click to enlarge You will never be too old to celebrate your birthday with animal snuggles at the Gentle Barn. - DANNY WICENTOWSKI
DANNY WICENTOWSKI
You will never be too old to celebrate your birthday with animal snuggles at the Gentle Barn.

GOODS & SERVICES

Best Bike Shop
Big Shark Bicycle Company
Multiple locations including 1155 South Big Bend Boulevard, Richmond Heights; 314-862-1188

Runner up: South Side Cyclery, 6969 Gravois Avenue, 314-481-1120




Best Car Repair
Froesel Tire
9273 Manchester Road, Rock Hill; 314-962-2422

Runner up: Combs Auto Service & Tire Center, 10520 Big Bend Road, Kirkwood; 314-821-6100




Best Clothing Boutique
Urban Matter
3179 South Grand Boulevard, 314-456-6941

Runner up: Paperdolls Boutique, Multiple locations including 12095 Manchester Road, Des Peres; 314-858-9355




Best Garden Center
Flowers & Weeds
3201 Cherokee Street, 314-776-2887

Runner up: Bayer's Garden Shop, 3401 Hampton Avenue, 314-781-2314




Best Gift Shop
STL Style House
3159 Cherokee Street, 314-898-0001

Runner up: Garden Gate Shop, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, 314-577-5137




Best Antique Mall
The Green Shag Market
5733 Manchester Avenue, 314-646-8687

Runner up: Treasure Aisles & Antique Mall, 2317 South Big Bend Boulevard, Maplewood; 314-647-6875




Best Antique Store
Emporium St. Louis
9410 Manchester Road, Rock Hill; 314-962-7300

Runner up: The Green Shag Market, 5733 Manchester Avenue, 314-646-8687




Best Grocery
ALDI
Multiple locations including 3865 Gravois Avenue, 855-955-2534

Runner up: Trader Joe's, Multiple locations including 48 Brentwood Promenade Court, Brentwood; 314-963-0253




Best Hair Salon
ChopShop
4139 Manchester Avenue, 314-629-3733

Runner up: V Vegaz, 6174 Delmar Boulevard, 314-725-7900




Best Hardware Store
Refab
3130 Gravois Avenue, 314-357-1392

Runner up: Kirkwood Hardware, 139 West Jefferson Avenue, 314-821-0164




Best Jewelry Store
Paramount Jewelers
7348 Manchester Avenue, Maplewood; 314-645-1122

Runner up: The Silver Lady, Multiple locations including 4736 McPherson Avenue, 314-367-7587




Best Place to Spend $10
Apotheosis Comics & Lounge
3206 South Grand Boulevard, 314-802-7090

Runner up: Civil Life Brewing Co., 3714 Holt Avenue, thecivillife.com




Best Sex Shop
Patricia's
Multiple locations including 10210 Page Avenue, Overland; 314-423-8422

Runner up: Hustler Hollywood, 9802 Natural Bridge Road, Berkeley; 314-428-5069




Best Smoke Shop
Mr. Nice Guy Multiple locations including 8506 Olive Boulevard, University City; 314-736-4121

Runner up: Jon's Pipe Shop, 42 North Central Avenue, Clayton; 314-721-1480




Best Thrift Shop
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
3830 South Grand Boulevard, 314-531-4155

Runner up: Found by the Pound, 3232 South Grand Boulevard, 314-833-3252



click to enlarge Apotheosis Comics & Lounge, as the name implies, has everything you need. - DANIEL HILL
DANIEL HILL
Apotheosis Comics & Lounge, as the name implies, has everything you need.

PEOPLE & PLACES

Best Lawyer
Brown and Crouppen Law Firm
brownandcrouppen.com

Runner up: Travis Noble, travisnoble.com




Best Place for A First Date
Forest Park
5595 Grand Drive, forestparkforever.org

Runner up: City Museum, 750 North 16th Street, 314-231-2489




Best Place for a Last Date
City Diner
3139 South Grand Boulevard, 314-772-6100

Runner up: John D. McGurk's Irish Pub and Garden, 1200 Russell Boulevard, 314-776-8309




Best Place For A Kid's Birthday Party
City Museum
750 North Sixteenth Street, 314-231-2489

Runner up: The Gentle Barn Missouri, 9171 State Road Y, Dittmer; 636-285-7686




Best Place for A Grown-Up Birthday Party
The Gentle Barn Missouri
9171 State Road Y, Dittmer; 636-285-7686

Runner up: Urban Chestnut Grove Brewery and Bierhall, 4465 Manchester Avenue, 314-222-0143




Best Old Building
The Fabulous Fox
527 North Grand Boulevard, 314-534-1111

Runner up: Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, 4431 Lindell Boulevard, 314-373-8200




Best Renovated Building
City Museum
750 North Sixteenth Street, 314-231-2489

Runner up: The Last Hotel, 1501 Washington Avenue, 866-752-7700




Best Place To Meet Men
Just John Club
4112 Manchester Avenue, 314-371-1333

Runner up: Fast Eddie's Bon Air, 1530 East Fourth Street, Alton, Illinois; 618-462-5532




Best Place to Meet Women
Fast Eddie's Bon Air
1530 East Fourth Street, Alton, Illinois; 618-462-5532

Runner up: The Whiskey Ring, 2651 Cherokee Street, 314-669-5817




[page]
click to enlarge Get the people on your list the gift of city pride at STL Style House. - BEN SCHERLISS
BEN SCHERLISS
Get the people on your list the gift of city pride at STL Style House.
SPORTS & RECREATION

Best Bowling Alley
Tropicana Lanes
7960 Clayton Road, Richmond Heights; 314-781-0282

Runner up: Saratoga Lanes, 2725 Sutton Boulevard A, Maplewood; 314-645-5308




Best Darts
Blueberry Hill
6504 Delmar Boulevard, University City; 314-727-4444

Runner up: Civil Life Brewing Co., 3714 Holt Avenue, thecivillife.com




Best Dog Park
Benton Park Dog Park
3300 Nebraska Avenue, 314-881-8048

Runner up: The Doghaus, 1800 South Tenth Street, 314-809-1817




Best Pinball
The Silver Ballroom
4701 Morganford Road, 314-832-9223

Runner up: Up-Down, 405 North Euclid Avenue, 314-449-1742




Best Public Park
Forest Park
5595 Grand Drive, forestparkforever.org

Runner up: Tower Grove Park, 4257 Northeast Drive, towergrovepark.org




Best Public Pool
Kirkwood Community Center
111 South Geyer Road, Kirkwood; 314-822-5855

Runner up: The Cheshire, 6300 Clayton Road, 314-647-7300




Best Running Trail
Forest Park
5595 Grand Drive, forestparkforever.org

Runner up: Grant's Trail, bikegrantstrail.com




Best Yoga Studio
Urban Breath Yoga
Multiple locations including 4237 Manchester Avenue, 314-421-9642

Runner up: Cherokee Yoga, 3333 Iowa Avenue, cherokeeyogastl.com




Best Gym
YMCA
Multiple locations including 3150 Sublette Avenue, 314-644-3100

Runner up: Club Fitness, Multiple locations including 6554 Manchester Avenue, 314-732-0529




Best Mini Golf
Swing-A-Round Fun Town
Multiple locations including 335 Skinker Lane, Fenton; 636-349-7077

Runner up: Concord Bowl & Recreation, 11801 Tesson Ferry Road, Sappington; 314-843-9200

As Cardinals Plan to Seek More Public Money for Busch Stadium, Experts Balk

By Eric Berger

Busch Stadium cost $400 million, but one expert disputes the team’s contention that they paid for 90 percent of it.

Wrong-Way Driver Busted in Downtown St. Louis Is 8 Years Old

By Ryan Krull

Latonya Mayes-Gale, 28, now faces charges of child endangering.

Racist Church's Leader Helps Vet GOP Candidates in Missouri’s Vernon County

By Ryan Krull

Pastor Dan Gayman's White Identity rhetoric has drawn the attention of the Anti-Defamation League.

Nelly Hints at the Resurrection of Apple Bottoms Jeans

By Paula Tredway

Between his denim-focused clothing line and his ambassadorship of Air Force Ones, Nelly had the fashion world in a stranglehold in the early aughts.

All material © 2024 Riverfront Times, St. Louis, MO. All rights reserved.

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