Sometimes simpler is better. With dart boards, pinball machines and a jukebox inside, Blueberry Hill has a low-key vibe that’s perfect for students.

Patrons are friendly, laid back and always open for conversation. Blueberry Hill’s prices are reasonable, service is quick, and high-heeled sorority girls are kept to a minimum.

Founded in 1972 by Loop legend Joe Edwards, the bar is filled with old-school knick-knacks and memorabilia, including vintage lunch boxes and toy figures—all of which make for great conversation starters. The bar is also famous for its beer selection of over 60 bottled beers and 18 draught taps.

Lily Schorr | Student Life

Located on the Delmar Loop, Blueberry Hill is a clear pick for “best bar.”

Though the drinks are on the weaker side and the food is on par with the typical bar fare, the distinct, the hometown feel of Blueberry Hill sets it apart as our favorite. Plus, its convenient location on the Loop makes it easy to bar hop or head back home—or better yet, to Jimmy John’s.

Student Life Newspaper | Student Life

The preparation of absinthe requires running ice water over a sugar cube in a slotted spoon and into the yellow liquid itself.

And did I mention they serve absinthe? If you’re looking for a change of pace after a semester of shotgunning beers or sipping boring cosmos, Lola serves up this nefarious spirit in all its glory—and in creative ways. While absinthe’s historically-rumored hallucinatory properties have been debunked (drinking it will not actually make you see the green fairy), it does have a very high proof and often a distinctly different effect than other alcohols.

The bar’s absinthe cocktails and martinis all play off of the spirit’s natural flavors of fennel and anise. Some of the more creative drinks include flavors of black cherry, honey or even lavender. Of course, you can also get absinthe served the traditional way. In Europe and the Czech Republic, where absinthe gained popularity in the 19th century, it was served in a special absinthe glass with a slotted spoon, a sugar cube and a touch of fire.

At Lola, your server will pour you one shot of lucid green absinthe and rest a slotted spoon on top of the glass. The server then places a cube of sugar on the spoon that is doused in more absinthe, lights it on fire and lets the sugar bubble before pouring water over it, so that the sugar dissolves as the water runs through the spoon, diluting the alcohol and turning it a murky white before you drink it.

Lola’s drink menu is a regular mixology masterpiece, offering, in addition to absinthe, various wines, beers and St. Louis-themed martinis, mojitos, margaritas, Bloody Marys and signature creations.

It’s also a great place to grab a light bite to eat before hitting the bar. The food is always creatively and skillfully prepared. For a crowd-pleasing option, the house-made pommes frites ($6) come with various dipping sauces like aioli of roasted garlic or tarragon and house-made red pepper ketchup. Lola’s duet ($8) is another great option for late-night dining—the plate consists of a mini bacon and bleu cheese burger and a mini mushroom, onion and Swiss burger, both served on fresh baked slider buns.

Lola is divided into two very different sections—a larger, classy restaurant fills the front space, with floor-to-ceiling windows, dim red lighting and a full bar. Toward the back is the smaller bar/lounge area, featuring nightly performances and absinthe-themed wall murals of green fairies, large eyes and abstract designs of muted blues and greens.

The bar can get loud and crowded on a Saturday night, so get there early to enjoy the live jazz and funk music. Settle into a comfy leather couch and claim your spot for the evening. If you like a rowdier club-like atmosphere, arrive around 11 p.m., grab some drinks and hit the dance floor.

After opening this summer, Lola has already created quite the buzz in the downtown scene. With its eclectic crowd and neighborhood jazz bar vibe, Lola has shot to the top of our list of must-visit late-night spots in St. Louis.

500 North 14th St.
Nearest MetroLink Stations:
8th and Pine or Convention Center
314-621-7277
www.welovelola.com

Christina Kelley

Riddles, a popular student bar on the Loop, has closed after 35 years of business due to a rent dispute. Students and other businesses on the Loop say that Riddles was an important part of the culture on Delmar.

The restaurant, which was an integral part of the Loop’s revitalization in the 1980s and attracted local musical acts to the Loop, was popular among students for its locally sourced cuisine, extensive beer menu, and accessible weeknight entertainment.

On Oct. 12, the restaurant posted a sign saying it was closed for its annual two-week fall vacation. On Nov. 3, the restaurant’s Facebook page pronounced it “closed until further notice.”

This year, Bobby’s Creole Inc., the company that owns the building at 6307 Delmar Blvd. where Riddles was housed, filed three county lawsuits against Riddles’ owner Katherine “KT” Ayers.

The last of these lawsuits is an AC Rent and Possession charge, dated Oct. 28. This type of charge is a court filing to have a tenant evicted from a rental property.

Ayers did not return phone calls from Student Life this week. But sources close to the manager said that Ayers cites circumstances in her personal life for the restaurant’s closing and that she will not be returning to Riddles in the near future.

Joe Edwards, the owner of Blueberry Hill, Pin-Up Bowl and the Moonrise Hotel, said that the restaurant was an invaluable commodity.

“It’s been there for so long,” Edwards said. “It’s really a shame to see it go.”

KT Ayers’ father, Andy Ayers, opened Riddles in 1985. According to Edwards, the restaurant was one of the first to focus on fresh, home-grown produce.

“It was really ahead of its time,” he said.

Edwards said that a few businesses have had financial trouble because of the recent recession. On the whole, though, he said that the Loop is doing very well.

Students are anxious to learn more about Riddles’ future. Many were upset to hear that Riddles was closing indefinitely.

“I think it’s really sad,” senior Nicole Penwill said. “It’s always sad when something closes because of money … It almost seems like the death of a friend.”

Penwill said that Riddles provided a weeknight option for students.

“I went there every Tuesday,” she said. “You could go around 11, after the library, and just kind of chill.”

Senior Kuan Butts said that Riddles was unique because it offered students an establishment with good, local live background music.

“It was the kind of place where you could just go and talk, just sort of sit at a table,” Butts said. “It was a really easy way for students at Wash. U. to get to know more local bands.”

Senior Aaron Kay said that Riddles’ absence will detract from the variety of establishments on the Loop.

“It was nice to get into the local scene of St. Louis a little bit, meet some interesting people when you went out,” Kay said. “I think the Loop is just going to be missing a consistent option that’s close, a nice bar where you can have a drink with a friend and actually have a conversation.”

Senior Julia Smith agreed. “It’s the only bar that you could easily walk in and out of,” she said. “You could walk in for a beer or spend the whole night.”

“I suggest that we demonstrate outside of the building against the landlord,” Penwill said. “We have so many good memories at Riddles.”

The building’s landlord could not be reached for comment.

Although the exterior resembles a newly renovated fast-food joint, there’s a reason why Harry’s Restaurant and Bar has become the new go-to Friday night spot for this year. Situated on Market Street in downtown St. Louis, this half-restaurant, half-bar venue provides some good beats, plus a crowd that’s as local as it gets.

The two-level space features a sizeable layout with a newly renovated “skydeck” and a long bar that spans the center of the venue. On Friday and Saturday nights, the large dance floor offers an interesting combination of DJ Costik and Kue’s pop music-inspired tracks, and a local band’s authentic songs, which makes the already-popular spot even more packed.

The club boasts $75 Skyy bottle specials and VIP tables with an outdoor patio overlooking the St. Louis downtown skyline. And don’t worry, this open-air space is open all year long and tented with heating lamps during those freezing wintry nights.

Harry’s attracts a cross section of St. Louis society dressed in skimpy clubwear and high fashion accessories. The bartenders love the Washington University crowd, and if you ask nicely, they may just serve you a complimentary top-notch cocktail—maybe. The two bars allow for easy drink access, and the two sets of bathrooms are always a nice surprise. Who likes waiting on 10-minute bathroom lines after a couple of shots and a few beers?

Our favorite part about Harry’s: Dancing with Frankie! Make sure to look for this sexy singer, notorious for his unbuttoned collared shirts and wavy blonde hair, while you’re grinding it up on the dance floor. Typically performing on the weekends, Frankie loves interacting with all the customers and will certainly blow you a kiss from the stage (or take a picture with you, if you prefer).

Our suggestion: gather a 15-person ensemble, and for under $10 each, reserve yourselves a spot in the ultra trendy VIP section. You’ll not only get treated like socialites, but you’ll also get three bottles of vodka—so get your game faces on and go party!

Our conclusion: If you’re looking to dance the night away without paying a fortune, Harry’s is your spot. They’ve got all the drinks and tunes you need to get down and freaky on a Friday night. Come celebrate for College night: just $5 entrance for the ladies and $15 for the guys, as well as free well drinks all night long!

Just say Wash. U. at the door and you may be able to skip on the cover— now that’s VIP!

Buddy Coy and Pete Ferretti, the masterminds behind the Nectar and Pepper Lounges, brought Mandarin Lounge to our humble city. And with notable fans like Chingy and Huey, Mandarin has already established quite the reputation.

Its Asian inspired décor, featuring stone samurais, sleek red walls and interestingly lit ceilings, is reminiscent of New York hot-spot Sushi Samba – it’s no coincidence then that they are both the works of renowned designer Scott Kester. Like most New York nightclubs, Mandarin offers bottle service on its plush leather couches and a full functioning bar hosting many exotic drinks.

Order the Ruby Dragon or the Buddha Bliss cocktails for a burst of fresh Asian fruits like lychee and passion fruit. If you’re feeling extra swanky, go for the $50 Gold Standard Cosmopolitan garnished with real 23-karat gold flakes, platinum tequila and Grand Marnier Cuvee du Centenaire liqueur. Perfect for impressing that hot date, celebrating a birthday—or even a Saturday, if your wallet can use some breathing room.

As if Mandarin wasn’t catching our attention fast enough, it also hosts the Central West End’s first rooftop bar. Its unique horseshoe shape draws attention to this new feature, while leaving ample room for dancing. You better check it out soon before the cold weather crawls in.

We were slightly disappointed when Mandarin’s lights came on at the premature hour of 1:30 in the morning, but these St. Louis trendsetters have it all covered. On your way out they’ll hand you a wristband granting you full access to other St. Louis hot spots like Pepper Lounge that are open until 3 a.m.

But sorry boys, this place is only free of cover charge for the ladies.

This Saturday, we’re expecting DJ Big D to be spinning, who is famous for his out of control top forty mash-ups, so get ready for a young scene and dress to impress. Yes, girls—it’s time to whip out that new dress you’ve been saving.

Trivia Titans @ J. Buck’s—March 2 and every Tuesday, at J. Buck’s in Clayton, 101 S. Hanley Rd., 7 p.m.: Free Trivia on Tuesdays with great prizes for the top teams and the best happy hour prices in Clayton on food and drinks.

Downtown Iditarod—March 6, downtown St. Louis, from the Old Post Office to Lumière Place, 11 a.m.: A weird twist on the Classic Iditarod, where teams of five act as the huskies and pull a shopping cart through the streets of St. Louis. $50 registration fee per five-person team.

Seniors Regis Murayi (left) and Jordan Roberts (right)wear the same pair of jeans. Murayi was told he could not enter a Chicago bar because he violated its ban on baggy jeans. He then switched jeans with Roberts, and Roberts was admitted into the bar. Murayi says the bar discriminated against him because he is black. (Courtesy of Fernando Cutz)

Complaints about alleged race discrimination by a Chicago bar against six black Washington University students have prompted state and federal investigations and a likely lawsuit to be filed by the students against the bar.

The developments came in the week after the incident, which occurred during a senior class trip night out at the Original Mothers bar in a popular nightspot downtown. Senior Class Council had made prior arrangements with the bar for some 200 seniors to go there.

The investigations, which include an FBI inquiry, are a result of complaints filed by Regis Murayi, one of the students denied entry into the bar on Oct. 17. Murayi, treasurer of Senior Class Council, filed complaints with the Chicago Commission on Human Rights, the Illinois attorney general’s office and the U.S. Department of Justice.

In the complaints, Murayi alleged that the bar’s refusal to admit the students constituted discrimination under the Chicago Municipal Code, which prohibits places of public accommodations from discriminating against clientele based on race. Race discrimination is also a federal offense under Title II of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Murayi said the manager of Mothers told him and the other students that they could not enter the bar because they were violating the bar’s ban on baggy jeans. But Murayi said the manager admitted white students wearing baggy jeans. To prove this, Murayi changed jeans with senior Jordan Roberts, a white student, and Roberts was then admitted into the bar wearing the jeans.

Murayi said he thinks the six were discriminated against not because of their jeans but because they were a large group of black men.

“The bar racially discriminated against us and automatically assumed that we were dangerous,” Murayi said.

Representatives from Mothers declined to be interviewed this weekend by Student Life but said in a news release that the bar “does not discriminate against guests or patrons on the basis of race, and would never tolerate discriminatory conduct.” Mothers said it is conducting an investigation into the case and will take disciplinary action if necessary.

Mothers representatives also told the Chicago Tribune Friday that the students were rejected because of security concerns, not racism. Mothers’ human resource manager, Dan Benson, said a security photograph showed that two of the students had been wearing backward baseball caps, which are associated with gangs. Benson said gang violence is common in the area near the bar.

Murayi disputed that his clothing suggested he was in a gang. Murayi said he was well dressed, wearing a peacoat, loafers and a button-down shirt. He offered to show his Washington University IDs as proof of enrollment.

Benson also noted in the Tribune that other black patrons had been admitted into the bar. Murayi said this does not change his opinion that the bar discriminated against the students on the basis of their race.

“In and of itself that’s racial in that they automatically assumed that we were a gang,” Murayi said.

Now, Murayi and the other five black students are preparing to take legal action against the bar. Murayi said a number of lawyers have offered to take up their case for free, and the students are currently working to select a candidate.

Murayi and the others are seeking to be compensated for out-of-pocket, emotional distress and punitive damages, as well as the suspension of licensing to Mothers.

“We want to hurt them financially moving forward,” Murayi said.

University officials and students are also taking action against the bar.

Chancellor Mark Wrighton wrote a letter to Mayor Richard Daley on Thursday in which he expressed his “most intense disappointment” about the incident.

“I can only imagine the humiliation and discouragement these six young students felt last weekend when they were turned away from this establishment because of their race,” Wrighton wrote.

Wrighton called the incident a “setback for the City” of Chicago and requested that Daley respond.

Student Union also issued a resolution last Wednesday condemning Mother’s actions and urging further on-campus discussion. The Association of Black Students, Connect 4 and the Senior Class Council organized a town hall forum that will feature professors, students and others at 8 p.m. Monday in Lab Sciences 300.

With additional reporting by Michelle Stein and Johann Qua Hiansen