While St. Louis might not be known for its nightlife, perhaps it will start to adopt some of Europe’s partying trends. We talked to some of our friends who are studying abroad this semester and compiled a list of a few popular overseas after-hours locations that may pave the way for more options right here in St. Louis.

Paris

Ozu Aqua Club: Ozu’s wildly exclusive demeanor and 20 euro cover to even greet the bouncer are certainly justified—after all, it’s located in an actual aquarium. The club itself isn’t the same aquarium that tourists and young children see by day; instead, it’s the back side of a shark tank filled with schools of fish and exotic sea plants and is lined by bottle-service tables for high payers. Although the club is small (no larger than Morgan Street Brewery’s second floor), it is packed with the best-dressed Parisians who don’t stop partying until six in the morning. Ozu typically features young, up-and-coming DJs who know how to mix the newest house music with classics like Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” (always interesting to hear overseas). The glowing and massive—probably the size of an IMAX theater screen—fish tank in the background never fails to provide an entertaining night. Ozu doesn’t even need the glitz and glamour that many other Parisian nightclubs offer and is able to stick to a simple décor. Perhaps the St. Louis Zoo should take a hint from these innovative club designers—who wouldn’t want to party with the lions?

Andy Wahloo: Though the French may be known for their escargots and croques monsieur, they’ve also triumphed in the Moroccan food sector. Located at 69 rue des Gravilliers, restaurant Le 404 has mastered Moroccan couscous and chicken tagine. Le 404 features authentic dishes and an exposed kitchen lined with hundreds of spices—plus, its décor is dead-on and lends itself to a genuine ethnic vibe.
After eating at Le 404, our friends in Paris like to have some drinks at the restaurant’s bar, Andy Wahloo, which offers the same energy and vibrant décor. Andy Wahloo is small (no larger than Mike Duffy’s Pub & Grill in Richmond Heights), but its modern Moroccan flair is so exciting that staying for hours is easy. The drinks are priced at five to 10 euro, which is a surprisingly good deal for a trendy spot in Paris. Andy Wahloo is what would happen if MoMo’s created a bar next door and hired a hot DJ to fuse together new hits with their classic Mediterranean beats.

Rome

La Maison: Located right outside the heart of Trastevere on Vicolo Dei Granari, La Maison is a hidden gem. Down a narrow cobblestone alley and around a few corners, this flashy hot spot is tucked away beneath residential apartment buildings. The smoky air and wildly long coat check line are a bit discouraging, but after walking downstairs, the place is well worth it. Decorated with oversized chandeliers, neon-colored lighting and ornate couches for table service, this club is absolutely beautiful. Always featuring the newest DJs—who have been playing hits like “We No Speak Americano” and “Why Don’t You” long before they hit the States—La Maison is the place to be on any night of the week. Perhaps if Fusion, located in downtown St. Louis, were to fix up its décor, it could offer a similar feel. It certainly already has the high profile DJs.

Campo dei Fiori: Campo dei Fiori (referred to as “Campo” by abroad students), is not just one bar—it’s a whole party piazza. The area features two enormous fountains in the middle and is surrounded by at least 15 different bars, all with different vibes. When it’s busy (which is almost every night), Campo is bustling with 18 to 25-year-olds looking to have fun. If the weather permits, partying from the various bars spills into the piazza, where everyone mingles and drinks by the fountains. Some bars, like The Drunken Ship, offer beer pong tables and cheap pitchers. Others, like Giganti, offer sweaty dance floors, neon graffitied walls and free shots. No matter your mood, there’s always somewhere to go in Campo, and if you go there often enough, the bartenders will even let you tend bar for your friends! The cobblestone streets and variety of nightlife activities offered at Laclede’s Landing are similar to this Italian favorite.

Madrid

Kapital: Located in the center of Madrid, Kapital (at C/Atocha 125) is an enormous seven-story club, featuring a different genre of music on each floor. The cover is a pricey 12 euro, but it’s totally worth it if you’re in town for a few days—plus, it includes one drink. Although some may say the club is a bit touristy, there sure isn’t anything like it in St. Louis, or in the U.S. for that matter. It’s hard not to have fun at this grandiose entertainment center: If you don’t like to dance, you can still join plenty of people enjoying the sexy dance shows featured on stage. You can do anything from lounge in the Barcadi Mojito Room (which offers one of the best mojitos we’ve tasted) to chill on fluffy sofas on the rooftop terrace. Hookah is available, drinks are easy to get and you can even practice some of your Spanish while singing karaoke. Sound pretty extravagant? Well, this type of club isn’t totally out of the question; someone in St. Louis could definitely revamp a downtown warehouse and turn it into a three-story replica of Kapital. It sure would add some spice to our city’s nightlife!

Pachá Madrid: This club is all about who you know and how much you can spend. Pachá is the discotheque where you’ll have the most authentic European experience—and it’s the place where all the Madrid socialites party. DJs always play the latest music, drinks are pricey, the atmosphere is radiant and the people are dressed to impress. Expect to stay out past 5 a.m. and expect to wait in line if you’re American (unless you’ve already schmoozed with some promoters). Wear your hottest clothes, and boys, always wear dress shoes; no sneakers are allowed. If you go with a group, buy a table—it’s cheaper than purchasing individual drinks and you won’t have to wait in line.
Pachá is a high profile franchise, with clubs all over the world, including one in New York City. If St. Louis’ Europe nightclub renovated and customized some of its décor, made the entrance a bit more exclusive and added a few performers, it could really offer an authentic Euro-experience. Or, there’s always the option of Pachá opening up a franchise here and shaking up the conventional STL nightlife.