Nightlife in Clayton

Owner and entrepreneur Jim Callahan describes Jumpin' Jupiter as "a 1930s Hollywood glam party rolled in velvet, crystals, glitter, and gold––a place you'd expect Dean Martin to kick back, have a martini, and tell dirty jokes." As reported by the Maplewood-Brentwood Patch, the venue was inspired by Jim's favorite movie, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and features nightly shows ranging from vaudeville and Vegas-style burlesque to fire-wielding, improv comedy, synchronized whittling, and acrobatics.

Red velvet curtains flank the 27'x18' stage like pigtails, hiding corseted ladies and shirtless gentlemen awaiting their cues to juggle, belt high notes, or recite state capitals in reverse alphabetical order. Enormous chandeliers hang from the ceiling like dangling crystal earrings, casting flecks of light on tables and patrons dressed to the nines in 1930s garb. Inhabiting a full quarter of the space is a drink counter, which the staff refers to as the Titanic bar, due both to its size and its shortage of life rafts. There, patrons can chug a PBR, sip a specialty cocktail, or request bottle service with liquor ranging from Stoli elite to absinthe and Courvoisier.

Callahan has also solicited the fine-dining chops of Chef Israel "Izzy" Rodriguez, who can accompany the entertainment with several courses, small plates of steak and shrimp, or a modern take on movie popcorn with accents of truffle. Before and after the show, guests can sip a brew at Jupiter's separate lounge, or question Callahan about his in-house recording studios, an ideal space for laying down a hot beat or lying down with a cool bowl of beet soup.

The bright-red door outside Three Kings Public House acts as a beacon, summoning guests into the tavern—which was named the Best New Bar in 2011 by the Riverfront Times—for a brew and a bite. Once past the vibrant port, though, diners enter an old-school world dominated by brick and wood decor. Though this aesthetic choice gives the Delmar Loop bar a time-honored vibe, the menu reveals that the kitchen’s vision is focused firmly on the here and now. In fact, to keep their dishes as fresh as possible, chefs use only locally sourced ingredients from nearby Missouri and Illinois farms including Twin County, Heil, and Thies Farms. This conscientious culinary choice adds to the bar's effort to keep its carbon footprint smaller, but it also ensures that each handcrafted pub-style entree—from third-pound burgers to traditional fish 'n' chips and barbecue pulled-pork sliders—arrives at tables bursting with flavor. Chefs also toss out a culinary curveball in the form of their not-so-traditional bar eats, including a soy-protein burger and a filet mignon cut into the shape of each diner’s silhouette.

To further enliven Three Kings' eats, meals can be accompanied by a fresh cocktail or any of the "20 craft and locally brewed beers on tap" mentioned by the Riverfront Times. During the warmer months, diners are invited to recline on the outdoor patio; no matter the season, Tuesday and Wednesday nights are dedicated to live musical acts performing on the bar’s built-in stage.

Social House Soulard packs its 4,500 square feet of space with 15 TVs, live entertainment, a dance floor, and a kitchen serving pub fare favorites until 10 p.m. Athletes cavort and endorse baby formula on HDTV screens overhead as breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches and cold domestic brews fill fists. Live bands commanding power chords wash over revelers on the sprawling dance floor, and on some nights, DJs spin top 40 hits.

Pint glasses fill with fresh drafts of craft beers from Parma Grill and Tap's microbrewery while cooks prepare platters of Italian fare, such as lasagna and eggplant parmesan, inside the kitchen. A selection of specialty pizzas includes buffalo chicken with blue-cheese or ranch dipping sauce and Elizabeth's Favorite, a vegetable pizza topped with roasted eggplant and fresh tomatoes.

The Rotten Apple Pub & Grill invites patrons to “eat, drink, and be rotten” with its slate of frothy brews and pub-style bites such as housemade potato chips and fried pickles. Diners tackle half-pound burgers topped with chili or deep-fried jalapeños and pull bottles from ice-filled buckets on a patio beneath a green, pitched roof. Indoors, laughter and live-music licks fill the air as Rotten Apple hosts bands, bingo nights, and William Tell look-alike contests.