Like a cocktail swilling butterfly emerging from a beer battered cocoon, AM Lounge has been reborn from rBar. The transformation took place late this summer, when the cool Grove neighborhood bar and grill rBar was closed down and remodeled by a few of the owners. We made the trek down to the corner of Chouteau and Sarah, (and drove around looking for a parking spot for a half an hour before deciding to entrust our baby to the seedy guy in the pay lot) to see what possible improvements could have been made to a bar that was already so awesome.

The New Digs : Looking at it from the outside is like looking through an eye riddled with cataracts, that is, it's so neutral and light that unless you didn't already know it was there, you would drive right by. The inside, however, is encased in a sea of black and grey. The sleek ebony leather booths and low profile tables tucked into the nooks and crannies of the place, scream of sex. A cranberry and vodka looks lusciously red against the dark lacquer of the bar and the low level lighting turns the the bouquet of liquor bottles tied together and hanging from the ceiling look like a work of art. The black and white damask print fabric window coverings soften the somewhat masculine color scheme.

Rails surround the wall, just in case you didn't get there in time to catch a table, you have someplace to lean. If the dance floor gets to stuffy or too smoky, you can always hang out on the huge back patio, bedecked with Christmas lights, speakers and featuring a stage area. A door leads from the patio to the bathroom, where, thank God, you will not find one of those crazy bathroom attendants working for tips. There is nothing tackier than that. Overall the décor is upscale but not overdone, hip but not dated.

The Vibe: The service sets the tone for any establishment and at AM Lounge, they've done pretty good, thus far. The bartender advised us right away that well drinks for ladies are free from 10pm to Midnight. In a club that doesn't get hoppin' til at least Midnight (it is called AM Lounge, after all), it's a clever way to attract patrons early in the night. Even though AM Lounge doesn't serve food, they do have bottle service and table reservations. If you're into impressing people, or just happen to be an alcoholic, this may be the best way to go.

Despite the pricey bottle service and upscale feel, AM Lounge is not your typical joint full of smarmy sleaze-bags, in fact, they have a strict, “no assholes” policy. It seems like a place you would want to go where you can dress-up a little if you want, and go hang with your friends without worrying about valets, astronomical cover charges and snotty people that just want to be “seen”. Too bad this lounge doesn't open until 10pm and only operates Thursday through Saturday, because it would make a nice after work cocktail place for anyone making the downtown to the county commute home.

The Judgment: Great if you like techno and house music. Great if you want to go dance, but you don't want random strangers grabbing your booty. Great if you want to want posh, not snobby. Perfect if you are sick to death of Washington Avenue. Just remember to eat before you come and bring $3.00 for parking.