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Apr 26
2009
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RetroClash at Dante'sPosted by Lyndsay M. Johnson in things to do , reviews , nightlife , event , downtown , clubs |
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Most Thursday nights in St. Louis are spent watching "The Office" and eagerly anticipating the weekend nights out on the town, but now we have a new Thursday night ritual to look forward to; Retro Clash at Dantes. Brought to you by Rose Mortem and Ashton Nyte, of Intervention Arts, Retro Clash is a retro club night for those of us who are going to be ill if we have to hear that "Hey Mickey" song ever again. This is not your typical 80s party. Instead, Retro Clash is a dangerous and glittering smash-up of 1970s and 1980s glam, new wave, dark wave, rock and psychedelic melodies, peppered with modern acts inspired by the retro gods.
Cupcakes and Clownvis, sugar and sinners, Ice Queen's and Candy Girls, pastries and pasty's, this is the kind of Christmas party St Louis's Lola Van Ella likes to throw. With a packed crowd at Off Broadway right before Christmas Lola Van Ella hosted the Sugar and Spice, Naughty and Nice burlesque showcase, a show packed full of the areas best burlesque acts along with a few special guests.
Home Nightclub in St. Charles has built a reputation for being a celebrity hot spot, and this New Year's Eve 09, you shall not be disappointed - that is, assuming you are looking to party the night (and year) away with a beautiful Playboy Playmate? 
Mapquest can never be trusted. After driving past the intersection of Olive and Jefferson in Midtown about, oh, let's say fifty billion times, to be conservative, the cell phone had to be busted out and an aggravated call had to be placed to the friend who was patiently waiting outside the club. As soon as we figured out that the Bluebird is at the corner of Olive and Beaumont (and that it has no visible sign), we parked and entered through a back door. After getting the “in costume” discount cover at the door, we sauntered in to what appeared to be a rather large basement. 
It seems that Maplehood (er Maplewood, that is) is moving on up with its latest hot spot installment, Deluxe. Situated on Sutton catty-corner from the Jive n' Wail, on a parcel of land that used to house a rather shabby laundry mat, Deluxe is a hybrid of diner/bar/music venue. Though many residents dearly miss the laundry mat, Deluxe has already won rave reviews from locals. Deluxe's smooth transformation from diner to bar and music venue is impressive and a welcome solution to the age old “where do we eat before the show?” problem. Here is a break down of Deluxe's Jeckell and Hyde personae; first the diner, then the show. 
Every third Tuesday of the month something wicked this way comes in the form of Hex, a goth and industrial club night held in the secret attic above Mekong, otherwise known as the Upstairs Lounge. Hosted by DJ Salem and DJ Rosa, Hex is a night that aims to throw something a little darker into Upstairs Lounge's regular rotation of techno, hip-hop, reggae, house, retro and indie nights. No cover, no dress-code and no pulse required, Hex, nearly a year old, is quickly joining the ranks of Rapture and Requiem at Dante's as a place to be seen in the goth, industrial and black metal communities. Should you decide to venture forth into the cold embrace of Hex, this is what awaits you:
There are plenty of places around town in which you can take in live music, but if you're in the St. Charles area and want to hit a fantastic venue then the Bottleneck Blues Bar at Ameristar Casino is the place for you! Big enough to bring in a great crowd but small enough to still feel intimate, Bottleneck offers a full bar and a great atmosphere for people of all ages.
