Thousands of area club-goers got a chance Friday during a grand opening gala to party, socialize and check out the buzzing EXO, St. Louis’ newest and “best black club in the city,” according to architect Anthony Robinson.
In fact, Robinson said the intimately sexy and intoxicating club n nestled in the social-heart of Midtown n tops Club F15 (which has the Cardinals Jim Edmonds’ name behind it), which Robinson once called second best in the city.
Robinson called Dolce n a now defunct club he designed n the best in the city.
Patron Tracie Kernie begged to differ.
“EXO is much better than Dolce, especially the customer service,” Kernie said.
Kernie said she is happy to patronize a nice black establishment where she doesn’t have to undergo “stereotypical rudeness” as she did at Dolce.
But the appeal of EXO n co-owned and operated by Fred Finley and Harry Andre’ M. n is its design and aesthetics.
The two-story loft-style venue at 3146 Locust features both a bar/lounge area and dancing space. Upstairs is decked out with a cigar lounge that offers custom EXO cigars from the Dominican Republic. The second level also features a lounge area and dancing space. Loft banisters allow for ample viewing of the first level.
The separate areas make for intimate social and nightlife pleasure, though the 6,200 sq. ft. structure (indoors) hits capacity at 450 heads.
Another 250 can fit comfortably into a tiered outdoor patio that features a stage, lounge-seating, wall-supported video projection and stairs with art deco metal squares.
“It’s pretty novel and different for the St. Louis market,” Robinson said of EXO, noting the nice exterior finishes that covered the exterior stairs, which has to be enclosed nowadays.
“The design team also took the same idea into the interior with the use of metal, which compliments what’s happening on the exterior,” Robinson said.
Robinson gave ups to the use of both exposed brick and drywall finishes.
“Having seen the building before, the overall layout is cool,” Robinson said, pointing out that the building was once a residential loft with the layout staying pretty much the same.
“It was a good use of space, but the patio is what they added and it worked out nicely, especially since it’s a space that could have gone unused,” Robinson said.
Space, LLC designed the club.
Well traveled entertainment mogul Eric Rhone called EXO world-class.
“That’s the kind of vision we need in the city,” said Rhone.
“I’m proud of them, and we need more entrepreneurs like them in the city,” Rhone said.
Finley said he and Harry Andre’ M. studied clubs in D.C., Chicago and L.A.
“Those venues are warm and historic with a lot of history in the bricks, so I wanted to showcase the character of this building,” said Finley.
“The building itself dictated what we could do, so instead of building from the ground up, we had a blueprint and took it from there,” said Finley.
From 2003 to 2006, Finley (along with Harry Andre’ M.) owned Seven and the Art Bar, a dual club, at Olive and Compton, walking distance from EXO.
The two enterprising friends and business partners are also the producers and promoters of 1st Friday, a popular 15-year roving monthly networking gala, which will take place at EXO Friday, Oct. 3.
Finley said that though he and his partner now own instead of renting, they will probably only house 1st Friday there twice a year.
“It will be nice to have it at a place that we own and operate, so we are looking forward to that obviously,” Finley said.
Harry Andre’ M. and Finley have been working on EXO for about a year and a half. They said they didn’t want to rush and wanted to offer something that could compete in St. Louis and out of state.
“Ownership is a daunting task, but like home ownership, it’s part of the American dream,” said Harry Andre’ M. adding that they couldn’t do it alone.
He thanked Alderwoman Marlene Davis, License Collector Michael McMillan, Saint Louis University, patrons, neighbors, friends, family and the American.
“There’s no way we can stand alone and like we did it by ourselves,” Harry Andre’ M. said.
Adrian Sadder, a member of Free Time, a special events-promotions LLC, who held an event there Saturday, said he really like the EXO.
“It fills a void in terms of offering a premium lounge atmosphere,” Saddler said.
The name EXO was inspired by Hennessy’s most premium brand XO. The E was added for individuality and flavor.
Speaking of flavor, EXO is also a full-service restaurant will began serving food from its American Southern Cuisine menu in the next couple of weeks.
By American Southern Cuisine, they mean upscale New Orleans-style soul food, which will include twice-baked macaroni, red bean and dirty rice, cornbread and maple butter, Creole barbecue prawns, fillet medallions and lump crab cakes.
Attorney Richard Banks who rolled through grand-opening with former world heavyweight boxing champ Evander Holyfield, said once the kinks are worked out, EXO will be really nice.
“I love the makeup, décor, its size and the outdoor area,” Banks said.
EXO can also be visited at www.exostl.com.
