Three new African American-owned venues have joined the ranks of Downtown leisure: St. Louis Jazz Café, The Factory and Black Label.
The locations offer unique ambiences and amenities. And while their offerings differ, the three new Downtown venues do have one thing in common: live music and a healthy desire for multiculturalism.
“This is for everyone,” said Mario Wayne, co-owner of The Factory (1128 Washington Blvd.) along with Joe Jennings.
The two said they have envisioned a STL House of Blues feel for their club-size establishment.
“We’re picking up where Mississippi Nights left off,” Jennings said. “We want to bring some energy to the city and this is prime real estate, one of the most vibrant parts of the city.”
The Factory is a two-story, brick-clad, loft-style nightspot, complete with stage, three bars, equestrian seating and a VIP room overlooking Washington Boulevard.
It has a soft opening this Saturday (March 21) with standout promoters FreeTime and Koncepts. Bringing local promoters in is a tried and true way for new venues to introduce their establishment to patrons.
Black Label – owned by Chris Little and Craig Morris – is rolling with Close to Famous promoters Triky and Hollywood, and their popular Anomaly for a soft opening, also on Saturday.
Black Label is located at 758 S. 4th St. near White Castle. The arts community has something to be excited about in this arts-inspired bar (with a large outdoor area). It features art and is catering to artists.
“Whenever I go to arts events, they’re always eclectic, bringing a mix of people from all walks of life and that’s we want Black Label to be,” Little said.
“We need more creativity in nightlife for St. Louis – people either go one extreme or the other,” Little said.
And by art, they mean all art.
“When most people think of art they think of visual art, but it’s anything abstract,” Little said, inviting the gamut of artists to the hip, cozy and artsy bar that features a stage, dance floor/gallery talk space.
The popular arts event Wall Ball will christen the arts bar on Friday evening.
The St. Louis Jazz Café tapped 3 Central and Erin Bode for their soft openings.
It gets going Thursday with Friends and Family Night, at 5 p.m. and features 3 Central.
Erin Bode takes on Saturday night, a rep carpet shebang with two shows: 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
The former Red Moon, St. Louis Jazz Café is a gem of a place. It still has the boothlike seating, hardwood floor squares and even features a private fine dining area with nine tables.
“It was a blessing to inherit a space like this,” said Aundra Charleston. She, her husband Arnold Charleston and Tim Sims own the swank jazz café.
“There’s been a resurgence in the popularity of jazz and we are jazz lovers,” Sims said.
“We have been to other jazz places throughout the country, but didn’t experience what we really liked. We might like the music, but not the food and so on, so we put our own vision on paper.”
They have created a delightful jazz cafe that emphasizes good jazz, cuisine, atmosphere and service.
“I love to see people eat good food and listen to good music in an upscale, stylish setting,” Arnold Charleston said.
“Downtown definitely needed a venue like this,” he said.
Just as St. Louis Jazz Café is bringing in a great lineup of straight ahead and smooth jazz performers, they have assembled an excellent team of employees, bringing 36 jobs to the St. Louis market.
Their chef is Emma Cox, who placed seventh in a national restaurant cook-off. Tims said he hasn’t tasted ribs like hers. Their cuisine is American Continental, which also features some soul food.
The St. Louis Jazz Café is located at 1500 St. Charles and 15th St.
Reservations can be made by calling (314) 588-0664.
