EXO Lounge and EXO Nail Bar are now open in Edwardsville

By Justin Nunn // December 23, 2019


EXO Lounge and EXO Nail Bar opened doors at No. 2 157 Center in Edwardsville on Friday, Dec. 20.

Operations consultant Justin VanMatre said the EXO Lounge is 1,400 square feet with a 1,700-square-foot patio. It is open from 9:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

The lounge and nail bar, which are both owned by Gina Gamblin, are two completely separate spaces. In the nail bar, customers can get full manicures and pedicures and order drinks on a tablet. The nail bar offers 30 pedicure stations, 25 manicure chairs and two waxing and microblading zones.

“Going to get your nails done is more of a chore, not really part of your night out,” VanMatre said. “If you throw alcohol into the mix, it makes it more fun.” On that note, the nail salon has TVs playing music videos and similar media.

a rendering of exo lounge and nail bar // courtesy of exo

EXO Lounge offers a full bar and seating for 100. VanMatre and Taste’s Katiana Tactikos created 11 specialty cocktails, like the Matcha-Do About Nothing with matcha and vodka and the Old-Fashioned with a Twist.  

Beer and wine is also be available, as well as nonalcoholic beverages like cold-pressed juice, espresso and organic tea. “Although it’s elegant, we want to serve the masses. We want options for anyone who walks through the doors,” VanMatre said.

The EXO Lounge has no plans for a kitchen, so the food options are kept to things like charcuterie boards, tapenade and other snacks.

Justin Nunn is an editorial intern at Sauce Magazine.