Gallery Pub on Thurman now open in former Thurman’s in Shaw location

Gallery Pub on Thurman has opened in the former home of Thurman’s in Shaw at 4069 Shenandoah Ave. Following a soft opening in early March, the newly revamped spot officially opened on Tuesday, March 8. Dave and Julie Gant now co-own the pub with daughter, Allie Gant, and her fiancé, Dakota Reece.

Gallery Pub retains the same operating model as Thurman’s, serving as both a restaurant-bar and music venue. However, the new owners have added personal touches to the Shaw hotspot, starting with the menu. Inspired by co-owner Dave Gant’s newfound passion for pizza-making, sparked by a home pizza oven gifted to him by his three children, the menu will be centered around artisan stone-fired pizzas once the restaurant’s new pizza oven arrives, which Dave Gant estimates will likely be in four to five weeks. (Until then, Gallery Pub is trying out a number of appetizers like homemade pizza rolls and goat cheese in arrabbiata sauce.) Classic pizza options like pepperoni, cheese and sausage will be available alongside creative collaborations with local businesses. Current plans include a Navin’s BBQ barbecue chicken pizza as well as a Hawaiian pizza collaboration with Buzz’s Hawaiian Grill. Wesley Whitney, formerly a chef with The Boathouse at Forest Park, has been recruited to run the kitchen.

In addition to the menu changes, Gallery Pub will now also serve as an art gallery. Allie, the resident artist and curator at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, and Julie, an art therapist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, wanted to showcase local art and give back to the community. “We saw the re-opening as an opportunity both to support local artists and to breathe new life into the pub,” said Dave. Repainted walls and new lighting and flooring add to the brighter, more contemporary look and feel of the space, said Dave of the redesign. “We wanted to get away from some of the darkness of the pub and really showcase the art.”

Thurman’s regulars can rest assured that the new owners plan to continue the longstanding traditions of Trivia Tuesdays and live music events featuring local artists two to three nights a week. Though music selections will still be heavily focused on jazz, the owners plan to showcase additional genres as well, added Dave.

Gallery Pub on Thurman is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., Friday and Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m to 8 p.m.