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Broadway Oyster Transports You to the Bayou
• by Steven Fitzpatrick Smith
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As summer quickly approaches many St. Louisans move their social gatherings from indoors to outdoors.
For the next three months we are able to enjoy the freedom that being outdoors has to offer. This seasonal liberty draws many to sit upon their stoop, sipping on a tall can of Pestalozzi-Street-brewed-beer as they nod heads to the passing pedestrians, while others prefer neighborhood beer gardens to socialize with friends and family.
The Broadway Oyster Bar, whose mantra is “Leave your attitude at home,” has been one of St. Louis’ most popular outdoor dining and drinking establishments for years. The Oyster Bar is known as the place to go to see original music in a great outdoor setting. The Oyster Bar is awkwardly located in the undefined area between Busch Stadium and Soulard Market on South Broadway in an old row building that now stands strangly alone. Its neighbors have been obliterated in favor of parking lots to serve the summer baseball crowd.
Broadway Oyster Bar attracts a wide variety of people including tourists, baseball fans, city regulars, suburban happy-hour executives, singles, couples and families. Here, you’ll find a born and bred Soulardian dancing next to a button down professional.
The Oyster Bar boasts the “ambiance of the French Quarter” and the menu delivers authenticity with Cajun/Creole cuisine that’s perfect washed down with a cold bottle of beer. Although a “theme” restaurant and bar, the Oyster Bar will give you a true New Orleans experience, unlike predictable corporate chains with an artificially created atmosphere.
The Oyster Bar’s historic atmosphere also adds to the Louisiana undertones. The red brick patio. The old row building. The original Blues bands that play along with homegrown Jazz, Cajun and Zydeco. Friendly, familiar staff. The stage shelter with shingled roof. The homemade wrought iron and wood fence that enclose the back patio. The elaborate mosaics on the outside of the building in the courtyard. The additional mosaics in the restrooms. The common natural meeting ground.
All the ingredients combine to create a true St. Louis experience, even if they’re trying to transport you to the bayou. These qualities are genuine to Broadway Oyster Bar which is indeed one of the best beer gardens and indoor/outdoor dining establishments the city has to offer.
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