Review: Troy's in St. Louis
There are cosmopolitan bars in Saint Louis and some of the best ones are not necessarily the obvious choices. Troy's Bar takes the bar scene in Saint Louis in an interesting new direction and is a great addition to the city. The bar has a too rare mix of people of many different backgrounds.
The owner, Troy Williams, a Saint Louis native, opened this exclusive club in the fall of 1999. The bar is located in the exquisite confines of historic Lafayette Square in a row of storefront businesses with large glass front windows that open up on to Park Avenue. The glass storefront advertises that the club is 100% jazz and 25% blues, but Troy's features much more. The club has progressive poetry that draws a literary audience. The cozy atmosphere purveys subtle class with the minimalist design of the main floor with several rows of small white clothed tables with the bar located in the rear. Jazz acts perform on the low unassuming stage along the art-covered white painted walls. The bar is hand built with a rack of glassware above the bar top with a designed corrugated metal and mirror backing.
Entertainment varies with featuring a DJ spinning a variety of music ranging from acid jazz to disco. DJ Needles, a popular Midwest DJ, spins on a regular basis. The legal professionals come on Mondays for a unique evening that includes cognac, cigars and chess.
The newly opened basement features a comfy "club room" with a mellow atmosphere established by the funky woodcuts designed and built by Troy. The cleverly lit basement room has another DJ booth along with another bar. The vibe is similar to the many private hip basement bars found in Manhattan. The establishment has an exclusive club feel, without the overwhelming intense nature of the downtown dance clubs. Troy's is the regular bar for many VIPs.
The bar also has a "private" club room in the back. This area is the place where the high rollers make deals and relax. It is a starkly different layout, with more of a lounge feel than a club. The room has warm colors along with some leather couches and a coffee table with a mounted television high on the wall and out of direct site. There is a private stash of cigars and liquor in this back room.
The ambiance is high class and so are the prices. A five dollar cover is also to be expected on many of the evenings that have entertainment. A standard bottle of the hometown Budweiser costs three dollars, but this to be expected when there is a large drink menu that lists the wide selection of high-end liquors and beers.
The bar is racially diverse with a clientele tends to be those of professional occupations, many of whom come down for the fine collection of cigars that Troy himself has selected. The owner, Troy Williams, is proud to say that the club attracts numerous customers from the elite confines of West County along with many refined persons of the greater region. The patrons are well dressed, with many still wearing ties from work, but also with local neighborhood residents stopping in for a sip.
Troy's has captured the new trend of the upper class that crosses social barriers comfortably. The overall feel is sophisticated and welcoming with a personal feel that has been created by Troy.
