Par Lounge: St. Louis Bar Scores A Hole In One

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Back in 2006 there were two little bars at the corner of McCausland and Clayton Roads that closed their doors. One, the Cheshire Inn, was known as a yuppie watering hole while the other, the Hi-Pointe, catered to the early hipster crowds. Just two years later, Cheshire and the Hi-Pointe were all mashed up and the resulting bar was Par Lounge. The owners and staff of the Cheshire Inn opened Par Lounge in the former residence of the Hi-Pointe back in May, but you wouldn't know that either of the previous pubs were present at this one unless you were chatting up a member of the friendly wait staff.

Though it isn't the cheapest bar this side of the Mississippi, the drink prices at Par Lounge are pretty reasonable compared to many other watering holes in the city. Martinis run in the neighborhood of $6, and a domestic brew only sets you back a few bucks a pop. They offer a modest menu consisting of mini pizzas and a few appetizers that are pretty tasty. But don't let the paper dinnerware or limited menu fool you; the food is higher quality than you would expect from a bar sans a full kitchen. The pizzas aren't run of the mill freezer treats and there wasn't an inordinate amount of grease to slop up - making Par Lounge, what I would consider, the home of the best bar snacking this side of a full pub and grill.

Having a name like Par Lounge, you half expect to find the walls to be plastered with wooden plaques inscribed with golfer's prayers and covered with antique clubs and bags. Instead you find a simple and clean spot with a beautifully carved, full wooden bar and elegant, but not stuffy, decor. From any leather couch or bar table in the room you can see one of two well appointed flat screens, which are usually tuned to local sports. Par Lounge is a nicer bar without being stuffy or pricey, and is definitely "on par" with some of my favorite spots in the city.

Par Lounge is located at 1001 McCausland in the Hi-Pointe building. Their hours of operation are Wednesday through Saturday from 7pm until 1:30am.