Forest Park GC
St. Louis, MO
Dogwood #8
1912, Robert Foulis; 2001 redesign by Stan Gentry of Hale Irwin Design
27 holes
Fat Guy Review, 1995-ish: I'm told I played this course once. I was in St. Louis for my buddy Tim's wedding several years ago. I was in my mid-20's, in the heart of that stretch where all your high school and college buddies are getting married, plus the girls you're dating have friends tying the knot too, and you're going broke buying wedding gifts and paying for hotel rooms. I went to something like 72 weddings (seriously) in a stretch of about 2-1/2 years. Tim's wife is from St. Louis, so I flew out there for their hitchin'. I must have been in rare form, because I literally remember about a half hour's worth of the entire long weekend. I don't even recall if I was a groomsman or not. Tim tells me we played this course the morning of his wedding. Once he jogged my memory, I had an extremely vague recollection of very city-park-like surroundings, some flat holes, and some hilly holes. We could have been playing in Guam for all I remember. Looks respectable on the website, so go for it.
From the website: Golf has been played in Forest Park since 1912. The original courses were designed by a Scotsman Robert Foulis, who started out as an assistant to Tom Morris at the old course at St. Andrews.
The original “flat nine” opened in 1912 with the second nine opening the following year in 1913. The final nine “on the hill “was completed in 1915. Over the years the park has played host to many events including the 1929 National Public Links Championship.
Best Bar Nearby: Ruthie's Bar & Grill on-site at the new clubhouse overlooks the course greens, lakes, and waterfall. Full service bar, executive chef, and a nice veranda.
Where To Grub, St. Louis: My buddy Scott says the best steak he's ever had was at Dierdorf & Hart's (yes, it's co-owned by former St. Louis Rams and Monday Night Football alum Dan Dierdorf), a 14 oz. filet he claims was about 8 inches high and extremely Pittsburgh rare in the center. Knowing Scott's palate for prime beef I doubt this judgement was based solely on the visual and size of the steak, but hey, we are men, right?
MSN.com named Carl's Drive In (Brentwood MO) as one of the Top 10 burger joints in the country. Crisp-edged burgers are always fresh off the flat grill from 20-year-owner Frank Cunetto, and order the double for the best meat-to-bun ratio. A short menu features fries, onion rings, and almost-sippable milkshakes.
Albert Pujols and Shaq hang at suburban Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine and Hookah Lounge.
ESPN.com says:
Nightlife areas: Washington Avenue (between Tucker Boulevard/12th Street and 21st Street in downtown) offers cutting-edge clubs. Laclede's Landing (just north of the Gateway Arch grounds) is an entertainment district that houses clubs in restored 19th-century warehouses with and area of nine square blocks. Five minutes south of the Gateway Arch is the Soulard neighborhood, where blues clubs are tucked away in buildings of red brick. If you are looking for funky and trendy clubs, head to The Loop, a vibrant, six-block entertainment and shopping district northwest of Forest Park (along Delmar Boulevard).
• Sports bars: Bar 101 Soulard (1724 S. Broadway, St. Louis; 314-621-5400) -- outdoor recreation, patio. Maggie O'Brien's Restaurant (2000 Market St., St. Louis; 314-421-1388) -- features 27 TVs with three 10-foot big screens. The Over/Under Bar & Grill (911 Washington Ave., St. Louis; 314-621-8881) -- 37 HD TVs, patio. Paddy O's (618 S. Seventh St., St. Louis, 314-588-7313) -- this old-fashioned tavern has a patio, 25 satellite TVs and two, 120-inch projection screens. Pujols 5 Westport Grill (342 Westport Plaza, St. Louis; 314-439-0505) -- American cuisine, dozens of TVs and Albert Pujols memorabilia.
• Restaurants: Flamingo Bowl (1117 Washington Ave., St. Louis; 314-436-6666) -- the only bowling alley and nightclub in downtown St. Louis. Enjoy the Cuban sandwiches, wraps and veggie paninis. Schlafly Bottleworks Restaurant (7260 Southwest Avenue, St. Louis; 314-241-2337) -- features handcrafted Schlafly beers and a menu celebrating the Midwest. Blueberry Hill (6504 Delmar in The Loop, St. Louis; 314-727-4444) -- one of The Loop's most popular restaurants and music venues, where rock legend Chuck Berry performs regularly. This local landmark is filled with pop culture memorabilia and good food. Triumph Grill (3419 Olive St., St. Louis; 314-446-1801) -- located adjacent to the Moto Museum, Triumph Grill is done up in vintage motorcycle motif.
• Cheap eats: Sundecker's (900 N. First St., St. Louis; 314-241-5915) -- daily specials include Burger Madness Thursdays and 99-cent chicken wings during happy hour. And, of course, take in the view from the sun deck.
• Attractions: Gateway Arch; Anheuser-Busch Brewery; City Museum; Forest Park, home to St. Louis' major museums -- the Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis Science Center and Saint Louis Zoo.
Zane Lamprey's Drinking Made Easy Guide To St. Louis:
Known as the “Gateway to the West,“ for its role in the westward expansion of the US, St. Louis, Missouri is also known as the “Home of American Brewing.” During the rise of industrial jobs in the 19th century, European immigrants flooded St. Louis, with the influx of Germans giving rise to St. Louis’ influence on American beer. American Lager was born here and it continues to be the home of the best selling US beer and the world’s largest brewery. In the heyday, St. Louis was also a city along the historic Route 66, a main thorough fare for Steamboats along the Mississippi River, and has long been associated with ragtime, jazz and blues music (Musicians like Chuck Berry, Ike and Tina Turner and Miles Davis, got their start here.). Steeped in history, it has been home to the 1904 World’s Fair (still known as the greatest event in the city’s history) and Summer Olympics. Today it has cultural and architectural significance and is the home to major league sports teams, entertainment districts and people who know that drinking was made to be easy.
GET YOUR KICKS
Route 66, also known as the Will Rogers Highway, “The Main Street of America” and the “Mother Road,” spans across 2,448 miles and eight states, from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California. Built in 1926, it was a major path of the migrants who went west, especially during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. In the 1950s it was the main highway for vacationers heading west, but in 1985 it was officially removed from the U.S. Highway system and the Interstate Highway System went up in its place. Today, many parts of the road are unused but the reminder of America’s love affair with the automobile is evident in this uniquely American historical path.
In St. Louis, while the Historic Route 66 is now more of a city road than a highway, there are still remnants of businesses that thrived during the Route 66 heyday.
One such stop along the Route is The Famous Bar. Originally opening in 1933, just as Prohibition ended, it has been known over the years by several different names including “The Chippewa Lounge,” “Frankie and Johnnie’s” and “The 66 Inn.” Said to be an old haunt of August Busch, Sr., who served as President and CEO of Anheuser-Busch from 1913-1934, it also holds a mahogany walk-in refrigerator that legend has it was built by the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and is one of the few left in St. Louis. Today they host live bands and have a good selection of beer, cocktails, martini’s and award-winning Bloody Marys.
The Famous Bar | 5213 Chippewa St, St Louis, MO 63109 | (314) 832-2211
Another famous landmark on this stretch of Route 66 in St. Louis is Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. You won’t find any adult beverages here but you will find some history, along with some of the best frozen treats in the state. Opened in 1941 its boasted continual success, thanks in part to its winter accompaniment: Christmas tree sales.
STAPLES
Probably one of the most famous drinking establishments in all of St. Louis is Blueberry Hill. Opened in 1972 this landmark restaurant and music club includes monthly performances by legendary Rock and Roll musician Chuck Berry. Located in an area called “The Loop” it’s expanded so much over the years that it now occupies an entire block. Housing local beers,with more than 18 on draft and 60 in bottles, they were the first bar to serveSchlafly Beer locally on draft (in 1993). Other than beer, they also have cocktails, like the famous bomb shot consisting of a shot of Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey dropped into a pint of Busch Beer and chugged. Blueberry Hill is renowned for their jukebox, dart room, fried raviolis and have the “Best Hamburger” in St. Louis.
Blueberry Hill | 6504 Delmar Blvd, St Louis, MO 63130 | (314) 727-4444
Another of Blueberry Hill owner, Joe Edwards’ properties is the Moonrise Hotel, which features a cocktail bar called Eclipse. Specializing in classic pre-prohibition era style cocktails, they also serve new, creative and innovative cocktails and have an extensive wine and beer list.
Summer in the Loop
1 ½ oz 209 Gin
¾ oz Marie Brizard Blackberry Liqueur
½ oz Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur
½ oz Lemon Juice
Poured over ice cube with frozen strawberry and lemon inside
The Trolley Car
1 oz Buffalo Trace Bourbon
¾ oz Cherry Heering Cordial
½ oz Velvet Falernum
Lime Juice
Grapefruit Bitters
Add ice and shake
Strain into martini glass
Rim with lime and add lime twist
Eclipse at the Moonrise Hotel | 6177 Delmar Blvd, St Louis, MO 63112 | (314) 721-1111
CITY MUSEUM
One of St. Louis’ major attractions is The City Museum. The brainchild of internationally acclaimed artist Bob Cassilly, it’s an eclectic mixture of children’s playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel and visitors are encourages to feel, touch, climb on and play in the various exhibits. Opening in 1997, the Museum has many different exhibits including an aquarium and a circus ring.
If you need a quick break, check out the Baleout Bar on the 4th floor, which serves up espresso and cocktails.
And at the end of the day, walk a couple of blocks to Flannery’s Irish Pub for a pint or to Rue 13 for a cocktail, both located across the street from one another on Washington Street.
S.LO MO BEER
As the birthplace of Anheuser-Busch, the city of St. Louis is responsible for the long-standing tradition of mass-produced American beer. Beginning as a small brewery in 1860, it was founded by Eberhard Anheuser. In 1876, his son-in-law and partner, Adolphus Busch, introduced “The King of Beers,” Budweiser, America’s first national beer brand, also known today as the “Official Beer of Missouri.” They were the first brewery to use pasteurization to keep beer fresh, the first to use artificial refrigeration and refrigerated railroad cars and the first to bottlebeer extensively. In 1880, when Anheuser died, Busch took over and the brand has remained in the Busch family since. Today this conglomerate has been acquired by the Brazilian-Belgian brewing company, InBev and it goes by the name Anheuser-Busch InBev. St. Louis is home to their North American headquarters. They produce more than 100 beers, import beers, specialty beers, malt liquors and flavored malt beverages. Bud Light remains the #1 best selling beer in America.
But the craft beer revolution has not been lost on St. Louis and a number of microbreweries also callthis city home. One of the most notable is Schlafly Beer. Producing more than 30 styles of handcrafted micro-brewed beers annually, their brewery was founded in 1991 by Tom Schlafly and Dan Kopman and continues as the premier small brewery. Their flagship brew, the Pale Ale is just one of several year-roundbeers and they also make seasonal beers like Scotch Ale and Coffee Stout and special releases like American IPA and Pumpkin Ale. Their commitment to serving the freshest beer available to a local market means that they only distribute within 3 to 4 driving hours from their breweries, and that includes Missouri and parts of Illinois. But visit St. Louis and you won’t have trouble finding Schlafly in almost any bar in town.
The Schlafly Tap Room | 2100 Locust Street, St Louis, MO 63103 | (314) 241-2337 x1
Other local craft breweries include O’Fallon Brewery, which makes traditional beers like a Golden Ale, Wheat, Porter and IPA and some more creative seasonal brews like the Cherry Chocolate Beer, Cocoa Cream Stout and Pumpkin Beer.
SPIRITS AND COCKTAILS
While beer might be “King” in St. Louis, there is no shortage of places to find a good cocktail or spirit. For the best selection of vodka in the entire US, head to Sub Zero Vodka Bar,which boasts a bar made of ice and over 380 vodkas from 26 different countries. Their stemless glassware allows for drinks to staychilled while sitting on the frozen bar. If you plan to be a regular and want to try many different vodka varieties, ask to join the Vodka Club. Members receive rewards while reaching certain levels. In addition to straight vodka, they also have a drink menu consisting of martinis, Bloody Marys and champagne cocktails.
Sub Zero Vodka Bar | 306 North Euclid Ave, St Louis, MO 63108 | (314) 367-1200
For a richer and sweeter experience, look no further than Bailey’s Chocolate Bar, located in Lafayette Square. This dessert lounge features a full bar with over two dozen Chocolate Martinis, 90 beers as well as spirits, wine, champagne, hot chocolates and delectable’s like truffles, cheesecakes, brownies, cakes, crème brulee, ice cream and gourmet cheeses.
Hot Chocolate Martini
Chocolate Vodka
Irish Cream
Dark Chocolate
Cinnamon Stout Shake
Cinnamon ice cream
Chocolate stout beer
Blend and serve
Bailey’s Chocolate Bar | 1915 Park, In Lafayette Square, St Louis, MO 63104 | (314) 241-8100