Friends and I had a great time at the Thaxton Thursday night. The pineapple moonshine cocktail is excellent. The band, Miss Jubilee, was great and we all appreciated the swing dance lessons on offer. I really liked that the people who work there are welcoming and unpretentious and, thus, take what could be a cheesy gimmick and make it something more than that!
Review Source:Awesome speakeasy-style bar/lounge downtown. The experience kind of starts a like a horror film -- we walked around the building, down an alley to find the back door. Â We rang the doorbell and and waited until a man (Mad Dog, I think he is referred to) answered. Â Mad Dog had a mustache that rivaled Yosemite Sam's--it was impressive (full disclosure: I was a couple beers in, so this might be exaggerated). Â He asked for the password and the cover ($3). Â
Knowing we were first timers there, Mad Dog told us the deal: "Get the moonshine shot--don't get the mixed drink. And when you take the shot, eat the fruit first. Don't eat it after...you'll regret it." Â Confused at what he was talking about, we nodded and headed inside, down a dark staircase into the basement. Â The best way to describe it would be an unpretentious lounge...if there is such a thing. The had several couches and a small dance floor, with a DJ spinning some music.
We each ordered a shot of the cherry moonshine. Â The bartender gave us 2 shot glasses each, one with the moonshine, and one with a cherry. Â The bartender reiterated what Mad Dog said, "Eat the fruit first." After biting in, we quickly learned why we wanted a chaser after the fruit -- it tasted like the cherry had been sitting in moonshine for months. After forcing down the moonshine-soaked cherry, we welcomed the moonshine (as strong as it was) as a chaser. Â Needing a reprieve from the shots, I tried the pineapple mixed drink which was good as well.
They're booked for private events often, so check the website to make sure the night is open to the public before you go. Â But, it's definitely a really cool experience.
Pros: really cool experience, good atmosphere
Cons: not open too often (closed for private parties frequently)
This place was alright...the space downstairs wasn't really anything that special, just seemed like a typical bar. Â I've been to Bourbon & Branch in SF, which seems more thought out in terms of decor. Â Also, I was hoping for some interesting mixed drinks but it didn't seem like they had a menu...although I didn't bother asking. Â The music that night wasn't our preference so we didn't end up staying too long. Â I think if it was something more chill, we might have had another drink.
Review Source:Descriptive word: ******* (it's a secret!)
Possibly the most fun experience I've had going out in St Louis. The Thaxton does everything it can to keep the speakeasy vibe going. Katie K., me, and two of our friends went a while back. We walked up to a metal door down a dark alleyway downtown. The weather was perfect for setting the mood, a bit chilly and rainy. We rang the bell and waited.
Up some dark stairs came a man with the largest mustache I have ever seen. It was like a Gandalf beard, but a mustache. He asked us what we were looking for. When we said a speakeasy, he asked what the password was. We ventured some guesses (all wrong) until some guy snuck up behind the doorman and showed it to us on his phone. Apparently it's hidden somewhere on their website. We each paid a $3 cover and headed down the dark staircase.
What awaited us was a swanky little club. There's a seating area with leather couches and chairs followed by a small dancefloor/table area. A DJ was playing that night who looked like a hipster but played music starting in the 60s and working up to the 80s. Much better than it may sound.
When we got to the bar we each ordered a shot of the moonshine. That's their specialty, and the doorman had warned us. He said "Eat the cherry and take the shot as a chaser." He didn't elaborate. I'm glad we followed his instructions. As strong as a shot of moonshine is, the cherry that had been sitting in the stuff for God knows how long was infinitely stronger. Quite an experience.
Afterwards we each got a different house drink made with moonshine. All delicious. The bartenders were fun and attentive, and the beers the rest of the night were cheaper than many downtown locations (especially Wash Ave).
On our way out we stopped on the main floor. Apparently the Thaxton can be rented out for weddings. The first floor is a decent-sized fancy dining area and then there are two levels above we didn't see. FYI.
If you're looking for a change of pace in going out in St Louis, definitely go to the Thaxton. So much fun. Make sure to wear something nicer to add to the experience.
During a recent pub crawl, we decided to check this place out. Â What a find! Â We got lucky that they were open when we dropped by. Â If you plan on visiting, check out their website first. Â They aren't always open and admittance requires a password... although the doorman will let you in if you don't know it after hassling you a bit. Â On Thursday it was $3 per head to enter.
There is a ballroom on the main floor, but the action when we were there was in the basement. Â We found out it was Prohibition Era night. Â There was a band that fit the genre, and dancers dressed up in 20's era garb. Â It was a trip. Â At the bar, the bartender offered old style drinks, and the Yelp check-in allowed my buddy a free shot of cherry moonshine. Â He described the shot experience as painful but fun. Â
This would be a great place for a date as I'm sure most people haven't experienced anything like this, and there is plenty of entertainment with the band and dancers. Â I wished we were dressed up a bit more, but casual dress is not discouraged.
Seriously, this is my favorite spot to have a drink in St. Louis, or even just hang out. If you're tired of crap pop music, tired of the same old crowd, want something a lot classier and chill than anything on Laclede's Landing or Midtown give this place a try. It's not always open to the public because they have private events (check online) and you should get the password from their website for reduced cover. I almost hope it doesn't get too popular because I like that it's not crowded. If you bring even a group of 4-5 people you will probably dominate the space. It's pretty small and intimate. Bartenders are chill too. It can be hard to hear because they play the House Music pretty loud, but at least it's not top 40. I purposely don't go here often so that I don't get sick of it! I recommend dressing formally too, to add to the fun.
Review Source:My first time to Thaxton. I LOVE that you have to know the password (we didn't know it but the bouncer made us guess). Little dicey having to enter down a dark alley, but I guess that's all part of the theme.
The space downstairs was great, small, with a little dance floor. The bartender was great and the drinks were really fun. Moonshine seemed to be the specialty. We started the night with shots of moonshine and a cherry soaked chaser. Uuuuuhhh, strong. Definitely fun to do to embrace the speakeasy vibe, but I don't think I'd do it again. I stuck with the moonshine for my cocktail of choice, I believe it was peach flavor. Very tasty, not like the shot.
Overall, I loved the place. Great place for a small group.
Tucked away in a dark alley you find the back entrance to the Thaxton Building, a historic treasure with a revamped basement turned into a retro speakeasy.
At the entrance you must provide the password. Â Quite the character is waiting at the door to let you in... A long, grey bearded gentlemen will let you in. Â You would swear he makes all the hooch that awaits you downstairs.
This venue is not PDT-New York nor is it Bourbon & Branch in San Francisco. Â It doesn't try to be either. The vibe inside is more of a dance speakeasy than a lounge. However, there are many couches and chairs to avoid the dance floor. Â
There was a DJ mixing when we stopped in. The music is loud.
They specialize in drinks with moonshine. Â I had the Mandarine Moonshine. It was actually very good. The drinks come at an extremely good value. $3-5/ea versus $15 at the aforementioned speakeasies.
Overall, it is worth experiencing at least once, but I prefer the other speakeasy experiences I've had elsewhere by a long shot!
When a friend suggested we go to a speakeasy, my response was hell yes! And immediately images of flappers, gangsters, bootleg hooch and jazz music filled my head. Oh, it sounded so amazing.
Pulling up at the front, walking around to the alley and going to the door seemed so cool and a little exclusive. The man who looked like Yosemite Sam who answered the door made me giggle a little, but he didn't ask for the password - he just asked for $5 from each of us. Womp womp... there popped the bubble of my idea that we'd be stepping back into some prohibition-era themed fun.
The decor was amazing, I was willing to overlook that they were playing modern dance/electro music and that the bar on the main level was working with a few rail bottles and things in a big blue cooler. Going downstairs to the "speakeasy" section was neat, again the decor was awesome. But the bartenders were terribly slow and serving patrons in no sort of order. My friends and I waited 1/2 hour just to order a drink, by that point I was over being there.
The only really exciting thing that happened was that my check in on Yelp yielded a free drink/shot of moonshine. A friend and I claimed this free shot and it was pretty yucky - the cherry tasted like cough syrup.
Thaxton, play up the speakeasy bit - turn it up to 11 and I'll be back. Can a girl get a little jazzy booze den feeling up in this? It was just so dull and not at all speakeasy-esque other than the decor. The fact that the place started to empty out at 11:30pm was a little sad, too.
Bottom Line:
Amazing space, Love the Art-Deco nostalgia, Intimate
Overview:
My friend and I stopped by here after the Freezepop show at the Firebird. Â What a great surprise this place was for me. Â I was upset I did not know about this place sooner.
Space:
As I understand, this used to be the Eastman Kodak building. Â Much of the main floor (used primarily for events, I assume), which is not where patrons lounge, has been renovated to it's previous grandeur. Â Being a fan of things old, this was amazing to me.
Downstairs is where folks dance, drink, socialize. Â There apparently is a drink that the Thaxton concocts for folks that is unique to the area. Â Music was of the dance genre. Â It would be swell if the management would do some swing nights here. Â Yeah, I know. Â I may be one of a handful of folks in STL that enjoys swing music.
Summary:
For anyone that is a fan of old architecture, it would be a big mistake to not come to the Thaxton Speakeasy. Â And if you have an event that you want folks to remember, seriously consider this spot.
Hint: Â
For those visiting for the first time, be sure to check the website for the password to get in.
Went here for a wedding reception last night and I think 3.5 stars would best describe my experience. It was very informal which for a reception was a nice change of pace and the building itself is pretty cool looking. The buffet was very much an appetizer buffet but I was not left hungry. The standout was my bacon cheeseburger slider on a pretzel bun, Holy. Freaking. Delicious. I could have eaten 10 of those. Downstairs was the bar, dance floor and seating. The dance floor was ok just so tiny. It was awkward to even try to dance on it if there were more than 4 or 5 people out there. The other thing that was just kind of awkward was having to walk through the very tiny dance floor to get to the bar, there really was no other way there. Our bar tenders were super nice although we had one little mix up when I ordered a gin and tonic for my boyfriend and rum and diet for me. I am guessing she was just feeling rushed because mine ended up being a gin and diet and his was a rum and tonic....not exactly tasty but we figured since it was an open bar reception we didn't have much room to complain. All in all it was a fun evening but not a place I would necessarily frequent.
Review Source:The night I went to the Thaxton was to enjoy some dancing and a few cocktails. The place was really dead but I decided to over look that since I was supposed to be enjoying time with my friends anyway. Standard bar selection. Decor was 20s inspired but with a green strobe light blanketing the dark interior. A little odd.
DJ was a little snobby and uncool when you even hinted you want to hear a certain song because what he was playing was bored and contrived. I've decided not to go back for dancing but I have been to Thaxton for events. Events they do well. Well run. Flows well. A good time. For that reason I give it 3 stars since it averages out for the 2 stars I give its "nightclub" and the 5 stars I give its catering and event use.
this place is hard to review so ill keep it short..
its an absolutely amazing location, beautiful beautiful beautiful.
back alley entrance door , with a intimidating but super sweet doorman for the evening, opens up to reveal a jaw dropping interior.
small cover which is typical and appropriate.
great bartenders, quick to work and friendly.
what to say, gotta see it for yourself.
Here is a simple place with lots of potential to be great. We came for a few drinks in the underground bar area. The building is gorgeous. You enter from the back down a shady looking alleyway and supposedly need to know the password (I have no idea. Others did). They charged a very small cover, which I don't think is appropriate. The reason? They are small and very rarely known. To get people to come and liven up the place, they need to make it free for a good stretch of time until a solid patronage has been build up.
The bar/lounge is fairly small (think the front room of Pepper Lounge). There were some comfy looking sofas. The bartenders were nice and they have Schlafly on tap (!!!!!!!! A lounge that has Schlafly on tap! How  freaking cool is that?). The crowd was mixed...folks of different age groups. The music was eh...Kudos to the DJ for playing more obscure songs/tracks but they could benefit with a few familiar songs (yes, the crap on the radio, which does get people moving sadly) thrown into the mix.
We left early to go dance at a busier place, but overall, my experience was positive here. They need to do more PR to get people to show up, drop the cover charge, mix up the DJ choices, and hopefully the place will become more popular then to pop up on people's radar when they are on Wash Ave.
EVENT PLANNERS! Â THIS IS THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN STL!!
This 1920's built venue is FAB U LOUS! Â From the history of the venue to the incredible paintings on the walls & ceilings to the architecture of the building to the suggested caterers and the "FIERCE" staff that manages and helps host the evening. Â Peter and his team know how to do it right. Â Event Planners, I highly recommend checking this venue out for any type of party you are planning.
Update: The shindig has passed, and I am happy to increase my stars from 4 to 5. Peter and the staff at The Thaxton Speakeasy could not have been any better or more accommodating. All of our guests had a great time and loved the atmosphere. If I'm ever in the position to throw another party, I would not hesitate to choose The Thaxton again. Even through the alcohol, it was an evening we will never forget. Watch out for the cherries! They'll catch ya!
We will be back this fall and winter when it's open to the public on the weekends!
__________________________________________________Â_______
My husband and I found The Thaxton building while at the Off White Wedding Show earlier this year. We did a destination wedding, but will be having a small after-party at The Thaxton towards the end of July with our family and some close friends.
We've been working with Peter to plan the party, and he's been great. So accommodating and very informative. I'll be able to post more details once the date has passed and let you know how the experience was as a whole. Can't wait!
I really wanted to give a 5, but the music is way too loud. Â You can only talk with your friends, and hear them, if you sit in the back corner. Â If the sound was just lowered a little.
But it has a great vibe. Â Good music--i guess I'd say a mix of world, electronica, lounge. Â Great non pretentious crowd too. Â Give it a try.
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