One of St. Louis’ oldest neighborhoods is also one of its liveliest. Named after Frenchman Antoine Soulard, who made his way to St. Louis in the 1790s as a surveyor for the king of Spain, the neighborhood is located just south of the Gateway Arch. As payment for services rendered, the Spanish governor gave Antoine parcels of land that were part of the city of St. Louis (some of what is now in the Soulard neighborhood).
Today, the socially and economically diverse neighborhood is a St. Louis Historic District and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Its landmark Soulard Farmers Market – willed to the city by Antoine’s wife, Julia – has been in operation since 1779, and is one of the oldest public markets in the country. Another landmark, the world-famous Anheuser-Busch Brewery, was founded in 1852. It was among 20 working breweries in St. Louis when Prohibition began, and is the only one that survives today.
Soulard is well-known for its annual Mardi Gras celebration. Festivities include a family-friendly pet parade, an annual Mayor’s Ball, and one of the largest Mardi Gras parades outside of New Orleans. An average 17 million beads are thrown along the 1.6-mile parade route by approximately 100 “krewes” participating. This year’s Grand Parade theme is Soulard Celebrates Cinema.
2017 SOULARD MARDI GRAS
stlmardigras.org
Feb. 11 Cajun Cook-Off
Feb. 18 to 19 Taste of Soulard
Feb. 19 Beggin’ Pet Parade and Weiner Dog Derby
Feb. 24 Mayor’s Mardi Gras Ball
Feb. 25 Bud Light Grand Parade
Feb. 28 Fat Tuesday
IN AND AROUND SOULARD
Sidney Street Café
For more than a decade, Chef Kevin Nashan has enticed adventurous diners with an inspired menu that draws influences from his Spanish heritage and classic French training. The duck is to die for, and the lobster turnovers and house-made charcuterie tempt the taste buds. Housed within a century-old storefront building in neighboring Benton Park, exposed brick walls, hardwood floors and antique furnishings set the scene for a romantic dinner or the most special of occasions. sidneystreetcafestl.com
Soulard Farmers Market
Farmers have been coming to the market since the late 1700s to sell their harvest, livestock and dairy. Open year-round from Wednesday to Saturday, dozens of local vendors offer everything from farm-fresh eggs and flowers to donuts and gelato. soulardmarket.com
Gus’ Pretzels
What began as a shoestring operation in the basement of a home in 1920 is now on its third- and fourth-generation pretzel-makers, who still use the same recipe and twist each pretzel by hand. Gus’ Pretzel Shop has become a St. Louis tradition for its traditional German pretzels – made fresh daily – especially before heading to the ballgame at Busch Stadium. guspretzels.com
Biergarten at Anheuser-Busch Brewery
The complimentary brewery tour will whet one’s appetite for all things beer. Stay awhile and take in the view by visiting the Biergarten afterward. Find more than a dozen premium brews on tap and a beer-themed menu with offerings such as The King burger, Buffalo Chicken Flatbread with Budweiser wing sauce and Amber Bock Beef and Barley Soup. budweisertours.com
