By Candy Coleman Petrofsky
Worthy of a 21-Champagne-pop salute, the Armory STL finally opens to the public this Friday, Dec. 16.
And this should get your jingle bell rocking: The Armory boasts almost 6 acres of flexible indoor space to gather, play, eat, drink and celebrate, including: a 60-foot stage for live entertainment, a bar with more than 90 tap handles, a menu featuring iconic St. Louis food partners, four putting greens, a two-story slide and dozens of interactive games, giant LED screens and more. On tap, an unrivaled Christmas party and NYE celebration with plenty of drinks and dancing! Get all the glittery details on the Armory STL website.
Ice, ice baby …
Angad Arts Hotel has kicked off the holiday season by turning its rooftop bar into a trio of igloos themed “Color Your Winter,” complete with cozy, vibrantly decorated interiors. Each igloo is bookable for groups of up to six people, now through Feb. 28. The igloos feature seating with colorful LED lighting, cozy blankets, propane heaters and stunning views of downtown St. Louis.
A seasonal food and beverage menu includes holiday-themed cocktails like the Sleigh Ride, a hot chocolate and vodka-based drink; and food options made for sharing such as Chasu Tender Pork Belly, Grilled Chicken Cuban Sandwich and White Cheddar Cheese Curds with Garlic Ranch. The igloos are available on weekdays ($75) and weekends ($100) with an additional $100 food and beverage minimum. Reservations are required.
A “bear”loved tradition is back at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis …
The holiday-themed Teddy Bear Tea features storytelling, sweet and savory fare, a cookie decorating station, face painting and, of course, tea! Among the menu selections are a smoked salmon crepe, as well as a wide assortment of scones, tarts and other tea-time desserts – all while listening to the beautiful sounds of a live pianist. Reservations are available for the following dates: Dec. 10, 17 and 22, each with seatings at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The $69 price per person includes parking. Call for reservations, 314-719-1433.
All aboard for the Sleigh Shed!
St. Louis Union Station’s pop-up cocktail experience has The Train Shed restaurant transformed into the Sleigh Shed, a glittering holiday destination with creative cocktails and delicious dining. Think of it as a wonderland of whimsy, decorated from top to bottom with the bling and baubles of the season. The holiday hotspot continues through New Year’s Eve and is open Sundays through Thursdays, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Have you been naughty or nice?
Find out next Tuesday, Dec. 20, as Santa comes to Clementine’s Naughty & Nice Creamery on Macklind Avenue in South St. Louis. Meet St. Nick, get your photo taken and enjoy a scoop of ice cream or a swirly holiday sundae. Three time slots are available for ice cream with Santa at the Macklind store: 5:30, 6:30 or 7:30 p.m. Click here for reservations.
St. Louis CITY SC and “flavor officer,” James Beard Award-winning chef Gerard Craft have been busy, having recently welcomed 20 more food partners to the club’s in-stadium food program, CITY Flavor.
After initially introducing Balkan Treat Box, BEAST Craft BBQ Co., Steve’s Hot Dogs and Niche Food Group in mid-October, more STLMade food partners are now on board, representing an incredible variety of authentic local tastes from neighborhoods across the region and making the CITY Flavor program one of the most comprehensive food experiences in all of sports.
The lineup now includes: Dewey’s Pizza, The Block, Mayo Ketchup, DD Mau, Pie Guy, Padrinos Mexican Restaurant, Nudo House, Anthonino’s Taverna, Wally’s, Malinche, Farm Truk, Ices Plain & Fancy, The Fattened Caf, Bold Spoon Creamery, Chez Ali, Kaldi’s Coffee, Crown Candy Kitchen, G&W Sausage and Meats and The G.O.A.T. Brand. Additional food and beverage partners will be announced closer to the start of CITY SC’s inaugural 2023 Major League Soccer season next spring.
With the popular Pink Floyd tribute band El Monstero beginning its residency at The Pageant this week, Mission Taco Joint wants to make it a December to remember a beloved local radio personality.
Mission Taco will be donate $1 for every “Three Little Piggies” burrito sold on concert nights to the Jeff Burton Family Fund. The burrito, with slow roasted pork, pork belly carnitas, spicy chorizo, queso and other fixings, is an homage to the Pink Floyd song “Pigs (Three Different Ones).” The promotion is good during concert nights (Dec. 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23 and 30) and proceeds will help support the fund in honor of Burton, the longtime 105.7 The Point personality who died of prostate cancer in August. So be sure to grab dinner at Mission Taco in the Loop before heading to The Pageant for the concert to show your support for the Burton family!
And finally, this sounds like a tree-t!
City Foundry STL has installed “Garland and Graffiti,” its first-ever seasonal display of a half-dozen 7-foot crafted trees painted by local street artists and set up for viewing on Foundry Way.
Each of the six trees is affiliated with a local charity via a QR code to encourage guests to donate to their favorite organization. Charitable partners include: United 4 Children, St. Patrick’s Center, St. Louis Diaper Bank, Perennial, The Women’s Safe House and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Food Pantry. Garland and Graffiti will be on display through Jan. 14.
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