Loop hosts plethora of musical acts
The Loop, located in University City, is one of St. Louis’s alternative havens.
10 blocks down Delmar, The Loop is home to St. Louis landmarks such as Blueberry Hill and The Pageant, and is located a quick MetroLink trip away from campus.
The Loop, named after the trolleys that used to literally “loop” the area, began to grow with shops and restaurants in the 1970s. At the time, legislation was pushing small businesses in the area, which caused the sudden growth.
The Loop was named “One of the 10 Great Streets in America” by The American Planning Association.
There is currently a push to reinstate trolleys in this historic area. A miniature of the neighborhood, that features model tracks in place, sits on display in a window on a street near Blueberry Hill.
Restaurants
Blueberry Hill is undoubtedly the most well-known restaurant in The Loop. Its pop culture-themed décor, abundant beer selection and frequent musical guests make it one of a kind.
However, it’s not the only great place to eat.
Since 1947, Fitz’s Root Beer has been quenching St. Louis’ thirst at drive-ins in Richmond Heights and, as of 1993, right across the street from Blueberry Hill at the corner of Delmar and Leland.
The menu offers a variety of items, from the expected hamburger and sandwich selection, to fish tacos and tilapia. Nine Fitz’s pop options are available, including Fitz’s classic root beer and its fruity cousin, Orange Pop.
While eating, guests can watch the soda being bottled in the old-fashioned bottling area that sits behind a viewing window in the main dining room.
Entertainment
Big-name bands frequently rock Delmar’s well-known Pageant stage.
Pin-Up Bowl, a 1950s-themed bowling alley is decorated with illustrations of classic female pin-up girls, a truly unique bowling experience. It has a large bar and a small number of lanes, making it either a social place to gather or an intimate alley to perfect your strike.
The Tivoli Theater is the perfect place for that ‘dinner and a movie’ date. The marquee lists films of every style: cult classics, independent movies and foreign films are all welcome.
Unique stores line the streets, such as Phoenix Rising, which houses an eclectic collection of gifts and jewelry, and Vintage Vinyl, a music store with a staggering selection of records and CDs.
Vintage and second-hand stores, like Avalon Exchange (previously known as Rag-O-Rama) and Timeless Authentic Garments, offer unique merchandise; shopping on Delmar is a one-of-a-kind experience.
Attractions
The sidewalks on The Loop are dotted with stars that mirror Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.
The St. Louis Walk of Fame features 125 stars, each dedicated to the celebrities that hail from the Gateway City. Recognizable names include John Goodman, Tennessee Williams, Joseph Pulitzer, Yogi Berra and Ulysses S. Grant.
The Plant Walk, another customized sidewalk attribute in The Loop, informs pedestrians when they have reached each planet on a to-scale Solar System.
Local shop Star Clipper creates quite the buzz with its large collection of comic books and graphic novels. The store also features imported snacks, collectible figurines and blind-box models and grown-up quarter machine toys.
