The Locust Business District has a brand new, hot pink neighbor. Hamburger Mary’s is only a quick walk to the east of campus, on Olive Street. Trust me— you can’t miss the bold hue of magenta, which alludes to the exuberant interior themes of the restaurant. Dripping with a wide array of colors, textures and motifs, the look of Hamburger Mary’s practically screams fun.

I was initially reminded of a retro thrift shop, as I took in the eclectic array of décor. From top to bottom, the space engages all of your senses. When I walked across the checkered floors into the main dining room, my eyes were drawn upwards, following the towering hot pink marble columns to the ceiling, where disco balls and chandeliers hung. Colors vibrantly popped from all directions, enticing me to further explore the dining room.

While Hamburger Mary’s may not be the best setting for a romantic first date, it instead offers a free-spirited and upbeat atmosphere to the SLU community.

Mark Erny, the proud owner, described Hamburger Mary’s as an all-encompassing restaurant with long-standing traditions.

The motto of the franchise is “an open-air bar and grille for open-minded people.” Erny told me of Mary’s history, which began in sunny San Francisco back in 1972. The establishment emphasized a fun loving, all-accepting attitude that openly supported the gay and lesbian community, a tradition continued here in St. Louis.

While drag queens may take over for a wildly popular show each Saturday night, everyone is welcome. Erny and his team have continued the great tradition of the franchise by providing a place for people to enjoy food and drinks in a fun environment.

As the name suggests, Hamburger Mary’s menu has an extensive array of burgers.  These delicious creations are sure to fill up the most ravenous carnivore, but if you’re looking for lighter fare, they also have a great selection of sandwiches, wraps and salads.

Lunch begins at 11 a.m. daily. The kitchen remains open until midnight Sunday through Wednesday, and until 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. Prices are reasonable, with burger prices averaging at $10 and most sandwiches around $9. If you can, try to stop by during happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m., when you can get half off all of their cocktails. (Part of the fun comes in ordering the cleverly named concoctions— “One Anna Kournikova, please!”)

Hamburger Mary’s is an excellent addition to the SLU neighborhood that will only improve when spring finally rolls around St. Louis. Erny shared some of the upcoming plans with me that include a fantastic outdoor patio and an upstairs wine lounge— that’s the third level, for those who are counting, so, yes, this place is huge! The patio will have a full bar, and the wine lounge will have roof access made complete by a gorgeous view of the Arch.

So, if you are looking for a place with personality, stop by Hamburger Mary’s, where you can have  great food, drinks and fun!