Pepper Lounge

10/13/2008 Posted by bikesef

OK, so the only reason I'm here is a few weeks back when I was in town for the Tour of Missouri bike race, I went to the Pepper Lounge, and the only reason I know this is because my credit card statement says so. I do vaguely remember attending, but what I think is interesting is I was definitely wearing flip flops, and I was with some pretty ugly dudes, and we all got in. So I guess there is really no method to their madness. Oh yeah, the place was packed too so it seems they could have been choosy if need be. hmm.....

01/21/2008 Posted by lindzei

The DJ here is my favorite in St. Louis. His mixes are upbeat and unique. It's too bad the dance floor is so small that it's hard to dance but you can make it work. I can always get a drink promptly. The staff is usually very nice. I don't personally think the people there are pretentious but I do typically notice the guys that put on a blazer and suddenly think they are the super hottest trendsetter in town, which is gross but also pretty funny. The ladies room is, however, WAY too small. Ladies get in for free on Saturday nights and they have a coat check (which is a must for a bar in my opinion) with a very nice/friendly attendant. The décor is unique and very astatically pleasing. I also really like the two areas, lounge in the front and dance area in the back. I like having that option. I like this bar mostly for the music and in St. Louis we don't have too many good options for places to go if you want to dress up a little and do some boogying. But then again, I could scrap all this if the manager really does kick people out based on color.... ew.

Pros: DJ, music, decor

Cons: Small dance floor and bathrooms

08/24/2007 Posted by bennett27

My girlfriend recently completed her MBA. She wanted to host a party at Pepper Lounge to celebrate. She reserved a booth which cost us $300.00 for 2 bottles of Grey Goose. She was only allowed to have 6 people in the club for her party. Other people came but could not even pay to get in. Our circle of friends consist of trendy, educated, sophisticated, classy, adults. The owner turned everyone away and even made those that were inside leave. Not because of how they were dressed,not because the club was overcroweded (the club was completely empty at 12:45, It closes at 2), or they were too rowdy, simply because he didnt want a group of black people in his club. He made up some excuse about him having other parties booked and he has to let their guest in first. THERE WERE NO OTHER PARTIES BOOKED. The workers confirmed that before he came up with this excuse. His employees weren't even aware of this rule. His attitude was so unbelievable. I will never ever go back there. Its such a shame because I recommended that place to my girlfriend. He also owns Nectar and Mandarin Lounge.

Pros: Bad customer service overrides EVERYTHING

Cons: VERY BAD Service

03/19/2007 Posted by magazinegirl

What I find most interesting about Pepper Lounge is the strictly enforced dress code. Now, when an establishment enforces a dress code, it means there is a certain demographic they are trying to avoid. In the case of, say, The Four Seasons in New York, there is a reason to keep out tourists, or people who can't afford even an appetizer, so no one's time is wasted. In the case of Pepper Lounge, I have to wonder who they are keeping out. My first run-in with this rule was last summer, when a male friend of mine (a very handsome one, by the way) was not let in because he had on flip flops. This seemed strange to me, for several reasons. 1. It's summer in St. Louis. 2. He is a very attractive guy, so why do they care? and 3. his ensemble was very upscale otherwise. They did let me in for a moment, just to see if the people we were meeting had already arrived. I was shocked to find the bar almost completely empty, except for two older men, alone, who were very dressed up, way too tan and sporting slicked back Jersey hair. It was a recent Sunday night, and I was fortunate enough to again be with a very attractive, well-dressed guy. One of our favorite places downtown was closed, so we decided to give Pepper a try. The place was dead, not a soul inside, but we couldn't get in because my friend was wearing his motorcycle boots. Now, what i'd like to know is this. How does one decide who is in and who is out with such broad parameters? Clearly, flip flops and boots are not allowed. So what is? Penny Loafers? I could show up with some classless, cheap, JC Penney suit wearing guy, but my very hip, very good looking guy friends can't get in. Who is Pepper Lounge trying to keep out here? If they are going to insist on a dress code, I suggest they move their location from downtown to Westport, so all the button-down, tie wearing professionals will have a place they feel welcome.

02/27/2007 Posted by stlgirl123

This is the place to see and be seen! Great crowd with fantastic energy. Great music...great staff. Extremely helpful. I have read some other reviews and if you are interested in a downscale place...I agree...this is not for you. (Try somewhere on the landing instead) Extremely elegant and classy, the pepper lounge is by far my favorite spot to be in stl. Dress code is up to par, as well as atmosphere. Beautiful people everywhere. Dress up...bring cash...and enjoy! I have seen and met several celebrities at pepper, not uncommon at all seeing as it is the place to be!

Pros: everything!

Cons: nothing

01/18/2007 Posted by goldilocks2

Do not waste your time going here....the owner's attiitude is horrible, that must be why the bartender's think it is acceptable to act the way they do (p.s. you are a BARTENDER, there to serve others - the attitude), full of people that are TRYING to convince everyone else they have $$$, and not to mention the gold digging women. I was amazed @ how rude people were...this is STL, not LA. If you are an attractive female that is not a REGULAR, expect to get the dagger eye's from the not so polite women. Oh, I almost forgot it is so packed that you can't even drink your drink...unless you want to lose a tooth.

Pros: music

Cons: everything else

08/13/2006 Posted by ashul16

If you enjoy high class atmosphere, friendly, excellent service, good music, and beautiful people...this is your spot. I love it... trust me...its the place to be seen in STL.

Pros: great music! dance all night to the hottest mixes by stls greatest dj big D. Free valet!

Cons: nope

07/24/2006 Posted by mikefill

This bar is trying to become something it will never be. It tries to hard to be hip and instead it comes across as a cheap midwest version of a hot nightclub. Rue 31 is much better, do not be a wannabe and attend this club with horrible service

05/04/2006 Posted by mikeg1982

This was one of the stops we made for my bachelor party, and I would have to say it was on my top 3 list. We stayed VIP, and there was a real nice view of the scenery. Music was real good, a lot of good looking people. Service was fair. I would recommend this club if you happen to be on or near Washington St. in St Louis.

Pros: Good looking people, Music, Atmosphere

Cons: Service

08/18/2005 Posted by dontreador

Extremely overrated bar in the evenings. The place is little more than a dive, but instead of recognizing what they are they insist on being a pretentious "hot spot." The evening crowd is full of affluent losers desperate to convince everyone of how important they are despite their main form of income being daddy's allowance. It is also one of the few bars in downtown St. Louis that is not friendly towards baseball fans. Don't bother going after a game, you can't get in.

Cons: Atmosphere, Attitude