Hugh's Corporation: From Bunnies to Brewhaus

I've been humming Hughes' Corporation all day -- I got one of their records last night as a birthday gift....

So I'd like to know where you got the notion?

Back in the day, Hugh Heffner's corporation got the notion to open numerous Playboy Clubs across the world. St. Louis’ opened in 1962 and was the fourth such venture in an enterprise that’s documented here. Last night, I ventured out to City Grille and Brewhaus, which has opened in the Hugh’s former digs and spent my birthday basking in shades-of-bunnies-past.

Not because of the scantily-clad ladies.

Not because of playboys and highballs.

No...not so much.

It all started out, you see, with enchiladas. And it usually does, me being me and all.

My pal Ali knew I wasn't all-too-keen on celebrating this year's birthday, so she'd invited me over to her place for a low-key evening of salsa, chesse, refried beans, guacamole - oh, hell! I don't know - I don't cook!

But then...then I got to thinking, which, I'll admit, is usually half the problem.

I wanted something small and intimate - but not too small and intimate. And by that I mean this: I wanted an excuse to buy an outfit, but I didn’t want a big to-do. Just a few folks. And I wanted to go someplace I’ve never been. Someplace, some world that I’ve peeked into, but never quite experienced. So, the new restaurant in the old Playboy Club it was.

Instead of enchiladas we had fried sweet potatoes with a maple-ginger dipping sauce and a tour of the gut-rehab taking place in the club’s old Penthouse and Playroom!

It was a perfect evening.

It's been said that the things a society leaves behind are the things that matter least to them. A lot of things that archaeologists dig up are the everyday items of everyday life that have been left behind.

It always frustrated me that the Playboy Club was relegated to the trash bin of St. Louis architecture. Kinda sad - considering that at one point in history, this building was the embodiment of suave sophistication. Granted, its history is also steeped in extreme sexism - but there's something about the use of space in this building that I've always admired when I’ve peeked inside.

Every room is a vista unto a vista unto a vista. The space is organized on a multitude of levels. It incorporated wooden chandeliers, a free floating space-age disco lounge and a patio that evokes Barbara Parkins, powdered noses (in more ways than one) and something naively suggestive.

It's old - but new to me. It's modern - but it's dated. It's futuristic playboy - and it's chauvinist pig. It's the past – but what is its future?

Maybe that's why I had so much fun last night. All the shit I think about all the time is made manifest up in one little building near the corner of Lindell and Vandeventer.

I wish the new owners well and for those of y'all who do drink, you might be interested to know this:
City Grille and Brewhaus
3914 Lindell Blvd. St. Louis, Missouri, 63108
Fridays and Saturdays All You Can Drink
10PM - Midnight for $12
(9-12 if you drink their custom brews for the first hour)

The food is good, too – if you’re looking for standard American fare in a location that’s far from standard. They’re talking about mixing up the menu, to which I say

Rock the boat.....

Just don't tip the boat over, y'all!

Me and a Bitch.

Friends and Murals.

Upstairs and Such.

Hugh's Copper Kitchen.

Some gay always has to trifle -- even in the Playboy penthouse.

In the ladies toilet - a ledge - for....um....pocketbooks?

Lots of ledges in the ladies room. Where's Kate Moss?

This back-lit glass/painted mural was originally upstairs in the penthouse.

Roberta Flack. Quiet Fire. Best. Album. Ever.

Mighty Real.

Where have all the backlit-bunnie's gone?

The Interior.

The lobby.

The light fixtures.

Down the stairs she goes!

This metal work was added when the building was a diamond exchange.

Floating above the first floor is this space-age loungey area.

Visions of Jeri Hall in a coked-out stupor come to mind.

Seek and ye shall find.....

It was the best birthday I've had this year!