Decent chow, nice atmosphere

I opt to come here before Cardinals games because it's a nice change of pace from a sports bar. The catfish po' boy is filling enough and well-cooked with fresh tomato, onion, and lettuce (I add generous shakes of Hot Sauce), but the jambalaya is the star of the menu. They have likeable musical offerings, although I think it leans too much toward the jam-band end of the spectrum.

happy hour

go in here on a friday night around 8 p.m. and get a beer at the bar. there are people pounding on tables, shouting, joking and generally having a good time. tucker's has wooden walls, wooden tables and i think they'd give you wooden plates it it was sanitary. seems to draw a diverse crowd (bikers on iphones next to couples on dates). there are specials written on a chalkboard, i opted for the 18 oz. filet mignon, which is filling. It's kind of how imagine a casual steakhouse should be.

the hostess here

the hostess here will not let you stand inside the doorway. you go in, say table for two or whatever and she replies, quite sternly, "ok, now go outside." the food is pretty tasty though, get the chicken curry (19.03?) and ask for extra glasses of wine.

Garlic, Air Hockey, Two Rooms

Black Thorn Pub is a landmark in Tower Grove south, located in a pocket of residences at Spring and Humphrey. It has two rooms, and after you walk in through the basic screen door you'll have a bar on your left. But the pizza -- deep dish delicious -- is the main attraction here, and the reason I keep coming back. There's also plenty of chalk to write on the walls and an air hockey table, perfect for testing one's reflexes after a few pints of the local brew.

Best Bars in America

Classy men's mag Esquire named McGurk's (spell it right!) one of the best bars in America, and rightfully so. Located a few blocks south of me, I feel comfortable at this Irish pub any time of day or year. The bartenders wear crisp white shirts and black ties (no stripper-esque barmaidens here), greet you with a smile (also rare) and know their beers. Inside there is live Irish music a few nights a week and on the expansive outdoor patio, there's plenty of room to have a drink or dinner. It can be a hot spot -- that is somewhat of a meat market -- on weekend nights, so I recommend hitting up McGurk's on weekday night or a weekend day, taking in a game, a few beers and some food. Then walk home.