Homer Simpson: “My name’s Homer and I’m planning a trip to St. Louis.”
Travel Agent: “East St. Louis?”
Homer: “Is there any other St. Louis?”
Yes. Yes, there is. Most of it in fact. In a wholly different state. But, if you were to leave this question unexamined, you would be missing something. And that something happens to house one of the most unique music joints in the United States of America.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you…..Pop’s.
Now, when I sat down to write this, I was excited by one very particular fact: Pop’s NEVER closes. Since it opened in 1981, it simply never closed. It didn’t even have a lock on the door. (Never closes? Don’t need one!)
Sadly, that particular fact is no more. It was a 24/7 bar/venue/restaurant/dance hall - now it is simply a midnight to 7 a.m. bar. So much more reasonable!
Literally surrounded by chemical plants, strip clubs, and industrial facilities, Pop’s has persisted for almost 45 years as a venerated (if somewhat sketchy) venue for local acts, touring bands, late night dancing, and third shifters simply needing a bar to go to after work. This coming Wednesday, they will present their annual “Pop’s-Giving,” a 12-hour celebration of music from all over St. Louis. Starting at 6 p.m. that night (yes, they’re opening “early”) and ending at 6 a.m. - with just enough time to literally get breakfast anywhere, because it’s 6 a.m.
12 hours. 12 bands. 12 dollars.
Be bold. Swim the river (or just take the bridge). Stay up all night. Party in a St. Louis that isn’t even in St. Louis, but is so very much St. Louis.
As just a taste of what you can hear there, try the track Brainless, from Lou legends The Urge (fronted by Pop’s-Giving performer Steve Ewing), and we’ll see you in two weeks. Enjoy your Turkey Day!
