Broadway Oyster Bar at 736 South Broadway in St. Louis, MO, is the number 1 Cajun restaurant north of New Orleans.
Welcome to “BOB”
ST. LOUIS, MO – August 10, 2021 – (StLouisRestaurantReview) If you are searching for the vibrant soul, spicy flavors, and unmistakable sounds of the French Quarter right in the heart of the Midwest, look no further than the Broadway Oyster Bar. Affectionately known by locals simply as “BOB,” this legendary establishment has been widely regarded as the premier New Orleans-style restaurant, bar, and live music venue in the region for decades. Stepping into this beloved party palace provides a truly immersive experience that transports guests straight to the Big Easy. Food writer Joe Pollack perfectly captured the essence of the venue when he noted, “There is, quite simply, nothing in St. Louis quite like the Broadway Oyster Bar”. Decades after those words were originally written, that statement rings truer than ever.
Broadway Oyster Bar – A Storied History
The magic begins with the building itself, which stands as one of the oldest surviving structures in St. Louis. Constructed around 1845, the resilient brick building originally served working-class residents who fueled nearby factories. By the early twentieth century, the neighborhood blossomed into the city’s Chinatown, known as Hop Alley, and the building operated as a Chinese laundry. In the 1960s, widespread urban renewal leveled much of the area for highway construction and Busch Stadium. Miraculously, this historic structure survived the wrecking ball. Today, its essence remains beautifully intact, boasting original fireplaces, tin-tiled ceilings, and well-worn brickwork. The walls and ceilings are adorned with an explosion of massive Mardi Gras beads, kitschy light fixtures, neon signs, and mismatched architectural salvage. Even the bathrooms are decked out in trippy mosaic mirrors, adding to the venue’s undeniable dive-bar charm.
Broadway Oyster Bar – Award-Winning Cajun and Creole Cuisine
The menu is an absolute masterclass in authentic Louisiana cooking, drawing massive crowds for its Cajun and Creole classics. The culinary team prides itself on sourcing the freshest, sustainable seafood in the Midwest, including Gulf oysters, Louisiana crawfish, and Prince Edward Island mussels. The robust appetizer menu invites guests to dive into the flavors of the South, highlighted by the famously addictive Alligator Sausage & Shrimp Cheesecake. This savory masterpiece expertly blends smoked pork sausage from Poche’s in Louisiana, alligator tail meat, and shrimp with cream cheese and warm gouda. For diners exploring the wilder side of the bayou, the Naked Gator Tacos—featuring prime alligator dressed with pico de gallo and chipotle sour cream—are an absolute must-try.
Entrees feature staples like the NOLA Style BBQ Shrimp, sautéed with butter, Worcestershire, and Creole spices, and the Shrimp Voodoo Po’Boy, served on authentic Gambino’s bread imported directly from New Orleans. To top it all off, those looking for something truly extraordinary can sample their famous Crawfish Mona pasta or dig into buckets of peel-and-eat shrimp. The kitchen’s unwavering dedication to flavor has earned countless accolades, including being named the 2015 Restaurant of the Year by the Missouri Restaurant Association and dozens of awards from Sauce Magazine and the Riverfront Times.
Broadway Oyster Bar – The Live Music Legacy
What truly elevates the Broadway Oyster Bar from a phenomenal restaurant to a cultural institution is its deep dedication to live entertainment. It is actively celebrated as one of the most vibrant music venues in Missouri. The establishment proudly hosts live music twice a day, every single night of the week, with Fridays featuring one main extended act. The venue curates a brilliantly diverse calendar of the best local talent and national touring acts, with genres spanning the entire spectrum of roots music. On any given night, the air might be filled with rock, reggae, bluegrass, blues, funk, R&B, or improvisational jam bands. True to its inspiration, the venue frequently showcases visiting acts traveling straight from New Orleans. Incredibly, this live music is offered completely free up to eight times per week, making it a highly accessible artistic hub.
Broadway Oyster Bar – The Bar Scene and Signature Drinks
No trip to this iconic establishment is complete without sampling the meticulously crafted drink menu. The bar features a massive selection of craft beers on tap, alongside an impressive roster of traditional, New Orleans-native cocktails. Guests looking to cool off from the sultry St. Louis summers can indulge in the Original SoCo Hurricane, a sweet, potent concoction blending Finlandia Cranberry Vodka, Southern Comfort, fresh fruit juices, and grenadine. Those looking to spice things up can order the signature Creole Mary, which features the restaurant’s famous, heavily seasoned house-made Bloody Mary mix. Whether you are throwing back savory oyster shots with friends or sipping a local beer, the energetic bar staff keeps the good times rolling.
The Ultimate St. Louis Gathering Place
Location is everything, and the Broadway Oyster Bar boasts one of the most enviable spots in the entire city. Situated just a stone’s throw away from Busch Stadium and a short walk from the Enterprise Center, the venue serves as the ultimate gathering place for sports fans. Droves of Cardinals and Blues fans regularly flood the venue, making it an essential pre-game ritual and a wildly celebratory post-game destination. Best of all, the venue features an enclosed, heated patio that ensures the lively courtyard party continues year-round, completely undeterred by the unpredictable Midwest weather.
Whether you are planning a relaxing dinner, a raucous night out, or a lively evening dancing to a world-class blues band, Broadway Oyster Bar is ready to welcome you to the family. It is these authentic, soulful touches that keep generations of patrons coming back year after year. Between the fiery Cajun flavors, the soulful live music, and the remarkably rich history, there truly is nothing else quite like it.
Broadway Oyster Bar online reviews as of August 10, 2021:
- Google – 4.6 Stars with more than 8,900+ online customer reviews
- Facebook – 50K followers – 237 following – not set up for ratings
- Yelp – 4.4 Stars with more than 2.8k online customer reviews
- Tripadvisor – 4.5 Stars with more than 1,620 reviews – rated #7th restaurant in St. Louis out of 2737
- STL.Directory – 5 Stars with one online customer review
NOTE: The ratings are subject to change without notice as customers can post reviews 24/7/365. For the latest ratings, please refer to each platform for the most up-to-date ratings.
Broadway Oyster Bar Business Hours:
- Sunday – 11 am – 3 am
- Monday – 11 am – 3 am
- Tuesday – 11 am – 3 am
- Wednesday – 11 am – 3 am
- Thursday – 11 am – 3 am
- Friday – 11 am – 3 am
- Saturday – 11 am – 3 am
NOTE: Business hours are subject to change without notice. Please call the restaurant to verify critical information.
Business structure:
- Registration of Fictitious Name: Broadway Oyster Bar
- Charter Number: X001357448
- Date Filed: May 3, 2029
- Expiration Date: May 3, 2024
- Status: Expired
- Owners: Steve Sullivan – Mary Ellen Sullivan
- Source: Missouri Secretary of State
Broadway Oyster Bar address & phone:
736 S Broadway
St. Louis, Missouri 63102
Phone: +1 314-621-8811
Email: bob@broadwayoysterbar.com
NOTE: The information contained within this listing is subject to change without notice. Contact the restaurant to verify critical information.
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