The Best Things to Do After Hours in St. Louis

Mike Talayna's Juke Box Restaurant
1115 Hampton Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63139
(314) 647-7600

Make a night of Mike Talayna’s Juke Box Restaurant. The Dogtown gem has all the charm of a tire shop from the outside, but that’s nothing more than the perfect disguise for the neon insanity waiting inside. RFT photo.

Dozens of disco balls spray pink-purple light across a dance floor worthy of its spectacle-loving, champion-jitterbug-dancing namesake, the late Mike “Talayna” Faille. Sing karaoke, dance and eat pizza until you stagger back into the outside world wondering what the hell happened. Photo courtesy of Flickr / J.G. Park.

Mangia
3145 S. Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 664-8585

For something a little less disco, join the regular procession of south siders to Mangia in Tower Grove South. It’s a solid Italian restaurant that stays up later than the other South Grand eateries, morphing subtly toward low-key party spot as the night goes on. RFT photo.

There’s an extensive wine list, good draft beer selection and a wide range of live music. A bar menu runs until 3 a.m. There’s no shame in pounding a $5.50 Lo-Brow special (a Stag and a shot of Ten High) at last call and then returning a few hours later for Sunday brunch. Photo by Mabel Suen.

Pin-Up Bowl
6191 Delmar Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63112
(314) 727-5555

Lovers of alcohol-fueled sports might want to check out Pin-Up Bowl. Roll until 2 a.m. surrounded by 1940s-era kitsch in the Delmar Loop bowling alley. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Paul Sableman.

The kitchen closes at the same time as the lanes, and you’ll still have another hour to gather yourself in the bar before they throw you out. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Chris Yunker.

Flamingo Bowl
1117 Washington Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63101
(314) 436-6666

Downtown’s Flamingo Bowl keeps the same hours for your bowling pleasure. Flamingo Bowl offers food and signature cocktails, too. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Paul Sableman.

Of course, there are kids bowling at Flamingo Bowl during the day. But from 9 p.m. until close the party become adults-only, only open to patrons 21 and older. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Matthew Hurst.

Brennan's
4659 Maryland Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 497-4449

The classy “Ping Pong Parlor” in the basement at Brennan’s combines one of the Central West End’s great bars with one of the world’s underappreciated athletic pursuits, elevating both. Photo by RJ Hartbeck.

The deep red tables are set cinematically against dark stone walls with a black-and-white print of Muhammad Ali punching Joe Frazier in the mouth for inspiration. Brennan's closing time is 1 a.m., so be swift, be decisive, be victorious. Photo by RJ Hartbeck.

Moonlight Ramble

Maybe you’re the type who likes actual, widely-recognized-as-exercise activities. Sign up for the Moonlight Ramble. Started in 1964 with just one rider, the annual bike ride now attracts thousands of cyclists for a midnight cruise through city streets. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Dave Herholz.

The Ramble's route shifts year-to-year and is kept secret, adding to the intrigue. It is not a race — more like a bicycle love fest or a rolling costume party. Riders have until 3 a.m. to ramble either 10.5 or 18.5 miles. The sooner you finish, the sooner you can hit the after-party. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Dave Herholz.

Moolah Theatre and Lounge
3821 Lindell Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 446-6868

Of course, there’s something to be said for sitting on your ass in front of a giant movie screen. Late Nite Grindhouse at Moolah Theatre and Lounge shows classic (and not so classic) horror and slasher flicks at midnight. RFT photo.

The single-screen theater, a former Shriners temple near the edge of the Saint Louis University campus, is alone worth a visit. General admission tickets for $7, plus a bar with movie-themed drinks and a pre-show with vintage trailers, make it the perfect place to see The Return of the Living Dead or My Bloody Valentine for the first or 27th time. RFT photo.

Tivoli Theatre
6350 Delmar Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63130
314) 727-6671

Alternatively, another of St. Louis’ great movie houses, the gorgeous Tivoli Theatre, offers a spring run of late-night shows for film buffs. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Drew Stephens.

The eclectic lineup of the Reel Late series has in the past included cult favorite Rocky Horror Picture Show, David Bowie as the goblin king in Labyrinth and Pulp Fiction. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Missouri Division of Tourism.

John Donuts
1618 S. Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63104
(314) 241-3360

After you roll out of the theater, bar or wherever the night has drifted, the next move is food. Doughnuts are always a good choice, and John Donuts serves some of the finest in the city. They open their doors at 11 p.m. and keep serving all night long 'til 1 p.m. the following day. Photo by Brittani Schlager.

Located on a blue-collar stretch of union halls, warehouses and hardware stores just south of downtown, John is extra convenient if you happen to find yourself over-served and underfed in Soulard. Photo by Brittani Schlager.

Old Town Donuts
508 S. New Florissant Rd.
Florissant, MO 63031
(314) 831-0907

On the north side, there’s Old Town Donuts. It’s open 24 hours and hard to beat. Photo courtesy of Instagram / _theif22_.

Open since 1968, Old Town Donuts runs three shifts a day to make sure the donuts are always fresh. Business must be as good as the donuts, because a second location also opened in Cottleville in 2014. Photo courtesy of Instagram / molaskaa.