Pop-up game bar Recess STL now open in The Grove

The gigantic venue’s activities include air bowling, shuffleboard, and video games, with sustenance from a full bar, food trucks, and outside deliveries.

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Game bar Recess STL opened its pop-up location in The Grove on November 29. The new entertainment destination offers a variety of online and offline games inside a sprawling, open space. The pop-up will run for five to six months in the current location at 4500 Swan before relocating to a permanent location in The Grove.

The enormous pop-up venue is a former plumbing supply warehouse just south of Manchester. It's just a taste of what’s to come, though, says assistant manager Gary North. The permanent space will “be just the same as this location, pretty similar setup,” North says. The larger venue will allow room for extra games, live music, and outside activities, which may include sand volleyball and horseshoes.

Visitors follow a huge red arrow painted on the wall to locate the otherwise discreet doorway. Inside, customers register and show photo ID before receiving a wristband. A $10 cover charge applies all day on Fridays and Saturdays, but there are no additional fees to play the games and no limit on how long you can stay. There’s no cover during the rest of the week.

At the main bar, there are 12 drafts, featuring such local breweries as 4 Hands, Urban Chestnut, Civil Life, 2nd Shift, Rockwell, and Brick River Cider. The large choice of bottles and cans is also strong on local representation, along with a few brews from the likes of Bell’s, Founders, Left Hand, and Dogfish Head. Most beers are around $6, and the beer lists are categorized under accessible headings, such as “light,” “sour” and “hoppy.” (And if you just want a $4 Bud Light or a Stag, the bar stocks domestics, too.) Mixed drinks, wine, hard seltzers, and sodas are also available. If there’s a line at the main bar, try the smaller bar near the entrance, which has a smaller selection.

A rotating cast of food trucks will reside in the Recess parking lot. “We’re working with food trucks right now, trying to find out who’s a good fit,” North says. Recess also provides a list of preferred venues, including Sauce on the Side, Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe, Guido’s, Racanelli’s, Firecracker Pizza, Sanctuaria, and more. A private room is available for events, and packages are available for guests who want to combine use of the room with participating in the games. Recess is primarily for adults 18 and older, but kids are allowed during “Family Recess” Sundays, from noon–4 p.m.

Customers can gather around picnic tables or stand-up tables by the main bar, where four screens typically show sports. At the opposite end of the room, near the entrance, a lounge offers a cozy vibe, with sofas, rugs, and coffee tables. Under the tables, you’ll find board games and card games such as Trivial Pursuit, Risk, Cards Against Humanity, Scrabble, and Uno. If you’re enjoying the sedentary vibe, keep it going at the four video game stations, which feature old-school Nintendo titles.

When you’re ready for a more active challenge, wind up your throwing arm consider a game of air bowling. Recess is the first place in St. Louis to offer this delightful twist on bowling, with 12 “lanes” on each side of the room.

The game itself essentially allows you to play bowling like a quarterback. Players stand on either end of the lane, taking turns at throwing a football toward the opponent’s ten pins. Whoever knocks down all of their opponent’s pins first is the winner. The rules posted at Recess say air bowling should be played in teams of two, but one-on-one is also possible.

With bocce ball, shuffleboard, cornhole—and air bowling—there's no shortage of active gaming options. North says Recess will also likely host leagues and tournaments beginning in January; sign up on the website.

Recess STL

4500 Swan, St Louis, Missouri 63110

314-818-9112

Visit Website

Mon, Wed, Thurs: 3 p.m. - 11 p.m.; Fri: 3 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Sat: 12 p.m. - 2 a.m., Sun: 12 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Inexpensive

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