One of the city’s most popular dining destinations, Boathouse at Forest Park (6101 Government Drive), is closing for a year of renovations. The last day of service will be Sunday, September 28. For this weekend, it will be open 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, as well as 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday. (Breakfast service ended last month, in anticipation of the shutdown.)
The Closure
Charlie Downs, managing partner of the Sugarfire Restaurant Group and Boathouse operator since 2017, says the restaurant grounds have been cramped for a long time and that the facility needs to be updated. While the building’s footprint won’t change, plans include moving the shoreline 20 feet away and rebuilding the docks farther out, creating more green space for guests. The popular dog-friendly patio and lakeside views will remain.
“It will just feel much more spacious,” Downs says, “which is desperately needed.”
Other upgrades include replacing the existing event tent with a roofed pavilion that may feature a partial enclosure for three-season use. Downs hopes to offer limited food service—potentially via a food truck—throughout the renovation.
Boat rental operator Roo Yawitz tells SLM that his company, Big Muddy Adventures at The Boathouse, will remain open thru the end of October with a new dock entrance just west of the current boathouse and will also be open throughout next season, April to October.
The City of St. Louis and Forest Park Forever collaborate through a public-private partnership to restore, maintain, and sustain Forest Park. The Taylor Family Foundation, which supports many community initiatives, counts Forest Park Forever among its grantees. “The city is indebted to the Taylor family for its contributions to both the city and the park, and I admire them for that,” Downs says. “But as a businessperson and operator, it hurts to close the Boathouse. We’re vested and invested there—we just want to keep it going.”
Boathouse employees have been aware of the closure for a while, Downs says. “We have other restaurants,” he adds. “We’ve placed as many of them as we could.”
Downs’ operations contract will resume once the restaurant reopens. “Still, a year is a long time for a landmark restaurant to be out of service,” he says. “I still hope it can happen sooner, but that’s the timeline we’ve been given.”
The Backstory
“Jack Taylor built the current building over 20 years ago,” Downs recalls. “Back then, the Boathouse was not much more than that—a shack.”
The current facility includes the main building and an event annex, which has an auxiliary tent to expand capacity.
In 2017, after winning a contract bid, Sugarfire Events took over operation of the Boathouse, renovated the property, and rolled out a new menu featuring Sugarfire-influenced dishes, such as smoked brisket and Provel toasted ravioli, pulled pork, smoked salmon sandwich, and brisket chili. The smashburger is similar to the one served at Hi-Pointe Drive-In, another sister concept. Other food faves include the reuben, poached pear salad, and smoked and fried wings.
During this weekend, guests can expect a pared-down food menu but a full beverage lineup before the landmark restaurant goes dark for a year.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated from its original version.
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