By mid-February in St. Louis, the kids are ricocheting off the furniture, the dog is hiding, and parents are running on caffeine and crossed fingers. Cabin fever has officially set in. The District in Chesterfield thinks it has the antidote, and it involves hot dogs, happy hour and glow-in-the-dark pickleball.
Running now through the winter duration, “Family Fridays” at The District packages some of the city’s most popular brands—Steve’s Hot Dogs, Narwhal’s Crafted, Hi-Pointe, Main Event, Paddle Up Pickleball Club, and more—into one walkable, out-west hub where kids can burn off steam while parents reclaim a little Friday-night joy. With perks like free kids’ meals, family happy hour specials and two-for-one bike rentals along the adjacent greenway, the concept is simple but strategic: Date night. Play date. Same place.
“We know that by this point in the winter, parents are exhausted and kids are climbing the walls—literally,” said Danni Eickenhorst, co-owner of Steve’s Hot Dogs in the press release. “Family Fridays at The District is designed to let the kids be kids in a high-energy environment like Main Event or Paddle Up, while the adults can actually enjoy a craft beer from 4 Hands Brewing Co. or a cocktail from Narwhal’s Crafted and float from space to space or cuddle up by a fire pit. You don’t need a babysitter to have a night out; you just need to be here.”
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What to Expect on Family Fridays
- Dinner without the dishes: Steve’s Hot Dogs offers a free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult meal. The offerings include fish and chips, a Lenten special rolled out today that runs Fridays through Good Friday, April 3.
- Something sweet: Hi-Pointe Drive-In offers a complimentary shake with the purchase of a kids’ meal and an entrée, which now includes the”Fish Fil-heyyy,” potato-chip crusted, beer battered Atlantic cod, with American cheese, lettuce, pickles, and house made garlic dill tartar sauce on a toasted potato bun. The seasonal sandwich is available today and every Friday through Lent.
- Family happy hour: Narwhal’s Crafted features $5 smoothies from 11 a.m.–7 p.m. with the purchase of a full-price drink.
- A “parental timeout”: Main Event hosts happy hour specials from 3–6 p.m. while kids take on the arcade and bowling lanes.
- Glow-in-the-dark pickleball: Paddle Up Pickleball Club turns down the lights for high-energy, glow-style play (reservations recommended).
- Greenway adventure: SBR Bikes & Brews offers a third bike rental free with the rental of two—perfect for exploring the 11-mile trail behind The District.
- Creative escape: The Candle Fusion Studio hosts “CREATE” sessions where families can mix custom scents together.
