Likened to James Brown and Bobby “Blue” Bland, the gravel-voiced Roland Johnson has been described as “dripping charisma” by The Riverfront Times and named their pick for best blues artist of 2011.
Tonight, Johnson and the Voodoo Blues Band will be one the first gigs to christen the main stage at the spankin’ new live music and food venue Plush (3224 Locust, 314-535-2686, www.plushstl.com). The six-piece band of guitar, piano, drums, and a two-man horn section is
helmed by Raul Consuegra, who provides vocals and—it wouldn’t be blues without it—the slide guitar.
This four-story behemoth in Midtown sports a two-level live music space and two floors for dining as well as private event space, all to the tune of 10,000 square feet. The fourth-floor penthouse apartment will house the unplugged artist series.
The bar shows off with 20 beers on tap—many local brews—as well as 50 more of the can and bottle variety. If beer doesn’t tickle your fancy, perhaps one of the 100 spirits will.
If you’re still not sold on this hip new joint, you should know that they serve food until 1 a.m., and not just any food—fresh, made-from-scratch diner food, which includes a brisket and sirloin burger, a braised short rib sloppy Joe, and mac ‘n’ cheese, which can be tailored to your liking with chicken, shrimp, bacon, and veggies. And for dessert, try their Chocolate Gooey Butter Thing.
Plush is the brainchild of Maebelle Reed, the daughter of Washington University Chancellor Emeritus William H. Danforth.
This 18+ event starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $6, available at the door.