Mardi Gras is right around the corner, and there really is no better place to celebrate than in Soulard. But instead of driving all the way there, searching endlessly for a spot, walking blocks and blocks to the action, then driving home (or finding a ride), I propose a solution: Colorado Bob's Ship of Fools.
Fat Tuesday kicks off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, February 18 at Colorado Bob's (3457 Morganford, 314-772-7564) with breakfast. It's not brunch at the Ritz, but it will be tasty and hearty enough to coat your ribs for some serious drinking. From 10 a.m. until 5.30 pm, a shuttle will run hourly from the Morganford bar to Soulard. After all the revelry, return to Bob's for dinner. Breakfast, transportation, and dinner costs a mere $10, which really you can't beat.
Even if you don't opt to go this route for Mardi Gras, a visit to the Ship of Fools really is a must. As I've mentioned before, I love commitment to a theme, and boy do they commit. I started counting the schooners adorning the walls and ledges and lost count at around 50.
It also fully embraces its dive bar status. A poster of a pirate parrot holding a daquiri reads, "Polly want a cocktail!" Smoking is allowed and encouraged (cigarette machine), and drinks are cheap. They do serve food, but the menu is, shall we say, limited. Since Colorado Bob's has no kitchen, the only fare on offer is Tony's frozen pizza. If you seek lighter fare, perhaps the selection of Fritos, Cheetos, and beef jerky, which is stored in a repurposed pickle jar, might tickle your fancy. (Breakfast and dinner on Mardi Gras will be catered.)
Whenever I check out neighborhood dive bars, I always worry I won't be warmly received, but that wasn't the case here. The bartender was cute and friendly, and the manager Opie (no relation) came over, invited us back, and gave us a little history on Colorado Bob, a Key West native who studied in the Rocky Mountain state.
A word to the wise: Bring bills with you—your card's no good here. They have an ATM, but the $3 fee would be better spent on a Bud Light and some beef jerky.
Happy hour goes nightly from 4 to 6 p.m. and includes $2 longnecks, $10 buckets, and wells for $2.50.
