Lindsey Heuntz, left, with Elizabeth Tucker at the grand opening of EXO; photo by Katherine Bish

Trend-setters Fred Finley and Harry Andre Michel laid out a path for St. Louis’ upscale urban party folk with their monthly 1st Fridays, special events and Seven nightclub.

Then, they walked away from Seven with the promise of coming back with another club (Seven is now Dante’s).

Two years later, the duo is back with a trendy new venue, EXO, 3146 Locust Street, which opened with a performance on its patio from neo-soul star Chico DeBarge.

This time, they say they’re doing things differently with EXO. Unlike Seven, Finley says EXO is not just a nightclub.

“Seven was a nightclub, which was eclectic and soulful. Everyone enjoyed the space, had a great time and I loved Seven in its peak stages. But at the end of the day, it was a nightclub,” Finley says.

“We’re getting older, so we want to appeal to more than just the club-goer. We want to appeal to everyone because we think that’s more beneficial.”

He calls EXO a “lifestyle entertainment space,” and if the general public gives it another name after checking it out, so be it.

One of the big components of the venue is live and DJ music from local and national names - music that “feels good, that makes you want to get up and dance and bob your head. One night it might be jazz, another night it might be R&B and hip-hop, one night it might be house. And another night it might be background lounge music.”

Artwork by Cbabi Bayoc and others will be showcased, and EXO’s restaurant will offer a Creole-influenced menu, described as “Southern comfort cuisine.”

Among the menu selections are Cajun fries, jambalaya, sweet potato casserole, Creole barbecued prawns, and hot Louisiana-style “naked” chicken drummettes.

Finley, a real surveyor of the local nightlife scene, says “I see a lot of spaces in St. Louis, and many are doing either a nightclub or restaurant. But nobody is bringing those elements together and creating their own personality.”

The sleek, easy-on-the-eyes bi-level venue features a DJ booth, dance floor, VIP area, cigar room, lounge areas, bottle service space, kitchen, patio and more.

EXO’s name is an offshoot of premium cognac XO, which you’ll have no problem finding at the bar. They like to say the name works because the experience and atmosphere they offer is a premium one.

Capacity at the 6,000-square-foot venue is 430 for both levels combined, with room for an additional 250 more on the patio.

EXO is open 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Get more information at www.exostl.com.

Leah Utley, left, and Bianca Hester at the grand opening of EXO; photo by Katherine Bish