Black Label, a nightclub, gallery and restaurant a stone’s throw from Busch Stadium, has operated quietly since its April opening.

But with the All-Star Game next week, Black Label really wants to make itself known. The club’s owners have more than a weekend’s worth of programming to keep the house full.

“We love that we’re by Busch Stadium,” says Craig Morris, co-owner of Black Label. Morris manages the club’s day-to-day operations while his business partner, Chris Little of St. Louis, a pitcher with the Edmonton Capitals of the independent Golden Baseball League, is away with his team.

Black Label kicks off the weekend with Stress Free Fridays tonight, followed by a Day N Night All-Star Party Saturday, live entertainment Sunday, Home Run Derby afterparty Monday and an All-Star Game afterparty Tuesday.

BBQ, darts, cards, washers, dominoes, Wii Home Run Derby, “Guitar Hero” and more are all part of the weekend.
The idea behind Black Label is to establish something fresh for St. Louis, Little says.
“We want to diversify the St. Louis night scene with a more creativity-based venue,” says Little, a tattoo artist during the off-season. “We want people to be able to come and get different experiences, do something outside the box.”

The Black Label main room is a lounge area with a DJ booth, a stage, chill-out sections and VIP booths, and bottle service. It holds 250 people.

The main bar in an adjacent room has a small lounge area and scenic aquarium with oscar fish. Piranhas will be added later.

The room is decorated with local art, and colorful sneakers by local shoe designer Greedy Genius hang from the ceiling. It’s all for sale.

“Shoes, sneakers and heels are big here, and you can look up and see exclusive shoes,” Morris says of the dangling sneaks. “That’s something you don’t see on a normal basis.”

Black Label’s restaurant, House of Kabobs, opened this week with eight kabobs including chicken, vegetable, fruit and seafood. Sandwiches and salads also are available.

The patio holds an additional 150 people, has two bars, three VIP sections, four picnic tables and bungalows that can hold 10 people each. This is where the club’s gaming goes on.

Morris, who worked as an operations manager at the Loft and in marketing for Jack Daniels, says six locations were checked out over three years before he and Little found what they wanted at 758 South Fourth Street.

They looked at Lumen before it was Lumen, various spots on Locust Street and Washington Avenue, and within Grand Center.

Little was naturally biased toward the location near Busch Stadium. They also liked being a part of Chouteau’s Landing redevelopment.

“We just happened to luck up and find this space and knew it was the space,” Morris says.
Black Label features reggae music Friday nights and has partnered with promotional groups Precision and Liquid Assets for Saturday parties called Day N Night, which begin with a happy hour.

Black Label is also the new home of Suite Soul Spot, a monthly R&B showcase taking place the second Wednesday of each month.

Black Label • 758 South Fourth Street • 314-621-1929 • www.myspace.com/blacklabelstl