Southtown Pub has been on Kingshighway at Beck Avenue since, well, forever. But new owners are transforming the old neighborhood tavern.

Paul and Samantha Perrique, who have worked for years at bars in Soulard, South County and the Morgan Ford strip, took over last week.

In no time flat, they've scrubbed, painted, scrubbed some more and installed new carpeting. They removed the pool and shuffleboard tables and added six HD TVs, big-screen Golden Tee and Silver Strike games and a TouchTone jukebox.

By the end of the month, they plan to have wireless Internet and Sunday hours; and by spring they will offer a full-service kitchen and a sidewalk café.

While it still exudes that corner-bar aura, it has a younger vibe, centered on the late-20s to 40s crowd.

Prices are low: $2.50 for domestic bottles, $3 for draft pints and $3 for well drinks.

During the long happy hour — 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. — get a bucket of six beers for $11.