Every December, El Monstero turns The Pageant into a full-blown Pink Floyd universe, complete with soaring guitar solos, aerial performers, and a loyal St. Louis crowd that treats it like a holiday rite of passage.

In this episode of The Sauce, Lauren Healey sits down with John Pessoni and Bill Reiter of El Monstero to talk about what it takes to keep a tradition like this going for nearly three decades.

In this week’s episode of The Sauce:

• How El Monstero grew from a tribute idea into a seven-night holiday run at The Pageant
• The rehearsal process, setlists, and why they always tweak the show for repeat fans
• Building a true rock spectacle, from aerialists and dancers to video walls, pyro, and helicopters at the summer amphitheater show
• The difference between the winter Pageant run and the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre show
• Juggling El Monstero with The Urge, tribute bands, cover bands, and life outside of music
• Their love of St. Louis’ food scene, from pre-show spots on The Loop to Italian icons on The Hill
• The story behind their “gardening” tins collaboration with High Rule and how social media rules shaped the language

Sponsored this week by LHM, with festive holiday pop ups at 360 Downtown, 360 Westport, and plenty of cheer at Union Station, including the Polar Express Train Ride and the Sleigh Shed inside Train Shed.

 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.  Learn more and buy tickets at elmonstero.com.

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On this week’s episode of The Sauce, host Lauren Healey sits down with Doug Auer, co-founder of Third Degree Glass Factory and the developer behind the Delmar Maker District — one of St. Louis’ most creative, collaborative and fast-growing corridors. Make sure you check out our feature from the November issue about how the Delmar Maker District is bouncing back after the May 2025 tornado tore through the neighborhood.

Doug shares how Third Degree Glass began 23 years ago with a simple goal (a place to blow glass and teach workshops) and how it grew into the anchor of an entire makerspace ecosystem. He also talks through the evolution of the Maker District, the restaurant boom, and the community resilience that has shaped the neighborhood through floods, tornado damage and rapid redevelopment.

In this episode:

• The early days of Third Degree Glass and building a sustainable studio model
• How MADE STL and MADE for Kids came to life
• Partnerships with Craft Alliance, The Magic House, and local makers
• The district’s restaurant expansion: Esca, Florentin, Nixta, The Fountain on Delmar, and more
• Behind the scenes of the tornado recovery and neighborhood cleanup
• What’s next for the district: retail, commercial and long-term residential hopes
• Doug’s background in design and the glassblowing journey that started it all
• Why Third Fridays remain the district’s biggest community draw

Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms. New episodes drop every Tuesday.

Special thanks to this week’s episode sponsor: LHM, featuring holiday pop-ups at 360 Rooftop Bar, 360 Westport, and festive experiences at Union Station, including the St. Louis Polar Express Train Ride and the Sleigh Shed inside The Train Shed.

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On this week’s episode of The Sauce, host Lauren Healey sits down with Arica Avery, the force behind STL Pot Chef, to talk about cannabis-infused dining, community events, and breaking stigma in St. Louis.

Arica shares how college experiments with flavor and dosage grew into a full slate of curated experiences, from pop-up markets to chef competitions. She explains how private, 21+ events work in Missouri, why “low and slow” dosing matters, and how her team partners with chefs, venues, and sponsors to keep things safe, fun, and delicious.

In this episode:

• The origin of STL Pot Chef, shaped at the Cola Lounge, Missouri’s first cannabis consumption lounge
• Event formats at a glance: Munchie Market food court vs. Danksgiving chef competition
• How ticketing works, tasting tiers, and VIP early entry with chef meet-and-greets
• Why each tasting sample is 5 mg, and how guests vote to award a $1,000 prize
• Working with chefs like Chef Terri Jayne (Gateway Grub), Chef Bailey, and Chef Marca (Magic Infusions)
• Legal basics for private, 21+ events, ID checks, and electronic waivers
• Hemp-derived partners like Mighty Kind and giveaways from Weedmaps
• Edibles as an alcohol alternative, safe dosing strategies, and stories of recovery

Upcoming dates:

• Danksgiving competition, Nov 23
• Munchie Market: Holiday Edition, Dec 14 at Little Bivo
• Book a private infused dinner: custom menus, custom dosage, in-home or event catering with STL Pot Chef’s partner chefs.

Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms. New episodes drop every Tuesday.

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4 Hands Brewing Co. President Kevin Lemp has long made community impact as core to the brewery’s identity as the beer itself. As he shared on The Sauce podcast episode that aired earlier this week, philanthropy isn’t a side project: it’s integral to the brand. Here he shares the brewery’s top five recent philanthropic collaborations.

Tornado Action Relief with Action St. Louis
“4 Hands partnered with Action St. Louis to create Tornado Action Relief, developing a custom T-shirt and donating 100% of proceeds. The effort raised $11,367 for those affected by the storm.”

The Holiday McGift Shoppe with Ronald McDonald House
“This annual volunteer event is one the team has participated in for years, first discovered when Ronald McDonald House became a City Wide beneficiary. It’s a meaningful chance for leadership to work hands-on in giving back.”

City Wide American Pale Ale
“City Wide is the brewery’s flagship philanthropic brand – now the No. 1 selling craft beer in St. Louis – and has generated over $400,000 for local nonprofits, partnering with 36 organizations to date.”

Pedal the Cause Lager
“Launched in 2024, this partnership introduced a Pedal the Cause Lager featured at Dierbergs in collaboration with Big Shark Bikes. Pedal the Cause was also selected as a City Wide recipient for 2025.”

City Wide Pride in collaboration with PROMO Missouri
“This annual Pride Month release donates $1 per case to PROMO Missouri, supporting their statewide mission and reinforcing 4 Hands’ commitment to LGBTQ+ advocacy.”

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On this week’s episode of The Sauce, host Lauren Healey is joined by Kevin Lemp, president of 4 Hands Brewing Co., to talk about 14 years of brewing, creativity, and community in St. Louis.

Kevin shares how he turned a passion for small-batch beer into one of the city’s most beloved craft beverage brands — and how 4 Hands has evolved into a full-scale beverage company with spirits, cocktails and cannabis drinks.

In this episode:

• How Kevin’s decade at Gallo Winery laid the groundwork for 4 Hands’ 2011 launch
• The evolution from one brewery to four locations: LaSalle Park, Chesterfield, Kirkwood, and STL Airport
• Food partners that elevate the taproom experience — Hi-Pointe Drive-In and Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co.
• Navigating the craft beer boom, brand innovation, and staying “true to self” through market shifts
• Launching 1220 Spirits and Withered Oak — from gin and Amaro to aged rye and bourbon
• Rethinking canned cocktails under the 4 Hands brand
• The new 4 Hands Cannabis beverage line — THC drinks crafted with functional ingredients like reishi, cordyceps, and goji berry
• Staying patient with regulations and choosing the right timing for expansion

More highlights:

• City Wide turns 10 in 2026 — 4 Hands’ philanthropic brand that’s donated over $400,000 to local nonprofits
• How hemp-derived delta-9 THC beverages fit into Missouri’s evolving laws
• Upcoming innovations in beer and cocktails for 2026
• Kevin’s thoughts on STL’s creative food scene, favorite spots, and how meditation helps him stay grounded

Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms. New episodes drop every Tuesday.

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Tourism in St. Louis is gaining momentum, with rising hotel bookings and record convention activity, even as the 2026 calendar is expected to bring fewer big meetings. That was the message at Explore St. Louis’ annual meeting, which drew nearly 800 guests from across the hospitality industry, along with developers, members of the press, tourism marketers, and local dignitaries such as Mayor Cara Spencer and County Executive Sam Page, who opened the event with welcome remarks.

The agency reported a 46 percent increase in hotel room nights booked for future dates, surpassing 673,000. Conventions like SEEK 24 filled downtown hotels, while concerts and sporting events at the Dome at America’s Center, Busch Stadium, and Stifel Theatre brought hundreds of thousands of visitors through the turnstiles. For restaurants, that kind of influx means packed dining rooms and catering opportunities that can make your entire month, or even your year.

Digital engagement is also climbing. According to the annual report, ExploreStLouis.com drew more than 3.4 million users last year. Social media impressions reached 69 million, up 7 percent from the year prior.

On the facilities side, the $256 million expansion of America’s Center added a 72,000-square-foot exhibit hall, 23 enclosed loading docks, and a new food garden that creates a farm-to-table dynamic providing Levy Restaurants with seasonal ingredients grown on-site. The project had drawn scrutiny over escalating costs. City and county officials eventually approved bond funding and other investments beyond the original scope, while audits and public debate questioned whether maintenance at the Dome and supporting facilities was being neglected. A strong 2027 convention calendar suggests the investment was a smart move. 

Explore St. Louis isn’t the only player driving tourism and vibrancy. While the annual meeting was taking place, the American Planning Association and the National Park Friends Alliance conferences were both convening downtown. Simultaneously, just down 7th Street, Katie’s announced a $20 million retail partnership with Target from its highest-grossing location at Ballpark Village. Later that same night, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra drew tens of thousands of people to Forest Park for its annual concert on Art Hill. Lufthansa’s Frankfurt service launched at threes flight per week, with expansion to five planned in June 2026. According to the annual report, nearly $10 billion in downtown development is in the pipeline, from hotels to entertainment venues. Large events and concerts at The Dome at America’s Center, Stifel Theatre and Busch Stadium keep drawing national acts. Dean also credited small and large festivals with fueling growth, meaning local businesses and organizers creating public programming aren’t just throwing parties, they’re playing a crucial role in revitalizing the region. 

The positive momentum is driven partially by a leadership change. President & CEO Brad Dean began his new role in February of 2025 and is already shaking things up, from changes to the bureau’s internal teams to a new, collaboration-first approach to marketing the region. In a conversation on stage with St. Louis Magazine Executive Editor Sarah Fenske, Dean said St. Louis has the product to compete with major markets, and now it’s time to tell that story on a grand scale. With Jennifer Hollenkamp and Catherine Neville at the helm of marketing and communications, website visits and digital impressions are up, and that visibility is contributing to the growth in hotel bookings.

Restaurants that pay attention to the convention calendar are well-poised to leverage these moments for their own business. Explore St. Louis membership offers practical benefits, including website listings and advance updates when a major convention is headed to town. Partners can also share promotions and special offerings or be connected directly with meeting planners seeking food and beverage partners.

Lindsay Pattan is a communications professional in St. Louis with more than 20 years working in the humanities, including arts, culture, hospitality, social good, and development. She owns a downtown-based PR firm and was a small sponsor of this year’s meeting.

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The air has a chill and a few scattered leaves have fallen, so it’s obviously time for your seasonal rewatch of Gilmore Girls. Here are a few events happening around town that will harken back to your formative years daydreaming of Stars Hollow.

Gilmore Girls Trivia
With famously rapid dialogue packed with literary, pop culture, political and historical references, no TV show is more rife for trivia than Gilmore Girls. Local trivia producer Bravo Trivia Night is hosting weekly events all September long at Schlafly Bottleworks (all ages welcome) and Hidden Gem (must be 21 years or older), alternatively. Winners get Gilmore Girls-themed prizes in addition to Schlafly and Hidden Gem goodies. 9 Mile Garden is also hosting a trivia night later in the month that falls on the same day as one at Schlafly in case you’re looking for a change of scenery, though prize details have not been released.

Thursday, Sept. 4 & 25 – 7 p.m., Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest Ave., St. Louis, 314.241.2337, facebook.com/bravotrivianight

Wednesday, Sept. 10 – 7 p.m., Hidden Gem, 3118 Locust St., St. Louis, 314.925.8931, facebook.com/bravotrivianight

Thursday, Sept. 25 – 7 p.m., 9 Mile Garden, 9375 Gravois Road, St. Louis, facebook.com/events/1200763182069957

Gilmore Girls 25th Anniversary Party + Drag Brunch
Celebrate 25 years of our favorite fall comfort watch in true Stars Hollow style with a full afternoon of Gilmore-flavored fun, from a free drag brunch hosted by local drag icon Fabrielle, to trivia questions to Pop Culture Reference Bingo. Don your finest plaid ensemble for a Luke-A-Like contest and hang out before and after the festivities for screenings of your favorite episodes – there may even be a drinking game. Hidden Gem will make sure the cocktails and coffee stay flowing and food is bring-your-own. A food truck vendor not yet announced will be outside or visitors can get brunch to-go from Egg just down the street.

Saturday, Sep. 20 – noon, Hidden Gem, 3118 Locust St., St. Louis, 314.925.8931, drinkhiddengem.com

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St. Louis might be known for Provel, but our pizza scene goes way beyond that. Whether it’s wood-fired and blistered, hand-tossed and nostalgic, or piled high with local ingredients, these local spots are worth a visit.

Anthonino’s Taverna
Anthonino’s Taverna, which was ranked in the Top 100 Pizza Spots in the U.S. by Yelp, takes their pizza very seriously, including gluten-free and vegan options. The hand-tossed crust can be topped with a wide variety of ingredients, from gyro meat and classic pepperoni to fresh figs. Their high-quality mozzarella provides a creamy, mouthwatering cheese pull that will keep you going back for another slice. All ingredients are fresh and sourced locally as much as possible. You can conveniently find their frozen gourmet pizza at your local Schnucks. Next time you are craving pizza, head to Anthonino’s for dine in, carryout or catering.
2225 Macklind Ave., St. Louis, 314.773.4455, anthoninos.com

Madrina
At Madrina, pizza isn’t just a dish; it’s a love letter to Italian-American tradition. Each pie begins with a perfectly blistered crust, hand-stretched and ready for its next chapter. Toppings range from nostalgic classics to seasonal riffs, all made with serious heart. It’s about taste, tradition and taking your time. Come hungry. Leave full-hearted. This pizza is more than a meal, it’s a memory in the making. Available only during Aperitivo Hour, the happiest hour, from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and Sunday.
101 W. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, 314.963.1976, madrinastl.com

Pizzeoli
Tucked into historic Soulard since 2014, this locally owned pizzeria is a hidden gem with vintage charm and a loyal following. Known for its “charred & flimsy” Neapolitan-style pizzas, each pie is fired in a blazing 900°F wood oven. Ingredients are natural and thoughtfully sourced: no seed oils, and plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. The cozy, candlelit space feels like a throwback in the best way, with dim stained glass lighting and jazz on the speakers. Don’t skip the cocktails: classic favorites like the negroni or martini are just $10 during happy hour from 4-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Seating is limited, so join the waitlist online before heading over.
1928 S. 12th St., St. Louis, 314.449.1111, pizzeoli.com

Schlafly Beer
Schlafly brings the same attention to detail and local pride found in their beer to every pizza they make. With bold, house-made sauces, craft-inspired toppings and ingredients sourced from nearby farms, each pizza is a celebration of creativity and flavor. Seasonal specials keep the menu fresh, and every slice is designed to pair perfectly with your favorite Schlafly brew.
Multiple locations, schlafly.com

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The St. Louis cocktail drinker is more educated than ever. We still love our bourbon, but we’re just as happy drinking gin, agave spirits or amaro-based spritzes. We just want our cocktails to be great, and these bars serve some of the best, most exciting drinks around town.

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Warm weather just makes you feel like drinking wine, and let’s face it: it’s always wine o’clock somewhere. Here are some of our top picks for places to enjoy a little vino this season.

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