The Delmar Loop
Lined with an eclectic mix of establishments, the Delmar Loop was named one of 10 Great Streets in America by the American Planning Association.
Live music electrifies the neighborhood, and we suggest timing your visit to coincide with a show. For affordable tickets, check out the lineup at the Duck Room, a legendary live music club that opened inside Blueberry Hill in 1997. Chuck Berry, the first person inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, was a good friend of owner Joe Edwards, and after Berry inaugurated the Duck Room, he played here at least once a month for more than 200 consecutive months in an unforgettable concert series.
As St. Louis continues to write its musical history, other concert venues in The Loop have solidified their spots in the St. Louis music scene. The Pageant, whose distinct design creates a unique intimacy between performer and audience, brings national tours to the area, while the underground vibe of Delmar Hall attracts audiences with varied interests.
Music-lovers can also shop for vinyl records – plus, art, gifts, tobacco and more – in The Loop. As you walk along the blocks of Delmar Boulevard, take note of the brass stars on the sidewalk. Part of the St. Louis Walk of Fame, the stars honor notable people from St. Louis and their contributions to the culture of the U.S. From Maya Angelou to Tina Turner and Jack Buck to Tennessee Williams, all the inductees were either born in the St. Louis area or spent their formative or creative years here.
Whether you’re attending an event, shopping for St. Louis souvenirs or bowling in a retro alley, carve out time to eat! The dining scene in the Delmar Loop features St. Louis-style barbecue, trendy tacos, pressure-fried chicken sandwiches, comfort food, famous root beer and more. It also offers a veritable trip around the world, with cuisines ranging from Syrian to Thai and Greek to Korean.
As the sun sets, neon signs light up the district. Which one is your favorite? (Note: In 2015, the Peacock Loop Diner’s 11-foot-wide, 1,800-pound, animated neon sign won the Signs of the Times International Sign Contest Readers’ Choice Award for Best Neon Sign. The sign uses 680 feet of neon tubing and 50 transformers to create an elegant peacock whose feathers fan out 200 times an hour, and you shouldn’t miss it!)