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"...ASK YOURSELF A QUESTION - ‘DO I FEEL LUCKY?'"
St. Louis casinos up the ante to attract visitors
Lady Luck is living large in St. Louis, with six area casinos now open for business. Admission is free, parking is free, and each location offers a different, unique gaming and entertainment experience for visiting high rollers and not-so-high-rollers. Whether you're looking for a sleek and contemporary gaming experience, or just want to settle in behind a friendly slot machine or two, there are plenty of opportunities to try your luck in St. Louis - all within reach.
Downtown St. Louis has welcomed an exciting new gaming attraction into its midst, with the grand opening of Pinnacle Entertainment's Lumiére Place. Lumiére Place features a 75,000-square-foot gaming floor with 2,000 slot machines and more than 40 table games. The $507 million project, which opened in December 2007, offers guests an ultra-upscale gaming experience that includes fine and casual dining, retail shops, a nightclub, a luxury spa, business center, and banquet facilities. The project features two hotels, including a 200-guestroom Four Seasons Hotel, and an all-suite hotel that occupies the former Embassy Suites-Downtown St. Louis location. That property, which is named HoteLumière, opened for business March 2008 after a $16 million renovation.
Lumiére Place has a secure pedestrian connector that allows easy access into the complex from St. Louis' central business district, the America's Center convention complex and the Edward Jones Dome. A total of seven restaurants are located onsite, including: Sleek, a steakhouse and ultra lounge featuring premium Kobe beef steaks, lamb, veal and pork, plus signature chicken and seafood dishes; Burger Bar, which offers gourmet burgers using ingredients such as Ridgeland and Black Angus beef, lobster, lamb, turkey, salmon, sautéed foie gras, black truffles and cheeses; and Asia, a contemporary restaurant featuring authentic Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese meals, soups and snacks.
In addition to making a big splash on the local gaming scene, Lumiére Place adds a distinctive presence to the St. Louis skyline as well, thanks to the use of a cutting-edge glazing system that creates a light box effect, which frames the tower. Lumière is the French word for "light," and the tower features an arc of light that stretches from one side of the 24-story tower across the top of the structure. During daylight hours, the building creates a striking presence by reflecting sunlight and creating a sparkling effect.
A second casino from Pinnacle Entertainment, River City Casino & Hotel, is slated to open in south St. Louis County later in 2008. Lumiere Place Casino & Hotels, St. Louis Riverfront, 877-450-7711, www.lumiereplace.com.
Docked on the Mississippi River at Laclede's Landing, the President Casino is housed in a shiny piece of St. Louis history. The Admiral, as it's been known since 1940, was built in 1907 and generations of St. Louisans have memories about entertaining days and nights spent aboard the former excursion craft. Today, the gaming facility offers more than 1,200 slot machines, video poker and keno, table games, and St. Louie's Poker Room. The casino recently underwent a $3 million dollar renovation including new carpet and table game felts, along with 115 additional slot machines. A new restaurant has been added to the casino's top deck - the Boardwalk Buffet - that offers a selection of all-you-can eat entrees, finger foods, salads and desserts. Another in-house option is the River's Edge Deli, for a variety of deli sandwiches, pizzas, hot dogs, salads, and desserts. Free parking and shuttle services are available from lots on Laclede's Landing and hotels throughout downtown. President Casino, St. Louis Riverfront at Laclede's Landing, 314-622-3000 or 800-772-3647, http://www.presidentcasino.com/.
Just across the Mississippi River from downtown, the Casino Queen recently completed a $150 million expansion and renovation, which includes an entirely new 40,000-square-foot gaming floor, and a hotel with 150 rooms and seven luxury suites. The Queen claims to have the most liberal slot payouts and was rated by one Las Vegas newsletter as one of the top 10 casinos in the United States "where you're most likely to win." Those who prefer more interactive activities have plenty to keep them occupied as well, as the casino has high-stakes wagering with table limits from $2.00 to $2,000.00 on games like blackjack, craps, roulette, Caribbean stud, Let It Ride, and mini-baccarat.
There are a number of food and drink options on-site, including: Java Junction a two-sided ice cream and coffee bar that serves specialty coffees, espresso and ice cream; Deli & Chips, offering snacks and fresh sandwiches; Gateway Café, with casual options for breakfast, lunch and dinner; Prime Steakhouse, the casino's fine dining restaurant; and Market Street Buffet, a casual dining buffet featuring American, Mexican, Italian and Asian dishes. The Stage Bar serves cocktails and entertainment, and two Island Bars, located on the gaming floor, have video poker machines.
The Casino Queen operates 7 days a week, and there's free admission, free parking, free downtown St. Louis shuttles, and no buy-in or wagering limits. There's also a full-service RV park on the property that features pull-through sites, full hookups, and 24-hour security. Casino Queen, 200 South Front Street, East St. Louis, IL, 618-874-5000 or 800-777-0777, http://www.casinoqueen.com/.
Harrah's St. Louis is actually two casinos in one. The Island Casino reflects a more laid-back atmosphere, complete with waterfalls, giant fish tanks, and plenty of palm trees. Next door, there's a New Orleans-style casino decorated with beads, masks and other "Big Easy" inspired décor. Combined, the facility has more than 120,000 square feet of gaming space with 2,800 video poker and slot machines, including the popular progressive machines. There are more than 90 table games -- blackjack, roulette, craps, Caribbean Stud and Let It Ride poker, as well as a dedicated live poker room with 21 tables.
Harrah's has eight eateries to choose from, including: The Range Steakhouse for steaks, seafood and popular wines; Charlie Gitto's From The Hill's Italian-American delicacies; and Moby's Fish Tales serves signature seafood dishes. Town Square Buffet has an array of more than 100 items for breakfast, lunch and dinner; Club Aroma offers specialty coffees, pastries, soups and sandwiches; Jester´s Deli has salads, sandwiches, and breakfast pastries; Grill 21 serves soups, hot sandwiches, pizza and breakfast all day; and a Ben & Jerry's stand scoops up ice cream.
The VooDoo Café, open for lunch and dinner, also features specialty cocktails mixed by "flair bartenders," and live entertainment by artists such as Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin, The Lemonheads, Shooter Jennings, The Verve Pipe, and Marcia Ball. Harrah's 455-room hotel includes 47 luxury suites. Harrah's St. Louis, 777 Casino Center Drive, 314-770-8100, http://www.harrahs.com/.
In December 2007, Ameristar Casino St. Charles, completed a $245 million expansion that includes a 400-room all-suite luxury hotel, an indoor/outdoor pool area with waterfalls, fire pits, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, a 2,000-space parking garage, and a 7,000-square-foot full-service spa offering a full menu of traditional and unique services in six private treatment rooms.
The complex features a cobblestone streetscape inspired by the 1880s architecture of the St. Charles River Port District and boasts the largest selection of slots and table games in the St. Louis market. Ameristar's 130,000-square foot facility features 3,300 slots - with denominations ranging from penny to $25 - and video poker machines, a live poker room, and 81 table games including blackjack, craps, roulette, Pai Gow and Craps No More.
There's an array of entertainment and dining amenities, including: The Deli, with fresh baked goods, sandwiches, salads and pizza; Amerisports Bar & Grill, serving hearty American favorites and a selection of specialty beers along with multiple plasma and big screen TVs; Pearl's Oyster Bar, offering fresh seafood, including shrimp, clams, oysters and crab legs; 47 Port Street Grill, a fine dining venue with steaks and chops, rotisserie specialties and an extensive wine list; The Landmark Buffet has multiple exhibition-style serving stations of American, Italian and Mongolian favorites; and the Falcon Diner, offers 24-hour dining with a menu of down-home breakfast, lunch and dinner selections. Bottleneck Blues Bar has live music six nights a week and frequently hosts entertainers such as .38 Special, American Idol's Bo Bice, Pure Prairie League, and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, while the King Cat Club is a swanky martini bar. Free valet and covered parking. Ameristar Casino St. Charles, 1260 Main Street, St. Charles, MO, 636-949-7777 or 800-325-7777, http://www.ameristarcasinos.com/.
Located 25 minutes from downtown St. Louis, Argosy's Alton Belle Casino is a floating casino complex on Alton's historic riverfront. Features include restaurants, lounges, live music, and unlimited-stakes wagering, seven days a week. Gaming options include blackjack, craps, roulette, Caribbean stud, three-card and Let It Ride poker, video poker, keno, and slot machines from penny slots to $100 machines.
Food and beverage options include the Key West Bar for tropical drinks, and the Captain's Table Buffet, a multi-themed, all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant. Outfitters Grill is a steak house serving steaks, hamburgers, fish, and pasta dishes, while La Cantina is a faster-food option for gamers on the go. Top name comedians and entertainers perform regularly in Argosy's Music Hall, including Chuck Berry, Little River Band, Mary Wilson, The Spinners, and Little Texas. Argosy's Alton Belle Casino, 1 Front Street, Alton, IL, 800-711-GAME, http://www.argosycasinos.com/stiouis.
Updated: February 13, 2008
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