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Pin-Up Bowl
- Nearest Transit:
-
Delmar Blvd. @ Skinker Blvd. (97)
Skinker @ Delmar Blvd (16, 2)
Delmar Blvd. @ Skinker Blvd. (97)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 3 pm - 3 am
Fri-Sun 12 pm - 3 am
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Yes
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
42 reviews for Pin-Up Bowl
Review Highlights
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42 reviews in English
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Review from John H.
Chicago, IL
As a bar, Pin-Up is not my cup of tea. As a bowling alley with a bar, it works just fine.
It is something of a niche, as you might expect of a Loop bar with bowling. Of course, it's not really a bowling alley at all. There aren't many lanes, the wait can be long, and games aren't cheap. But you also don't have to watch a fat guy with a combover chain smoking and spraying shoes with disinfectant.
You can go at the right time and have an absolute blast. Late Saturday afternoon is a good option. Have a few drinks, roll a few games, and go out for dinner afterwards. That's a pretty good start to a Saturday night.
I was a little disappointed that I never saw Nelly on any of my visits. Dude used to bowl here all the time. -
Review from Kim W.
Saint Louis, MO
I used to go here a lot last summer when I spent almost every night in the Loop. I finally got tired of the overpriced drinks, terrible DJ's, dirty bathrooms, and horrible service. I haven't spent any of my hard earned cash there since June 2011 and I don't miss going there at all.
If you want to spend a lot of money on weak drinks and listen to an amateur DJ press "next" on a Mac, spend your evenings here.
On the plus side, it is open til 3am if you are a night owl.
There are too many wannabe hipsters and middle aged tourists who thought it was a bowling alley and not also a bar. Not my scene. -
Review from Patt C.
Last Friday we had a work outing (celebrating 11.11.11) that began at 3 p.m. We consumed the entire joint with our group of 60+.
What a fun place. And little. Eight lanes, auto-scoring (thankfully) -- although we did have a discussion of who learned in high school to score bowling -- EEK!!.
Plenty of music and other messages across the front of the lanes.
Barmistress was cordial, another server/don't really know what his role was -- was much more friendly and smiley.
Lightweight balls were in abundance and well-marked, so that was extremely helpful.
When I got shoes, my size was translated verbally into a male size, so I guess the shoes are unigender.
The food was catered from Blueberry Hill, so I guess it doesn't count for the review. It was OK with plenty of variety. I didn't try lots of things.
We had a glorious time, but I'm not sure if it was due to Pin-Up Bowl or the work crowd!! -
Review from Stephanie K.
Edwardsville, IL
Pin-Up Bowl is a fusion of a throwback 50s hangout and a modern bowling alley. With a name like Pin-Up Bowl you would expect an "Ed Debevic's"-esque experience, however it is not overly kitschy or touristy, which I appreciated. Although the mixed drinks aren't the cheapest, the bartenders were friendly and helpful. Also, the Touch Tunes jukebox provided my friends and I with some cool jams while enjoying our draughts.
Bowling at Pin-Up appeared to be moderately expensive, however my friends and I didn't get a chance to bowl, due to all of the lanes being full. There were about 8 lanes total for bowling, so I would suggest coming a little bit earlier to ensure you get a lane. The clientele is mostly a hipster environment, so make sure you're wearing your black frames and Wavvves tshirt when you visit haha.
All in all, I would definitely visit Pin-Up Bowl again, however next time I would come a little bit earlier (rather than midnight) so that I get a chance to bowl!Listed in: Sightseer
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Review from Jonny C.
St Louis, MO
I would consider myself a quasi-lebowski... I love me bowling. And I tend to think I know a little about lanes...
Pin-up is a fun place to get drunk and roll some rocks.. But I would not consider this a "Bowling Alley." It is more like a novelty. Sort-of like St. Louis style pizza..... :P
The lanes are candied-up to say the least. It is very drunk-friendly, meaning the lanes are not slick in the least bit. The games are expensive, even if you are a regular. The drinks are stiff, and really the only thing this place has going for itself. I, for one(the current duke btw) will not be going back nearly as much as I was. I have found better, and more fun places to bowl. -
Review from Aimee K.
***Disclaimer*** I am very bad at bowling. If you want to win, do not pick me for your team... and I promise to not be offended.
Regardless of my (lack of) bowling skills, a group of us had a really fun time last night at Pin-Up. They take reservations if you call a day ahead, but we just walked in last night and they set us right up with a lane. In about two minutes flat, shoes were rented, drinks were bought, and we were showing off our skills.
I went for a pretty boring drink choice compared to their menu of Signature Cocktails, and next time I'm there I really want to try the Dutch Harvest or the red sangria. What I really love about Pin-Up is even if you're not bowling, it's great as a lounge where you can just sit around with friends over drinks. They also have a nice variety of appetizers and sandwiches.
Bottom line, good drinks + a jukebox + friends + bowling + good service = a pretty ideal Saturday night.Listed in: Rum & Diets with Lime
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Review from Lindsay G.
Hollywood, FL
This place is fun and eclectic. Sure, it is a little warm and the floor is crooked. I was glad the DJ took over when he did due to a crowd in the bar that made me feel like I was at a Death Metal concert. I loved the pink bowling pins and the graphics and it definitely made everyone quote the Big Lebowski. The neighborhood it is in is very fun and it seemed like a fun place to just get drunk. The beer and food selection was good and it wasn't overly crowded.
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Review from Meghan B.
Bloomington, IL
I like to bowl, but it wasn't necessary. The clanging pins in the background were enough for this Lebowski Girl. Plus good beer, fair prices, great music, a clean place, and a friendly staff. The crowd was lively without being too loud or annoying. I'd go back in a heartbeat.
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Review from Charles P.
Saint Louis, MO
Who hasn't been to Pin-Up Bowl? It's one of those martini bars/bowling alleys that everyone and there mom knows about. I figured why not give it a Yelp review!
Pin-Up Bowl as a bowling alley is pretty meh. Not incredible in any way shape or form. It's a bit pricey to bowl there on a regular basis. But honestly who comes here to bowl? People come for the drinky drinks!
I'm more of a whiskey and beer guy so normally you will not see me sipping martini's the prices are decent enough. A good $20 can get you tipsy if you like.
I can't speak for the food as I haven't had it yet. But I hear its good. How can you go wrong with Pop Tarts at 2am?
Space can be a issue during peak hours though. I recommend planning accordingly. And it gets smokey which is always a no no in my book. (Reviewer's Note: A place loses at least 1 star for allowing smoking.)
Overall, I like Pin-Up bowl but the smoking and lack of space are what drag the score down for me. This is a nice place to hang out every so often with a small group of friends before or after a Pageant concert. But I wouldn't call it my favorite bar on the Loop though. -
Review from Alice W.
Saint Louis, MO
Love love love this place! I go here any time I'm out on the Loop. The bar gets pretty crowded after 1:30 so make sure you get a few drinks or a pitcher while you're up there. Super nice staff, even during peak business hours. If you're lucky enough to get a lane the bowling is fairly cheap and as fun as it is anywhere else. 2:00 food menu is awesome. I also go to its sister alley/bar Flamingo Bowl on Washington quite a bit. Fully tattooed and awesome staff at both locations. Nicest people ever when it comes closing time. Other places are rude and just ready to get you out and do their closing stuff (understandably) but they're always so nice about it here.
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Review from Dean B.
Saint Louis, MO
Hmm...
Overpriced drinks?
Check.
Cramped space?
Check.
Too few lanes, forcing a constant wait to bowl?
Check.
Oppressivly smoky atmosphere?
Check.
Charging twice as much as you'd expect for bowling?
Check.
Hipper-than-thou clientele?
Check.
Mediocre to crummy food selection?
Check.
Decor that tries way too hard to look cool?
Check.
Ok, by now you should realize this isn't a bowling alley with a bar. This is a bar that happens to have a couple of lanes for bowling. A bar that tries oh-so-hard to be upscale. The look of the Pin-Up is alright, but it has that feel of going way out of it's way to try to be unique, when in fact it's copying its style from the many "boutique bowling alleys" that have popped up in the last 5-10 years. It has the look and feel of a chain, and not in a good way.
Not to belabor the point, but this place is small and crackerjack-like. Seems like I'm always bumping into someone or waiting for someone to move in order to get somewhere. I suppose this is to be expected at an expensive bar, but not at a bowling alley.
Which I guess brings me to my other point. Don't go here to bowl. It's just not a place built for bowling. The lanes are too cramped together, and at this point there are regular bowling alleys that have the features that the Pin-Up does (flat screen tvs over the pins, crazy weird automatic scoring machines). Not to mention you can walk in and start playing at other alleys instead of having to wait and drown in a cloud of cigarette smoke and overpriced drinks.
I don't think this place really works as a bar or a bowling alley. Because it's small, it's hard to get away to have a conversation with someone. The atmosphere seems manufacturered, like it's trying to put forth a cooler persona that it should. This place might be popular for the right crowd, but if I'm going bowling I'm going to a real bowling alley, and if I'm going to a bar, I'm going to a larger and less crowded one (and one that doesn't periodically charge a cover...wtf is up with that). -
Review from Erin E.
we didn't bowl, so i can't be the judge of that. it was sorta cute inside, but i expected more kitschy stuff and definitely more pin-ups. you call yourself "pin-up bowl" and there's only one pin-up behind the bar? dumb.
all i know is i was told i have to come here for the tootsie roll martini. i normally love flavored martinis, but i rarely get them just cuz they're so expensive. since i was out of town and therefore "on vacation" i decided to splurge. it was definitely a good martini, i'll give them that, but it was nothing extraordinary. it did not, as i was told, taste EXACTLY like a tootsie roll-- not sure how you'd accomplish that, anyway--it really just tasted like a regular chocolate martini. and the bartender didn't even fill my glass up all the way. there was still some left in that shaker, i know it. -
Review from Paul G.
Saint Louis, MO
This place absolutely sucks the life out of me every time I have to hop down there. It's basically a hipster suicide lounge, and quite honestly a crappy place to bowl. I always cringe at the musical selection being pumped out of the internet jukebox, although that does allow me to put a cringe into the hearts of the patrons by playing Megadeth or something. The drinks are overpriced and the smoke seems to hang directly at eye level at the bar for some reason.
Just not my cup of tea, the faux trendiness hurts my soul and there's little else to attract anyone here. -
Review from Danielle W.
New York, NY
Pin-Up Bowl was definitely an experience when I went with my brother, his friend, my sister, and my boyfriend. There were 5 of us and we were all eager and ready to start a few games of bowling.
I started off with a Bloody Mary and a not so nice bartender. I was a little taken a-back by the attitude the bartender had with me. I was not impressed...
The bowling alley itself was a little small and cramped, but the atmosphere is always fun. A little retro, a little rock'n'roll, and a little bit of STL flair...or should I say Midwestern flair. The beginning of our first round I felt claustrophobic, but I started to warm up to the tight quarters after the 3rd round and my second drink.
We ended up bowling 3 games, and it turned out to be a fun time...However, it wasn't so fun after we saw how much our shoes and 3 games were for 5 people. WOW! I felt a little cheated...Maybe Olivette lanes wasn't looking so bad afterall.
Pin-Up Bowl, I would have to say is definitely an "atmosphere" bowling alley...but sometimes you just want to bowl a few games, drink a few beers and not feel like you spent your weekly allowance.
I would recommend Pin-Up bowl for a game or two, but not if you are a regular bowler. -
Review from tricia w.
This place is small (8 total lanes, and we're assuming that all are in working order which was not the case while we were there). If it's a wkd night, you prob have to call in a reservation a couple days prior in order to get the time slot you want. Our reservations were at 9PM but since there was a prob with one of the lanes, it was pushed back to 10PM. This place is really smoky - within 20 min, my voice was shot. Despite having 4 bartenders for a fairly small bar, service was slow - drinks are reasonably priced but even when the bar wasn't overflowing with ppl, service was still slow.
I'm not a fan bc this place is def overpriced. It could be a cool atmosphere, but I'm thinking Flamingo Bowl on Washington might be a better option. -
Review from Mark S.
St Louis, MO
First- I always hear people complain about the rude bartenders. I think they're great-just don't be rude/douchey. I'd imagine that the people who complain about not being able to get a drink have always had trouble getting drinks at crowded bar. There's an art to it for sure.
That being said, I think most of the non-bartender staff are rude and crabby, especially the door guys.
Overall, top 3 bars in STL- their jukebox is amazing and the food is edible past a few drinks. -
Review from Janet L.
Pin-Up Bowl, born in 2005, is the latest hotspot from the genius mind of Joe Edwards (see Blueberry Hill, see The Pageant). The name describes the feel - swanky yet hip, neatly framed pin-up girl posters over sparkly vinyl seating.
They manage to cram 8 bowling lanes in the back, but to me the bowling area is not the focus of the bar... the lighting in that part is darkened, and the acoustic set-up makes the crashing pin sound almost undiscernible.
I've come to pin-up bowl a few times, all on weekend nights. The place gets crowded with a mixed bag of hipsters and... ex-hipsters. The martinis are top notch but since I'm not a martini-budget kinda gal I usually buy a pitcher of beer which is well priced.
Overall a fun place.... if you're hip. -
Review from Stephanie S.
Maplewood, MO
I'm a fan of this place. I've never bowled here (way too expensive), but I'm willing to shell out some cash for some good drinks, so there.
The booths by the front windows are nice, but they're usually always taken.
I ordered my first Vesper martini here (you know, from the James Bond movie, Casino Royale?). It was absolutely disgusting. But that's beside the point. -
Review from Michelle S.
San Francisco, CA
I have only been bowling here one time and it was during the week, so we had no problem getting a lane and it was not that crowded or smoky, so I was pleased. The price of shoes and bowling did surprise me (expensive!), so it is not something I am doing every day, so I was okay with it.
I have eaten their food more then once, but only to snack and with low hopes. I thought the prices were good, granted, I got tater-tots and a pretzel, so I thought it was worth the $6ish dollars.
As far as drinks, although they boast an impressive cocktail list, I stick with their beer. $3 happy hour pints (Schlafly) and PBR to keep it simple for the bartenders and ordering for a large group. A perfect place to go before/after a Pageant show. I will be back for sure. -
Review from John K.
St Louis, MO
There's definitely some good and bad things about this place. As some else said, this is a bar with a bowling alley; not the other way around. There's only a few lanes so good luck on the weekends.
It can get really smokey too, like really smokey. The beer prices aren't great but the bowling prices are worse.
My friend got nachos and they were great (not just corn chips and velveta, these chips had the works). -
Review from Aaron J.
Saint Louis, MO
Pin-Up Bowl in the University City Loop is not what it sounds like. There won't be naked women hanging off the walls or bowls pinned up on the wall. Pin-Up Bowl is actually a bowling alley bar, more of a bar than a bowling alley though; still the place is pretty cool. Inside the neon lit lane brighten up the jukebox-playing bar.
Pin-Up Bowl is a place that generally my friends and I go to when all the other bars have closed. They offer us the oasis and the lovely privilege of being able to order drinks till 3 A.M. for those nights when you just don't feel like heading home quite yet. Pin-Up Bowl has a lot to offer. They have drinks of course, and bowling. If you enjoy the two and are lucky enough to get a lane, then your night is set. -
Review from Jaffa A.
Saint Louis, MO
I've never though to actually go bowling here. I know that people do. Apparently one of my friends does league bowling there, so it really is a real bowling alley. But, I'm just uninterested. I've never been the one to suggest going there. I'll go along if it's what someone else wants to do, which usually means we're in the area and at a loss for somewhere else to go.
The crowd can be pretty annoying--I think it's often pretty filled with people thinking that they're doing the cool thing by going to the loop and getting wasted at Pin-Up before driving back to wherever they live.
The bartenders are cool--it's not their fault I don't like this place. It might not even be Joe Edward's, who owns the place. -
Review from Jeremiah S.
Van Nuys, CA
Pin Up wasn't erected until I moved out of St. Louis. A vacum cleaner store that my friends father owned was in its place until he sold it to Mr. Edwards. Everytime I visit St. Louis I visit Pin-Up. It's a great place, atmosphere, moderate drink prices (I live in LA, so it's cheap comparative). I F-in love the food they have there, I usually get the pretzel and cheese, but sometimes taste the toasted ravioli's and chicken strips.
A lot of my friends frequent the place, one of my friends used to work there, but then got banned for groping people when he was blackout drunk. Another guy I went to school with works there, in 8th grade I got him to wear a dress to choir class and he got suspended.
I would give the place 5 stars, but the employe's have a reputation of thinking they are hot shit, service is good, but they have a St. Louis hipster aura, and that don't fly by me.
I used to see Nelly bowl there, but that was awhile ago. Seen a couple brawls outside of Pin-Up, luckily the last time I went there weren't any fights, and the darkness of pin-Up has lit up a little, i.e. less thug darkedy people.
I hate thugs, but thugs are a little better than hipsters. They BOUT BOUT IT. -
Review from Jennifer M.
Atlanta, GA
Note: it was my birthday when I went here, so my coworker ended up paying for... pretty much everything. My review is covering the experience, not the price.
I haven't been bowling in years. It was fun. It's just regular bowling, there's not much to say about that. Eight lanes. Open til 3am. EVEN ON WEEKNIGHTS! Sorry, birthday was on Wednesday, so that part was sorta exciting.
The beer... good stuff! They have a pretty splendid selection for what seems to be an average bar. The bartenders are incredibly friendly, which is always a plus. No fun getting someone surly serving you drinks! All in all, one of my favorites. -
Review from Allyson P.
Washington, DC
I've got kind of a love-hate relationship with Pinup Bowl. I hate it because back in law school lots of epic nights where I drank way too much and did lots of stupid things either started or ended here. And what was supposed to be a laid-back evening a couple days before my wedding took a turn for the drunker when one of my friends convinced the bartender to let my husband and I try shots of homemade ghost pepper infused tequila. Though I guess these reasons are also why I love Pinup Bowl. And some of their cocktails are surprisingly good. Try the stiletto martini, which was basically vodka, lillet blonde, and olive brine, for a unique twist on a dirty martini. The bowling is also fun, and the music good. Skip the food though.
Listed in: Best Happy Hour, Cocktails, Stuff in St. Louis
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Review from Andrea F.
Chesterfield, MO
Pin-Up Bowl definitely has a fun atmosphere. I love the decor and feel--very hip for a bowling alley.
An example of their brand of style--the dessert menu consists of Pop-Tarts. I can't help but chuckle.
I have two complaints: the price and the size. It's way too cramped. With the bowling alley, the bar and the tables, there is hardly any room to walk. And the drinks are pretty pricey. I always leave feeling like I spent way too much for what I got. Those Pop-Tarts? They're pretty darn expensive, too. Plus--they charge a cover, sometimes $5. With the price of the drinks and food, this feels pretty unwarranted. There is no live entertainment or specials, so in my opinion, there should be no cover!
It's a cute place to go. You just have to be prepared for the negatives. -
Review from Christine R.
San Diego, CA
I heart Pin Up 4-ever!!!
My friends' and my fave bar in StL and I wish I could find a similar place in CA! Mixed crowd, depending on the night, good drinks (sangria martini, how I love thee!), the staff works hard, and I love being safe and warm (or cool) inside and watching the start forming at 1--suckers.
The only thing I don't miss is the smoke factor--Joe R, please invest in some sort of ventilation system!
The only regret I have is that I never was there when Nelly was...
The only non-regret, that I never paid some outrageous price for a simple crappy Pop Tart.
The only time I bowled over 120 was there...
The only time one of my friends yarfed in the middle of a bar was there, and the staff was only moderately crabby about it!
So many memories...and so many fun nights...and so many next-mornings where I had to ask my friends "At Pinup last night, did I really ___________?" -
Review from Paul C.
Chicago, IL
I love bowling, not that I am any good at it. Came in on a Saturday afternoon and had a pretty good time. Bowling was $4.50 a game and $3.50 shoes. We only bowled one game so we didn't go broke.
Music was coming from what I think was an ipod and the selection was great. Social D and other various rock for rockers. The beer was great and the place was seemingly a vintage bar with a bowling alley in the back. Super clean, yet smokey. Lots of charachter. Bad selection of house balls and the lanes were dry as hell. I don't even know if they oil the lanes. My first throw was a hard hook that went gutter about half way down.
In all this place was pretty priced compared to Frike's in Crown Point, which is my all time favorite @ $2 a game and free shoes. Had a great time, friendly staff and I managed to get a turkey in the 10th frame. -
Review from Chris H.
New Brunswick, NJ
Had so much fun here! Tried the coffee stout, which got better the more you drank. And the bowling with my siblings was really fun! What a great place to hang out!
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Review from John D.
Pin-Up Bowl is great if you're on the Loop and want to try all the expensive, high-end things to do after the tweens get forced to a shadier area of town at night. I recommend going later and then spending the night at the new Moonrise Hotel, or just hang out there until they kick you out. Always a good time if you have the extra cash!
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Review from Kat V.
Typical bar food, but they offer chilli & hot dogs. They don't have a good selection of drinks. If I can order a virgin strawberry daiquiri, why can't I get one here? Granted, that they have assorted cocktails & such. Ambiance was kinda trendy & funky. This place fits in perfectly in the area. Bowling alley was small, but I like the smallness of this place. Staff was constantly cleaning up. The chairs (the ones that goes with the tall tables) were a bit creaky & a bit scary to sit in.
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Review from Hans G.
Seattle, WA
I love this place, though it's a bit smokey. Don't let the numerous occurrences of the word "hip" on this page frighten you off; Pin-Up is indeed trendilicious, but it's also got a very authentic feel. Great place to go with a mixed group of drinkers and non-drinkers.
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Review from Ryan S.
St Louis, MO
I bowl better in a trendy bar.
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Review from Jennifer H.
Fenton, MO
Imagine a bowling alley that serves fancy cocktails and has a decent atmosphere. No carpeted walls here! The Pin-Up bowl is a fun place to go with a group to have cocktails and perhaps bowl a few games (if you can get a lane- there are only a handful). I really enjoy the decor; if you're into 50s and 60s pin-up art, you'll dig this place, too.
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Review from Jennifer B.
Grover, MO
Pin-Up Bowl is a neat idea, but the prices are up there to bowl, eat or drink. Perhaps they are looking to attract a certain sort of crowd, which is fine by me. They are usually crowded with college students or business people. The decor is really cool, and it is nice to have a cool looking place to bowl. I wish that there were more lanes, but I suppose that the appeal is equal parts bowling and lounging, and so I can understand the layout. I'm giving three stars because while this is not my scene, there are a lot of patrons who truly enjoy the place.
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Review from Rob C.
Kinda of a wannabe Lucky Strike. Good for drinks, avoid the food.
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Review from Bill R.
Saint Louis, MO
The drinks are moderately pricey and the food is kind of crappy, but Pin-Up is one of the only places open in the immediate area because it is open until 3am on weekends. The crowd tends to be mixed between yuppies, older professionals, and the younger SLU and WashU crowds. The bowling alley is a really neat concept, but its priced out of most people's league and the wait is too long since there are only a handful of lanes.
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Review from Matt P.
San Francisco, CA
Yes, Pin-Up Bowl has a series of bowling lanes, but that's more a part of the retro cool that defines Pin-Up, rather than an active part of the scene; that's not to say that the lanes don't get used because they do, but this place is one of the newer ideas in the St. Louis night life scene and has become a staple, similar to Blueberry Hill down the street. Take a look at the menu (defined by a the grocery-labeled items, such as Campbell's Soup) and you'll realize what kitschy, retro cool is all about!
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Review from Amol R.
Oakland, CA
more like Pinup Blow, amiright??
no, but seriously. the bouncer was super rude. how are you gonna force people out of a 3am bar at 2:30? -
Review from Leslie M.
Prairie Village, KS
slowest service EVER--this place sucks and if you don't like smoke, stay away--I felt like I was stuck in one of those airport smoking rooms all night.
if you do venture in--order your drinks two at a time...you'll be glad you did.
