ST. LOUIS — St. Louis area residents will have a new place to lounge, grab a drink, play games, watch the big game and more as phase one of the newly renovated Armory STL opens Friday, Dec. 16.

Located at 3660 Mark Street, the Armory was originally designed and built for 138th Infantry of the Missouri National Guard and has been transformed into different venues over the years, such as a multi-sports complex and a concert venue.

The 250,000-square-foot “final evolution” includes six acres of flexible, indoor space for gathering, eating and drinking; a 62-foot stage for live entertainment; 13 bars with 90 plus tap handles; a menu featuring iconic St. Louis food partners; 40-plus interactive games; six 30-foot LED screens and dozens of TVs; 10-plus private event spaces; and more, according to a press release.

 

The venue can hold 5,500 people.

Ali Lamb, director of marketing for the Armory, said she loves how space is flexible and that it is indoors.

“We have this beautiful, amazing space that makes it feel warm and welcoming, and inviting,” she said.

“It was designed to feel that way and it’s under a roof. So, it’s like you can picture how we’re going to impact the community from a grand event scale, but also from just a fun scale.”

Guests must be 21 and older to enter and there is no entry fee unless specified for a ticketed event.

Free featured games are paddle pong, giant pong, huge checkers and chess, rings, horseshoes, ping-pong, washers, cornhole putting greens, eight-player foosball, beer pong, ladder golf, immersive games, and snookball (soccer pool).

There also is a giant seesaw, a “Super Happy Fun” slide, a photo booth, and arcade games, which require guests to pay.

The $60 million complex is hiring and is expected to create 400 new jobs for the area. To view all open positions, send an email to careers@armorystl.com or visit the venue’s website.

Events also have been announced for Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties. Details and ticket information can be found online. Lamb noted that a portion of proceeds from events will go toward a local charity.

Hours of operation are Monday-Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m., Thursday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., Friday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Saturday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Five additional venues within the Armory STL are projected to open throughout the spring of 2023, including a rooftop beer garden.

The Armory STL also will be the future home of the St. Louis Tennis Hall of Fame that will honor St. Louis’ historically impactful players and contributors, including Dwight Davis and Butch Buchholz, and Wimbledon champions Arthur Ashe, Jimmy Conners, Ken Flach and more.

For more information about the Armory STL and upcoming events, click here.