St. Louis On The Cheap : Saratoga Lanes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replying the story in its archived form does not constitute a re-publiccation of the story.

If actually entering Saratoga Lanes doesn't scare you, there is a hidden jewel waiting for you in downtown Maplewood. Just a few steps from the corner of Sutton and Manchester roads, through an unassuming door up a flight of rickety stairs an unpretentious evening of cheap drinks and bowling awaits. There are only a few beers on tap and a handful of bowling lanes but it is one of those places where you feel like a regular even if you haven't pulled up a bar stool there in months.

Saratoga Lanes (or 'togas') has been attracting St. Louis bowlers and social butterflies alike who looking for a laid back night at the lanes for more than 90 years. While eight lanes might not seem like a whole lot compared to some of the larger, hipster alleys around the city the wait for a lane at this Maplewood favorite never seems painfully long. Bowling a game here is super cheap, too - $3 during the week and $4 on the weekends.

This alley isn't just for bowling; arcade games and pool tables flank the other side of the large, center bar. Saratoga's meets or exceeds all of the traditional dive bar expectations: cheap drinks, come-as-you-are atmosphere and they draw a solid, loyal crowd on just about any given night.

Saratoga Lanes is located in downtown Maplewood at 2725 Sutton Blvd. They are open Monday through Friday from 12pm until 1am; Saturday and Sunday from 2pm until 12pm. On Saturdays and Sunday they rent out th entire bar for private parties so make sure you call them at 314-645-5308 before heading down there.