Clayton approves new music lounge as part of push for more nightlife

A basement space will soon bring after-hours energy to Clayton, with nightlife built on vinyl records, intimate performances, and craft cocktails.

Clayton’s City Council on Tuesday approved a conditional use permit for Mr. Meyer’s Live & Vinyl Lounge, a 129-seat bar and live music venue planned for 16 N. Meramec. The concept, described in application materials as a “live hi-fi lounge inspired by the communal energy of New Orleans Jazz Fest, the intimate listening culture of A-Trane in Berlin, and the analog warmth of Green Lady Lounge in Kansas City,” is the latest sign of Clayton’s embrace of a more active, experience-driven downtown that doesn’t go to sleep once the workday ends.

The project is led by Brian McCormac and Matt Longueville—no strangers to live entertainment and the local hospitality scene. McCormac’s background is in the music industry, having promoted roughly 1,300 concerts in St. Louis and nationally, while Longueville owns STL Barkeep and runs Off Elm in Webster Groves and The Vandy in The Grove. Nate Hereford, formerly the executive chef at Niche and currently the owner of Chicken Scratch, has been tapped to lead the culinary program. Operating Wednesday through Sunday, Mr. Meyer’s plans to offer four seatings—a no-cover happy hour from 4–6 p.m. followed by two-hour ticketed windows until closing time, which could be as late as 1 a.m. on weekends.

“There’s not going to be anything like this here in St. Louis,” McCormac told city officials during Tuesday’s meeting.

If that seems like a departure from Clayton’s typical nightlife offerings, that’s largely the point.

Beyond major events like the St. Louis Art Fair or Taste of St. Louis, downtown Clayton has long faced a familiar challenge: streets that show signs of life during the workday but are noticeably quieter in the evenings and on weekends. As the city updated its comprehensive plan in 2024, residents consistently said they wanted a more vibrant downtown.

City leaders have been exploring ways to shift the dynamic. Recent additions like Five Iron Golf and Flight Club have begun to bring more energy to the area, offering new reasons for people to stay later into the evening. The Mr. Meyer’s proposal would be a different kind of draw—smaller, more intimate, and centered on music and elevated cocktails.

“It seems like a great concept,” Ward I councilmember Becky Patel said during the meeting. “We’ve been trying to attract and create different opportunities for folks to enjoy the ‘play’ aspect of live, work, play in Clayton.”

At the same time, Tuesday’s discussion made clear that even as Clayton looks to expand its after-hours options, there are practical questions to work through. The primary concern is noise. Because Mr. Meyer’s would be located beneath Ivy Cafe and Avenue—the space formerly housed Miso on Meramec’s Underground Lounge—council members sought assurance that music from the venue would not disturb the existing establishments. McCormac told city officials he’s working with a consultant on a sound abatement plan that includes acoustic panels and specialized speakers to control the sound.

“We are looking to bring a really fresh energy to Clayton,” McCormac told city leaders. “I think the time is right. We look to be leaders in what your guys’ goal is to enhance that 5 p.m.–midnight energy in Clayton and make it feel more like a vibrant downtown area.”