Review: The Rooftop Terrace at the Moonrise Hotel

I’m leaning on a steel rail eight stories above Delmar Boulevard, on the Rooftop Terrace at the new Moonrise Hotel in heart of the East Loop, a gin and tonic clutched in one hand, a cold bottle of domestic and a half-finished cigarette in the other. A blast of cool air cuts through the hot night as I take in a long pull of tobacco, along with a stunning vista that affords an extensive view of the bustling lights of the Delmar strip and the downtown skyline punctuated by the distant Arch. With a view like this on a warm summer night, it’s hard not to smile. Of course, having two drinks in hand doesn’t hurt either.

The Rooftop Terrace bar is but one of the fine little amenities of Joe Edwards’ latest brainchild, the boutique-style Moonrise Hotel, which opened to the eager masses this spring. Already marketing itself as “the coveted destination in the Delmar Loop,” the Terrace Bar remains off the radar for most Loop-goers who, by nature, tend to shun the exclusive, VIP, club-type atmosphere that a bar like this oozes from the pores of its fancy white couches.

I’ve been to nightclubs, lounges, bars and pubs from Chesterfield to New Orleans, across the pond to Piccadilly, down Mexico way and back, but I truly can’t remember ever having to jump through as many hoops to get into a watering hole as I did on my first night at the Moonrise. I’m still deciding who was less helpful – the concierge who directed my party to the downstairs Eclipse restaurant bar or the ornery seating manager/bouncer who all but laughed at me after he found out we weren’t on the entry list. Deciding to call his bluff and wait it out, we were eventually escorted to an elevator and taken to the eighth floor by another bouncer type who chirped into his phone headpiece as if waiting for the arrival of Air Force One. I realize this is a rooftop bar with a limited capacity, but honestly, the theatrics are a bit of an overkill.

Though the Rooftop Terrace can certainly brag about its killer view, that’s pretty much where the party ends in terms of looks. I’m not gonna sugarcoat – the place is dull. Other than the oversized, revolving gray moon perched above the patio, there really isn’t much to mention. The patio space is dotted with metal chairs and tables that flank the wraparound white couch that serves as the point of convergence for the pretty, single crew – the equivalent of the “cool” kids’ table in high school. The bar itself, tucked into a blank wall that looks as if it should be housing an industrial AC unit, is adorned in green tile and several flat-screen TVs that seem pathetically out of place. Overall, very underwhelming. 

On the upside, the alcohol is both plentiful and easy to procure. As the night progressed, thick crowds swarmed the bartenders, who handled themselves well, doling out glasses of wine, domestic bottles and strong highballs. On tap is a nice little selection of Schlafly, Boulevard Wheat and Left Hand Milk Stout. There’s also a fine selection of premium bottles, as well as Rooftop snacks such as wasabi peas and marinated olives.

The Rooftop Terrace is a new venue, so be ready for a trendy crowd. Dress code is the same as you’d see any night at nearby Pin-Up Bowl, with most leaning more toward the formal. The bar definitely caters to the 25-and-up range, with a nice sprinkling of pouting single girls and cougars poised to strike. If you’re looking for a new hookup spot this year, you could do much worse.
 
The Moonrise is obviously banking on being one of the few games in town in terms of a rooftop bar; judging by the serious crowds, it wasn’t a bad call. Still, it’s hard to ignore the surprising lack of style and/or imagination that looms over the Terrace larger than the revolving moon. 

STL AFTER DARK 
Check it: Sweeping views of downtown and the Delmar strip.
Hipster or Hoosier: Herds of hot singles, late-night boozers, bar industry types, hungry cougars, curious hotel patrons.
Suds or ‘Tinis: Stick with the cocktails. The staff serves ’em up fast and strong.
Where: The Rooftop Terrace at the Moonrise Hotel, 6177 Delmar Blvd.,
St. Louis, 314.721.1111
When: Daily – 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.