Das Bevo closes restaurant to focus on events business

Das Bevo has shuttered its restaurant and will focus on the event side of its business. The last day of service was brunch on Sunday, Feb. 3. The revamped space at 4749 Gravois Ave., formerly Bevo Mill, reopened to the public as a restaurant and event space on Mother’s Day in 2017.

“The restaurant has always been a struggle,” said Bridgette Fyvie, who handles event planning, marketing and sales at Das Bevo. She said the restaurant’s head chef recently announced his departure and “we weren’t seeing any strong candidates,” adding that finding quality front and back of the house staff across the board has been difficult. It’s also been hard to get customers in seats.

“We haven’t been attracting a healthy lunch crowd and even weekday dinners have been a struggle,” Fyvie said.

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However, she said the public and private event side of the business has been booming. “Our wedding business has been increasing, and we do a lot of rehearsal dinners,” she said. 

The venue has also had success with public events, including live music performances and themed events like Harry Potter trivia nights. “We’re just going to be focusing on big, fun events,” Fyvie said.

Instead of providing food in-house, Fyvie said Das Bevo will partner with local restaurants to cater events. The first will be South City barbecue spot The Stellar Hog, which provide the food at the Kim Massie show Saturday, Feb. 9. 

“It’s a great opportunity for cross-marketing,” she said.

Fyvie said Das Bevo’s Biergarten will open as usual in April depending on the weather. The outdoor space will still feature live music and a bar, and Das Bevo will work with local food trucks to provide food service.

Matt Sorrell is a staff writer at Sauce Magazine.