Hockey-centric Bar Down Sports Bar now open in South County’s All American Sports Mall

It may not be that obvious from the main thoroughfare, but Bar Down Sports Bar, a hockey-centric restaurant and watering hole, has opened at 11133 Lindbergh Business Court in South County’s All American Sports Mall. It shares the space with both an ice and roller rink and is owned by husband-and-wife team Rick and Margaret Metzing.

The Metzings come to this new venture – which opened earlier this year in the former Nubby’s BBQ spot – with 28 years of restaurant experience. And when it comes to hockey, the Metzings definitely know their stuff, thanks in part to their two hockey-playing sons who’ve run many a ring around here. “This has always been a dream,” said Rick Metzing, whose father and silent partner Terry Frigerio also helps with the business. “We’d come here to see our boys play, and when we knew Nubby’s owners Matt and Jamie Hines were seeking other opportunities, it just made sense.”

Bar Down offers a spectator’s eye view of the action down below. In other words, cheers your team on over a beer; huzza your players to a slice of housemade, fresh-never-frozen pizza or a top-selling pulled pork mac and cheese platter. Rick is doing much of the cooking, but is partnering with chef Lalo Benitez to deliver the kind of food fitting of a quality sports bar. “The rapport from the community has been so great,” he said, adding that, on a good weekend, they are seeing around 700 people through the door. Bar Down also serves breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Beyond mimosas, bloody marys and French toast, “tap the boards” for breakfast pizza: pork sausage, bacon, egg and cheese.

The Metzings did a complete renovation of the space. The floor might not be white (it’s gray), but the hockey rink effect is unmistakable. Note the perimeter ribboned with Missouri hockey team logos, note the 28 TV screens. Combined, the restaurant and bar amount to 7,500 square feet and can accommodate 175 people.

Bar Down is open from 4 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Friday; 8 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Saturday; and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday.