Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Mo. offers its members their pick of watering holes. “When thinking of the various bar areas specifically, it was our goal to create better gathering spaces that would promote increased usage throughout the year,” explained former General Manager and Chief Operating Officer Michael A. Chase, Jr., CCM.
To revitalize its club facilities and multiple sporting amenities, Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Mo. has re-envisioned its dining scene for an active membership. “When thinking of the various bar areas specifically, it was our goal to create better gathering spaces that would promote increased usage throughout the year,” explained former General Manager and Chief Operating Officer Michael A. Chase, Jr., CCM.
C+RB reported that Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Mo. named Carlos Arraya as General Manager in August 2021. He succeeded Chase, who was named General Manager of Atlantic Beach (Fla.) Country Club.
With four options, Bellerive’s members now have their pick of watering holes. The Normandy Lounge boasts dark-wood flooring, offset by antique glass panels at the back of the dark-wood bar. Oil-rubbed bronze decorative pendants, fixtures and picture lighting balance out soft ceiling lighting. Seating is a mixture of high-tops, bar stools, soft seats and standard tables. Two sets of double doors lead directly to the Terrace Bar and fireplace area.
“The adjacent bar spaces are designed to create a lively indoor-outdoor atmosphere, with a variety of gathering options for all seasons,” notes Chase. This four-sided, island-style bar is designed with white paneling and a dark gray stone top. Black bar stools with black-and-white striped cushions blend in with high-top and soft-seating alternatives. Overhead heaters built into the ceiling provide some added warmth in the offseason, while the lighting matches that of the Normandy Lounge.
Other outdoor drinking options at Bellerive now include the Pool Bar, which has seating on three sides and a partial roof covering. A white panel and dark gray countertop mirrors the Terrace Bar, and the back bar features built-in liquor risers and a slate-colored tile. Shaded by canopies of large oaks, this spot serves as “a refreshing space to relax with surround-sound from the pool area, creating a resort-style environment,” says Chase.
The new Field House bar is now Bellerive’s most progressive spot, Chase says, boasting eight beer taps on the back bar and a glass backdrop that looks into an open-kitchen area. A large single-pane window lifts to the ceiling via hydraulics, so drinks can be served to guests at the outside bar, and a raw bar integrated into the west end keeps oyster shucking in plain sight. Barstool styles depend on their placement: deep wood and blue leather for the interior seats, and walnut outdoor wicker and black-and-white spotted cushions for the outside.
To minimize noise levels at Bellerive’s new gathering places, the Normandy Lounge has been outfitted with decorative sound-grabbing panels in its coffered ceilings. Similarly, the Field House dormers contain sound-grabbing materials disguised as tongue-and-groove paneling.
Since the onset of the pandemic, the club has remastered its seating plans. All bar stools have been removed and congregating in the bar area is prohibited. “Initially, spaced stools or spacing of grouped stools was tested,” says Chase. “But given the bar setups we ultimately removed the stools, in an effort to provide the safest environment for both members and staff.”
Even with these restrictions in place, Bellerive has seen a surge in member usage of its food-and-beverage offerings.. “Sales have bettered budget each month open thus far,” Chase reports.
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.