The Laurel Grand Opening
After welcoming our first residents on October 1, we finally got to hold our Grand Opening this week. It wasn’t just any Grand Opening gala either, we had a parade right through the heart of the Mercantile Exchange District.
In the spirit of full disclosure, the parade happened to be the Lumiere Place Light Up the Night Fat Tuesday Parade that concluded the 2012 Mardi Gras season in St. Louis. Also, we must point out that all of the “little things” meaning, everything that goes into setting up a parade through Downtown St. Louis, was done by the fine folks over at Mardi Gras Inc.
Our Grand Opening was held in the just-completed Laurel Gardens. Guests entered through the lobby; where they were greeted by our Concierge and offered wine from Robust Wine Bar, a future neighbor of ours in the Mercantile Exchange District. Several lovely ladies from Contemporary Productions were on hand to assist in the wine-pouring. They were then directed up to the 6th floor where they were proceeded out to the open-air Gardens in the center of the building.
Guests enjoyed beverages and Cajun food provided by our neighbors, the Embassy Suites. While indulging and mingling, guests enjoyed the sounds of Tom Hall, a local Blues musician.
As the start of the parade drew near, guests proceeded towards Washington Avenue. They passed an impressive display involving fire, also provided by Contemporary Productions. An area on Washington Avenue was roped off and carpeted for our guests to enjoy the parade from.
After the parade, guests were given coffee mugs filled with Mardi Gras-colored M&Ms as they waited for the valets to bring their cars around.
Photos from the evening:
Fat Tuesday in St. Louis
Are you ready for more Mardi Gras fun? This year, the Fat Tuesday parade has a new route with a new attitude! The Parade Steps off at 7:00pm at the corner of Washington and Broadway, it will pass by the new Laurel Apartments and Embassy Suites Hotel, and proceeds west to 14th. Make sure to get down there early to take advantage of all the food and drink specials along Washington Avenue before and after the parade – several are listed below. See you there!
Tigin: Regular Happy Hour from 4 – 7 PM Pick 3 for $10 includes beer and appetizers
Embassy Suites: Outdoor Service at 7th & Washington from 5 – 7 PM, Hurricane & beer specials
Over/Under: Outdoor tent with live music from Matt Hill from 5 – 9 PM, $2 off drafts, wine and bottles and $5 hurricanes from 3 – 6:30 PM
Mosaic: Outdoor service with happy hour specials from 4 – 7 PM
Prime 1000: Outdoor service with drink and menu specials from 3 – 8 PM
Dubliner: Live Mardi Gras themed-music, menu and drink specials starting at 4 PM until close
Copia: All day specials, outdoor service including indoor patio with $6 hurricanes and $4 shots and beers.
Hair of the Dog: Best dive bar happy hour with Mardi Gras mystery special from 4 – 7 PM
Rosalita’s: All day outdoor tent with drink and food specials
Lucas Park Grille: Regular happy hour drink and menu specials from 5 – 7 PM
Side Bar: Outdoor service, Hurricane and menu specials from 3 – 7 PM
Flannery’s: All day drink and menu specials and parade watch party (get there early)
Lola: Outdoor tent with Mardi Gras specials inside and out
If all these specials on Washington Avenue aren’t enough, check out the OFFICIAL AFTER PARTY! at the Stadium Sports Bar and Grill in Lumière Place—Mardi Gras Inc’s official Fat Tuesday Post-Parade Mardi Party!
The revelry starts at 8:00 pm and there will be lots of food and beads and a VJ and a whole lotta celebrating!