Halo Bar

Its alright. Great place to get a drink before and/​or after a show at The Pageant. Or just a place to hang out. Drinks are expensive as a you-​know-​what, but they do go down in price some later in the night. Its always great that there’s a bar only a few steps away from the venue after the rude security guards kick you out. I also dig the ‘never a cover charge’ rule; gotta love that!

Love this place! Great bartenders, bouncers, door women! :)

Halo Bar is one of those places that make for a perfect stop before a show at The Pageant. I have been on several occasions and have to admit that prices are fair considering its part of a concert venue. Halo Bar also offers early entry day of shows to secure limited general admission seating.
Inside there is limited seating, several high top tables with enough room for 6 – 8 people each and several booths. The bar can get crowded however the staff is usually pretty good and manages to get everyone’s order pretty quickly. The drink selection is pretty good, with a wide selection of beers and spirits. Overall Halo Bar is a great way to start off or end your evening while visiting The Pageant.

Surprisingly reasonable drink prices when you consider that they are attached to a concert venue. I entered through there when I took kid 1 to a concert — far preferable to standing in the under-​21 line that stretched around the building and clear down to the next street.
I was able to basically walk right in to the bar, get a drink and then walk right into the venue. I don’t know how many concerts I will go to at the Pageant but I plan to use this method whenever possible.
By the way… the drink was a Glenlivet 12 year old and it cost me ten bucks. Not bad!

The prices are fair and the service is mostly decent. Those are the only good things I can say. I never enjoy my time there unless I’m with people who work down the street who get friendly service; the rest of the time they are mostly rude.
The following is an actual exchange with a Halo bouncer.
Bouncer (let’s call him Ron): Hey man, you can’t bring that glass in here.
Me (turning it upside down to display its emptiness): Oh, it’s empty, a souvenir. My friend bought it tonight and left it in my car. She’s just inside, I can see her…
Ron: It doesn’t matter. You have to take that out of here. We have an event, don’t want anything to get broken.
What I would’ve said to «Ron» had I found him when it was time to leave a while later…
Me: Gee, thanks for making me walk 3 blocks to take that glass to my car. I mean, so unreasonable of me to think I could bring it in here. Some gift! It definitely would’ve been broken, along with all the other glass vessels on our table several feet from where we were dancing (not broken… series of MIRACLES!). Oh, speaking of dancing, three friends and I were the only people out there… wasn’t there «an event» scheduled tonight? Because all I see is myself and a handful of my friends. Not sure if someone rented the place out, but still, hell of an «event!» Thanks, Ron!
I don’t know what «Ron» waa thinking, but this general lack of common sense in place of policies that may or may not exist is just ignorant. He should have his employment reviewed, because this was an instance of hubris outweighing decency.

The manager must be an idiot. Two bartenders on a show night? The line to get into the venue blocks the bar. Not smart.

We were in hear prior to the Lee Brice concert and I want to comment on a couple of things. First, the mixed drinks are weak! They use a small shot glass to measure the alcohol and DO NOT use a jigger. Also, the beers are $ 6 each and the bartenders are not really interested in taking care of the customers and seemed to prefer to stand around and bullshit with each other.
They serve no food here so you would be well advised to grab a pizza and bring it with you or grab a Gyro across the street.
The best thing about this place is that you get into The Pageant 15 minutes prior to the main doors opening. However, this place is limited to 150 people so don’t be surprised if it’s full when you get there.

I’ve never had any problems with the Halo Bar. Sure, their drinks are a little pricey, but definitely worth it to get early entry into The Pageant for shows. They have pretty good seating availability if you get there early enough (6pm-​ish, depending on the show)
It’s a little tricky to get to the bar, but once there, the drinks are strong enough & they have an ample selection of booze. Their bathroom is much nicer than the ones in the actual venue, and the overall décor is nice. There’s a little stage & sometimes have some pre-​show entertainment there.
The only time they disappointed me was when they didn’t have early entry for the Fun. show, but I’m told that it’s at the discretion of the artist, so I can’t fault Halo Bar for that.

I’ve only had drink here waiting for a show to start, the Halo bar opens a bit early on concert nights so you can hang out there if you want really good seats.
In the summer heat or the winter cold, it’s a great place to go if you want to stay out of the weather, but you tend to have to get there about an hour before showtime or it will fill up fast.

How I want to love you, Halo Bar!
Getting to the Pageant these days has become more of a chore than a pleasure. With rising ticket prices and oversold shows, I’m finding it less and less appealing to deal with inconvenience that going to concerts there brings.
However, one convenience that I always take advantage of is the Halo Bar.
I’ve already paid fifty dollars to see a band that I used to pay fifteen or twenty to see at Mississippi Nights. Now I’ve got to fight the crowds inside to get a drink? Not a chance! Halo Bar is my choice for getting my drink on. Before and after shows, it can be pretty crazy, but once the acts start playing, it usually thins out to a pretty manageable crowd.
I understand how annoying it must be to tend bar for concerts, but the staff at Halo Bar is usually pretty decent. Not overly friendly, but good people for the most part. I’m not entirely certain if the drinks are cheaper in the Halo Bar, since I’ve abandoned the Pageant bars years ago. Still, I prefer not shouting at keeps on the inside and not navigating the very crowded bar section.
The best benefit of Halo Bar is allowing the 21+ crowd early access to the venue. If you show up early to the show, five I believe, the Pageant will allow the Halo Bar patrons first dibs at the seating around the stage. I don’t always take advantage of this feature, but it is undoubtedly the most signifiant.
In the end, I wouldn’t patronize Halo Bar if I had any better options. Normally, we will hit up Pi across the street to save money, but if an artist that I love comes to town, I don’t have the opportunity for a cheap pregame.
What’s the adult music fan to do?

Upside: You can get into concerts ahead of doors if you go through Halo Bar.
Neutral: Décor. It’s just there. I don’t know that it fits, but I don’t find it totally unappealing.
Downside (s): Expensive and filled with douchebags. Though if you like to play the game «Spot the Douchebag,» like I do, it might be worth a trip.

I stopped in to the Halo Bar last night for a drink and to say hi to a relative that works at the Pageant, and so my friend could maybe hear parts of the show she was missing.
I absolutely abhor the B&D staff. I’ve never had my bag searched just go into a bar. And they knew we weren’t going to the show because it was sold out. I had a wine glass in my purse from Uncorked earlier, and they wouldn’t let me bring it in. My options were to put it in the car (which was very far away, as we’d been walking all up the Loop) or to throw it away. I said, «I paid $ 5 for this!» and the guy replied, «We’ve had people bring $ 250 Swiss Army knives we wouldn’t let them bring in.» Okay, sure… A KNIFE. You really think I’m going to break my wine glass and shank someone in that empty bar with it?! They said I can’t bring it in because there was remnants of wine in it and they’d «lose their liquor license.» I’m going to emanate Seth Meyers and Amy Pohler here: Really?! REALLY?!
I threw it away and they decided to choose that time to take out the trash (undoubtedly to ensure I wouldn’t grab it back out when I left). Really?! REALLY?!
Seriously, B&D staff are a bunch of power tripping dicks. Always.
The bartender was a nice guy, but think this is a beer and vodka + 1 mixer sort of place. I asked for a Sidecar and he said, «Uhh, what’s in that? Whiskey and beer mixed together, right?» Heh.
Maybe I’m a stuck up bitch, but the Halo Bar is not my scene. Good for a drink after a show though, obviously. And late night people-​watching on the Loop is always a treat. But otherwise, skip it.

I wouldn’t say that I love Halo Bar. I would say that I love the people who hang around there. I love the Pageant so we usually stumble over afterwards for a drink or two. I like the DJ aspect and the service is good. I enjoy people watching on the patio.

Love love love the ambience. The seats do need a bit updating &/​or repair. Some missing bits & pieces on the seats. Huge ass bar with a smoking patio. Smoke free inside. Has a perfect balance for smokers & nonsmokers alike.

I’ve only visited Halo before concerts at the pageant. Halo customers get advanced entry into the venue, so if you have a general admission ticket and want to get a decent seat at the show, Halo is a must.
The bar is nice. A small stage on one side with booths and tables filling the rest of the space. Music nostalgia everywhere with good tunes over their speakers.
Drinks are expensive. They know they have a captured audience waiting for a show. There’s never been a cocktail server when I was there. You just have to make your way to the bar. However, when you get there, the bartenders work quick even on the busiest of nights.
This place gets smoky. Halo and Pageant allow you to bring in your own food.

I have to review Halo Bar purely based on its merits as a place with air conditioning. I recently parked myself out front of the Pageant for a Black Keys concert. Doors? 7:00. Me? 3:30. Yes, I’m devoted, and yes, I was first. Thankfully, I was informed by another early arrival that Halo Bar opens early on concert nights, and allows the first bunch of patrons in to wait in comfort (appreciated, since it was really and truly nasty outside) before the show.
I definitely expected to spend a solid 3 ½ hours in the heat and humidity, but it was really only about 1 ½. The rest was in sweet, sweet climate controlled comfort, with drinks and bathrooms available. Definitely my premier waiting-​for-​a-​concert experience. Certainly beats waiting in the cold for 5 hours before the Black Keys on NYE and NYD in Chicago. But, alas, I can’t comment on the price of beer, the attitude of the bartenders… any of that. Did I mention it was air conditioned?
Big shout out to the other folks that arrived early — definitely made the wait fun, and also observed that hallowed concert line etiquette — «I’ll let you get a drink/​go to the bathroom/​do what you need and get back in line if you let me do it too.»

How can you not love the halo bar on a weekend midnight after a concert (Ok maybe not the smoking which really pisses me off because it makes my clothes smell like they have just taken a smoke bath even days after my visit). There are no covers. The DJs don’t normally spin the top 40 crap you hear at other places which is refreshing. There is always an interesting crowd of young hipsters bobbing to the music. All in all, this is one of my favorite places in STL to people-​watch and dance when I’m tipsy.

Atmosphere:
I like to describe this place as dark. Not dive bar dark but just really low lighting. Seating can be a problem later in the evening as most tables and booths fill up by 11:30 or 12. You’re not going to find a friendlier staff then the folks here and the bouncers are the best the Loop has to offer.
Live Music/​Events:
With this being a smaller venue this is a place best suited for acoustic acts and DJ’s. They also have Trivia Wednesday nights and Karaōke on Thursdays with live DJ’s the other nights of the week.
Prices:
There usually isn’t a cover for most events here so that’s a plus. As far a drink prices this is place tends to be middle of the road. Not dirt cheap but not even close to outrageous.
Overall:
This place is a ok choice if you need a place to go before a show or a place to go after 1:30 Friday or Saturday night. The staff and board games make this place interesting. Or if you need a place during the weeknight that’s quiet and drama free.

Halo is a decent post-1:30 am choice for a bar, but it is not my favorite. First, it is really expensive for what it is. I understand higher prices during shows, but even normal bar prices are higher than other bars in the Loop. Second, the music/​entertainment is never very interesting. (Not talking about bands in the Pageant.) The crowd is hit or miss. It can get really smokey during shows since most shows are non-​smoking. The people are nice enough, unless there is a bad crowd for a particular show. The bartenders are the highlight of the bar. They are very attentive and make sure they keep your glass full.
I’d say go somewhere else if there is a reasonable alternative, but it wouldn’t be my first choice if I were trying to figure out a place to go.

There are several things I appreciate about Halo. First, there’s no cover charge. This makes any bar instantly more appealing to me, because I really hate to commit to spending a substantial amount of time in a place, and I feel like I have to do so when I pay $ 5 to walk in the door.
Next, they have great local DJs putting out chill, relaxed sounds, many of which we’d still be hearing if my iPod were plugged in instead of their table. Sometimes I hatehate going to certain bars, only because they allow ZERO auditory space for conversation. Halo isn’t like that at all.
Alright, so by several things I meant two things. At any rate, this is a decent spot for those of us who don’t particularly care about the trendiness of our surroundings. Yes, it tries a little too hard. No, this doesn’t kill the deal.