Shady Jack’s Saloon

What’s a boy like me doing in a place like this? First, understand I’m a 67 year old on the cusp of geezer-​hood. I had never heard of Shady Jack’s before (and I’m sure he’s never heard of me). My wife informed me that this is where her office lunch party is going to be next week. When I looked at the pictures on Google Earth, it did indeed look as described in some of these reviews, in a neighborhood seemingly a bit «sketchy.»
I was concerned about how safe it might be, as well as the parking situation. I decided to go on a «recon mission» and recruited my son and a buddy of his who are in the mid 20’s. They hadn’t heard of Shady Jack’s either, but the prospect of an «adventure» that included lunch on Dad was more than enough to piqué their interest.
We traveled by car from Overland to N. Broadway, just north of the heart of St. Louis proper. When we arrived at the block where Shady Jack is situated I was relieved to see there was on street parking near the bar.
We parked and walked into the open area where the motor cycles park. The entry to the bar is also in that area. Before going in we scoped out the back and saw there’s a nice deck back there and additional parking. Okay, scratch parking off my worry list. (old people worry as one of their hobbies — it’s cheap and you don’t have to leave home to do it).
We walked inside and since I had looked at all available pictures here and on the SJ website, what I found pretty much conformed to my expectations. Love the brick, love the old feeling of the building, love the cute waitresses and bar staff.
As to who populated Shady Jack’s on this Friday at noon, again as reported by other reviewers it was a mixed bag of all types.
A pretty blonde approached us and told us we could seat ourselves anywhere (on your lap? oops sorry, I was channeling the dirty old man in me for a second there). We went to the side room and sat at one of the tables.
Almost immediately, the pretty blonde came over and took our drink order and left us menus. The boys and I all ordered the fish and chips. They arrived within 10 minutes and came with a small container of cole slaw. There were two large pieces of beer battered fish, home made chips, and the cole slaw, and I enjoyed all of it. It was a delicious and pleasant lunch.
All visions in my head of Sam Crow, and the other various gangs in Sons of Anarchy (favorite show) left my head. I did get a kick out of the stripper pole and small round stage in the other room. I wonder when it’s put to use and by whom?
After lunch my son and his buddy and I played shuffle board on the 20 foot table that’s adjacent to the raised dining area. I happy to report I beat both of those young whipper snappers. (funny expression since neither of them own a whip).
Altogether it was a fun afternoon at a fun place and now instead of worrying about lunch next week, I’m really looking forward to it.

I heard about Shady Jack’s listening to KTRS on the radio. Went there for the first time a couple of weeks ago before the Rams game, was not sure what to expect, had breakfast & a Bloody Mary, food & drink were very good, our server Vanessa was great, very friendly and attentive, it’s a biker bar, not a biker, but felt at home enough to go back again before the Rams again and again, good food & service, Vanessa waited on us again. Will be back again.

We took the Harley for a ride and stopped by based off of a few recommendations. We are so glad we did because we wouldn’t have noticed this place by ourselves. Don’t let the location or appearances intimidate you– Simply put– This place is badass. The bartenders were super fun and the burgers were soo delicious. Everyone was super friendly and the live music was fun. It’s the perfect place to unwind, enjoy a drink, and soak up the atmosphere.

Great food and great people! You have to try the burgers and the pizzas. You can’t go wrong! Biker friendly and you can invite the family too!

We are avid Harley riders, so by default, I love this place. Have been here numerous occasions, and always a fun time… I love the décor, the building, the people, the drinks, and lastly the food is awesome… People always say watch the night time crowd, which granted I dont want to say theres NEVER been problems here, but I’ve seen everyone from doctors, business people to bikers in this bar… why? bc its freaking awesome, and Jack is awesome too… Dont be fooled by the location, or the outside… the pizza here is awesome, and so are the appetizers. when they have bands in the back and are cooking outside its a great way to relax and spend the day watching the bikes. And ya know what?! They play country music. whaaaaaaa? Ya. I’m sold.
Oh, and yes, they do have a stripper pole table. woah.

I’ve lived in St. Louis all my life and never knew about this place until three weeks ago. Its a really cool place in a location you would never expect. Great sounds system, and music. Interesting people. I’ve heard they have great food, I’m going to have to go back and try it.

This place is located in such a sketch and shady place it is only fitting the name of it is Shady Jack’s!
That aside, I went here with a few friends a while back on a Friday night. Once inside it wasn’t quite as sketch. I ordered a pepperoni pizza (it comes St. Louis style). The food came out quick and it was so good, I managed to finish THE ENTIRE THING! Our waitress did appear to forget about us for a little while which was annoying cuz I was out of water and seriously about to die of thirst. I think the bartender had to come over to help out? kinda weird.
If you go make sure to check out the awesome décor on the walls. They have the most random and awesome things ever.

I’ve been to Jack’s a handful of times. Look, it’s a biker bar. The waitresses are scantally clad. It’s loud. A bit dirty. Whatever. The menu is limited. The prices… meh. but I have a group of friends that meet there monthly so I go. Normally it is a good time of drinks and food and the minor quirks can be over looked. That is until this last time…
A group of us…20 maybe… met a Jack’s. This is a hard place to meet for a group like this. It really isn’t set up for a group that large. But… hey…we know that and still go. Usually the food is awesome… for bar food. This time there were a number of people in our party who’s orders were messed up. Mine included. It was hot… really hot. The waitress (if you can call her that) said she had never waited tables before and it showed, big time. Oh… and not sure when this started because I don’t recall it in the past, but they charge for soda and tea refills. Who does that? I mean… we all ordered food. And it was HOT. In order to keep the waitress from constantly bringing refills we ordered pitchers of tea and ice to keep at the table. Yet each of us were charged for tea refills. Um… just a thought there… when you have a group of 20 people eating and drinking… you might want to consider not charging for refills. Especially when it is a group that meets there, for dinner and drinks, regularly. I can’t be certain but I would be the tab that night for our group was $ 400. And you charge for refills?
I’m sure we will still meet there due to the convience of the location. I will say that I will only be getting water going forward. I’m not sure that I will eat there again though either.

Jack does it right. This place was great. Shady perfectly describes the building, it looks like its going to topple over, but don’t worry, its still sturdy!
Food was excellent, we got wings and a burger. Service was crazy attentive, she came by to check on us whenever something looked empty or low, and was always keeping a look out for eye contact. The décor is eclectic, but totally works. I would have liked to come out here for an event… looks like it would be a blast.

Went a few weeks ago with some friends with bikes. I wasnt sure what to expect but I had a BLAST! It wasn’t very busy but we drove right in! Litterally… then we got a few drinks and went out back and sat around a fire! AWESOME place!

It’s about damn time I do an update for Shady J’s…seriously!
Where to start? Gosh, I don’t even know. This was my go-​to bar during the summer of 2011 when I was working full-​time as an intern in St. Charles. The best part about this place is that you can be from damn near any walk of life, walk in here, and still have a really great time. I’ve brought so many different groups of friends or just one friend at a time and they really enjoyed it. The wall décor is hilariously random but not in a TGI Friday’s sense. More like in a biker bar in almost-​the-​ghetto-​sense. (But really, the area it’s in isn’t great. It’s like just getting into the sketchy parts of Broadway. But I find the run-​down buildings, graffiti and overall urban decay really romantic in a bizarre, inexplicable sense.)
The service is top-​notch here. The owner recognized me after only two visits and the bartenders started to recognize me too as I would come in often for just a cheese pizza and a beer or three. Best of all? Jack always offers to walk me back to my car if I come by myself at night or with a girlfriend at night. Super courteous guy, and subtly funny as well. Once I was in the bar area with Sean eating a pizza right before they closed and he said «take your time, there’s no rush.» He usually sits at a table in the bar area with his wife sipping a glass of wine. I didn’t take him for a wine type of guy but hey, that just makes him even more awesome, right?! ;)
Oh and… I am not really a self-​proclaimed lover of STL style pizza or Provel cheese by any means, but holy shit, I really dig on the pizzas at this place. I don’t know what it is about them but I can’t resist a Shady Jack’s cheese pizza and a beer. Select 55, even, and I can’t believe I just wrote that! :-O
I heard they do private parties and events here as well and I think I just might have to rent out one of the private rooms downstairs for a party sometime, although I have no idea who I’d invite. I wanted to have my 23^rd birthday here but it was exam time, as usual (stupid December birthdays) so I alas, I couldn’t!
Anyway…I really hope that if I am still living in St. Louis when I get my first motorcycle, that I can take it to Shady J’s and ride it up all badass like the other bikers who come here do. But yeah. In the meantime I will just come here for some food, casual chattin’, and sport-​game-​watchin’. Go sports!
P. S.: This bar is not for the faint of heart, that’s for sure. I once had a guy talk to me at the bar who just got out of prison. Hahaha. I am not joking. But it makes the place all the more interesting!

Don’t ask how I ended up at a biker bar on a Saturday night. Let’s just say running a few miles through north city and along the riverfront trail was involved. And beer. Lots and lots of beer.
Ahem. Me and 15 of my sweatiest friends showed up at Shady Jacks around 5pm on a Saturday night. The place was actually pretty dead, which surprised me. Where are all of the bikers?! I suppose the cold and rain had a little something to do with it.
Anyway, service was SUPER friendly and attentive. Our waitress was awesome, as was the bartender.
I wasn’t super hungry, so I just ordered a plate of cheese fries.
Oh wow. How can a simple plate of waffle fries with cheese sauce be so good? A few friends sampled them as well and fell in love, too. We came to the conclusion that the cheese sauce had biker sweat, bacon grease, and crack mixed in. It’s the only way something so tasty could ever be synthesized. I wanted to lick my plate. Maybe I did. Don’t judge me.
I don’t know if I will ever make my way back to Shady Jack’s (I don’t exactly hang out in this area on a regular basis), but I’m so glad I was able to visit.

Shady Jacks is kinda expensive for a «Biker Bar» but I guess they are tring to keep away the trash… this place gets jumpin on weekends and during bike season… you can find all sorts of bikes… from 1%ers to the Rolex Riders… The staff is SEXY as hell… love Ali, Hope, Holly Sue, Ricky, and I cant belive I am forgetting my two other faves… The owner Shady Jack is almost always there. He makes sure the place is running great… Food is GREAT, try the Club. Huge and awesome…

One of the key hangouts for STL bikers. A drive through parking lot keeps your bike off the street and out of the sun. Good, attentive service, and cold drinks.

Shady Jacks has become a staple in my downtown life. The food is amazing as long as you want some good biker bar food. I am addicted to their Flingers, a St. Louis favorite modified from our slingers.
Basically what makes the flinger so awesome is that it has waffles fries instead of hash browns. But be warned, on rare occasions they run out of waffle fries and you will have some unseasoned curly fries. Delicious either way! The burgers are fantastic and they always have a good lunch special going on.
Also this place has a tattoo parlor and newly opened gift shop.
The staff is always friendly.
Hands down one of my favorite places in St. Louis.

Went to Shady Jacks on a Thurs night to hear our friend’s play.
This place is REALLY cool looking! It’s a biker bar, so there is this side area where motorcycles can pull right in. Upstairs there is a tattoo parlor and a leather repair shop. Downstairs there’s this cool party room complete with a full bar and stage (even a stripper pole)!
The bartenders were all very friendly and attentive and Shady Jack was totally cool and gave us a tour!
They have a store where you can buy shirts and such, and a huge area for musicians.
We only came for music and drinks but next time we want to come back for the food.
This Sat. Oct 3^rd, they are having their 14^th Anniversary party! They have been Downtown for 5 yrs and in O’Fallon for 9.
Give this place a try… not too crowded at night, but Jack says that the daytime is their main crowd.

When is St Louis, Shady’s is a MUST do. Go to the Arch if you must but don’t miss the most exciting experience of the real St Louis. Meet people of all walks of life and fit right in. Good food and good fun. Biker or not you WILL have a good time… you just can’t help it!!!

I went here once with the FBC (F***ing Bike Club) and it was a pretty amazing experience. For the evening, and I believe they have done this other times as well, we kind of turning this biker bar into a bicycle bar. Jack raised the garage door for us and we parked our motor-​less two wheelers amongst the choppers and Harleys.
The bartenders were really friendly and the drinks were cheap. As you could expect, there’s tons of biker paraphernalia everywhere. There’s also a stripper pole. And in the women’s restroom, there is a big mural that is worth checking out. It’s bunch of romance-​novel-​cover-​looking fellows in their undies.

I guess this place is cheap enough, but really, it’s just a TGI Friday’s-style «biker bar.» Pass by here on the weekends, you’ll see hundreds of rich doctors and lawyers playing dress-​up with their leather and motorcycles out front.

What can I say… it is an experience for sure. Think Fast Eddie’s minus the crowds and smaller. Jack is usually there so keep an eye out for him. More of a bar then restaurant but the food is fair and gets better each time I go. Not a place to see a crowd but a nice place to meet up with a group 3 o4 and have a little fun and some laughs. Warning sometimes you end up staying longer than you thought you would.
It is located just north of Rams stadium on N. Broadway where highway 70 is on the west side of Broadway. Jack has drive-​in parking for motorcycles but if you travel like most of us parking is on the street or around back. Very unique space with private rooms for events and parties.