The Coffee House Club, St. Louis

The Coffee House Club, St. Louis

Before about 2010 you couldn't always count on having internet access, much less high speed internet, in hotels. When traveling, I would always keep my eyes open for coffee houses with free wifi, particularly coffee houses that stayed open late, somewhere I could work on blog entries and catch up on email.

A comment on social media about the lack of late night dining options nowadays brought The Coffee House Club in St. Louis to mind. It was open noon to midnight weekdays, noon to 3 a.m. on weekends. When I visited, probably in 2007, but possibly 2009, it was at 6319 Clayton Ave. in a one-story building with a red brick facade, with the words COFFEE HOUSE inlaid in square letters of blonde brick. I'm not sure how I found it -- possibly through the Riverfront Times, the local alt-weekly, possibly through the late lamented IndieCoffeeShops.com crowdsourced map. It was comfortable and quiet; the only thing I didn't care for was that smoking was allowed.

"Not only is it the The Coffee House club the greatest cup of coffee on the planet, it is also the most relaxing. Its the only place in town to go to when you just need someone to talk to, there is always someone available! So please join us for a fresh cup of coffee and wholesome conversation!"

The Coffee House boasted a nightly AA meeting. A later version of the website stated: "Jeanarae first opened the doors to The Coffee House in St. Louis city in 1994. Her mission was to provide a safe entertainment venue for the people in St. Louis' recovery community. For over 15 years, The Coffee House has been proudly serving Jeanarae's Exclusive House Blend!" The location moved to 2625 Abbott Place, and I've found a reference to 4305 Bingham Ave on a food review website. Jeanarae Booth is mentioned as the owner in a 2001 story about a Dogtown neighborhood nuisance.