Meet Me at the Boathouse (Again)

If you’ve lived in St. Louis very long, chances are you have a Boathouse memory. I know I do. The Boathouse in Forest Park has been part of this city since 1876. The current building was rebuilt and expanded in 2003 so it could be both a restaurant and a place to rent boats. That’s when it really became more than just a stop by the water — it became a destination.

It sits on Post-Dispatch Lake, renamed in 1913 after the St. Louis Post-Dispatch helped fund improvements to the lake. You’re not just looking at water — you’re looking at a lake that’s been woven into our story for over a century. And when you paddle far enough, you reach the Grand Basin, with the Art Museum majestically overlooking the water — fountains spraying, grand planters framing the steps, wide stone staircases leading down to the edge. That turnaround point at the Basin always feels like a reward for the paddle.

One of my favorite moments has been out there with Reagan. On my 60th birthday in 2019, I rented a kayak on a sunny morning and paddled out to the Grand Basin at the foot of Art Hill — that iconic hill just below the Art Museum. It takes about an hour to paddle there and back. Just me, my dog, the water, and one of the most beautiful views in St. Louis. Simple. Peaceful. Perfect.

There’s nothing better than having a brisk one-hour walk in Forest Park at 7 a.m. and then heading to the Boathouse for breakfast on the water at 8 a.m. Thursday through Sunday. I truly hope they keep breakfast when it reopens. That quiet early-morning hour, before the crowds and before the music starts, is something special. They’ve even hosted morning yoga classes on the water — on a paddleboard (wow, that’s balance) — which feels exactly right for that setting.

Summer weekends meant live music, packed patios, and families everywhere. Bands would set up outside and play while people ate and watched the boats drift by. On a busy weekend, it could feel like half of St. Louis had the same idea: come get a table, listen to the music, and soak up the views.

And the boats. The paddleboats are simple and classic, and you can also rent kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. I’ve seen little kids steering for the first time and couples quietly paddling across the lake. It’s uncomplicated fun — the kind that turns into lifelong memories.

The Boathouse has always paired perfectly with a night at The Muny. Dinner by the lake, then a show under the stars. “Meet Me at The Muny” is basically a St. Louis summer jingle, and the Boathouse is right in that same category for me — one of those places that just feels like home.

Now it’s getting a renovation. The building that was rebuilt in 2003 needs updates to the kitchen, dock, and infrastructure. Forest Park Forever gathered feedback from more than 4,000 community members before moving forward. The plans include a larger patio, more shade, better acoustics for live music, expanded event space, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake. A new dock will extend farther into the water, and the restaurant is expected to reopen in 2027. Sugarfire Smoke House will handle the food and catering when it does.

Here’s what I know after decades in this city: the Boathouse isn’t just a building. It’s first dates. It’s kids pedaling in wide circles. It’s friends lingering under umbrellas while a band warms up. It’s that peaceful pause before heading to The Muny.

It has always been where water, music, food, and memory meet. And I can’t wait to see it open again.