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New study ranks St. Louis as one of the best places for nightlife, but more bars are closing

The closings come just as St. Louis was ranked as one of the best places for nightlife in America.
Credit: KSDK / Getty Images

ST. LOUIS – From Collinsville, Illinois to St. Charles, Missouri… Several bars have recently closed or plan to close this month.

The closings come just as St. Louis was ranked as one of the best places for nightlife in America.

READ MORE: Here’s how a study ranked St. Louis as the best place in America for nightlife

On Saturday, Wild Country in Collinsville closed for good, owner Mike Major said.

“After 22 years, eight months and 15 days, the Major family, which is me and my two brothers, are just tired of doing it,” Major said.

Major said the sale of the building was finalized last week, and employees were told they were closing for good after their shift Saturday night. He said the people who bought the building plan to turn it into a church and youth center.

READ MORE: Wild Country sold, will be turned into church and youth center, former owner says

After more than 15 years in business, Copia announced its closing the downtown St. Louis location.

"We had to make a conscious decision that we are not going to be in downtown anymore," he said. "It's heartbreaking. We fought as long as we could," the owner told 5 On Your Side’s partners at the St. Louis Business Journal.

The Copia Wine Shop and Bodega, located adjacent at 1110 Washington Ave., will remain open at least until March.

And a hot spot in the Central West End will have its last dance on Jan. 18. Mandarin, known for bringing nightlife to the neighborhood announced its closing after 12 years.

MORE: Mandarin Lounge to close in the Central West End

After bringing music to downtown St. Louis for 18 years, Beale on Broadway closed on Jan. 3.

MORE: Beale on Broadway closing its doors after 18 years

Two bars along Historic Main Street in St. Charles are history after they shut their doors at the start of 2019. The city council approved a new liquor law for the district. Owners of Bobby’s Place and Undertow told 5 On Your Side, the new liquor law is partially to blame.

READ MORE: St. Charles bars close after new liquor laws

The new law specifically targeted three blocks on main street that feature more than a dozen bars that remain open until 1:30 a.m. Two of the biggest changes require at least 50 percent of a restaurant's revenue comes from food sales and no more than 50 percent from alcohol. There's also a new point system for violations, which could result in them losing their liquor license but this also applies to the entire city.

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