by Grayling Holmes

Father’s Day comes early this year. Although it’s always celebrated on the third Sunday in June, which oftentimes falls around the 19th, this year we get to celebrate our fathers on Sunday, June 16th. Are you ready?

I’ve compiled a compendium of things to gift or to do with the man in your life whom you call father, grandfather, pappa, friends who are fathers, or anyone who has been a father to you. Listed below are also things that you might do to make this special day even more special.

At Sophisticated Living, we like to put a special polish on each holiday to make them shine like new money. Let your dad know that he’s truly appreciated this Father’s Day and each and every day the sophisticated way.

21c Museum Hotel St. Louis

Treat your dad like the King that he is. Give him the gift of a stay at 21c Museum Hotel. There, he will be treated like royalty. Choose from any of their 173 distinguished rooms. Among them is the 21c Luxury King Suite or the fabulous Library Suite.

21c is a 4-star luxury hotel. It has been the talk of the town since last summer. Your dad will get to experience not only the amenities of a grand hotel, but consume the culture of a first-class contemporary art museum as well. Permanent and traveling exhibits fill almost every corner of the second floor exhibit space. As soon as he walks in the door, he will see the O, a glass sculpture that holds almost two tons of water. It will truly be a WOW!

Also on site is the famed Idol Wolf Restaurant, the Good Press Café, an Olympic-sized pool, and full service spa covering an entire floor of the 10-story hotel.

Take your father to Sunday brunch at Idol Wolf on Father’s Day itself. Give the daddy in your life a present that he can use anytime by gifting him a stay in one of their luxury suites. He will think of you every time he thinks back on his memorable stay at the one, the only 21c St. Louis. Make reservations by visiting their website.

HOTEL INFORMATION

• Over 14,000 square feet of exhibition space

• Two restaurant concepts

• In-room dining

• Wellness center with lap pool, steam, sauna, fitness and movement studios

• Athletic & Swim Club available to hotel guests and members

• Laundry service

• Museum shop

• Valet parking

• Pet-friendly rooms

• Free Wi-Fi

21c St. Louis- Idol Wolf

Dine with art this Father's Day at Idol Wolf, located inside the 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis. Inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Spain, the brunch menu features a full menu of Spanish and American favorites including French Toast, Basque Baked Eggs and Chorizo, plus brunch cocktails and NA options. Book your reservations before they sell out. 

City Museum

What better place to spend Father’s Day than with your child or grandchild than at City Museum? Dads and grandpas get free admission on Father's Day, Sunday June 16. Kids can make dad a craft in Art City or enjoy BBQ on the patio. Spend the day exploring the caves or playing on the rooftop with Dad! 

Housed in an old shoe factory in Downtown St. Louis, City Museum is an ever-evolving, always-thrilling, artist-built playground full of weirdly wonderful spaces to explore. From a passion project to an indoor, outdoor, underground playground that welcomes adventurous visitors from all over, City Museum is the perfect place to explore everything it means to be a dad — being with your kids on Dad’s Day.

For more information, visit citymuseum.org 

Clementine’s Ice Cream

For Rad Dads - grab him a pint of the award-winning  Maple Bourbon Pecan ice cream or a cool Skull & Crossbones ice cream cone, t-shirt or hoodie! With eight locations to choose from, it's the perfect place to unwind with the entire family.

There’s a reason why Clementine’s is known for serving up the finest ice cream in St. Louis. Every lick of their decadent small-batch creations is handcrafted using only the finest quality ingredients. They start with the purest of creams and stir in flavors from some of St. Louis’s most loved breweries, bakeries, distilleries and restaurants. Finally, they sprinkle in lots of love to make melt-in-your-mouth creamy treats for anyone who’s feeling naughty or nice.

Every day, they churn up sweet, savory and boozy ice cream combinations including vegan and non-dairy options. Get the 411 on what flavors they are currently serving up or stop in to see what’s tempting today!

The Fabulous Fox Theatre

Fathers from far and near will be thrilled if you gift them with tickets to a show at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. They’ve got everything from great comedy shows starting June 21st. to their new season starting the fall.

And have you heard of a little show called HAMILTON? Yes, the show that took Broadway by storm is coming back to the Fox for 16 performances starting on August 28th. What an appropriate gift. After all, like Alexander Hamilton, your dad is the FOUNDING FATHER in your life.

HAMILTON tickets go on sale on June 12th, just in time to gift the fathers in your life on June 16th. Imagine that gleam in your daddy’s eye or in the eye of your husband, your uncle, or the man who’s been like a father to you when you plant HAMILTON tickets in the palm of his hand. Now is the time to get front row seats or anywhere in the Fox. Your dad will be in for theater excellence.

And if HAMILTON isn’t enough, CHICAGO and the smash hit MEAN GIRLS is also coming as part of the Broadway Specials series.

Oh, and lest you forget, the 2024-2025 Season kicks off on September 24th with BACK TO THE FUTURE. Gift your dad with season tickets or individual ones. Remember, that there are matinees on weekends, in case your dad likes to get to sleep early or go to dinner after the show.

Visit their website here for more information.

Hearth & Soul

Owner Suzie Busch-Transou put her heart and soul into her dream store, Hearth & Soul. Nothing you see below is something she wouldn’t give to her dear old dad or the father of her children.

Below is a sampling of gifts from her curated collection of gifts for Father’s Day 2024, ranging from the simple to exotic.

And one can never go wrong with a gift card, of course; it’s a blank slate to pick out their own perfect gift.

Whether you are here in St. Louis at her Clayton store or traveling to one of her other stores in Tallahassee, Florida or Austin, Texas, you can always discover beautiful things for yourself, your home or someone special in your life for Father’s Day, any holiday, or just because.

Her wide array of merchandise will both warm your heart and feed your soul. Learn more at hearthandsoul.com.

LOCOCO FINE ART PUBLISHER

Entrenched in St. Louis’ rich arts community is Lococo. For Father’s day, you might want to pick up an image he can hang on wall, a fine art print from Lococo Fine Art Publisher. it will be something he will cherish for their lifetime, and may pass it down to loved ones for generations to come.

Lococo is s a leading publisher of contemporary fine art prints, editions, and monographs. Since their founding in 1990 by Robert Lococo, they have collaborated with our artists, master printers, and innovative technologists to create exclusive prints and multiple editions.

LOCOCO now represents over 60 international artists, including many of the most important and innovative artists of our time. They are proud to have established long-term, ground-breaking relationships with Alex Katz, Kenny Scharf, Donald Sultan, Ugo Rondinone, David Salle, and so many more, such as St. Louis’ own Katherine Bernhardt.

Visit Lococo online to view their offerings.

Lugano

Lugano is offering brooches, gemstones, and statement pieces this Father’s Day. With an array of rings, bracelets, necklaces, and more, these bold, timeless, and versatile pieces are created to be worn every day. Lugano celebrates men who push boundaries and express their personal style through a variety of fine jewelry. Elevate Dad’s collection with these handcrafted pieces of art that reflect his impeccable taste and unique personality. Explore Lugano’s range of designs below and make this Father’s Day unforgettable.

The Normal Brand

The Normal Brand is located in the heart of Ladue’s Colonial Marketplace. Built by brothers who are fathers, but now designers, they make Normal clothes much better.

Here are some samples of the some quality clothes you can pick up for your dad, or maybe his dad too.

Visit them in store at Colonial Marketplace at 8801 - 8845 Ladue Rd or online.

PALM HEALTH

Witness the gentleman in the picture below. Does he look happy and relaxed. Indeed he is. He’s sitting on a “throne” enjoying a foot massager from PALM Health. Treat the fathers in you life to the calming products and techniques that only tranquility that only PALM Health can bring. Treat him like a king for Father’s Day 2024.

Their incredible massages, skin care services, and body treatments will allow them to reduce stress, relieve their tired muscles, and feel make them feel rejuvenated. Combining ancient and contemporary techniques with expert knowledge and world-class products, PALM Health therapists offer treatments specially designed to meet every man’s needs.

One Day Membership for $100 ( https://www.palmhealth.com/contact-us-one-day/)

One Week Membership for $200 (https://www.palmhealth.com/one-week-membership/ ) 

Pisterzi

Nothing says Father’s Day like giving the finest from Italy.

Pisterzi Italian Grooming Art delivers authentic products that the father in your life will not only enjoy, but will savor. Catering to the discriminating high-end user, their line of grooming products are eccelente, ottimo, and superb in every way.

From the metrosexual, to the hyper masculine to everyone in between, Pisterzi has something for every man on the spectrum.

Using the knowledge and skills of highly-trained barber, and founder Gian Antonio Pisterzi, the collection focuses on skin health and rejuvenation as much as it does performance. 

Unwrap any Pisterzi product and you’ll find an exclusive, high-performing formula. These grooming products differ from the rest as each product is enriched with biowaters. This means they are feature plant extracts harvested from organic agriculture using a water-based extraction method. In addition, the collection is designed with COSMOS** certified ingredients, a global certification standard for organic and natural cosmetics.

Fueled by a passion for barbering, the Pisterzi collection was built and meticulously designed for that special man in your life.

The products are available online, or if you’re traveling to New York or your man is, be sure to visit their SOHO shops for a pampering those with XY chromosomes won’t soon forget.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Make it a Father's Day to remember by celebrating Dad with a sizzling steak at Ruth's Chris Steak House, 16493 Wild Horse Creek Road in Chesterfield, or Downtown, 315 Chestnut St. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel overlooking the Arch, for Father's Day.

Both locations will offer Surf and Turf, a classic combination of filet and lobster tail, as well as signature Ruth's Chris USDA Prime beef and fresh seafood. Other signature steak options include the 40-ounce Porterhouse Steak for two and the 22-ounce Cowboy Ribeye or the Bone-In New York Strip along with mouthwatering sides and desserts.

If Dad prefers brunch, how about Filet Oscar or Cajun Tenderloin Eggs Benedict. 

Reservations are encouraged for both restaurants. Hours of operation:

Chesterfield - 636-730-2200

11 am – 3 pm - Brunch3 pm – 9 pm – Dinner­

ruthschrisphg.com/chesterfield

Downtown STL: 314-259-3200

3 pm – 9 pm - Dinner Menu Only

ruthschrisphg.com/st-louis

SqWires Restaurant & Market

Treat Dad to a mouth-watering brunch on Father's Day! We are famous for our Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar. From Eggs Benedict to French toast to Creole Shrimp Omelet, there is something for everyone's taste buds! Follow up brunch with a stroll in nearby Lafayette Park! Reservations are highly recommended. 

St. Louis’ most ardent food-lovers are regulars at SqWires. Their seasonal menu features fresh interpretations of classic American cuisine. Their chefs prepare the freshest seafood, prime meats, and indulgent desserts with our trademark simplicity and richness of flavor.

Located in the historic Lafayette Square neighborhood, in the former Western Wire Factory, SqWires’ setting is a picture-perfect renovation of an old Victorian building. They have preserved original 19th century elements and added a handcrafted steel fireplace and comfortable leather banquette seating in the dining room.

Visit them at 1415 S 18th St, St. Louis, MO 63104 and online.

Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis

Summer 2024 is here and it’s RED HOT! Time to jump into the water and cool off at the annual pool party fundraiser for the Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis. Throw on some pool-chic attire with a splash of red and join the LIFE UPON THE WICKED STAGE 3rd Annual Pool Party. It will be held at the fabulous home of Jay Perez and Bill Donius. Get tickets for this sizzlin’ event for your daddy. He will love it! Always THE PARTY of the summer season, it’s a perfect Father’s Day gift.

The party is on Sunday, July 14th. Reserve you spot stating by July 1st at info@twstl.org.

Oh, and while you’re on the site, why not pick up some tickets for the festival itself. Details on the festival can be found at earlier Sophisticated Living article.