Oh, Oh, the Patio

Our guide to Springfield’s outdoor eating and drinking scene

Just picture it: Sitting with some friends, sipping on a cool frozen something-or-other as the sun sets to the west. Perhaps a tiki torch blinks its candlelight nearby. Sound like chilling in someone’s hizzy? Not necessarily; outdoor patios do exist in Springfield, and although we’ve lost a few in the last year, a couple of others have stepped in to take their place. We’ll start with the good news first.

Pulling up a chair

Big Whiskey’s
A modest-sized outdoor seating arrangement is a new feature (we hesitate to call it a deck or a patio), with plastic chairs and tables to seat about 20 people. The view, however, is spectacular for people watching, with foot traffic galore from Icon Nightclub next door and the Skinny Improv, Trolley’s and Riad just up Park Central East.

Ophelia’s Wine & Tapas Bar
The deck has been open for a couple of weeks, owner Tom Muetzel says. There just haven’t been many nights when the weather was good enough to use it. But when the thermometer finally shows enough red, you’ll find seating for 30 in metal patio furniture. The patio, built below the level of the parking lot to give more privacy, also has a water fountain and a garden beginning to bloom. If you would like an after-drinks cigarette as well, light up. The patio is the only place at Ophelia’s where smoking is allowed.

Losing their seat

Black Cat Lounge
The martini bar in the lower level of Pairings in Nixa went out with a whimper in October along with the rest of the restaurant. The loss of the Black Cat Lounge costs patrons the spectacular view of the surrounding wilderness that can be seen from the upper and lower decks on Pairings’ north side. Or does it? As reported first at on our blog, the Upper Deck Sports Bar and Grill could be taking over the space in the not-too-distant future. From black cats to Cardinal red? Why not?

Bombay Bicycle Club
Apparently the second time wasn’t the charm. Former managers Tom Smith and Jim Garland brought the chain back to Springfield after running the first Bombay on East Battlefield, but an inability to make ends meet sealed the deal in November. Which is a shame, as it means there wasn’t one last opportunity for fans of the large south-side deck to have a cocktail by the light of the tiki torches. On the other hand, we gained Twilight Grille in the same location. While it’s more restaurant than bar, that giant porch is still there. Waiter, a mai tai, please!