At the Hawthorn, a music and event venue that opened a year ago in the downtown west district of St. Louis, every day has been “a new adventure”.
“It really flew by,” manager Lucie Switalski says.
The 10,000-square-foot venue, named for the Missouri state flower, opened Nov. 3, 2022, at 2231 Washington Avenue with a show by St. Louis hip-hop acts Mvstermind and DJ Mahf.
The Hawthorn is managed by Nashville, Tennessee-based Marathon Live.
Since its grand opening, the venue has showcased a diverse array of national, regional and St. Louis. Its opening lineup of shows also included Trap Karaoke, Emo Night, Muscadine Bloodline, Noah Thompson and HunterGirl, and Tab Benoit & the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.
The first year also saw concerts by Dogstar, Blackhawk, Gavin DeGraw, Project Pat, Soulja Boy, Raheem DeVaughn, Sister Hazel, Lonestar, Dean Lewis, Russo & Co., Sleep Token, Frank Foster, Kolby Cooper, Behemoth, Logan Mize, Pecos & the Rooftops, Paul Cauthen and more.
There also were four nights of Trap Karaoke, R&B Only Live and Emo Night.
The first sold-out show was Shane Smith & the Saints, which drew 1,300 people to the Hawthorn.
Other events at the venue have included a women’s Olympic ski and snowboarding fundraiser; Sneaker Emporium; Art, Mimosas & Pancakes; Dada Ball & Bash; 314 Market; Mother Model Management’s Tribute Fashion Show; Donuts With Santa for St. Louis Moms; Gateway to Hope Jubilee; Off White Wedding Show; along with weddings and other private events.
“We’re very proud of how much we have accomplished in a whole year,” Switalski says. “It’s a big accomplishment. It’s been a fun year. We are growing and learning, and there’s a lot of pride.”
She says the first year of the Hawthorn has been “an exciting mix of everything. We really stepped our feet into every part of the event space and the music space.”
About 60% of bookings have been concerts. The goal, she says, is for bookings to be half concerts and half other events.
“Doing a little bit of everything was exciting, whatever we could bring into the room,” Switalski says. “It’s the entire spectrum. Everything fits in the space in its own way.”
The venue’s recurring events targeted at Black patrons, such as Trap Karaoke and DJ party R&B Only Live, have been an unexpected success. Trap Karaoke allows guests to sing and dance onstage. Switalski says R&B Only Live sold out four consecutive nights, a record for the touring event.
“We knew it was going to be a hit,” she says. “Everybody likes a dance party. But I didn’t think four nights out the gate would sell out.”
If there were any challenges in the first year, Switalski says, they weren’t unlike what other downtown businesses face regarding safety.
“We want to make our mark in the area as a safe and positive place that people want to go to,” she says. “That’s a little bit of a challenge for everyone in the city — a hurdle that is there. But we’ve done a great job making sure people are comfortable, safe and excited to come back.”
The Hawthorn features country singer Casey Donahew on Nov. 3, “an overall great vibe for the space.” The show is not presented as an anniversary event; that will be celebrated privately.
“We’re excited to just look back at everything we’ve accomplished,” Switalski says.
Other upcoming acts include Extra Nos Fest with Flame (Nov. 11); Danny Lux (Nov. 22); Dirty Honey (Dec. 15); Cherub (Dec. 31); Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors (April 19); Flatlands Cavalry (March 8); and Josh Abbott Band (April 20).
“We have a lot of fun stuff in the works and a lot of great announcements for shows and events on the calendar,” Switalski says. “We’re excited to be just as busy and keep on growing.”
