The Legend Returns: BB’s Jazz Blues & Soups Reclaims Its Place on Broadway Under New Ownership

Discover how BB’s Jazz Blues & Soups is making a triumphant return to Broadway in downtown St. Louis under new ownership, bringing live jazz, blues, and soulful vibes back to the city’s premier music scene.

700 S. BROADWAY | ST. LOUIS, MO 63102

When BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soup, one of St. Louis’ most cherished entertainment venues, closed in 2023, many attributed the closure to slow foot traffic, declining sales, and nearby crime. However, the true story was quite different—the owners were seeking new management and a fresh direction.

Now, the venue is reopening under new leadership, and they are eager to share their exciting news through a new media release. I’m personally thrilled about the reopening because, just before they closed, I was enjoying a drink and some delicious seafood there, with a band about to start playing.

Let’s take a look.

BB’s Jazz Blues & Soup

A special pre-opening event for the press and public is set for Wednesday, May 20th, 2026 at 12:00 PM with music by The Funky Butt Brass Band and St. Louis blues artist, Marquise Knox. Local officials are expected to be in attendance; Steve Sullivan and Marquise Knox will offer remarks and be available for questions, a sampling of the new BB’s menu items provided.

This rebirth is happening at 700 South Broadway near Downtown St. Louis as BB’s Jazz Blues & Soups returns to the local music scene. Prior to closing in 2023 the legendary venue had been a defining force in St Louis blues and jazz for five decades. It returns to its roots with live music, historically authentic charm, and a renewed vision for the future.

Located in a historic mid-1800s building, BB’s has long been known as a gathering place for generations of music lovers. As a cornerstone of the city’s blues and jazz scene, BB’s returns with a renewed commitment to honoring its past while embracing the future.

The venue is under contract to Steve Sullivan and Mark Goldenberg, who have owned the nearby Broadway Oyster Bar since 2019. “BB’s has always been more than a club – it’s a living piece of St. Louis history,” said Sullivan and Goldenberg in a joint statement. “We’re re-opening not just to bring back live music, but to preserve a space where culture, community, and creativity have always thrived and bring it forward to a new era in St. Louis. This is St. Louis at its best.”

The reopening will mean the return of live music, spotlighting local and touring blues, jazz, soul, and R&B artists, as well as a new menu with a Memphis soul flair. The building’s historic interior, and its signature intimate atmosphere will be preserved to retain its layered character. Tracing its history from a 19th-century Frenchtown hotel to a legendary blues landmark, BB’s will remain a vital hub for gathering and storytelling. The venue is dedicated to showcasing traditional American music as both a cultural touchstone and a testament to the enduring power of live performance.

Special thanks to Mike Ermer for keeping the dream of BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups alive! Your stewardship of this historic building ensures that its rich musical legacy and vibrant history continue to thrive for the next generation of blues and jazz fans.

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