O’Fallon pub offers live tunes, tasty drinks and communal atmosphere. Take a look inside

If enjoying good music and drinks with friends and family is something you’re interested in, then The Upright Pub and Music Parlor just might be for you.

Located at 123 E. 1st St. in O’Fallon, The Upright Pub & Music Parlor is exactly what the name states: It’s a pub that offers live music.

And it is a lovely place.

I met with owners and couple Crissy Nordin and Kristen Keller to talk about The Upright, which officially opened the first weekend in January, following a soft opening weekend in late December.

Prior to opening their first business together, Nordin and Keller took their family to Hemingway’s Zen Garden, the business that previously occupied the space for more than a decade. Hemingway’s built a following over the years before closing at the end of 2022.

The O’Fallon couple felt they couldn’t lose a place that had live music in town.

“My wife and I are local music teachers,” said Nordin. “We’re music people and wanted to keep music here.”

So they opened The Upright.

O’Fallon is such a great, supportive community in performing arts, including the music programs in O’Fallon’s schools , according to Nordin.

Music is the biggest draw for The Upright. Live music is played for three hours each night The Upright is open, said Keller.

The live performances provide opportunities for young and new local musicians to gain exposure and experience playing in front of an audience, which is also why there’s an open mic night every Thursday.

Things are pretty chill on Wednesdays, which usually feature acoustic performances.

Different styles of music are played and include jazz and blues, classic rock, bluegrass and country, Americana, cover bands and singer/songwriter originals, all from local musicians.

Keller’s dad also plays there with his band.

There is currently no cover charge to enter The Upright; however, Keller and Nordin said that could change in the future depending on music bookings and growing audiences.

A place to wet one’s whistle

In addition to the tunes, another reason to check out The Upright is the beverage offerings, which include wine, beer, cocktails and liquors.

There’s a really nice list of cocktails that include classics like the Old Fashioned (which is their most popular) and newer blends like their Summerthyme Lemonade , mocha martini and seasonal concoctions.

Beer is available in cans, bottles and on draft. The selection of wines – served in proper wine glasses – gets a lot of compliments from customers.

Keller and Nordin are also open to suggestions on what the bar might carry.

Since opening in January, folks have asked about food, which they don’t currently serve (although they do offer free popcorn if you’re feeling peckish).

Keller said they are working to add food that will include appetizers, small plate items, flatbreads, baked goods, salads, soups and a few other simpler items and hope to be ready by fall.

For now, folks are welcome to bring food or at least stop by for drinks and music after dinner elsewhere.

They said that people bring food from neighboring restaurants, which is great because the businesses support each other here, said Nordin.

In addition to its regular evening hours Wednesday through Saturday, The Upright is currently open 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays during the Vine Street Market. On offer at this time are some brunch-style cocktails (mimosas and sangria, anyone?) and a few food items.

Keller said opening during the market is a nice way for those who don’t usually come in the evenings to see what they’re about.

Making the new feel old

The 1907 building is a local landmark , and Nordin and Keller wanted to preserve the building’s overall original design while adding touches of their own.

They painted the storefront green with yellow . At the time, people were confused by the paint color, according to Keller.

She and Nordin went back and forth on colors for the pub before deciding on the green, which felt right to them.

Being so close to Scott AFB, they know that military personnel who visited pubs overseas understand the color choice – it’s a pub thing – and recognize that The Upright could be just the place they’re looking to spend their time.

On the inside, some of the existing wall behind the bar, some sort of cement or stucco material, was removed to reveal the brick underneath.

The overall space features the bar on one side, benches with small round tables and chairs on the other. Tables and chairs are placed up the center of the space.

Nordin and Keller designed the space, wanting it to feel old but using new materials.

The bar itself is a great feature. It looks like marble but is actually a composite material with a texture that is very unlike marble. I just wanted to touch it. Nordin said a lot of their customers do the same thing.

The benches, pub stools and tables along the wall opposite the bar give the place an old pub feel. Chairs and stools are movable, helping to create a comfortable atmosphere where it easily feels like everyone there is hanging out together, said Keller.

The small stage is tucked in the back of the main area, providing a communal vibe between the musicians and the customers.

Keller said that they have their own sound system set-up, which musicians are required to use. It’s also easier for musicians so they don’t have to spend time and energy hauling in their own equipment and running sound checks. They can just plug in and play.

She also said that the volume is not so loud that patrons have to shout at each other to order drinks or have conversations.

The couple like to travel and found inspiration in places like New Orleans and London. In fact, the layout of The Upright was heavily inspired by The Spotted Cat in New Orleans . Nordin said that she’s had comments from musicians that their place reminded them of the Nawlins music club.

The wall décor is interesting and fun to look at. Keller said every piece on the wall is significant. Items represent their travels and other interests: music, family, sports teams, even the beer they serve.

None of it is random, Nordin said of their pub collage wall.

There’s also a great patio area out back that has ample seating. On nicer nights, sometimes the music moves outside.

It’s like hanging out on someone’s deck at their house, said Keller.

* * *

Now that it’s summer, things are a little slower than usual, as folks are taking vacations, said Keller, but Fridays can still get a little busy.

Community events, such as O’Fallon’s Downtown District Nights , help. And once the food gets going, the couple plan to add Tuesday hours as well.

The Upright is also available for private events, including weddings and receptions, class reunions, birthdays and anniversaries.

They already hosted some events and have more coming up later in the year, including a wedding and reception in October.

Both Keller and Nordin have full-time jobs. With the help of family – including Keller’s brother Brian, who works as The Upright’s manager, and her mom, who’s an accountant and helps with the finances, they are making it work.

It’s nice to have the family support, said Nordin.

About The Upright

The Upright Pub & Music Parlor is located at 123 E. 1st St. in O’Fallon. Hours are 4-9 p.m. Wednesday, 4-11 p.m. Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight Friday-Saturday.

For more info or a schedule of live performances, visit facebook.com/theuprightpub or call 618-589-3100.