Downtown St. Louis Bars You Have to Try

By on Thu, Apr 5, 2018 at 2:58 pm

Whether you're partying before the Cardinals game or decompressing after work, downtown St. Louis has a surprisingly vast number of terrific nightlife options. From low-key neighborhood spots to sleek clubs with amazing rooftop views, there's something for everyone downtown. The only trick is deciding which one to pick.
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Whether you're partying before the Cardinals game or decompressing after work, downtown St. Louis has a surprisingly vast number of terrific nightlife options. From low-key neighborhood spots to sleek clubs with amazing rooftop views, there's something for everyone downtown. The only trick is deciding which one to pick.

 

Opening image of BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups by Holly Ravazzolo

 

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Downtown St. Louis Bars You Have to Try
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Game 6 Honky Tonk Lounge 756 S 4th St St. Louis, MO 630102 Brothers Ryan and Jeremy Binkley opened Game 6 Honky Tonk Lounge last November to give St. Louis a destination for country music. Located in the space that previously housed Pastimes on 4th, the bar offers shows every Wednesday through Saturday night and promises to be open every night the Cardinals are in town as well. Photo courtesy of the bar
Game 6 Honky Tonk Lounge
756 S 4th St
St. Louis, MO 630102
Brothers Ryan and Jeremy Binkley opened Game 6 Honky Tonk Lounge last November to give St. Louis a destination for country music. Located in the space that previously housed Pastimes on 4th, the bar offers shows every Wednesday through Saturday night and promises to be open every night the Cardinals are in town as well. Photo courtesy of the bar
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Broadway Oyster Bar 736 S. Broadway St. Louis, MO 63102 Perched close to Busch Stadium in St. Louis' blues triangle, Broadway Oyster Bar has one of the most pleasant patios to sit and listen to music downtown. On weekends, there's almost always a band playing, and in the earlier hours it makes for an intimate environment to catch some tunes, brews and food. There’s a good amount of seating, and on nice days and evenings the staff will open up the shutters facing the street. It's a perfect spot to pregame, or post-game after a Cardinals victory. --Text by Kavahn Mansouri, photo courtesy of Flickr/C.C. Chapman
Broadway Oyster Bar
736 S. Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63102
Perched close to Busch Stadium in St. Louis' blues triangle, Broadway Oyster Bar has one of the most pleasant patios to sit and listen to music downtown. On weekends, there's almost always a band playing, and in the earlier hours it makes for an intimate environment to catch some tunes, brews and food. There’s a good amount of seating, and on nice days and evenings the staff will open up the shutters facing the street. It's a perfect spot to pregame, or post-game after a Cardinals victory.
--Text by Kavahn Mansouri, photo courtesy of Flickr/C.C. Chapman
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The Crack Fox 1114 Olive St St. Louis, MO 63101 A downtown bar that encourages all to let their freak flag fly? The Crack Fox offers a rare respite downtown for those who didn't belong to a fraternity and have no interest in working for the man. It's a narrow, dark bar filled with live music, karaoke and even burlesque shows if you head down on the right night. Drinks are plentiful and relatively cheap. The decor is something else: the actual bar is brimming with eye catchers and interesting trinkets, while the opposite wall is lined with boudoir photos of women. --Photo and text by Kavahn Mansouri
The Crack Fox
1114 Olive St
St. Louis, MO 63101
A downtown bar that encourages all to let their freak flag fly? The Crack Fox offers a rare respite downtown for those who didn't belong to a fraternity and have no interest in working for the man. It's a narrow, dark bar filled with live music, karaoke and even burlesque shows if you head down on the right night. Drinks are plentiful and relatively cheap. The decor is something else: the actual bar is brimming with eye catchers and interesting trinkets, while the opposite wall is lined with boudoir photos of women.
--Photo and text by Kavahn Mansouri
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Tin Roof 1000 Clark Ave St. Louis, MO 63102 This Nashville transplant, which opened in the shadow of Busch Stadium last summer, is “Margaritaville meets Cheers,” in the words of its general manager. But while the vibe may be laidback, the music is hot -- and the party keeps going until after midnight seven nights a week. Three big bars -- including one outdoors -- will keep you lubricated even on nights when the place is packed. Photo by Sarah Fenske
Tin Roof
1000 Clark Ave
St. Louis, MO 63102
This Nashville transplant, which opened in the shadow of Busch Stadium last summer, is “Margaritaville meets Cheers,” in the words of its general manager. But while the vibe may be laidback, the music is hot -- and the party keeps going until after midnight seven nights a week. Three big bars -- including one outdoors -- will keep you lubricated even on nights when the place is packed. Photo by Sarah Fenske
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The Wheelhouse 1000 Spruce St St. Louis, MO 63102 If you find yourself downtown and in the mood to party hard, but all the early bars are closing, head over to the Wheelhouse (1000 Spruce Street, 314-833-3653). A hotspot for local celebrities and people just generally looking to rage, the Wheelhouse is a sports bar by weekday and a nightlife hub on the weekends. During the day it's worth stopping by to check out the robust menu, although we should warn that the place is frequently packed after sporting events downtown. Plan on some shoulder-to-shoulder bumping as you try get a drink — but isn't that a small price to pay to keep it going 'til 3 a.m.? --Text by Kavahn Mansouri; photo by Nancy Stiles
The Wheelhouse
1000 Spruce St
St. Louis, MO 63102
If you find yourself downtown and in the mood to party hard, but all the early bars are closing, head over to the Wheelhouse (1000 Spruce Street, 314-833-3653). A hotspot for local celebrities and people just generally looking to rage, the Wheelhouse is a sports bar by weekday and a nightlife hub on the weekends. During the day it's worth stopping by to check out the robust menu, although we should warn that the place is frequently packed after sporting events downtown. Plan on some shoulder-to-shoulder bumping as you try get a drink — but isn't that a small price to pay to keep it going 'til 3 a.m.?
--Text by Kavahn Mansouri; photo by Nancy Stiles
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Bridge Tap House & Wine Bar 1004 Locust St St. Louis, MO 63101 A two-story stunner, Bridge Tap House is one of downtown's most elegant bars. The bar setup, wooden finishes and stairs leading to the second floor are all striking, with eye-catching chandeliers drawing your attention up to the high ceilings. If it weren't for all the booze, the bar's wooden decor and the ladder used to fetch drinks might make believe you were in a library. Quieter and more romantic than other bars downtown, Bridge Tap House would make a great spot for a first date, with an interesting cheese selection and smart menu from prolific restaurateur Dave Bailey. --Text by Kavahn Mansouri; photo by Jennifer Silverberg
Bridge Tap House & Wine Bar
1004 Locust St
St. Louis, MO 63101
A two-story stunner, Bridge Tap House is one of downtown's most elegant bars. The bar setup, wooden finishes and stairs leading to the second floor are all striking, with eye-catching chandeliers drawing your attention up to the high ceilings. If it weren't for all the booze, the bar's wooden decor and the ladder used to fetch drinks might make believe you were in a library. Quieter and more romantic than other bars downtown, Bridge Tap House would make a great spot for a first date, with an interesting cheese selection and smart menu from prolific restaurateur Dave Bailey.
--Text by Kavahn Mansouri; photo by Jennifer Silverberg
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Start Bar 1000 Spruce St St. Louis, MO 63102 Start Bar offers something different downtown: a hideaway for nerds to do what they do best, drink and game. Start Bar is brimming with arcade machines, touting near the entrance the motto, “Coins rule everything around me.” The Wu-Tang would be proud of this new St. Louis institution, which was created by the owners of Wheelhouse. Head down to Start Bar if you need your fill of arcade games, fully stocked Nintendo 64s and pinball machines. And keep your eyes peeled — they're planning a pinball tournament soon. --Text by Kavahn Mansouri; photo by Natalie Rao
Start Bar
1000 Spruce St
St. Louis, MO 63102
Start Bar offers something different downtown: a hideaway for nerds to do what they do best, drink and game. Start Bar is brimming with arcade machines, touting near the entrance the motto, “Coins rule everything around me.” The Wu-Tang would be proud of this new St. Louis institution, which was created by the owners of Wheelhouse. Head down to Start Bar if you need your fill of arcade games, fully stocked Nintendo 64s and pinball machines. And keep your eyes peeled — they're planning a pinball tournament soon.
--Text by Kavahn Mansouri; photo by Natalie Rao
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Tiny Bar 1008 Locust St St. Louis, MO 63101 Bars can be big, small, narrow, wide, even two stories. But most bars don’t make their fun size their raison d'etre like Tiny Bar. The RFT's Best New Bar of 2015 sits on on Locust Street, in the lobby of the PR/marketing firm Elasticity, and is only 250 square feet ... in total. In fact, it's easy to miss if you're not paying attention. The small size also carries over to the bar's motif, with a mural honoring pint-size St. Louis Brown (for a minute) Eddie Gaedel. There are only approximately ten seats in the entire bar, give or take a few out on the sidewalk in front. Early bird gets the seat. --Text by Kavahn Mansouri, image courtesy of Tiny Bar
Tiny Bar
1008 Locust St
St. Louis, MO 63101
Bars can be big, small, narrow, wide, even two stories. But most bars don’t make their fun size their raison d'etre like Tiny Bar. The RFT's Best New Bar of 2015 sits on on Locust Street, in the lobby of the PR/marketing firm Elasticity, and is only 250 square feet ... in total. In fact, it's easy to miss if you're not paying attention. The small size also carries over to the bar's motif, with a mural honoring pint-size St. Louis Brown (for a minute) Eddie Gaedel. There are only approximately ten seats in the entire bar, give or take a few out on the sidewalk in front. Early bird gets the seat.
--Text by Kavahn Mansouri, image courtesy of Tiny Bar
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Maggie O'Brien's 2000 Market St St. Louis, MO 63103 Maggie O’Brien's touts live music and offers a ton of TVs for watching sports, even if you can't make it to the game. Maggie's is open till 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturday, and 'til 1 a.m. Tuesday to Thursday. While it's a bit of a hike to Busch Stadium from here, it's the perfect distance from Scottrade Center to facilitate pregaming before catching a Blues game. Drinks are reasonably priced and the kitchen offers some Irish-inspired bar food for those looking to have a bite to eat as well. --Text and photo by Kavahn Mansouri
Maggie O'Brien's
2000 Market St
St. Louis, MO 63103
Maggie O’Brien's touts live music and offers a ton of TVs for watching sports, even if you can't make it to the game. Maggie's is open till 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturday, and 'til 1 a.m. Tuesday to Thursday. While it's a bit of a hike to Busch Stadium from here, it's the perfect distance from Scottrade Center to facilitate pregaming before catching a Blues game. Drinks are reasonably priced and the kitchen offers some Irish-inspired bar food for those looking to have a bite to eat as well. --Text and photo by Kavahn Mansouri
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Rosalita’s Cantina 1235 Washington Ave St. Louis, MO 63103 If you’re looking for a party heavy on the tequila, you can’t beat this stunning Tex-Mex spot in the heart of Wash Ave. Happy hour runs til 7 p.m. on weeknights and begins again at 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday , so give those house margaritas a try. Photo by Jennifer Silverberg
Rosalita’s Cantina
1235 Washington Ave
St. Louis, MO 63103
If you’re looking for a party heavy on the tequila, you can’t beat this stunning Tex-Mex spot in the heart of Wash Ave. Happy hour runs til 7 p.m. on weeknights and begins again at 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday , so give those house margaritas a try. Photo by Jennifer Silverberg
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Three Sixty 1 S. Broadway St. Louis, MO 63102 Occupying the entire top floor of the Hilton at the Ballpark, Three Sixty offers a view that rivals the Arch, without the cramped space of those washing machine-sized trams inside our unmistakable landmark. Owners LHM spared no expense; the posh interior features a spectacular two-story waterfall, elegant bars both inside and out, and glassed-in VIP seating for the well-heeled. The extravagant menu features high-end and locally-sourced ingredients, and a perfectly curated drink list that will make your mouth water. On game days, you can watch the action from the bar -- only you’re up 360 feet above it. Photo by Sara Bannoura
Three Sixty
1 S. Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63102
Occupying the entire top floor of the Hilton at the Ballpark, Three Sixty offers a view that rivals the Arch, without the cramped space of those washing machine-sized trams inside our unmistakable landmark. Owners LHM spared no expense; the posh interior features a spectacular two-story waterfall, elegant bars both inside and out, and glassed-in VIP seating for the well-heeled. The extravagant menu features high-end and locally-sourced ingredients, and a perfectly curated drink list that will make your mouth water. On game days, you can watch the action from the bar -- only you’re up 360 feet above it. Photo by Sara Bannoura
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Trust 401 Pine St St. Louis, MO 63102 A craft cocktail and coffee bar inside the Covo coworking space, Trust opened its doors in December. The bar's name is a nod to the stately building’s former life as the Mississippi Valley Trust Company. The bar program is managed by Noah Prince-Goldberg and Rob Somerscales, founders of Artisan Well, the local bar consulting company that's also behind Bronson House. Expect gorgeous cocktails and friendly hospitality. Photo by Sara Graham
Trust
401 Pine St
St. Louis, MO 63102
A craft cocktail and coffee bar inside the Covo coworking space, Trust opened its doors in December. The bar's name is a nod to the stately building’s former life as the Mississippi Valley Trust Company. The bar program is managed by Noah Prince-Goldberg and Rob Somerscales, founders of Artisan Well, the local bar consulting company that's also behind Bronson House. Expect gorgeous cocktails and friendly hospitality.
Photo by Sara Graham
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314 the City Bar 1137 Washington Ave St. Louis, MO 63101 This laidback bar at the corner of Wash Ave and Tucker has a telephone theme and a full menu of food, but it’s meant to be a bar first and a restaurant second. You won’t find fancy cocktails, but you’ll find a chill neighborhood spot with a friendly vibe. Happy hour prices are about as good as it gets downtown. Photo by Samantha Dever
314 the City Bar
1137 Washington Ave
St. Louis, MO 63101
This laidback bar at the corner of Wash Ave and Tucker has a telephone theme and a full menu of food, but it’s meant to be a bar first and a restaurant second. You won’t find fancy cocktails, but you’ll find a chill neighborhood spot with a friendly vibe. Happy hour prices are about as good as it gets downtown. Photo by Samantha Dever
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BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups 700 S. Broadway St. Louis, MO 63102 BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups inhabits a historic brick buildings that oozes atmosphere, and it offers a first-rate selection of local and touring performers. BB's features a varied schedule of musical acts, a large year-round seating capacity and full-service kitchen specializing in Cajun and Creole food, in addition to a selection of American bar food. Photo by Holly Ravazzolo
BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups
700 S. Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63102
BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups inhabits a historic brick buildings that oozes atmosphere, and it offers a first-rate selection of local and touring performers. BB's features a varied schedule of musical acts, a large year-round seating capacity and full-service kitchen specializing in Cajun and Creole food, in addition to a selection of American bar food. Photo by Holly Ravazzolo
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Jack Patrick’s 1000 Olive St. St. Louis, MO 63101 Sports bar Jack Patrick's offers fans a place to go before, during or after the game, especially for those staying up until 3 a.m. It's primarily a sports bar, but the crowd ranges from the sweaty post-Cards hordes to college students. With potato skins, chicken strips, salads, burgers, pizza and the "Jack Patrick's slinger" -- fried potatoes topped with a burger, chili, cheese and crisp onion strings -- the menu features game-day grub. Diners order at a window by the bar and then choose a seat in the large dining area or pass the time shooting pool or playing shuffleboard. RFT File Photo
Jack Patrick’s
1000 Olive St.
St. Louis, MO 63101
Sports bar Jack Patrick's offers fans a place to go before, during or after the game, especially for those staying up until 3 a.m. It's primarily a sports bar, but the crowd ranges from the sweaty post-Cards hordes to college students. With potato skins, chicken strips, salads, burgers, pizza and the "Jack Patrick's slinger" -- fried potatoes topped with a burger, chili, cheese and crisp onion strings -- the menu features game-day grub. Diners order at a window by the bar and then choose a seat in the large dining area or pass the time shooting pool or playing shuffleboard. RFT File Photo
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Missouri Bar and Grille 701 N Tucker Blvd St. Louis, MO 63101 “MoBar” might well be the only true neighborhood bar downtown, a good laidback spot with friendly help and a reasonable prices. The bar is now under new ownership, and our spies swear the food is dramatically improved -- but the down-home vibe remains. Photo by Jessica Lussenhop
Missouri Bar and Grille
701 N Tucker Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63101
“MoBar” might well be the only true neighborhood bar downtown, a good laidback spot with friendly help and a reasonable prices. The bar is now under new ownership, and our spies swear the food is dramatically improved -- but the down-home vibe remains. Photo by Jessica Lussenhop
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Robie’s 421 N 8th St Saint Louis, MO 63101 This bar inside the Magnolia Hotel has elegance to spare, with a gorgeous backlit bar, stained glass windows and a gorgeous chandelier hanging from a high ceiling. Sink into a cozy banquette or take your seat on a stool at the gently curved bar; either way, Robie’s is the perfect place to gossip with old friends or pick up a stranger. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Sean Davis
Robie’s
421 N 8th St
Saint Louis, MO 63101
This bar inside the Magnolia Hotel has elegance to spare, with a gorgeous backlit bar, stained glass windows and a gorgeous chandelier hanging from a high ceiling. Sink into a cozy banquette or take your seat on a stool at the gently curved bar; either way, Robie’s is the perfect place to gossip with old friends or pick up a stranger. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Sean Davis
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The Over/Under 911 Washington Ave Saint Louis, MO 63101 While you may not be able to place your bets at the Over/Under, its 37 TVs definitely make it easy to follow all your picks. Located in the historic Lammert Building, the bar and grill's high ceilings, concrete floor, large windows and exposed ceiling match the look and feel of its Washington Avenue neighborhood. In addition to wall-to-wall sports coverage, including dual private screens in each booth, the Over/Under also offers standard pub fare with a hint of not-so-standard classiness. The upper-deck level is home-sweet-home cozy; there's also a beautiful outdoor patio for those who want to dine al fresco. RFT File Photo
The Over/Under
911 Washington Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63101
While you may not be able to place your bets at the Over/Under, its 37 TVs definitely make it easy to follow all your picks. Located in the historic Lammert Building, the bar and grill's high ceilings, concrete floor, large windows and exposed ceiling match the look and feel of its Washington Avenue neighborhood. In addition to wall-to-wall sports coverage, including dual private screens in each booth, the Over/Under also offers standard pub fare with a hint of not-so-standard classiness. The upper-deck level is home-sweet-home cozy; there's also a beautiful outdoor patio for those who want to dine al fresco. RFT File Photo
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Lucas Park Grille 1234 Washington Ave St. Louis, MO 63103 Lucas Park Grille was the first restaurant to call Washington Avenue home just after the 2004 loft district revitalization and is still going strong more than a decade later. A large and elegant industrial space filled with stone, copper and brick and several warm fireplaces, the bar is often bursting at the seams with the club crowd. You'll find an electric atmosphere and some of the best people-watching in town. RFT File Photo
Lucas Park Grille
1234 Washington Ave
St. Louis, MO 63103
Lucas Park Grille was the first restaurant to call Washington Avenue home just after the 2004 loft district revitalization and is still going strong more than a decade later. A large and elegant industrial space filled with stone, copper and brick and several warm fireplaces, the bar is often bursting at the seams with the club crowd. You'll find an electric atmosphere and some of the best people-watching in town. RFT File Photo
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