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2720 Cherokee St. St Louis, MO 63118
314-664-9900
http://www.2720cherokee.com One of the few nighttime oases on Cherokee, this 14,000-square-foot behemoth features an ArtDimensions gallery on the second floor and scores of artsy artifacts, ranging from odd murals to Star Wars figurines to a busted typewriter and a spinet. Eclectic doesn't begin to describe it. 2720 Cherokee brings in world-renowned DJs and dub steppers as well as a variety of reggaeton, so expect to see ravers commingling with hipsters and hippies -- a truly utopian experience. They have hula hoops on hand for unleashing your inner rave child; the sound from their fantastic P.A is so intoxicating, you'll find yourself hula hooping with the best of them in no time. More >>
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4571 Gravois Saint Louis, MO 63116
You can hear this small south-side club before you see it. Set back on a small lot, the place doesn't seem big enough to be this loud, but what the hey. Club music, especially mainstream radio hits gussied up with house beats, is meant to be heard, with volumes so loud that your heart adjusts its rhythm to the bass. Despite its swank glowing blue bar and prominently displayed liquor selection, Aqua doesn't have the mixers required for many standard shots. Can they make kamikazes? No. Lemon Drops? No. Mix us something fruity? Gotcha. Although a non-St. Louisan might not notice the telltale signs, this is a primarily Bosnian hangout - just look for the espresso machine on the bar and the scores of attractive people who are just too pretty to be native Midwesterners. Bring cash, but don't bring your camera: They don't accept plastic, and they don't want you taking any pictures. More >>
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3155 Meramec St. St. Louis, MO 63118
314-353-9626
Behrmann's Tavern is the second oldest bar in St. Louis still doing business under its original name (Failoni's being the first). Open on the southside since the mid-1930s, this small neighborhood bar is well steeped in history. There's a vintage bowling machine that's survived since the 1950's, faded black and white photographs showing the evolution of St. Louis baseball stadiums and monuments and a pizza oven next to the bar that may or may not be original to the place. You're not likely to find young people at the bar, which is a shame, because the wizened regulars have stories to tell. More >>
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4708 S. Broadway St. Louis, MO 63111
314-231-4808
http://www.thebluffsonbroadway.com
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2652 Hampton Ave. St. Louis, MO 63139
314-769-9331
http://www.brunosamericangrill.com Just south of Interstate 44, Bruno's American Grill serves up classic home cooking and pub grub. Diners can choose to sit in the large, separate dining room or in the spacious bar area. The bar also hosts live music and has two large TVs for sports fans to get their fix. Besides burgers, St. Louis-style pizza, soups, and standard appetizers such as toasted ravioli and potato skins, the restaurant also offers sandwiches, including a hot ham and cheese, and "pub platters," which are available after 4 p.m. and include items such as grilled pork chops, or opt for the house special (also available after 4 p.m.) -- fried chicken served with mashed potatoes and gravy. Bruno's has plenty of parking behind the restaurant. More >>
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6312 S. Grand Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63111
314-832-8285
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2800 Cherokee St. St. Louis, MO 63118
314-773-1707
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4600 Gravois Ave. St. Louis, MO 63116
314-352-6900
Cherry Lounge is a slick addition to the piebald collection of bars on Gravois. The bar itself is milky glass, glowing red from within and giving the place a clandestine glow. The tables and chairs are silver, with faux-ostrich leather upholstery, and geometric brushed steel can lights above the bar shine with softly colored bulbs - proving it's all in the details when you're aiming for an air of sophistication in a sea of same old, same old. The intimate bar is standing room only on weekends, full to bursting with Bosnian beauties, but there's no sexier place to sip on a quiet weeknight. More >>
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3714 Holt Ave. Saint Louis, MO 63116
http://www.thecivillifebrewingcompany.com/Site/Welcome.html This new south-side microbrewery's opening has been delayed, delayed and then delayed some more, but it's finally open and serving up mugs of suds. Indoors, the tasting room is separated from the rest of the brewery, almost as if Dorothy's ranch was plopped in the middle of a heavy-duty operation. The rustic wood room has been packed on weekends, with a crowd that looks like it got lost on the way to Clayton. There are two patios, one with private seating, and the larger, open patio is outfitted with rows of picnic tables. The ground is covered with a few inches of tricky gravel, so ladies should mind their footwear when sipping al fresco. More >>
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3322 Watson Road St Louis, MO 63139
314-645-8899
Don't call Claudia's Pub a dive bar. Sure, the cash-only joint may be located in south city and may serve exclusively Busch beer from its lone tap, but Claudia's is far too clean and welcoming to be a true dive. While the shuffleboard table seems to take up the length of the bar's south wall, it's the wall-mounted jukebox, located proudly in the front window, that deserves your attention (and your dollar bills). There are a few CDs by Bob Seger and Van Halen, and the collections by Steely Dan, Genesis and Fleetwood Mac make it possible to program your very own imaginary oldies station. But it's the random anomalies that make this juke a great source of music. Wilco's totemic Yankee Hotel Foxtrot will keep the hipsters satisfied, and Barry White's mid-'90s comeback The Icon Is Love has enough slow jams to get 'em grooving in the aisles. More >>
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5827 Broadway Saint Louis, MO 63111
314-353-2121
A slick, bad-ass bar on South Broadway, Crossbones is just a little over a year old -- it's still remarkably clean, and the chrome-fronted bar still shines like the glistening exhaust pipe on your hog. You don't have to be a biker to love Crossbones, but you'd better get used to drinking with them. The good new is that you'll rarely find more interesting company. As it says above the bar: "Choppers til you die." More >>
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6217 Morganford Road St. Louis, MO 63116
314-352-4465
If you're not careful, you may find yourself missing Doc Haus, a south-side gem. But it would be a shame to drive past: Built inside an actual home at the end of a row of houses, Doc Haus is as inviting as your mother's kitchen. Locals have been enjoying earthly delights here for more than twenty years. The walls are covered with photographs of everything from bar-sponsored dart leagues to golf tournaments. Ample seating and low lighting make for a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for shooting the breeze or slamming down a pitcher. Bartenders remind you not to forget your appetite; you can belly up to the bar for burgers and fries, fresh off the flat-top grill. The good times extend out to the patio, a perfect summer hangout. Here patrons are invited to the expansive backyard for a friendly game of washers or a round of drinks for "Thirsty Thursdays." More >>
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3124 Cherokee St. Saint Louis, MO 63118
314-771-2222
http://www.lenador.com This hidden gem recently made the switch from banquet hall to bar and restaurant. The culture clash is immediately evident: Stained glass windows feature decidedly Germanic imps clutching beer steins, yet the name of the place is Spanish for "The Woodcutter." Walking into the bar, you may immediately start looking for one of two infamous TV characters, Special Agent Dale Cooper or Doctor Who -- did you time travel, or just walk into David Lynch's wet dream? The answer is, sort of both. The interior is an amber-preserved homage to the German Brewhaus of decades past: A hand-painted mural of the Black Forest and low-hanging chandeliers decorate the restaurant side, while kitschy petrified wood adorns the dim bar. Mexican food in an old German bar, and nary a German bier in sight? Si, bitte! More >>
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7800 Virginia Saint Louis, MO 63111
314-638-9272
You know you're in the right place when the owner of a bar just happens to be sitting a few seats away -- and when the regulars can give you the bar's storied history just as well as the proprietor. Frank's First Alarm (so named because said owner is a firefighter named Frank) is a sleepy southside tavern outfitted with a pool table, weekend karaoke, a real live Pac Man arcade game and a funny little casino game called Keno. Frank's is one of the joints exempt from the upcoming smoking ban, so it likely won't be sleepy for long. More >>
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5510 Virginia Ave. St. Louis, MO 63111
314-351-4500
Fred's Six Foot Under has the feel of a private club, albeit one where you enter through the kitchen of the restaurant upstairs, the mystery of food preparation garishly laid out under fluorescent lights. But there's nothing garish about the confines below: It's a musical oasis where cramped quarters make for fast friends. The Chippewa Chapel Open Mic night every Thursday is almost, but not quite, as legendary as the bar's namesake and affable bartender, Fred Friction. Iron Barley lent him its basement after Friction's bar Frederick's Music Lounge closed in 2006, and the rest is history. The teeny room only holds 30 people amid its collection of mid-century flair and pop-meets-folk art, but a small sign above the stage reads "Chapel," letting you know you've found the perfect synthesis of unlikely characters, awesome tunes and booze - a sacred combination. More >>
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7900 Michigan Ave. Saint Louis, MO 63111
314-256-0101
Halfway Haus is a new bar and venue in the historic South Carondelet neighborhood. The bar is so named because it's at the midpoint between the owners' other properties, The Patch Tavern and the Temtor. Halfway Haus has Magic Hat, Pabst and the obligatory Schlafly on tap, as well as a wine list curated by A. Bommarito Wines. There's no kitchen on site, but they'll let you order food in from nearby Kim's Pizza. The long room is pretty spare, but the place comes alive when the bands, duos and solo acoustic acts get a-strummin'. If the evening is fine, the bartender will throw open the garage door that separates the bar area from the patio. More >>
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5226 Gravois Road Saint Louis, MO 63116
314-352-5226
http://www.theheavyanchor.com The Heavy Anchor is a new nightspot on South Gravois. The bartenders serve cocktails in Mason jars, Heavy Anchor pins to festive-up that tatty punk jacket, and, just in case your Franzia problem is so out of control that you need a fix even in full view of strangers, boxed wine. Formerly the home of Antarctica, this bar/venue is one of a growing number of gin joints offering live, original music from the legions of talented music makers on the local scene and, yes, even some national artists as well. It's always free to get into the bar for drinks or movie nights, and shows are just $5. Artists lent their painting prowess to the bar, so the walls are covered with nautical-themed murals, including a glaring narwhal and a friendly blue octopus toppling a cityscape with its tentacles. You'll find local brews on tap, as well as such hometown munchies as Dogtown pizza, Billy Goat chips and Gus' pretzels. More >>
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5226 Gravois Ave St Louis, MO 63116
314-352-5226
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5900 Arsenal St. St. Louis, MO 63139
314-645-8822
The Hideaway lives up to its name. Tucked away just off the corner of Hampton and Arsenal in south city, the low-lit piano bar is brimming with a nostalgic glow and anonymous charm. Patrons young and old alike can enjoy a chest warming cocktail on a brisk winter evening and soak in the ambiance as lounge singers croon melodramatic melodies while twinkling the ivories. More >>
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6902 Morganford Road St. Louis, MO 63116
314-481-9191
A south-city staple since 1939, Hilltop Inn, on the corner of Morganford Road and Loughborough Avenue, draws mostly a bar crowd at night, when the menu offers made-to-order burgers grilled right before the diner's eyes. Stepping foot into this neighborhood hangout calls to mind a place "where everybody knows your name," with smiling regulars and a warm atmosphere, dimly lit by the low neon glow of more Bud signage, a corner jukebox and flat screens, always tuned to the ball game. During the day, Hilltop's lunch specials provide a chance to enjoy homestyle cooking on the quick. Specials vary depending on the day but range from rigatoni or top round beef on Monday to chicken breast and pork loin on Thursday. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come prepared: Hilltop only accepts cash. More >>
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7101 S. Broadway Saint Louis, MO 63111
314-353-5080
http://www.myspace.com/hummelspub Situated smack in the middle of the charming industrial desolation of South Broadway, Hummel's Pub is a nifty little gay bar that seems a little out of place this far south. It gives every appearance of being your run-of-the-mill, blue-collar gloryhole, where you'd expect to be drinking with bricklayers or off-duty cops. But even if we missed the rainbow flag and neon "Pride" sign adorning the walls, the biceps on the bartender should have been a dead giveaway. Hummel's hosts a competitive dart league, very friendly regulars and an eclectic weekend crowd - but no draft beer. Bottles up! More >>
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5510 Virginia Ave. St. Louis, MO 63111
314-351-4500
http://www.ironbarley.com Hoosier food is elevated to haute status at this unassuming South St. Louis outpost, where chef and owner Tom Coghill (previously head kitchen honcho at Frazer's Traveling Brown Bag) wields his cast-iron cookware to produce unbelievable creations: oak-roasted pork and chicken, toasted barley, green beans with bacon and onion, barley paella, hot smoked salmon and more. Coghill goes for broke and hits the jackpot with sweet-salty-spicy combos, like the Ballistic Elvis Sammiche (or sandwich, to the unenlightened): American cheese, strawberry preserves, sliced bananas, peanut butter and red pepper flakes. Just-plain-folk service and kitschy-cute Southern décor round out the experience -- one that's worth having over and over. More >>
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3701 S. Jefferson Ave. St. Louis, MO 63118
314-771-9200
http://www.jeffersonbistro.com Located just north of Chippewa Street in south city, Jefferson Avenue Bistro caters to the bar crowd and anyone looking for a cheap, quick bite to eat. There's plenty of seating inside and a small front patio for warm-weather days. For breakfast, Jefferson Avenue Bistro serves up the staples: omelets, pancakes, and eggs. Lunch and dinner bring pizza, burritos, sandwiches and burgers, including a Mexican burger featuring onions, cheese, jalapeños, peppers, crushed red pepper, salsa and sour cream. More >>
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4944 Christy Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63116
314-351-6000
http://www.myspace.com/keetonsdoubleplay South Kingshighway's premiere watering hole is nestled in a strip mall. Keeton's Double Play, known as one of the best karaoke bars in town, boasts five nights of singing and rabble rousing every week. As you let the songs ease your heart after a long day, the fully stocked bar will help you kick into high gear faster than you can say "Let's Go Blues!" A plethora of flatscreens televise every sport known to man, while dart boards and Big Buck Hunter let you join in on the fun. Featuring a large seating area with picnic-style tables and benches, Keeton's specializes in bar room fare, from wings to burgers to the "best steak sandwich" in town. More >>
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6343 Alabama Saint Louis, MO 63111
314-351-1665
The Little Bar is no bigger than a one-bedroom apartment, which is just how the third-shifters like it. The bar opens at 6 a.m. everyday, and it's a favorite among brewery and steel mill workers, as well as retirees and blue-haired mall walkers looking to tipple after their early morning exercise. The bar itself is inlaid with bright copper pennies, all face-up, so luck is eternally on your side. There are a few bar games in these cramped quarters, including Golden Tee and darts, but the real entertainment comes from bellying up to the bar and asking if anyone's got a story to tell. More >>
