When the idea to write about St. Louis’ 100 best bars first came up, it triggered some nerves — and a lot of questions.
First, we wondered about logistics. Could our small but mighty crew visit enough bars to figure out which should make the cut? How would those decisions be made anyhow? Could we then actually do the work of writing about all of these places and photographing them? How many writers could we pull in? How would our art director even fit all of these bars into the book?
Then there was the wisdom of it all. After we settled on our picks, would our list completely piss people off? Would we miss stars and include some dumpster fires? Frankly, the thought of it was a lot.
But we wouldn’t be the Riverfront Times if we didn’t throw caution to the wind and just do the damn thing. So that’s what we did.
Here are the fruits of those labors: our take on the 100 best places to tip one back in the St. Louis area, in no particular order.
To make the task doable, we gave ourselves some restrictions. So, for example, you won’t find any breweries in here that only sell their own wares (there are just too many excellent ones to get into it, and we did a beer guide last year that you should absolutely check out). We also tried to avoid places that are primarily restaurants, even if they have great bars, though drawing the line on that was a lot more difficult. (And, this being St. Louis, it should go without saying that “best” does not equal “fanciest.”)
Developing the list took some thought, and we’ll admit that our proprietary method of doing so may include an element of subjectivity. Some hard decisions were made, and some tears were shed. But we did our darndest, and now you’ll find an authoritative roster that includes everything from the city’s most intriguing experimental cocktail lounges to its nastiest dives to dance clubs to …
Well, instead of us telling you about it, just scroll down and find out for yourself. There are some great ones in here.
The 100 Best Bars in St. Louis
By Riverfront Times on Thu, Aug 3, 2023 at 8:00 am
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Start Bar STL
1000 Spruce Street, startbarstl.com
Start Bar STL is the kind of bar you could spend all night in. Whether you’re a Skee-Baller or pinballer, there are plenty of games there to keep you entertained throughout the night — including classic Nintendo 64 games such as Mario Kart 64 and Super Smash Bros. There’s also a menu of elevated bar food, including pizza, tacos, St. Paul sandwiches and even a Dorito Crunchwrap supreme.
— Monica Obradovic
1000 Spruce Street, startbarstl.com
Start Bar STL is the kind of bar you could spend all night in. Whether you’re a Skee-Baller or pinballer, there are plenty of games there to keep you entertained throughout the night — including classic Nintendo 64 games such as Mario Kart 64 and Super Smash Bros. There’s also a menu of elevated bar food, including pizza, tacos, St. Paul sandwiches and even a Dorito Crunchwrap supreme.
— Monica Obradovic
21 of 100
Rosalind Early
Stovall’s Grove
18720 Stovall Lane, Wildwood; stovallsgrove.com
The term honky tonk has become kind of gimmicky. Any place with a bit of country & Western music or patrons in cowboy boots can lay claim to the name. If you’re hankering for a true honky tonk — the kind Hank Williams would have graced — point your car west toward Stovall’s Grove, the most down-home lookingest bar in greater St. Louis, with live music, monthly barbecues and line dancing. You know you’re in the right place if the Missouri Valley Boys are crooning, the beer is flowing and the boots are a-scootin’.
— Rosalind Early
18720 Stovall Lane, Wildwood; stovallsgrove.com
The term honky tonk has become kind of gimmicky. Any place with a bit of country & Western music or patrons in cowboy boots can lay claim to the name. If you’re hankering for a true honky tonk — the kind Hank Williams would have graced — point your car west toward Stovall’s Grove, the most down-home lookingest bar in greater St. Louis, with live music, monthly barbecues and line dancing. You know you’re in the right place if the Missouri Valley Boys are crooning, the beer is flowing and the boots are a-scootin’.
— Rosalind Early
22 of 100
Rosalind Early
Tamm Avenue Bar
1227 Tamm Avenue, tammave.com
Hungry patrons walking into Tamm Avenue Bar in Dogtown should find Patrick Swayze. Not the man but the painting directing you to the adjoining Nomad’s, where you can order the best pastrami in town. If the food isn’t tempting enough, the irreverent patio is still worth a visit. There, the Mona Lisa drinks a Red Bull alongside Urkel and you can play arcade games for $1 a turn. There are no giant stuffed bears to win, but there are tons of beers, which is better.
— Rosalind Early
1227 Tamm Avenue, tammave.com
Hungry patrons walking into Tamm Avenue Bar in Dogtown should find Patrick Swayze. Not the man but the painting directing you to the adjoining Nomad’s, where you can order the best pastrami in town. If the food isn’t tempting enough, the irreverent patio is still worth a visit. There, the Mona Lisa drinks a Red Bull alongside Urkel and you can play arcade games for $1 a turn. There are no giant stuffed bears to win, but there are tons of beers, which is better.
— Rosalind Early
23 of 100
Rosalind Early
Tick Tock Tavern
3459 Magnolia Avenue, facebook.com/ticktocktavernstl
Tick Tock tavern is a vibe. Lo-fi hip hop plays over the speakers in a bar that is full of clocks and owls. The seating is all retro ’50s, and the place is adorned with colorful string lights that give tiki vibes, but also blend right in with the rest of the kitsch. In other words, it’s a laid back south city gem that is always worth a visit. There’s even a vintage menu in the back room that will tell you how much a beer would have cost in 1994. Read it and weep.
— Rosalind Early
3459 Magnolia Avenue, facebook.com/ticktocktavernstl
Tick Tock tavern is a vibe. Lo-fi hip hop plays over the speakers in a bar that is full of clocks and owls. The seating is all retro ’50s, and the place is adorned with colorful string lights that give tiki vibes, but also blend right in with the rest of the kitsch. In other words, it’s a laid back south city gem that is always worth a visit. There’s even a vintage menu in the back room that will tell you how much a beer would have cost in 1994. Read it and weep.
— Rosalind Early
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Rosalind Early
Weber’s Front Row
Multiple locations, including 8169 Big Bend Boulevard, Webster Groves; webersfrontrow.com
At the Webster Groves Weber’s Front Row, you’re greeted by 12 TV screens, your sign that this is a sports bar of the first order. It also offers specials based on what games are on said TVs. This place is all about cheering on the hometown, as the walls are lined with a Blues jersey, as well as one from DeSmet and another from Webster Groves (obvs). The menu is classic sports bar, too, with an emphasis on burgers, fries, sandwiches and pizza.
— Rosalind Early
Multiple locations, including 8169 Big Bend Boulevard, Webster Groves; webersfrontrow.com
At the Webster Groves Weber’s Front Row, you’re greeted by 12 TV screens, your sign that this is a sports bar of the first order. It also offers specials based on what games are on said TVs. This place is all about cheering on the hometown, as the walls are lined with a Blues jersey, as well as one from DeSmet and another from Webster Groves (obvs). The menu is classic sports bar, too, with an emphasis on burgers, fries, sandwiches and pizza.
— Rosalind Early
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Rosalind Early
Friendly’s Sports Bar
3503 Roger Place, friendlyssportsbar.com
You know Friendly’s is a real sports bar when you wander into the game room and see the wall of six TV screens all paneled together. They aren’t even the only TVs in the room: five more dot the walls, so no matter which way you’re facing, you won’t miss a moment. This is an old-school bar that’s not afraid to be a little down in the tooth — the gambling console looks straight out of the ’80s — but it is still filled with regulars. The outdoor area is expansive and, like a true sports bar, also has TVs.
— Rosalind Early
3503 Roger Place, friendlyssportsbar.com
You know Friendly’s is a real sports bar when you wander into the game room and see the wall of six TV screens all paneled together. They aren’t even the only TVs in the room: five more dot the walls, so no matter which way you’re facing, you won’t miss a moment. This is an old-school bar that’s not afraid to be a little down in the tooth — the gambling console looks straight out of the ’80s — but it is still filled with regulars. The outdoor area is expansive and, like a true sports bar, also has TVs.
— Rosalind Early
26 of 100
Ryan Krull
Stella Blues
3269 Morgan Ford Road
Fittingly named after a Grateful Dead deep cut, this Tower Grove South bar has a dedicated following, as well as a laid-back vibe that rewards repeated visits. The robust beer and liquor offerings are perfectly complemented by an independent kitchen offering Korean-inflected pub fare, including an unbeatable bulgogi quesadilla. Be sure to check out the surprisingly big back patio, which is tucked away from the noise of the street but on most nights brings a bustle of its own.
— Ryan Krull
3269 Morgan Ford Road
Fittingly named after a Grateful Dead deep cut, this Tower Grove South bar has a dedicated following, as well as a laid-back vibe that rewards repeated visits. The robust beer and liquor offerings are perfectly complemented by an independent kitchen offering Korean-inflected pub fare, including an unbeatable bulgogi quesadilla. Be sure to check out the surprisingly big back patio, which is tucked away from the noise of the street but on most nights brings a bustle of its own.
— Ryan Krull
27 of 100
The Mack
4615 Macklind Avenue, mackbarandgrill.com
Over the past decade or so, the strip of Macklind Avenue running through the Southampton neighborhood has low-key become a great night and weekend hangout. This is in no small part thanks to The Mack, which has been a mainstay in the area for years. The bar and grill serves up classic American fare, including the smoked gouda mack and cheese bites, which can't be beat. Buckets of beer are priced to move every day that ends in y. Tuesday is trivia night. The bar is open until midnight on weekends.
— Ryan Krull
4615 Macklind Avenue, mackbarandgrill.com
Over the past decade or so, the strip of Macklind Avenue running through the Southampton neighborhood has low-key become a great night and weekend hangout. This is in no small part thanks to The Mack, which has been a mainstay in the area for years. The bar and grill serves up classic American fare, including the smoked gouda mack and cheese bites, which can't be beat. Buckets of beer are priced to move every day that ends in y. Tuesday is trivia night. The bar is open until midnight on weekends.
— Ryan Krull
28 of 100
W Karaoke
6655 Delmar Boulevard, thewkaraoke.com
There are plenty of places to sing karaoke in St. Louis, but this eye-catching spot in the heart of the Loop is one of the only ones to let you do it Korean-style, with private rooms where your friend group keeps control of the playlist and the mic. Despite the privacy, service is prompt and can be summoned by pressing a button.
— Sarah Fenske
6655 Delmar Boulevard, thewkaraoke.com
There are plenty of places to sing karaoke in St. Louis, but this eye-catching spot in the heart of the Loop is one of the only ones to let you do it Korean-style, with private rooms where your friend group keeps control of the playlist and the mic. Despite the privacy, service is prompt and can be summoned by pressing a button.
— Sarah Fenske
29 of 100
RFT file photo
33 Wine Shop & Bar
1913 Park Avenue, 33wine.com
A beloved fixture in the Lafayette Square neighborhood for 22 years, 33 Wine Shop & Bar has everything a grownup could want in a wine bar: a smartly curated short list of glasses and a long and fascinating list of bottles, bourbon and whiskey, friendly and knowledgeable barkeeps and just enough snacks (wine, cheese, olives, Union Loafers bread) to keep the conversation coherent. The two rooms can be noisy or hushed, depending on the evening, and the rambling patio is a great alternative on nice nights.
— Sarah Fenske
1913 Park Avenue, 33wine.com
A beloved fixture in the Lafayette Square neighborhood for 22 years, 33 Wine Shop & Bar has everything a grownup could want in a wine bar: a smartly curated short list of glasses and a long and fascinating list of bottles, bourbon and whiskey, friendly and knowledgeable barkeeps and just enough snacks (wine, cheese, olives, Union Loafers bread) to keep the conversation coherent. The two rooms can be noisy or hushed, depending on the evening, and the rambling patio is a great alternative on nice nights.
— Sarah Fenske
30 of 100
Cassidy Waigand
Bar K
4565 McRee Avenue, barkdogbar.com
Every dog owner loves a wagging tail and joyful greeting upon returning home. But the flipside is sad eyes and maybe some separation anxiety when you leave. With Bar K, St. Louisans don’t have to sacrifice their companions' happiness for a night on the town. With an extensive food and drink menu for humans and a small one for the pups (dog risotto, meatballs, ice cream and more), it’s a veritable dog-person paradise. If that wasn’t enough, there are multiple dog parks, a stage and even an on-site training-and-grooming facility.
— Jessica Rogen
4565 McRee Avenue, barkdogbar.com
Every dog owner loves a wagging tail and joyful greeting upon returning home. But the flipside is sad eyes and maybe some separation anxiety when you leave. With Bar K, St. Louisans don’t have to sacrifice their companions' happiness for a night on the town. With an extensive food and drink menu for humans and a small one for the pups (dog risotto, meatballs, ice cream and more), it’s a veritable dog-person paradise. If that wasn’t enough, there are multiple dog parks, a stage and even an on-site training-and-grooming facility.
— Jessica Rogen
31 of 100
Jennifer Silverberg
Blood & Sand
1500 St. Charles Street, bloodandsandstl.com
When it first opened in 2011, Blood & Sand was a private, members-only club focused on elegant cuisine and a thrilling cocktail, wine and spirits program. Seven years later, Blood & Sand opened its doors to the public, but retained the clubby mystique that makes everyone who patronizes the place feel like a VIP. Now, over a decade into its run, the downtown lounge still feels like a vital and of-the-moment place to see and be seen thanks to its unwavering commitment to extraordinary drinks and hospitality.
— Cheryl Baehr
1500 St. Charles Street, bloodandsandstl.com
When it first opened in 2011, Blood & Sand was a private, members-only club focused on elegant cuisine and a thrilling cocktail, wine and spirits program. Seven years later, Blood & Sand opened its doors to the public, but retained the clubby mystique that makes everyone who patronizes the place feel like a VIP. Now, over a decade into its run, the downtown lounge still feels like a vital and of-the-moment place to see and be seen thanks to its unwavering commitment to extraordinary drinks and hospitality.
— Cheryl Baehr
32 of 100
Ryan Krull
Bootleggin’ Bob’s
3457 Morgan Ford Road, bootlegginbobs.com
Formerly Colorado Bob’s Ship of Fools, this south city staple is a neighborhood bar worth trekking to even if you’re not in Tower Grove South. The menu includes a plethora of craft beers and way more whiskeys than you would expect to find at a typical corner watering hole. On many nights, the front patio facing Morgan Ford hosts one of the chillest parties in town. While tossing a few back, be sure to try one of Bob’s pizzas or soft pretzels, so you don’t go bootleggin’ on an empty stomach.
— Ryan Krull
3457 Morgan Ford Road, bootlegginbobs.com
Formerly Colorado Bob’s Ship of Fools, this south city staple is a neighborhood bar worth trekking to even if you’re not in Tower Grove South. The menu includes a plethora of craft beers and way more whiskeys than you would expect to find at a typical corner watering hole. On many nights, the front patio facing Morgan Ford hosts one of the chillest parties in town. While tossing a few back, be sure to try one of Bob’s pizzas or soft pretzels, so you don’t go bootleggin’ on an empty stomach.
— Ryan Krull
33 of 100
Blueberry Hill
6504 Delmar Boulevard, blueberryhill.com
Blueberry Hill has been a mainstay — or more truthfully, a landmark — in the Delmar Loop for more than 50 years. Chuck Berry once said of the bar, “I don’t come here for the music; I come here for the wings.” Even so, Blueberry Hill is known for shaping St. Louis’ music culture, and Berry’s regular gigs were a huge part of that. With pop-culture memorabilia on every wall, walking into Blueberry Hill feels like walking into a toy chest. But this toy chest has an extensive bar with 18 taps and 60 bottled beers and a bustling live music venue, the Duck Room, in the basement.
— Monica Obradovic
6504 Delmar Boulevard, blueberryhill.com
Blueberry Hill has been a mainstay — or more truthfully, a landmark — in the Delmar Loop for more than 50 years. Chuck Berry once said of the bar, “I don’t come here for the music; I come here for the wings.” Even so, Blueberry Hill is known for shaping St. Louis’ music culture, and Berry’s regular gigs were a huge part of that. With pop-culture memorabilia on every wall, walking into Blueberry Hill feels like walking into a toy chest. But this toy chest has an extensive bar with 18 taps and 60 bottled beers and a bustling live music venue, the Duck Room, in the basement.
— Monica Obradovic
34 of 100
Courtesy Brass Bar
Brass Bar
4584 Laclede Avenue, brasseriebyniche.com
Once upon a time, acclaimed chef Gerard Craft had a cocktail bar that changed the way St. Louisans drank. That bar, Taste, closed in 2021 after a 12-year run, though this hallowed ground would not stay dark long. Craft swiftly reinvented it as Brass Bar, an intimate, sophisticated space that embraces the vibe of its predecessor with a more wine-focused, French accent. Though it’s impossible to forget Taste, the synergy with his adjacent restaurant Brasserie makes Brass Bar feel like the concept that was supposed to be in this space all along.
— Cheryl Baehr
4584 Laclede Avenue, brasseriebyniche.com
Once upon a time, acclaimed chef Gerard Craft had a cocktail bar that changed the way St. Louisans drank. That bar, Taste, closed in 2021 after a 12-year run, though this hallowed ground would not stay dark long. Craft swiftly reinvented it as Brass Bar, an intimate, sophisticated space that embraces the vibe of its predecessor with a more wine-focused, French accent. Though it’s impossible to forget Taste, the synergy with his adjacent restaurant Brasserie makes Brass Bar feel like the concept that was supposed to be in this space all along.
— Cheryl Baehr
35 of 100
Bridge Tap House & Wine Bar
1004 Locust Street, thebridgestl.com
A narrow, two-story restaurant decorated with dark wood, willow chandeliers, an elegant bar and shelves filled with bottles, Bridge has some serious aesthetics. It’s hard to know what to mention first: its beer or its wine selection. That’s because the downtown St. Louis spot was deliberately designed by restaurateur Dave Bailey to be the best of both worlds. There’s a rotating selection of more than 55 beers on tap plus more than 100 bottles, make-your-own beer flights and tap takeover events. There are more than 100 wines, a full 20 available by the glass, and flights aplenty.
— Jessica Rogen
1004 Locust Street, thebridgestl.com
A narrow, two-story restaurant decorated with dark wood, willow chandeliers, an elegant bar and shelves filled with bottles, Bridge has some serious aesthetics. It’s hard to know what to mention first: its beer or its wine selection. That’s because the downtown St. Louis spot was deliberately designed by restaurateur Dave Bailey to be the best of both worlds. There’s a rotating selection of more than 55 beers on tap plus more than 100 bottles, make-your-own beer flights and tap takeover events. There are more than 100 wines, a full 20 available by the glass, and flights aplenty.
— Jessica Rogen
36 of 100
Phuong Bui
Broadway Oyster Bar
736 South Broadway, broadwayoysterbar.com
The Broadway Oyster Bar’s reputation as a St. Louis institution is rightfully rooted in the fact that it’s one of best places in the city to see live music, particularly music involving a robust horn section. But don’t sleep on the food and drink offerings. In particular, you should check out one of the New Orleans-themed cocktails, like the Creole Mary or the Horny Gator, the latter a stiff mix of coconut rum and banana and melon liqueurs. The food menu includes plenty of salty fried options and, of course, the eponymous oysters.
— Ryan Krull
736 South Broadway, broadwayoysterbar.com
The Broadway Oyster Bar’s reputation as a St. Louis institution is rightfully rooted in the fact that it’s one of best places in the city to see live music, particularly music involving a robust horn section. But don’t sleep on the food and drink offerings. In particular, you should check out one of the New Orleans-themed cocktails, like the Creole Mary or the Horny Gator, the latter a stiff mix of coconut rum and banana and melon liqueurs. The food menu includes plenty of salty fried options and, of course, the eponymous oysters.
— Ryan Krull
37 of 100
Maryland House by Brennan’s
44 Maryland Plaza Rear, themarylandhouse.com
If you dare to drop by Maryland House by Brennan’s on the weekend without a reservation, be prepared for the possibility that you may be turned away from what’s surely the Central West End’s hottest new bar. Located in the upstairs space that previously held Mandarin Lounge, the lightly eclectic interior (think modern meets wood paneling) includes digital artwork, couches and an actual library, along with a rooftop bar. It’s the perfect atmosphere to sip a signature cocktail and eat a refined small bite.
— Jessica Rogen
44 Maryland Plaza Rear, themarylandhouse.com
If you dare to drop by Maryland House by Brennan’s on the weekend without a reservation, be prepared for the possibility that you may be turned away from what’s surely the Central West End’s hottest new bar. Located in the upstairs space that previously held Mandarin Lounge, the lightly eclectic interior (think modern meets wood paneling) includes digital artwork, couches and an actual library, along with a rooftop bar. It’s the perfect atmosphere to sip a signature cocktail and eat a refined small bite.
— Jessica Rogen
38 of 100
Kelly Glueck
CBGB
3163 South Grand Boulevard
If fabulous views, great cocktails and a high-style crowd doesn’t appeal to you in the least, your new favorite bar is CBGB. A proper dive bar, CBGB offers cheap drinks, two dimly lit rooms and walls that smell from years of cigarette smoke. It’s not the place to go when you want to meet a successful mate. It’s the place to go when you have $5 and want to make it turn into two beers. Basically, there’s nothing not to like about CBGB.
— Jaime Lees
3163 South Grand Boulevard
If fabulous views, great cocktails and a high-style crowd doesn’t appeal to you in the least, your new favorite bar is CBGB. A proper dive bar, CBGB offers cheap drinks, two dimly lit rooms and walls that smell from years of cigarette smoke. It’s not the place to go when you want to meet a successful mate. It’s the place to go when you have $5 and want to make it turn into two beers. Basically, there’s nothing not to like about CBGB.
— Jaime Lees
39 of 100
Phuong Bui
The Corner Bar
571 First Capitol Drive, St. Charles
Many a local bar claims to be the region’s oldest, but the Corner Bar, which traces its roots back to 1865, might take the crown. Not merely a historic spot, the Corner Bar is known for its cocked-hat bowling lanes — some of the last in the world — which are frequented by impossible-to-get-on league teams and patrons lucky enough to get their crack at the historic game. Even if you can’t get a lane, the Corner Bar is still the place to be for soaking up a bit of St. Charles history and having a drink with regulars.
— Cheryl Baehr
571 First Capitol Drive, St. Charles
Many a local bar claims to be the region’s oldest, but the Corner Bar, which traces its roots back to 1865, might take the crown. Not merely a historic spot, the Corner Bar is known for its cocked-hat bowling lanes — some of the last in the world — which are frequented by impossible-to-get-on league teams and patrons lucky enough to get their crack at the historic game. Even if you can’t get a lane, the Corner Bar is still the place to be for soaking up a bit of St. Charles history and having a drink with regulars.
— Cheryl Baehr
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