There are numerous options for after-dinner refreshment and recreation in many of the city’s diverse neighborhoods. We have provided just a few suggestions, grouped by location.
Saint Louis University Area
In addition to being a popular dinner destination, the Scottish Arms also offers an expansive whiskey and beer list. The traditional Victorian-style pub atmosphere is an ideal setting for a conversation over drinks. The hospitable staff at Scottish Arms will make you feel right at home, and you’ll quickly understand why their motto is Fáiltíonn míle—a thousand welcomes.
Urban Chestnut Brewing Company is an unconventionally minded yet traditionally oriented brewer of craft beer. They call their unique brewing philosophy Beer Divergency—a “new world meets old world” brewing approach wherein UCBC contributes to the “revolution” of craft beer with artisanal creations of modern American beers, and pays “reverence” to the heritage of beer with classically crafted offerings of timeless European beer styles. The German-style biergarten at Urban Chestnut’s midtown location (near campus), one of the most scenic patios in St. Louis, is the perfect place to explore this thoughtful approach to brewing.
Central West End
Dressel’s provides a comfortable pub environment with a distinctly Welsh character. They opened their doors in 1980 with the intent to cater mostly to the intellectual and artistic communities that cluster near Saint Louis University and Washington University. This pub strives to serve as the hub for its neighborhood and reflect that community.
Club Viva is your passport to world music and dance. Whether you prefer Latin, Reggae, or International, you can experience the hottest orchestras and DJs while feeling the energy rise from the dance floor. Viva comes to life every night as dance enthusiasts of all kinds enjoy St. Louis’ only world-beat nightclub.
Brennan’s is a complex establishment worth exploring. Walking into the floor-to-ceiling stocked bottleshop and bar on the ground floor, you know you’re in for an experience. This space also features the Maryland House (which anticipated the speakeasy trend), an exclusive cigar lounge, a basement ping-pong parlor, and the BHIVE—a space for “sophisticated nightowls.”
Downtown
If you enjoy a fine cigar, then Stanley Cigar Bar, adorned with leather and dark wood, is the place for you. The atmosphere is friendly, and the walk-in humidor impressive.
Soaring nearly 400 feet above downtown St. Louis, Three Sixty is the ultimate rooftop bar. Located atop the luxurious Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark hotel, Three Sixty offers sweeping views in all directions, including a bird’s eye view right into Busch Stadium and a stunning perspective on the Gateway Arch.
Broadway Oyster Bar provides the wonderful ambience of the French Quarter in New Orleans. It will lure you with the best Cajun-Creole cuisine in St. Louis. Broadway Oyster Bar features live music seven nights a week from the best local and national touring acts. The music ranges from New Orleans funk to blues, reggae, rock, roots, and jam.
One of the most frequented blues clubs in a town known for blues music, BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups offers some of the best live music anywhere on the Mississippi River, seven nights a week.
Delmar Loop
Offering upscale pub food, Three Kings has a little bit of everything from around the world. They also offer more than 70 beers and housemade infused liquors. The pub is 21+ after 10 pm, when their award-winning late night happy hour begins.
Blueberry Hill is a landmark restaurant and music club. Filled with pop culture memorabilia, it was frequented by the Father of Rock & Roll, St. Louis native Chuck Berry, who performed more than 200 consecutive monthly performances in the 340-capacity Duck Room. Blueberry Hill has hosted countless famous performers from around the world over the years and features live music almost every night. So make sure to stop by for music, pool, and darts, or just to wander and admire the nearly 100 display cases filled with eclectic collections of all kinds.
Lafayette Square
It is worthwhile to take the time to seek out this unassuming wine and whiskey bar. The exceedingly knowledgeable staff at 33 Wine Shop and Bar is happy to recommend the perfect drink from the plethora on offer—more than 700 wines alone. Described by the Riverfront Times as a “relaxing yet engaging opportunity to sip, contemplate, or just plain drink your vino,” you can also purchase bottles to take with you when you go. There is also a regularly rotating draft selection, and a variety of rare bottled beers.
Here you can dine, dessert, and drink all under one roof. The highlight of Baileys’ Chocolate Bar is their selection of more than two dozen chocolate martinis and 90 beers, as well as spirits, wine, champagne, and amazing hot chocolates.