Do you want to hit up the hottest gay bar? Are you a man wanting to buy your husband a bouquet without getting dirty looks? Are you in the process of transitioning and in need of a specialty tailor to alter your clothes? Or do you just want a place where everyone feels emphatically welcome […]
Do you want to hit up the hottest gay bar? Are you a man wanting to buy your husband a bouquet without getting dirty looks? Are you in the process of transitioning and in need of a specialty tailor to alter your clothes? Or do you just want a place where everyone feels emphatically welcome … gay, straight, and all points in between? St. Louis has all of this and more.
As a bright blue dot in a big red state, St. Louis has long been an oasis for LGBTQIA+ people born in neighboring communities, and for good reason. Our thriving queer culture will make you proud to be from the Lou.
If you want to spend your money in a gay way, these are the spots to drop those dollars where you won’t need to hide your love. All of these local businesses will joyfully welcome you (and your partner) with open arms. Some are LGBTQIA+ owned, and others are just super gay friendly — either way, you can’t go wrong.Do you want to hit up the hottest gay bar? Are you a man wanting to buy your husband a bouquet without getting dirty looks? Are you in the process of transitioning and in need of a specialty tailor to alter your clothes? Or do you just want a place where everyone feels emphatically welcome … gay, straight, and all points in between? St. Louis has all of this and more.
As a bright blue dot in a big red state, St. Louis has long been an oasis for LGBTQIA+ people born in neighboring communities, and for good reason. Our thriving queer culture will make you proud to be from the Lou.
If you want to spend your money in a gay way, these are the spots to drop those dollars where you won’t need to hide your love. All of these local businesses will joyfully welcome you (and your partner) with open arms. Some are LGBTQIA+ owned, and others are just super gay friendly — either way, you can’t go wrong.
Hamburger Mary’s
400 Washington Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63102
(314) 833-4000
A whole bar full of drag queen servers? Yep. When this chain finally came to St. Louis it made waves! Check it out for the most entertaining brunch imaginable. Get a mimosa, kick back and enjoy.
Photo courtesy of Hamburger Mary’s St. Louis
1 of 29
NOTCH
4187 Manchester Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 764-5113
The pride flags outside this salon let you know that you are welcome here. Inside are a number of inclusive options, including a hairstyle menu that doesn’t separate “men’s” and “women’s” styles. It’s been said before, but Notch is really a cut above the rest.
Photo courtesy of Jaime Lees
2 of 29
Block Garment Alterations
1922 Cherokee Street
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 218-5413
Run by an activist and a cis queer femme from St. Louis, this is the new storefront of Block Garment Alterations, where Aurora (who formerly worked at a bridal shop doing gown alterations) has set up shop. Aurora specializes in altering clothes to fit trans bodies.
Photo courtesy of Virginia Harold
3 of 29
Bella’s Frozen Yogurt
1021 Washington Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63101
(314) 553-9261
Owned by partners Corey James and Austin Blankenship, the pair revived the frozen yogurt shop three years after it closed because they just loved it so much. And St. Louis loves them back — especially after they showcased some amazing Red Hot Riplets-flavored frozen yogurt.
Photo courtesy of Bella’s Frozen Yogurt
4 of 29
Bar:PM
7109 S. Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63111
(314) 312-6683
You don’t have to be in the Grove to get gay. If you’re down in the S. Broadway area stop into Bar:PM where the friendly staff and fun activities like adult Easter egg hunts and chili cook-offs will keep you smiling!
Photo courtesy of Steve Truesdell
5 of 29
Flowers to the People
2317 Cherokee Street
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 762-0422
If you’re planning for a wedding and you’re gay, you might have to deal with all kinds of judgmental folks. Not at Flowers to the People. This small shop gives you a personalized experience and welcomes couples of all types. Expect a fun, funny and inclusive experience here.
Photo courtesy of Google Maps
6 of 29
Attitudes Nightclub
4100 Manchester Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 802-8603
It’s huge, it’s loud, sometimes it hosts drag shows (including high-level touring drag shows) and you can dance dance dance in every section of this joint, including in MTV-style cages. If you’re looking to break it off, shake some booty on down at Attitudes.
Photo courtesy of Jaime Lees
7 of 29
Bastille
1027 Russell Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63104
(314) 664-4408
Bastille has been holding it down as Soulard’s premiere gay bar for years. Appropriately, its style is heavily influenced by the New Orleans Mardi Gras scene. This is the place to visit if you want to drink buckets of booze and maybe loose a little bit of clothing.
Photo courtesy of RFT file photo
8 of 29
Cheap TRX
3209 S. Grand Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 664-4011
The people at Cheap TRX are unshockable. Need to buy a ball gag while getting your penis pierced and wrapping yourself in a trans flag? Nobody here would bat an eyelash. They also sell essential (and silly) household items, too, in case you’re looking for a gift for your special someone.
Photo courtesy of Google Maps
9 of 29
JJ’s Clubhouse
3858 Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 535-4100
They have everything at JJ’s. A bar, space to roam, a whole big room for a club and, famously, bowls of cheese balls on the bar instead of peanuts for snacks. If you’re looking for a sexy BDSM daddy or a little bear cub, this is the best place in St. Louis to find one. And cheese ball dust doesn’t stick to leather, so suit up.
Photo courtesy of Scott Layne
10 of 29
Left Bank Books
399 N. Euclid Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 367-6731
As the long-time heart of the Central West End, Left Bank Books has seen many of its neighbors come and go — including, sadly, the Coffee Cartel. Left Bank has always welcomed all people of all sexualities, races and economic status. A true ally, the store has embraced queer culture since it opened in 1969.
Photo courtesy of Harlan McCarthy
11 of 29
Hummel’s
7101 S. Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63111
(314) 353-5080
This little pub is the perfect place to make your new favorite “home” bar. It’s small, it’s welcoming and you are immediately treated like family. (And it’s darn cheap, too!) S. Broadway should be your home-away-from-home if you’re looking for gay beyond the Grove.
Photo courtesy of Steve Truesdell
12 of 29
Four Strings
1730 S. 8th Street
St. Louis, MO 63104
(314) 312-6030
This quirky bar on the edge of Soulard is tons of fun. Not only have they adopted the Golden Girls as their patron saints, they also have drag, comedy and $1 on Mondays! If you haven’t been, you are missing out.
Photo courtesy of Google Maps
13 of 29
Grey Fox Pub
3503 S. Spring Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63116
(314) 772-2150
Some of the best drag shows in St. Louis happen at this small-ish little corner pub. There is a bar room and a performance room and most nights (and every weekend) the ladies take the stage there and burn it down. Not sure what to do with your night but want to have a wild time? You can’t
