30 Hidden Bars in St. Louis and How to Find Them All

This full bar spot is tucked away in the City Museum. Stop into Beatnik Bob’s Cafe space to flee the energy of the City Museum, read some Kerouac and chill. It’s dark, it’s quiet and they have food and booze. Beatnik Bob’s is the perfect hidden escape.

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The actual “bar” at Taste is easy to find: It’s just inside the front door to the right. But the best place to actually drink at Taste is hidden from view. The small restaurant has a few tables up the small staircase in the back left corner of the building. But also up those stairs is a small lounge area with squishy couches and a romantic vibe. Ask the host if you can hide out up there because it’s one of the coolest spots to drink their superior cocktails.

Photo credit: Laura Ann Miller

This bar is more like a bomb shelter. Built way underground, this nearly windowless building with sixteen-inch-thick walls of solid concrete is home to some of the best drinking (and pizza) in all of North County. Read more about the uniqueness of Mimi’s and the history behind the bar from our food critic, Cheryl Baehr, here.

Photo credit: Cheryl Baehr

This ping pong bar above Lulu’s is open all day but it also offers a full bar starting at 5pm on every day but Sunday. It’s the perfect South Grand hideout.

Photo credit: Mabel Suen

Situated underneath the Moolah Theatre & Lounge, Moolah Lanes is a destination for both drinks and bowling. Serving both beer and cocktails, the bar at Moolah Lanes is a cut above the offerings at bowling alleys of old.

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This place was designed to be hidden and people love the illicit feeling of a speakeasy, even if it is not really “hidden” at all. Decked out in retro style, this joint is jumpin’ but it’s the dark little bar inside that holds most of the action.

Photo credit: RFT file photo

This spot in the Central West End is a classic, but the cozy nooks inside are somehow even more impressive than the beautiful and stylish bar area. If you want to sip your drink (or dig into your food order), check out the smaller areas inside Brennan’s like the ping pong room.

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There’s a lower-level staircase near the hostess stand at Lulu’s Seafood & Dim Sum that leads to The Dragon Room. Here, you’ll find a second bar and dining room as well as a karaoke lounge.

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Bailey’s Chocolate Bar used to be at street level on Park Avenue, but champagne bar Pop (1915 Park Avenue, 314-241-8100) is there now and it’s fabulous. You won’t have to go far to check out the new version of Bailey’s Chocolate Bar, though: It’s right upstairs. And now that it’s a little hidden, it’s even more romantic and cozy.

Photo credit: Mabel Suen

There are a few hidden bars at the City Museum, and this one might be the one that is the biggest secret. Though it’s located outside just under the climbing heaven they call “Monstrocity,” this little cabin flies way under the radar. It’s difficult to see with all of the action around it, but it might be your favorite spot in the whole City Museum once you find it. A full bar is offered there year-round and it’s especially cozy in the winter.

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If you’ve paid to the extra $5 to get to the roof of the City Museum in summer, not only are you smart but you’ve also just gained access to one of the most exclusive bars in town. The cafe on the roof here will not only give you some great food with a killer view, you can also kick back and have a drink and look down on the city.

Photo credit: Jaime Lees

You know Columbo’s as that place you always see sitting there in that weird industrial stretch of Manchester Road near dogtown. You know that they have surprisingly great food there, but did you kno wthat they also have a basement bar and game room? To keep it underground on the edge of the city, check out the downstairs at Columbo’s.

Photo credit: Google Maps