Whether you’re partying before the Cardinals game or decompressing after work, downtown St. Louis has a surprisingly vast number of terrific nightlife options. From low-key neighborhood spots to sleek clubs with amazing rooftop views, there’s something for everyone downtown. The only trick is deciding which one to pick. Sign up for our weekly newsletters to […]
Whether you’re partying before the Cardinals game or decompressing after work, downtown St. Louis has a surprisingly vast number of terrific nightlife options. From low-key neighborhood spots to sleek clubs with amazing rooftop views, there’s something for everyone downtown. The only trick is deciding which one to pick.
Sign up for our weekly newsletters to get the lastest on the news, things to do and places to eat delivered right to your inbox.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Whether you’re partying before the Cardinals game or decompressing after work, downtown St. Louis has a surprisingly vast number of terrific nightlife options. From low-key neighborhood spots to sleek clubs with amazing rooftop views, there’s something for everyone downtown. The only trick is deciding which one to pick.
Opening image of BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups by Holly Ravazzolo
Game 6 Honky Tonk Lounge
756 S 4th St
St. Louis, MO 630102
Brothers Ryan and Jeremy Binkley opened Game 6 Honky Tonk Lounge last November to give St. Louis a destination for country music. Located in the space that previously housed Pastimes on 4th, the bar offers shows every Wednesday through Saturday night and promises to be open every night the Cardinals are in town as well. Photo courtesy of the bar
2 of 26
Broadway Oyster Bar
736 S. Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63102
Perched close to Busch Stadium in St. Louis’ blues triangle, Broadway Oyster Bar has one of the most pleasant patios to sit and listen to music downtown. On weekends, there’s almost always a band playing, and in the earlier hours it makes for an intimate environment to catch some tunes, brews and food. There’s a good amount of seating, and on nice days and evenings the staff will open up the shutters facing the street. It’s a perfect spot to pregame, or post-game after a Cardinals victory.
–Text by Kavahn Mansouri, photo courtesy of Flickr/
C.C. Chapman
3 of 26
The Crack Fox
1114 Olive St
St. Louis, MO 63101
A downtown bar that encourages all to let their freak flag fly? The Crack Fox offers a rare respite downtown for those who didn’t belong to a fraternity and have no interest in working for the man. It’s a narrow, dark bar filled with live music, karaoke and even burlesque shows if you head down on the right night. Drinks are plentiful and relatively cheap. The decor is something else: the actual bar is brimming with eye catchers and interesting trinkets, while the opposite wall is lined with boudoir photos of women.
–Photo and text by Kavahn Mansouri
4 of 26
Tin Roof
1000 Clark Ave
St. Louis, MO 63102
This Nashville transplant, which opened in the shadow of Busch Stadium last summer, is “Margaritaville meets Cheers,” in the words of its general manager. But while the vibe may be laidback, the music is hot — and the party keeps going until after midnight seven nights a week. Three big bars — including one outdoors — will keep you lubricated even on nights when the place is packed. Photo by Sarah Fenske
5 of 26
The Wheelhouse
1000 Spruce St
St. Louis, MO 63102
If you find yourself downtown and in the mood to party hard, but all the early bars are closing, head over to the Wheelhouse (1000 Spruce Street, 314-833-3653). A hotspot for local celebrities and people just generally looking to rage, the Wheelhouse is a sports bar by weekday and a nightlife hub on the weekends. During the day it’s worth stopping by to check out the robust menu, although we should warn that the place is frequently packed after sporting events downtown. Plan on some shoulder-to-shoulder bumping as you try get a drink — but isn’t that a small price to pay to keep it going ’til 3 a.m.?
–Text by Kavahn Mansouri; photo by Nancy Stiles
6 of 26
Bridge Tap House & Wine Bar
1004 Locust St
St. Louis, MO 63101
A two-story stunner, Bridge Tap House is one of downtown’s most elegant bars. The bar setup, wooden finishes and stairs leading to the second floor are all striking, with eye-catching chandeliers drawing your attention up to the high ceilings. If it weren’t for all the booze, the bar’s wooden decor and the ladder used to fetch drinks might make believe you were in a library. Quieter and more romantic than other bars downtown, Bridge Tap House would make a great spot for a first date, with an interesting cheese selection and smart menu from prolific restaurateur Dave Bailey.
–Text by Kavahn Mansouri; photo by Jennifer Silverberg
7 of 26
Start Bar
1000 Spruce St
St. Louis, MO 63102
Start Bar offers something different downtown: a hideaway for nerds to do what they do best, drink and game. Start Bar is brimming with arcade machines, touting near the entrance the motto, “Coins rule everything around me.” The Wu-Tang would be proud of this new St. Louis institution, which was created by the owners of Wheelhouse. Head down to Start Bar if you need your fill of arcade games, fully stocked Nintendo 64s and pinball machines. And keep your eyes peeled — they’re planning a pinball tournament soon.
–Text by Kavahn Mansouri; photo by Natalie Rao
8 of 26
Tiny Bar
1008 Locust St
St. Louis, MO 63101
Bars can be big, small, narrow, wide, even two stories. But most bars don’t make their fun size their raison d’etre like Tiny Bar. The RFT’s Best New Bar of 2015 sits on on Locust Street, in the lobby of the PR/marketing firm Elasticity, and is only 250 square feet … in total. In fact, it’s easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. The small size also carries over to the bar’s motif, with a mural honoring pint-size St. Louis Brown (for a minute) Eddie Gaedel. There are only approximately ten seats in the entire bar, give or take a few out on the sidewalk in front. Early bird gets the seat.
–Text by Kavahn Mansouri, image courtesy of Tiny Bar
9 of 26
Maggie O’Brien’s
2000 Market St
St. Louis, MO 63103
Maggie O’Brien’s touts live music and offers a ton of TVs for watching sports, even if you can’t make it to the game. Maggie’s is open till 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturday, and ’til 1 a.m. Tuesday to Thursday. While it’s a bit of a hike to Busch Stadium from here, it’s the perfect distance from Scottrade Center to facilitate pregaming before catching a Blues game. Drinks are reasonably priced and the kitchen offers some Irish-inspired bar food for those looking to have a bite to eat as well.
–Text and photo by Kavahn Mansouri
10 of 26
Rosalita’s Cantina
1235 Washington Ave
St. Louis, MO 63103
If you’re looking for a party heavy on the tequila, you can’t beat this stunning Tex-Mex spot in the heart of Wash Ave. Happy hour runs til 7 p.m. on weeknights and begins again at 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday , so give those house margaritas a try. Photo by Jennifer Silverberg
11 of 26
Three Sixty
1 S. Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63102
Occupying the entire top floor of the Hilton at the Ballpark, Three Sixty offers a view that rivals the Arch, without the cramped space of those washing machine-sized trams inside our unmistakable landmark. Owners LHM spared no expense; the posh interior features a spectacular two-story waterfall, elegant bars both inside and out, and glassed-in VIP seating for the well-heeled. The extravagant menu features high-end and locally-sourced ingredients, and a perfectly curated drink list that will make your mouth water. On game days, you can watch the action from the bar — only you’re up 360 feet above it. Photo by Sara Bannoura
12 of 26
Trust
401 Pine St
St. Louis, MO 63102
A craft cocktail and coffee bar inside the Covo coworking space, Trust opened its doors in December. The bar’s name is a nod to the stately building’s former life as the Mississippi Valley Trust Company. The bar program is managed by Noah Prince-Goldberg and Rob Somerscales, founders of Artisan Well, the local bar consulting company that’s also behind Bronson House. Expect gorgeous cocktails and friendly hospitality.
Photo by Sara Graham
13 of 26
314 the City Bar
1137 Washington Ave
St. Louis, MO 63101
This laidback bar at the corner of Wash Ave and Tucker has a telephone theme and a full menu of food, but it’s meant to be a bar first and a re
