City Winery St. Louis is a bar in Midtown, St. Louis.
At City Foundry, City Winery is a wine bar, restaurant and live-music room in one, pouring house-made and curated wines before and during concerts in Midtown.
Food program: Full restaurant menu
Tip: Pair a flight with a show; check the music calendar. The on-site production wines are worth trying by the glass.
Address: 3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis, MO 63110
Ted Kilgore's Lafayette Square bar started the modern St. Louis cocktail movement, and its barrooms still set the city's drinking standard today.
Signature drink: Classic and original cocktails
Food: Bar snacks and small plates
Tip: The front Bullock Room is louder; the back bar is for serious cocktails. Order a classic and watch the technique.
A Central West End rum bar, Yellowbelly pours island-inspired tiki cocktails and coastal small plates in a bright beachy room. The city's tropical-drink hub.
Signature drink: Rum tiki cocktails
Food: Island-inspired small plates
Tip: The signature Yellowbelly and the rum-heavy tiki list are the orders. Brunch and patio seating round it out.
A Benton Park cocktail bar with a clever, accessible list, Small Change does top-notch drinks at fair prices, and turns into a Christmas pop-up each winter.
Signature drink: Affordable craft cocktails
Food: Light snacks
Tip: The cocktails punch above the price; the winter Miracle pop-up is a season highlight. Cosy and walk-in friendly.
A Central West End gastropub, Retreat pairs a serious cocktail list with elevated pub plates, a polished neighbourhood bar from the team behind Yellowbelly.
Signature drink: Craft cocktails
Food: Elevated pub plates
Tip: It works as both a cocktail stop and a full dinner; the burger and the drinks share top billing. Reserve at weekends.
A South City public house for two decades, The Royale pours ward-themed cocktails and serves a strong burger on one of the city's best bar patios.
Signature drink: Cocktails named for St. Louis wards
Food: Burgers and bar food
Tip: The garden patio is the draw in warm months; the cocktails are named for city wards. The burger holds up the food menu.
A European-leaning cocktail bar and dance club on Cherokee Street, Tschuss pours straight-up classics alongside Club-Mate-and-German-beer specialties.
Signature drink: Classic cocktails and Club-Mate highballs
Food: Compact bar snack menu
Tip: Go for the classics with the option to upgrade to top-shelf liquor; the dance floor heats up Thursday through Saturday after 10pm.
