Cocktail barBrewery taproom$$$the-groveMon-Thu 11:00-10:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-12:00, Sun 11:00-10:00
Rockwell's Grove taproom pours crisp house lagers and saisons with tavern-style pizza, a polished newer brewery bar near the Grove nightlife strip.
Signature drink: House lagers and saisons
Food: Tavern-style pizza
Tip: The tavern-style pizza pairs with the house lager. It is a good first stop before a night out in the Grove.
Cocktail barWine and cocktail bar$$$central-west-endMon-Sat 15:00-01:30, Sun 15:00-00:00
Kevin Brennan's Central West End townhouse bar spreads across a fireside lounge, basement bar and patio, pouring deep wine and cocktail lists with cigars.
Signature drink: Wine, cocktails and cigars
Food: Small plates and cheese
Tip: The multi-room layout suits any mood, from fireside to basement. Cigars are sold for the back patio.
Cocktail barBrewery taproom$$$lasalle-parkMon-Thu 11:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00, Sun 11:00-20:00
4 Hands runs a large taproom near the stadium pouring its broad range from the City Wide flagship to barrel-aged stouts, a busy pre-game and weekend beer bar.
Signature drink: City Wide and barrel-aged beers
Food: Snacks and light bites
Tip: It fills on Cardinals game days; City Wide is the easy-drinking flagship. Ask after barrel-aged releases.
Cocktail barBrewery beer garden$$$tower-grove-southTue-Thu 15:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 11:30-23:00, Sun 12:00-21:00, closed Mon
Civil Life's leafy Tower Grove South beer garden is a popular low-key drinking spot, pouring sessionable English-style ales like its classic American Brown.
Signature drink: American Brown ale
Food: Light snacks
Tip: The American Brown in the beer garden is the move on a warm evening. It is unpretentious and cash-friendly.
Cocktail barBeer bar$$$maplewoodTue-Thu 15:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 13:00-23:00, Sun 13:00-20:00, closed Mon
Side Project's Maplewood Cellar is a Belgian-inspired beer bar that also pours deep whiskey and wine lists, the tasting room for the metro's top brewery.
Signature drink: Belgian-inspired beer, whiskey and wine
Food: Snacks
Tip: It is beer-forward but the whiskey and wine lists are serious too. A short walk from the brewery itself.
Cocktail barBrewpub$$$downtown-westMon 11:00-23:00, Tue-Thu 11:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00, Sun 12:00-22:00
St. Louis's original craft brewery, the Schlafly Tap Room pours the full range in a brick downtown brewpub that has anchored the local beer scene since 1991.
Signature drink: Pale ale and seasonal beers
Food: Pub food
Tip: The pale ale year-round and the pumpkin ale in autumn are the calls. The brewpub kitchen does solid pub food.