Cocktail barNeighborhood bar$$$tower-grove-eastMon-Thu 16:00-00:00, Fri-Sat 16:00-01:30, Sun 16:00-00:00
A Tower Grove East corner bar, Tick Tock pours cheap drinks and cocktails to a mixed crowd, with karaoke and theme nights filling the calendar.
Signature drink: Cheap drinks and cocktails
Food: Bar snacks
Tip: It leans dive but with cocktail chops; come for karaoke or a low-key drink. Cash and card both work.
Cocktail barGastropub$$$maplewoodMon-Sat 11:00-01:30, Sun 10:00-00:00
A laid-back Maplewood gastropub, The Crow's Nest pairs refined bar food with rotating craft beer, pinball and heavy-metal-themed brunches. A quirky favourite.
Signature drink: Craft beer and cocktails
Food: Refined bar food and brunch
Tip: The pinball, patio and themed brunches set it apart. Good rotating beer list and an easygoing crowd.
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.