12 bars in St. Louis, editor-picked for bars open past midnight friday or saturday. Bars going past midnight on friday or saturday. All bars in St. Louis.

Small Change ★ 4.2

benton-park · 2800 Indiana Ave, St. Louis, MO 63118

Hours: Sun-Thu 17:00-00:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-01:00

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.

Tip: The cocktails punch above the price; the winter Miracle pop-up is a season highlight. Cosy and walk-in friendly.

The Royale ★ 4.2

tower-grove-south · 3132 S Kingshighway Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63139

Hours: Mon 16:00-23:00, Wed 16:00-23:00, Thu 11:30-23:00, Fri-Sat 11:30-00:00, Sun 11:30-23:00, closed Tue

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.

Tip: The garden patio is the draw in warm months; the cocktails are named for city wards. The burger holds up the food menu.

Venice Cafe ★ 4.2

benton-park · 1903 Pestalozzi St, St. Louis, MO 63118

Hours: Mon-Sat 16:00-01:00, closed Sun

A Benton Park institution covered floor-to-ceiling in mosaic and folk art, Venice Cafe is the city's most idiosyncratic bar, with a lush patio and live music.

Tip: The art-covered patio is the whole point; come for a warm-weather evening with live music. Cash is handy here.

Urban Chestnut Grove Bierhall ★ 4.2

the-grove · 4465 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110

Hours: Mon-Wed 15:00-22:00, Thu 11:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-00:00, Sun 11:00-21:00

Urban Chestnut's 400-seat Grove Bierhall is as much a bar as a brewery, pouring German-style lagers in a vast hall with Fordo's pizza, a go-to for groups.

Tip: It is huge and family-friendly; the Zwickel lager is the pour to start. Pizza comes from Fordo's in the same hall.

Sasha's on DeMun ★ 4.1

clayton · 706 DeMun Ave, Clayton, MO 63105

Hours: Mon-Sat 11:00-01:30, Sun 11:00-00:00

Sasha's DeMun bar pairs a wide by-the-glass wine list with cocktails and noshing plates in a homey Clayton room, a relaxed spot with a popular patio.

Tip: Order a cheese board and let staff pair glasses across it. The patio fills first on warm evenings.

Brennan's ★ 4.1

central-west-end · 316 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108

Hours: Mon-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.

Tip: The multi-room layout suits any mood, from fireside to basement. Cigars are sold for the back patio.

Tschuss ★ 4.0

cherokee-street · 2847 Cherokee St, St. Louis, MO 63118

Hours: Wed 17:00-00:00, Thu-Sat 17:00-01:30, Sun 17:00-00:00, closed Mon-Tue

A European-leaning cocktail bar and dance club on Cherokee Street, Tschuss pours straight-up classics alongside Club-Mate-and-German-beer specialties.

Tip: Go for the classics with the option to upgrade to top-shelf liquor; the dance floor heats up Thursday through Saturday after 10pm.

Three Sixty ★ 4.0

downtown · 1 S Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102

Hours: Mon-Thu 16:00-00:00, Fri-Sat 16:00-01:00, Sun 16:00-23:00

Atop the Hilton at the Ballpark, Three Sixty offers 360-degree skyline views, including down into Busch Stadium, across a big indoor and outdoor terrace.

Tip: Go at sunset or during a Cardinals game for the stadium view. It is the marquee downtown rooftop, so expect a crowd.

The Crow's Nest ★ 4.0

maplewood · 7336 Manchester Rd, Maplewood, MO 63143

Hours: Mon-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.

Tip: The pinball, patio and themed brunches set it apart. Good rotating beer list and an easygoing crowd.

The Heavy Anchor ★ 3.8

tower-grove-south · 5226 Gravois Ave, St. Louis, MO 63116

Hours: Mon-Sat 17:00-01:00, closed Sun

A South City dive and live-music room, The Heavy Anchor pairs cheap drinks with a back-room stage for local and touring bands. A no-frills music bar.

Tip: The back room hosts shows most nights; the front bar is for cheap drinks and pinball. Check the gig calendar.

Nick's Pub ★ 3.8

the-hill · 6001 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110

Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00-03:00, Sat-Sun 17:00-03:00

A long-running pub near the Hill and the Grove, Nick's pours draft beer and whiskey to a regulars' crowd in a no-frills room, a classic St. Louis tavern.

Tip: It is a regulars' pub; come for cheap pints and a low-key night. Live music and trivia fill some evenings.

Tick Tock Tavern ★ 3.8

tower-grove-east · 3459 Magnolia Ave, St. Louis, MO 63118

Hours: Mon-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.

Tip: It leans dive but with cocktail chops; come for karaoke or a low-key drink. Cash and card both work.