Genuinely confused. Sober and walked in but they kicked us out. There is a reason they are closing…read more Bouncers are assholes. Edit: called them and asked what happened, they said our party didnt buy drinks. We bought a bucket if beers about a minute before being kicked out :)

Total Nashville vibes. Such a cool spot with two separate rooms--one for dancing and another with…read morethe bar--so you can easily pop over for a drink without having to shout over the music. Drink prices are great, and the band was incredible. We got there right before 9 to catch their set, and they played straight through until midnight, never stopping ONCE! They took requests from people on the dance floor, and made the whole place come alive.

If you know, you know... and if you don't, you're about to feel very in-the-know…read more Tucked away in true speakeasy fashion, NOTA is one of those places that makes you feel like you've stumbled onto a secret you almost don't want to share. Moody lighting, cozy corners, and an effortlessly cool vibe make it the kind of spot where time slows down in the best way. We stopped in for their Sunday late night happy hour (8-11pm) and honestly? Elite move. The energy was relaxed but still buzzy, perfect for winding down the weekend without feeling like the night is over. The cocktails are art. Every drink feels intentional, balanced, and a little unexpected in the best way. You can tell the bartenders really know their craft. Whether you go classic or adventurous, you're in very good hands -- especially during happy hour when trying a couple different options feels very justified. What really seals the deal is the overall mood. It's date-night perfect, ideal for catching up with friends, or impressing out-of-towners who think they've "seen all of St. Louis." Service is warm without being overbearing, and the experience feels elevated without a hint of pretentiousness. Don't rush. Order another round. Let Sunday stretch a little longer.

NOTA is such a great night out with immaculate vibes! The entrance is unassuming and…read morenon-descriptive with no signage, really living up to the speakeasy idea. I recommend placing a reservation online to ensure you can get in. Our group of 4 were seated quickly, and upon entering we could see that the place was filled. The waitress for us was incredible. She offered great recommendations and answered the question we had well, including getting to know our flavor preferences to make the best suggestion. The drinks are fantastic. All super classic but unique. My favorite was the espresso martini, which had a great slightly sweet tastes without the strong alcohol taste. I hope to be back for their happy hour sometime soon!

Went to Platypus for wedding welcome drinks and it was a fun spot. Drinks were really good and the…read morestaff was great. It's definitely more of a darker, dimly lit, hole-in-the-wall vibe. I didn't try the food, but it looked and smelled really good. Good spot for drinks if you're into a low-key vibe!

I've been here a handful of times with friends and it never disappoints. The crowd is really…read morediverse and the vibe is super welcoming. Great spot for anyone in their 20s and 30s looking for a chill but fun night out. The main bar area has karaoke nights and people get INTO it! They're so talented. If you keep walking through there's another room with games and a small kitchen for food. The menu is simple but the food is unexpectedly amazing and leans mostly vegetarian. The tofu is an absolute 10/10, the fries are good, and the buffalo cauliflower and chicken poppers are both must orders. Oh and the drinks are fun and the bathroom is a whole little experience on its own. Overall, it's just a good time. Definitely coming back.

I came here one evening with my girls and it was such a fun place! Staff is very friendly and the…read morebar is well decorated. There's a shot wheel, I spun and got the pickle shot. Strong! It was well-decorated too- Halloween is one of my favorite days of the year, and the Haunt is decorated spooky year-round! Parking was also easy, as there was plenty of street parking.

Took a friend here as she requested a spooky bar. Had a truly deranged time, bar tan was $12. Will…read morebe back.

If you've ever wanted to time travel back to the era of frosted lip gloss, flip phones, and Juicy…read moretracksuits, the Y2K Baby pop up at Hidden Gem is your portal. From the second you step into the back room, it's pure nostalgia in the best, most chaotic, glittery way possible. The decor, the music, the drinks, the details, all of it is dialed all the way into early 2000s energy without feeling cheesy. It feels intentional, immersive, and ridiculously fun. The cocktails are creative and on theme, the playlist is nonstop hits you forgot you knew every word to, and the whole space feels like a Y2K house party you wish you got invited to back in the day. What really makes this pop up special is how committed they are to the experience. It's not just decorations on a wall. It's a full vibe. People are dressed up, taking photos, singing along, and fully leaning into the theme. You don't just grab a drink here, you participate. Perfect for girls night, birthday plans, or just doing something different that actually feels memorable. Huge shoutout to Hidden Gem for absolutely nailing this concept. Y2K Baby is easily one of the most fun themed pop ups I've been to in a long time.

Hidden Gems in St. Louis -- and darling, the name is not exaggerating…read more I had the absolute pleasure of attending a birthday celebration here and let me tell you... this place is a vibe, a moment, and a whole sparkling experience. The space is intimate, stylish, and perfectly appointed -- the kind of place that feels like you've stumbled into a secret little jewel box in the city. It's cozy in the best possible way, with an atmosphere that invites laughter, celebration, and maybe just a little fabulous mischief. The bartenders? Absolute pros. Warm, welcoming, and clearly masters of their craft. Naturally, I ordered my classic gin and tonic, and it was perfection in a glass -- crisp, balanced, and exactly what a proper G&T should be. I heard from the birthday boy and his wonderful wife that the owners were incredibly accommodating, and you could feel that hospitality throughout the entire evening. Everything felt effortless and welcoming -- the kind of place where people clearly care about creating a great night. And then... the party truly began. We had drag queens serving glamour and joy, music, laughter echoing through the room, and pizza delivered from the birthday boy's favorite local pizza spot that honestly deserves its own standing ovation. If you want to know where that pizza came from, drop a comment -- because it was outrageously good. By the end of the night I couldn't stop thinking: this place really is a Hidden Gem. A perfect little pocket of St. Louis where good drinks, great people, and a bit of fabulous chaos come together. Sparkle-tastic. Gem-tastic. Pure joy. Highly recommend discovering this hidden gem for yourself. -- Big Daddy Tedd Energy

Miracle is the OG Christmas pop-up and it's seriously SO cute. The decor is over the top in the…read morebest way and instantly puts you in the holiday spirit. I was genuinely shocked they don't require reservations because it feels like the kind of place that would be booked weeks out. We walked in on a Tuesday night and were seated immediately with no wait. I really appreciated that they offer a full bar and not just the typical overly sweet, novelty Christmas cocktails. Everything felt thoughtfully done on the drink side. The only downside is the food situation. Options are very limited, and while I understand they likely don't have a full kitchen, it's definitely something to plan around. Eat beforehand or expect this to be more of a drinks-only stop.

-- The OG of Holiday Cheer, Served in a Glass…read more Finally getting around to this review -- but Miracle STL deserves it. This is the original pop-up holiday bar, and it's everything you want in a seasonal escape: warm, delightful, a little bit tacky in the best possible way, and bursting with love. From the second you walk in, it's a full-on sensory sleigh ride -- twinkling lights, over-the-top décor, and a playlist that makes you feel like you've just stepped into a Hallmark movie (with a better soundtrack). The cocktails are inventive, festive, and downright delicious -- second only to the truly amazing staff who pour them with so much personality. It's fun, it's magical, and it's a DO NOT miss for the holiday season in St. Louis. Come for the drinks, stay for the vibes, and leave with a little more holiday spirit than you came in with.

The first Sunday of the month is family friendly. One of my kids is a gamer and this was a perfect…read moreplace to spend some time. Please note: the place was packed with kids and adults. Do not let that deter you. The space is much larger than it looks. There is an indoor bar and an outdoor bar with some table games and outdoor seating. There is a separate pick up window for snacks. They offer pizza by the slice, hot dogs and other goodies. The food is cheap and the pizza was solid for the price. The games require tokens which you can purchase at the bar. They have just about every game you could want! Even had a Super Nintendo set up, Dane Revolution, and my all time favorite skee ball!! My Zennial spirit was happy for this bit of nostalgia.

It's Valentine Day and I decided to make a date at Up-Down since my husband had never been. Parking…read moreis street side or pay parking. Keep your ID's out it needed for admission. Must be 21. Pizza , drinks are available for purchase. I did try a Pineapple Cider draft that was fruity and delicious. We played pinball , old school Super Mario Brothers , skee ball and Frogger to name a few. We must be getting old because both our arms started cramping and as of right now sore :) Two levels of childhood fun, dark and sultry, and plenty of drink holder spots to play your games. Spacious. Outdoor patio. Staff friendly. This was a really fun date .

We visited The Fireplace Bar for Friday night karaoke. This is a dive bar, in a good way. There are…read morepool tables and darts. It was very loud when we visited, not because of the karaoke, so it was a bit difficult to speak with the bartenders. I guess people were having a good time! There are lots of drink choices at reasonable prices. There is also food, which I didn't try. For the karaoke, you go up to the KJ get into the queue, and then add your songs across the evening for each of your turns. There was quite a variety being sung. You sing in front of the fireplace. There is a little bit of room to dance around the edges but not much. Despite being a "nonsmoking" bar, there were patrons vaping indoors and there was a cigarette smell inside (perhaps wafting in from the smokers outside?). The ladies bathroom was very clean. There is free parking outside in their attached lot, but you might have to get creative if you get there later in the night, as the lot gets crowded. This bar has a fun vibe for your friend group to go blow off some steam, but probably not a good place to take a first date.

Really cool dive bar we checked out for Happy hour, good food, friendly bar staff, two pool tables…read moreand lots of room to spread out. We had a group of 12 people and were easily accommodated. This place is a hidden gem, check it out!

The coziest spot! This place is so perfect when you're wanting to go somewhere quaint and…read morecomfortable to enjoy an intimate setting. The fireplace totally makes the overall experience and makes you feel like you're in an elevated pub. There's lots of taxidermy on the walls and classic looking paintings, you feel like you're not in stl anymore. Our visit was for drinks only, and my dirty martini was great. We sat on the leather couches and chatted with another couple and it was a great spot for a double date night. Check it out!

My husband and I had toured Boundary as a possible wedding venue along with one of our daughters…read moreand her fiancé. Afterward, I suggested having cocktails at Fox and Hounds! We arrived around 3:45 and the place was busy! There was one open seating area so we grabbed it quickly. We spent a few minutes looking at the menu and then the guys went up to the bar to get our drinks. There didn't seem to be table service. I don't know if they ever have it or not. We enjoyed hanging out there for a few drinks. It has a dark, moody, comfy feel. I tried to take pictures but it was pretty dark and they didn't turn out well. I had the "Yes We Have One" - it's an espresso martini. It wasn't as sweet as I prefer, but it was good and I had more than one so it couldn't have been too bad! The other three enjoyed their drinks as well. I'd definitely go back and have a few cocktails in a cozy little area!

I attended an event in the event room. Small room that is separate from the bar. I'm guessing it…read morewould hold up to 20 people comfortably. We had 10 and we were able to sit around the long stationary table in the middle of the room. Global Brew Tap House does not charge for the event room. They ask for reservations and for the attendees to patronize the bar. Perfect for a meeting or a book club. I had a couple of beers. Wide selection of local and popular craft beers . Bartender was friendly and offered to keep a tab. Lots of parking. Loved this place!

A casual vibe, great place for beer and a group happy hour…read more Every time I come here I am amazed at how much fun it is and what a great draft selection they have. Walk in and there are plenty of tables, a couple of gathering areas, standing room narrow tables, an outdoor area, and a room off to the side. I went for the Logboat Dark Matter which I have had before in a can and wanted to try on draft. I enjoyed it very much. You know what is great?! Since they don't have food, you can bring it in yourself. Both times our group has met up here Katie's Pizza is the choice and its in the same parking lot. You can't go wrong with Katie's. Bartender is on the ball and friendly, TV's all around, not too loud so you can talk. Wednesday nights they have Trivia and I stayed for the first round, it was very current for the current event category. Get a pizza from Katie's, go here, have a beer, have fun!