We finally made it! We'd been wanting to check this place out for quite some time, so after dinner…read moreon Saturday, we decided it was the perfect opportunity to see what all the hype was about. Before heading over, I reminded my friend to check their Instagram page so we'd have the password ready in case it was required. When we arrived, we were warmly greeted at the entrance. The host asked whether we had reservations (we didn't) and then gave us the option of sitting at the bar or at a table. We opted for a table, and after only a brief wait--and providing the password--we were welcomed inside. From the moment we entered, it was clear that a lot of thought had gone into creating the space. The décor is beautiful, and the ambiance perfectly complements the concept. The menu is thoughtfully organized into modern cocktails, classic cocktails, mocktails, and spirits. Each drink feels carefully crafted, with ingredients and presentations that transport you to another era and add to the immersive experience. I chose the Poetic Legs, which features aged rum, pineapple, almond orgeat, Angostura amaro, and lime. It was exceptionally well balanced. The pineapple and rum gave it a bright, tropical character, while the amaro and lime added depth and complexity. Although it leaned fruity, it never crossed into overly sweet territory, making it an easy and enjoyable cocktail to savor. Despite being a Saturday night, the atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed. I appreciated the balance between sophistication and comfort--it felt upscale without being pretentious, making it easy to settle in and enjoy the experience. We didn't try any of the snacks this visit, but the chocolate chip cookies definitely caught my eye and are already on my list for next time. Overall, this was a great first visit, and I can see why so many people recommend it. Between the welcoming service, thoughtfully crafted cocktails, and inviting atmosphere, it's a place I'm looking forward to returning to.

Once your eyes adjust to the limited lighting, you realise you're in a fun spot. Lafayette Sq is a…read morenice neighbourhood and this speakeasy was an interesting adventure. Everyone liked their drinks and I think the cocktail menu being named for women from Prohibition is a really interesting concept. We had excellent service and all the staff members were very friendly and attentive.

This is THE place to go when it comes to martinis in Stl. A few of us came in a small group and…read morewith it being late in the night, we still managed to get in on the pool tables and find a place to sit. The list of martinis is extensive and considering they have a martini for every taste profile, you can't go wrong. Even though they all looked good, I couldn't help but go with my favorite Three Olives Grape and Sprite with a lime. The atmosphere was lively as there were pockets of people in deep conversations, people playing pool, and others happy to be there in the moment. I mostly sat on the couch while my boyfriend and his friend played pool. The couch was super comfy, which is always a plus. While we didn't stay long, I certainly enjoyed my there and def intend on coming back to try some martinis!

Great atmosphere and strong drinks at The Famous Bar! Parking available behind the building with a…read morefew steps down to enter. Handicapped accessible parking located in front of the bar. Two pools tables and a golf game inside along with lots of chairs at the bar and high top tables too. No kitchen, but they do have snacks to buy including terrific beef jerky! Bartenders are amiable and knowledgeable. Service is very prompt. Clean bathrooms too.

Amazing place!!! great vibes, everyone was extremely nice and friendly. Came from out of town and…read morereally glad we stopped in.

Fun little place on Cherokee to grab a drink and watch the people…read more The drinks are fairly solid, except every bartender makes an Old Fashioned differently, so you never know what you're getting. The place is really eclectic which is fun. Velvet paintings, steer horns with little hands, other interesting decor all add to the bar's character. Bathrooms are usually clean. Bartenders are all friendly. Prices are decent. Huge outdoor patio. They sometimes have live music out there on a stage that comes out of the side of a school bus. If you're hanging out on Cherokee, definitely a place to grab a drink.

Another fun party at Small Change!…read more Happy Tiki Birthday to Jamie and Bill! I love the cocktail creations that include the Big O Liquor, this year I enjoyed the Back Breaker and the Big O-Spresso Martini. The Back Breaker was refreshing with the different fruit flavors and had a cute pineapple swizzle stick. The Big O-Spresso was very rich with lots of cream, yum Good Strangers was there proving Tiki inspired tacos, I tried both the chicken and the brisket and both were great but the chicken was the winner for me, that slaw was such a great addition! Order at the bar or with a waitress, everyone is having a great time decked out in Tiki gear and the bar full of lots of props. Always a good time!

What a sweet spot to grab a drink and enjoy some good company…read more Stopped in for a night cap with a friend. The place is steeped in pride for both STL and LGBTQ+ community. The bartenders were awesome. We walked up to the bar and both bartenders got things rolling for us quickly. They have a really solid menu as well. They have some wildly unique cocktail options that blend dive bar ingredients with a craft cocktail approach. The vibes were great. The back patio was super nice and a great spot to just relax. I got a gimlet which was beautiful. Slightly tart, with just enough sweetness to balance it all out. There are not many things on this planet better than getting a damn good cocktail at a dive bar.

Food 10/10 | Ambiance 10/10 | Service 10/10…read more My first experience at The Moniker was absolutely amazing! The staff were incredibly welcoming, which for me is always the biggest indicator of whether I'll enjoy a place. I arrived during their daily Happy Hour (4-6 PM) and ordered the crab dip with homemade crackers, while my friend tried one of their cocktails. Everything tasted delicious, and the staff remained very attentive throughout our visit. I was also impressed by the cleanliness and the interior design. I noticed a beautiful mural on the wall and later learned it is a portrait of one of the owner's mothers, how sweet is that? If you're thinking about stopping by this new downtown spot, don't hesitate! My only feedback is that the entrance can be a little difficult to find as the signage wasn't very visible to me, but that's it. Highly recommend!

I've been wanting to check out The Moniker for months and luckily finally made it over after a…read moreCardinals game recently. They were just opening up for the evening and it took a few minutes to get served, but everyone was super friendly and I was impressed by the design/vibe inside. I ordered the strawberry rhubarb pie mixed drink which came with a little side of dessert. I loved the drink itself but the fruit in the dessert was definitely past its prime and I ended up eating around it. We also got the wash ave flatbread for the table. We all loved the crunch of the giardiniera on the flatbread and it was a great plate to split for the table. I do wish prices were included on the menus just for visibility. Would definitely stop in again to try another drink from the menu!

Pagan Wine Bar is situated in the Central West End, not far from Euclid and Lindell. Parking is…read moreeasier the later it is at night. I ventured to this bar for the first time three years ago and am now a more frequent customer with my beau. On weekends, Phil is the expeditor while the sole bartender, Ed, creates magical drinks from behind the bar. Seating is very limited with no reservations, so bear that in mind. Also, the last call ends promptly at 1:00 AM, and 1:30 AM is the absolute cutoff for finishing up your experience there. Every drink I have had there has been excellently crafted and consistently good. It is pricey but worth it. My only critique would be the gender-neutral bathroom. It could use some love and a deep clean, but otherwise, it is a great place for a nightcap.

The best kind of cocktail bar: moody ambiance and made from scratch drinks but lacking insane…read morelevels of pretension. The two bartenders here were as knowledgeable as they were friendly. I had two delicious cocktails but, more importantly some deep conversation with strangers.

Wife and I went and got wings and pizza for their happy hour. Wings were really good very juicy…read moreand tender. The margarita pizza was awesome. Their dough was crunchy and chewy and the sauce is very sweet, which complimented the mozzarella basil and olive oil. We got a chance to meet the owner, whose service was amazing and our bartender was very quick and efficient and pleasant. The thing that stood out to us the most was just the ambience which was right up our alley. The lights in the ceiling, the dark wall colors, and the bar and seating area. All were what you envision when visiting a dive bar that's truly a part of our community.

The bartender was extremely nice and friendly, and all of the drinks we ordered were really good!…read moreHowever, I was told I got the last raspberry lemon drop martini around 5:30pm, which seemed pretty early in the night. We also ordered some food.. sliders, mozzarella sticks, burgers, etc. A friend got a side salad, but unfortunately the pear was rotten. The place has a lot of potential, but having only one staff member checking on tables, tending the bar, and delivering food made things feel pretty hectic and disorganized. The ceiling lights were cute and I could definitely see this place having a really nice atmosphere around the holidays!

Good neighborhood wine bar that is worth at trip from various parts of the metro area! I visited…read more'ssippi with my friends a couple of months ago on an overcast June day. Then I remembered that I had visited it during a festival (print bazaar, perhaps, or Cherokee Caravan?). It somewhat reminded me of a lovely bar in Rome (Astemio), though it is also quite different. Plenty of wine variety here, and staff know the list pretty well. I had orange wine for at least one of my drinks. Can't remember what the 2nd drink was... maybe it was the other orange wine? Or a white. We sat out back so we could talk without echoes/as much noise distraction and eat macadamia nuts that I'd brought.

Love 'ssippi! It's such a good spot if you are looking to sit outside and drink some wine!…read more The outside area is dog friendly, which we love! There are always events of some sort going on, so be sure to check that out before going. Everyone that works there is also wonderful! Cannot recommend enough