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    Small Change

    4.6 (45 reviews)
    Open 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Small Change Photos

    SMALL CHANGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Casual
    Trendy

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    Recommended Reviews - Small Change

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    Old fashioned a la Small Change, view from the back patio
    Joe S.

    The most chill and welcoming environment in the city. You can not beat it! Get an Old Fashioned for sure!

    Ted C.

    One of the last places we visited and I'm glad we came. We pulled up and some in the group were worried about it, and maybe it was the wrong place to go to as a cocktail bar because it definitely doesn't look like a place for good cocktails. We were wrong on all counts. The cocktails here are top-notch and the vibe is definitely laid back and fun. While the cocktail list is more pared down, it's done well, maybe the best cocktail I had in Saint Louis. I got the Twinky and Pinky which came with a watermelon popsicle that I saved until the end. If you figure out how to get the right ratio of booze and popsicle consumption, let me know. However, it's hard to drink cocktails when the cheap beer is so...cheap. Stag beer on draft, 2 bucks, seriously. Also, cans of Busch for 2 dollars. Start out classy and then end up trashy, that's what I always say.

    PaPeR sTrAwS!!!!!!!!!*!*!*!*!!*
    Megan S.

    Orders: FAT PUG Oatmeal Stout | Water w/ a paper straw!! Such cool vibes in this place & really amazing cocktails! I'm boring & ordered a beer (which was so so good), but I sipped my friends artsy gin drinks & they were masterpieces. Very cool lbgtqia+ environment with great music!!!! Oh we had so much fun :))))

    Boulevardier
    Steven B.

    It's a dive bar. You'll have a good time drinking well prepared drinks at an amazingly affordable price. The ambiance is bland, but remember it is a dive bar, so that actually adds to its beauty. There is no bar food. Your snacks and munchies come out of a vending machine that is also reasonably priced. They have hooks and outlets under the bar. Nice asset for a dive bar. Bartenders are friendly, attentive and mix a good cocktail. They can even open a bottle or can of beer with finesse. I recommend that you grab some friends and head over to SC for a fun time. Or, you can go alone and make some new friends sitting at the bar. I'll be back? - Who's going with me? When - November 14, 2018 Why - Cocktails with Max, he's the man.

    a person sitting at a table
    Kevin H.

    I've been to small change twice now in the last couple months. Once for a normal experience, and most recently for their famous Christmas pop up Miracle STL. I love this place. The cocktails are fantastic, and the staff is all super friendly and knowledgeable. Their Christmas pop up is absolutely amazing. Note that while reservations sell out in minutes of going on sale beginning of December, they do have seats often available for walk ins. Miracle Stl is definitely not something to miss out on! Though if you do, an everyday visit to small change is still very enjoyable!

    Mad as Hatters: Tow's Town Corruption Gin, Cherry Heering, Passionfruit, Lime, Angostura Bitters, Club Soda
    Mary A.

    Opened on Feb 1, 2018. From the people that brought you Planter's House and Miracle Bar... Small Change is a mix of dive bar and cocktail bar. As you drive by, the only signage is a broken Falstaff Beer sign. Street parking is your only option. As you walk in you will find a few tables/chairs and then a row of seats at the bar. Sit at the bar for a front row seat to the cocktail making action. Bar manager Harrison Massie shakes a mean cocktail- he was more than willing to give us a few suggestions on what to order. They have become known for their peanut butter and jelly shots: One shot of peanut butter fat-washed cognac and a shot of Manischewitz grape wine. Take them fast or sip on them slowly for a new experience. A few specialty cocktails are listed on placards on each table and at the bar for about $10/each. The Mad as Hatters cocktail is erved with a umbrella and makes you look super classy as you drink it. There are a few beers on tap, a cocktail on tap, and several bottles/can of beer to choose from. The can/bottles are displayed above the bar so you know what your options are. There is no kitchen, so dogs are allowed inside. When the weather warms up, they plan to have seating on the patio. There is a vending machine in the back for your snacking pleasures.

    Mad as Hatters
    Mandie B.

    Small Change is a great spot for drinks and good times! My friends and I arrived here to celebrate a birthday on a Thursday evening around 8:15. The location is a bit inconspicuous; and I think I drove by it once before I realized it was where I needed to go. No parking lot, but street parking i east to find. When I walked in I could tell they had some regulars which is pretty cool. A few of my friends had already pulled up a table and some chairs and they all had drinks in front of them. What I like best is that Small Change sells beers like Busch and they also make craft cocktails! They have something for everyone. I looked over the menu and decided to order the Mad as Hatters. My reason? Well, it sounded good AND we were all wearing Birthday Cone Hats! Perfect match. I went up to the bar and asked for the drink and I also decided to order the birthday girl a Peanut Butter and Jelly shot; too fun! The drinks were made and I opted to pay my tab instead of leaving it open. The PB&J shot was actually 1 shot of PB and 1 shot of J! 2 shots in one...I have no idea what it tasted like, but the bday girl said they were tasty. The bar itself has a dive bar feel and at the same time feels like I am in an exclusive bar. I really enjoyed myself and I know the rest of the group did too. The drinks were all getting great reviews and we talked about making "Small Change" our new "spot" whenever we can't decide where else to go. Oh, and did I mention they have a vending machine with food inside? I wish I would have taken a picture. This is not your normal vending machine people. I really can't wait to go back during the spring when it's warmer so that I can try some of their cocktails outside on their soon to be patio. Is i patio season yet!?!?!

    Jason P.

    There are very few things in this life that I love more than Halloween and holiday themed experiences. Luckily for St. Louis, we have Small Change. Some members of the community may have first encountered Small Change during their "Miracle" pop up bar during the Christmas season. The drinks were warm. The decor was kitschy. And the experience truly captured the magic of the season. But I'm a spooky szn person. A basic witch, if you will. So, when I saw Yelp Elite Squad member Mary A post about their most recent pop up bar, I hopped on my broom and flew over to Small Change faster than you can say BOO. Let's dig into this experience that was anything but grave. The Halloween themed drink menu was well thought out and I loved reading all the creative names. Each drink was unique and had oodles of flavors. My boyfriend was cold from the short walk from our house to this Benton Park watering hole, so he opted for the warm drink called the Clang Boom Steam which was bourbon and tea. For my first drink I ordered The Killer was Smiling. It was a flavorful fall take on an old fashioned. I really appreciated the subtle sweetness the apple bitters added to this cocktail. Since we were having a spooky date night and the spirit was alive inside Small Change, we dove into a second round, ordering the Pale as Bone and the River of Flesh. I basically chugged the Pale as Bone because it was so delicious. It was like a wonderful margarita without the fake sweetness of a syrup. 10/10 for the cool skeleton that it was served with. Took that bad boy home to add to our Halloween decor. Speaking of decor. Small Change went all out. Lights. Statues. Cut outs. I was in Heaven... err... Hell? The vibe inside was second to none. They had some classic Alfred Hitchcock horror flicks rolling on the TV's to add to the ambiance. We've also been to Small Change for non-holiday pop ups, and absolutely love the dive-bar chic flair they serve up each and every day. And finally is customer service. I really really love the bartenders at Small Change. The handful of times I've been there, I feel like a regular. They really go out of their way to make everyone from any walk of life feel welcome the moment they walk through the door. And they have Labatt Blue on draught.

    Here for Miracle STL!
    Wanda H.

    Attended Miracle STL pop-up here and enjoyed it immensely. The cocktails were stupendous, but the prices were killer. Service was very good. Cute bar.

    French 75 oh my!
    Max R.

    Dive-y amazingness. Small Change is an awesome addition to the Benton Park neighborhood. As they would say, they are "Planter's House's dive bar chic step-child." They are completely different vibes, so don't compare them too much. Living a mere 6 blocks away from this beautiful haven of Stag on draft and cocktails galore, I like to bike over to catch a games that I want to watch on their TV. (I watched a lot of March Madness here and I think it bid me well, as I won my family's bracket!) They also have a quiet and relaxing patio that I love. Typically, you can find me with Busch in hand, but when I'm feeling something special, I get their French 75, it's so refreshing and who doesn't love gin?! As far as their specialty cocktails go, I highly recommend, "Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis," "Step Right Up," and "Rag Water and Bitters." Fun right?! You also need to know that they have vending machines and many Fridays they host Guerrilla Street Food's food truck! Yum-city! Beyond that, the bartenders are inclusive, helpful, and beautiful human beings who make Small Change great. Make your way to the broken Falstaff sign, you don't want to miss out!

    Aviation and Time is Made from Honey

    I think this is the best cocktail spot in the city! They have adventurous rotating cocktails, along with classics. I've had both, and even the classics always have a bit of a spin. Bar tenders are very friendly and knowledgeable. The atmosphere in this cocktail bar is second to none; not at all pretentious. Friendly, neighborhood oriented, and welcoming to all. They also have a beautiful dog-friendly patio.

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    1 year ago

    Amazing cocktails in a great atmosphere. Divey spot off the beaten path. Great patio for hanging out and chatting with friends.

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Had a round of drinks. Service was horrible and rude. Not a good feeling being newbies. Haven't been back since.

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Great bar in Benton park. Focus on drinks. Vending machine food. Super friendly bartenders.

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Love this place. Super chill. Not crowded. Great space. Fun drinks. Plenty of tables. And cool people in general.

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    7 years ago

    Great cocktails & knowledgeable bartenders mixing old classics well. Hidden little gem.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Small Change

    Review Highlights - Small Change

    I always love the low key vibe and skilled bartenders at this Benton Park historic neighborhood bar.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

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    The Saturn Lounge

    The Saturn Lounge

    4.5
    (42 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    It's a very cool lounge. 2 rooms. Records on the wall. Very brown and dark with records on the wall…read moreand music playing. Order at the bar. This is not my favorite. But the bartender was quick and the food, mac and cheese, came out in no time. The winter sangria was a serious drink. Not a punchy, fruity sangria. This was a winey sangria. It was a pretty serious drink. I'd probably get a weaker, sweeter drink next time, because that is my taste. The mac and cheese was pretty good. Quite hot! It came packed in this little bowl. I felt so cozy here... It made for one of my preferred eating out in the city in winter experiences.

    Stopped into the Saturn Lounge and instantly loved the vibe. This place has such a chill, laid-back…read morefeel that makes it easy to settle in and stay awhile. The cocktail list is solid, and the beer selection is seriously impressive, packed with a great mix of local breweries and unique options. There's also a nice outdoor seating area, but honestly, the magic of this spot is at the bar. The atmosphere there really brings everything together. One of the coolest touches is the large display of vinyl records, it adds a ton of character and gives the whole place a unique, almost nostalgic energy. We didn't try the food this time since we just stopped in for drinks, but it's definitely on the list for next visit. Looking forward to coming back and spending more time enjoying this gem of a spot.

    Photos
    Great place to chill and read with great cocktails and food.
    Great place to chill and read with great cocktails and food.
    The Saturn Lounge
    The patio, facing the entrance.

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    The patio, facing the entrance.
    'ssippi

    'ssippi

    4.7
    (51 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    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

    I don't get down to Cherokee Street that much so a lot of new places come and go without me knowing…read moreabout it. 'ssippi is a new(ish) wine bar set towards the western end of the collection of bars, restaurants, and shops that are the heart of the strip. The inside has a large wrap about bar and some limited seating. There is a very good selection of wine and mixed drinks and an okay selection of beer. The prices are reasonable. There is a very limited food menu which largely consists of snacks rather than proper entrees. So this is a great pre/post drink spot rather than somewhere you would spend an evening. The bartenders were fine. Nothing stood out either in a good or bad way. The mixed drink my wife had was very good. The orange wine I had was good, a bit on the dry side but overall no complaints from either of us. Without a highlight of the spot is the large patio. It is mostly taken up by large bench style seating. So you have to be okay sitting next to strangers. I actually enjoy these types of settings and I ended up chatting up the group to our right. There are a couple tables but they are few and far between. There are some overhead canopies and lights, and there was a nice vibe and energy. I was there and it was crowded. I really enjoyed it. Just two additional things to note. The bathroom line was very long. It must only be one stall. The entire time I was there it was a dozen people deep. The only other downside is that my wife and I felt old. The vibe on a late(ish) Saturday night was mainly 20 year olds. If I was in grad school or a recent graduate I would absolutely adore this place. Even if your 30s this probably is a good vibe. Once you hit 40 though you may feel a bit out of place on busy nights (or it will make you feel young again!)

    Photos
    November 2023
    November 2023
    'ssippi
    November 2023

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    November 2023
    Good Company

    Good Company

    4.5
    (175 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    For a cocktail bar, I give this place 5/5 stars. The alcoholic and alcohol free cocktails are…read moredelicious and the vibe is immaculate. I particularly like how the menu has illustrations of the cocktails so you know how they are served. Plus everything is seasonal! For food, I give it a 4/5. The appetizers, including the cauliflower, onion rings, and poutine are excellent but the entree menu is limited to mostly sandwiches and I've found the entrees just ok-to-good for the price. It's easy to walk in for lunch but I recommend a reservation for dinner to avoid the chaos!

    I've had several recommendations for this spot from friends and colleagues. I finally had the…read moreopportunity to stop in for brunch. I'm disappointed that it took me so long to make my way here. They won me over with the tiny dedicated parking lot. At my big age, difficult parking situations are a turn off and I will go home if I can't get reasonable parking. I was able to snag a space in the lot and headed in. The space is a bit dark with rich sage, brass, and terracotta. There are several hanging plants making it an inviting place. The bar has plenty of comfortable seating and cozy tables if you decide to bring some friends. Caleb was our server during our visit. He was an absolute delight. He made excellent cocktail suggestions. He looked after our group without being overly doting. Just a gem of a human. We tried approximately 9 cocktails during our visit. Did I mention we were at brunch! I highly recommend the peach bite and the Side Car. Every cocktail is thoughtfully made and well executed. They offer a small brunch menu along with the regular menu. I usually always get chilaquiles when they are available. But today the ruby trout and grits sounded perfect. This dish was amazing!! The trout was thin with crispy skin. The grits were creamy and delicious. The dish is topped with a house made radish pico and salsa macha. We also ordered a breakfast sandwich that was paired with the crispiest breakfast potatoes I've ever had. The burger and fries are also a good option. The seasoning on the fries is next level. The brunch menu has a sticky toffee roll that is a perfect size for sharing or not. Salty sweet fork tender cinnamon roll. Lastly, the deviled eggs were a group favorite. I am a big fan of Passenger Chili Crisp. If you are unfamiliar please look them up! It's hands down the best chili crisp I've ever had. It's locally made here in STL and can also be found in several dishes at restaurants around town. The eggs were creamy with the right amount of tang from the mustard. The chili crisp made these deviled eggs easily top five best I've ever had! Planning to stop in again soon for happy hour with more friends

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    "Cinnamon roll" dessert! Amazing
    "Cinnamon roll" dessert! Amazing
    Oaxacan old fashioned

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    Oaxacan old fashioned
    No Ordinary Rabbit

    No Ordinary Rabbit

    4.7
    (92 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    Fantastic happy hour from 3-5…read more The Elephant Never Forgets is an amazing creation. Best cocktail I've had in quite some time. I usually only have a cocktail when dining out...but I would buy a gallon of this to take home if I could. It's that good! The rest of the cocktail list is full of creativeness and I feel you can't go wrong with any of them. And then the dips! So good plus the homemade pita is delicious. Dinner menu starts at 5 so we stayed to try more of what The Rabbit has to offer. We ordered the onion rings, gnocchi and meatballs. Unexpectedly, the gnocchi was in a light yet very flavorful broth. It was our favorite dish from the dinner menu. The onion rings were okay and pretty greasy. The labneh sauce was the standout part of the onion rings. The meatballs were also flavorful with a hint of spice yet a tad bit dry. Still worth ordering.

    This is my favorite restaurant in St. Louis!! The space is dark, elegantly intimate yet whimsical…read morewith candles and rabbit ears peeking up from lampshades - but it was their food and drink that blew me away. We ordered the NOR and Lillian's revenge cocktails, onion rings, mac & cheese, red snapper, pork tenderloin, and gooey butter cake. I love it when I get to experience flavors I've never had before and every dish gave me a revelation. The cocktails were perfectly balanced, the pork was cooked sous vide and so succulent, and the veggies were tender with drool-worthy flavor. Most of all, everything tasted so delicious and real. It was also not too expensive for this high quality of dining, delivered with warm, genuine service. Our dining experience was an incredible 10/10. I would recommend this restaurant to everyone and can't wait to return.

    Photos
    No Ordinary Rabbit
    Onion rings
    Onion rings
    Wet Martini

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    Wet Martini

    Small Change - divebars - Updated June 2026

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