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The Ultimate Guide to St. Louis Happy Hour

If you’re looking for a great happy hour, you can’t get better than St. Louis.

friends toasting drinks at st louis happy hour

This cosmopolitan oasis is bustling with regular drink specials, all-you-can-drink happy hours, and tons of deals on beer, wine, cocktails, and many different types of liquor.

Best of all, most of the bars on my list are restaurants too, meaning you can get an excellent meal with your cheap drinks.

Whether your poison is gin, rum, vodka, whiskey, or tequila, there’s bound to be a perfect spot for you.

To learn more about where you can find the best happy hour in St. Louis, check out my list below.


5 Star Burgers

8125 Maryland Ave, Clayton, MO 63105
Phone: 314-720-4350
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One block from Shaw Park, you’ll find 5 Star Burgers, an excellent watering hole that serves delicious food and thirst-quenching pints.

One of the things I love about 5 Star Burgers is the fact that there’s plenty of patio dining, so you can people watch and soak in the atmosphere as you’re enjoying happy hour.

The burgers are excellent too, and they make them right to your specifications.

Just let the waitstaff know how well you like them done and what fixings you need on the patties.

I like getting my burger with a side of French fries and a cool pint of craft beer which is half off during their happy hour, every day from 3-5pm.


Basso

7036 Clayton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63117
Phone: 314-932-7820
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If you’re visiting the St. Louis Zoo, make sure you swing by Basso on your way out. This classic eatery is just a short drive away, and they have one of the best happy hours in St. Louis.

The relaxed, speak-easy vibe will speak to you if you love classy establishments. Plus, their cocktails are second to none.

Personally, I prefer the chocolate martini. It’s luxurious and rich without being overly sweet. If you’re hungry, try Basso’s pizza menu.

The Margarita is incredible, and they even have vegan options. For heartier fare, any of their linguine dishes are totally delicious.


Big Sky Cafe

47 S Old Orchard Ave, Webster Groves, MO 63119
Phone: 314-962-5757
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Conveniently located right off the 44, Big Sky Cafe is close to virtually anything in St. Louis and is an ideal place to stop if you’re catching a downtown performance or if you want to grab a quick cocktail after a day in the city.

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It tends to get super popular, so consider making reservations well in advance.

The menu at Big Sky Cafe is excellent for happy hour because you can choose smaller plates to try and share.

I love their roasted cauliflower gratin.

It’s filling and tasty without being too overwhelming. Additionally, they have a nice cocktail menu and are usually running happy hour specials.


Boogaloo

7344 Manchester Rd, St. Louis, MO 63143
Phone: 314-645-4803
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Just two blocks from Ryan Hummert Memorial Park, Boogaloo is a Creole restaurant full of fabulous happy hour fare.

If you’re not super hungry, you can always try out some of their tapas, but if you have a larger appetite, definitely go for the sandwiches or burgers.

They pair nicely with a good pint of beer.

Boogaloo offers comfort food with a twist, and since the atmosphere is friendly and homey, you’ll feel good staying a while.

It’s a great place to go for happy hour with friends or simply to grab a cocktail, relax, and observe the surroundings.


HandleBar

4127 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Phone: 314-652-2212
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A few minutes’ drive from Forest Park, you’ll find HandleBar, one of St. Louis’ top places to get a pint at the end of the day.

It tends to get pretty crowded, but you can usually find a seat. You’ll also find a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, an excellent beer and wine menu, and some good food.

What makes HandleBar one of the best happy hours in St. Louis are the cocktails.

They are creative, whimsical, and delicious, including fruit infusions and different alcohol bases.

It’s a classy place but not stuffy.

I always reach for one of their craft beers when I’m not in the mood for cocktails. The Tasmanian IPA is a personal favorite, but all of them are delicious.


Katie’s Pizza and Pasta

9568 Manchester Rd, St. Louis, MO 63119
Phone: 314-942-6555
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Katie’s Pizza and Pasta is just a few minutes away from Brentwood Sports Complex, offering artisanal pizza and delicious kinds of pasta for every taste.

I love their ravioli dishes and salads, but the pizzas are on-point too.

One of the things that set Katie’s Pizza and Pasta apart is that they char their pizzas for extra flavor and texture.

You definitely should try them. There’s also a great mixture of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available, so you don’t have to worry about any non-drinkers getting bored.


Narwhal’s Crafted

3906 Laclede Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: 314-696-8388
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Just a few blocks off the 64, Narwhal’s Crafted is one of the most centrally-located and best happy hours in St. Louis, and it’s a perfect place to get craft beer and alcohol flights.

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So if you consider yourself a beer connoisseur, you should definitely make it a point to stop by.

In addition to flights, you can also get craft cocktails and beers.

It’s an excellent place to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon or simply kick back after seeing the city.

I love bringing friends to Narwhal’s Crafted because the staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and everyone always seems to have a really good time.


Rosalita’s Cantina

1235 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103
Phone: 314-621-2700
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Take a short walk down the road from the Dome at America’s Center, and you’ll find Rosalita’s Cantina, a beautiful little St. Louis gem that serves incredible comfort food.

Whenever I’m craving quesadillas or nachos, I always make a point to swing by Rosalita’s Cantina.

The prices and food quality are both always spot-on.

If you go for happy hour, ensure you get some chips and salsa to share, and try one of their craft cocktails.

I personally love the margaritas, but there are plenty of other things on the menu if you want to explore more options.


Polite Society Restaurant and Bar

1923 Park Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104
Phone: 314-325-2553
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Polite Society Restaurant and Bar is next to Lafayette Park, so you’ll get gorgeous views of the park when you visit.

This place is high-end and sophisticated without being stuffy, and the staff will welcome you like family when you visit.

There are a lot of great happy hour picks at Polite Society Restaurant and Bar, like their artisan Bloody Marys and appetizers.

I always like to try their specialty cocktails, even if I’m unfamiliar with the ingredients.

The mixologists at Polite Society Restaurant and Bar are genuinely second to none, so there’s a good chance you’ll find a new favorite.


Broadway Oyster Bar

736 S Broadway St, St. Louis, MO 63102
Phone: 314-621-8811
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If you visit St. Louis’ famous Gateway Arch, you’ll find Broadway Oyster Bar just a few blocks away.

This swanky and fun happy hour place is a great first date restaurant or a fun place to go with friends if you want to celebrate something special.

As you might guess, the oysters are fabulous here, and I think they go exceptionally well with a cold glass of white wine.

One of the highlights of Broadway Oyster Bar is its patio.

With a lively bar, plenty of seating, and phenomenal people-watching, it’s the place to be on the weekends. Sometimes Broadway Oyster Bar has live music too.


Scarlett’s Wine Bar

4253 Laclede Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: 314-797-8223
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A few blocks from Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, Scarlett’s Wine Bar has many different dining and drink options for virtually everyone.

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If you’re gluten-free, you’ll find several dishes to choose from. I love the appetizers and platters at Scarlett’s Wine Bar, especially their cheese platter.

If you love wines, you need to check out Scarlett’s Wine Bar.

They have a massive selection, and their waitstaff can help you pick the perfect vintage for your taste.

It’s a fun place to linger for a little while, sampling different wines and enjoying sumptuous plates of tasty food.


Retreat Gastropub

6 N Sarah St, St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: 314-261-4497
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Retreat Gastropub is right down the street from St. Louis University, and although this restaurant does a robust breakfast, lunch, and dinner service, it’s best-known for cocktails and happy hour.

The cocktails are absolutely divine, and I love that they put new spins on classic drinks.

If you’re hungry, Retreat Gastropub has an excellent menu of elevated bar food like French fries and sandwiches.

There’s even healthier fare, like ancient grain bowls.

Plus, the bar staff are super knowledgeable and can help you choose the best drink for your meal.


Juniper

4101 Laclede Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: 314-329-7696
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Juniper is one of my favorite spots for a great happy hour in St. Louis.

It’s roughly half a block from Guidepost Montessori at Central West End, and they serve incredible food and fun, inventive cocktails.

Although there’s a sophisticated vibe at Juniper, it’s still casual enough that you won’t feel uncomfortable stopping in on a whim.

Comfort food is the name of the game at Juniper. I love their fried chicken and mashed potatoes, and the deviled eggs are great for snacking in between beers.

Plus, there’s a good wine list, plenty of cocktails, and ice-cold beers to wash everything down with.


Square One Brewery & Distillery

1727 Park Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104
Phone: 314-231-2537
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A block from Lafayette Park, Square One Brewery & Distillery is a must-stop destination in St. Louis and my favorite place to pick up artisanal liquors for home.

It’s right in the heart of Lafayette Square, a historic area of the city, so you can easily stop in after you’re done sightseeing.

Square One Brewery & Distillery has a small but tasty menu full of great appetizers and small dishes.

Share a few of them between your crowd, and make sure that you try out their cocktails and craft beers.

You might even want to pick up a bottle or growler to bring home with you.


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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Quora, Google Guide and Facebook.