28 Best Dive Bars in St. Louis

“Had one of the most amazing Omelettes I’ve ever had while picking up some equipment downtown today. Don & Lisa are diamonds and we enjoyed every second. If you’re anywhere near here, run, don’t walk & go get a breakfast or brunch. They even had a wonderful coffee and hot sauce bar. Highly recommend the smoked Salmon. Amazing!“

“Love everything about Mack's! Mack and Tommy are some of the best people you will ever meet! the food is great and the staff is wonderful! I had a birthday party there and I plan to have many other events there too! the Sunday Fine dining is some of the best food I've had! 5 stars hands down“

“This is a great little neighborhood bar! It has all of the South City charm and a lively vibe. Drink prices were fair, but they are heavy on the pours, so be aware of that lol We went mainly for the karaoke which was run masterfully! The sound system was very good and it was very entertaining. Everyone watching the karaoke was beyond supportive, clapping and hollering for every person who got up to perform. We live in Soulard and typically drive nearly 40 minutes for karaoke, but I think we have found a great place closer to home! Highly recommend and we will be back soon!“

“Super fun place and welcoming comfortable atmosphere“

“Amazing people, a spectacular Benton Park gem for those located nearby. No fake fancery or pompous attitude, just some awesome people, both bartenders and customers. Also- you can BYO food. And there is a Rallys a block away. So, in essence, they serve rally’s. If that’s your thing.“

“chill spot for good music & conversation during the week / upbeat fun for all on the weekends / I may even play some bingo one day soon“

“Rad and cozy venue and bar. Great sound system as well. Very fun to play here and see shows.“

“Love love the environment“

“Started coming here a few months ago. The bartenders are great, good fellow customers, and the owner Kimmie is just awesome!“

“A cool little dive bar with pinball machines. On a Sunday night they seem to have some league whereby people play them all night so normal patrons can’t use them. It’s a pretty cool place though, and if you can find a night where you can play pinball or just listen to the jukebox, I’d definitely recommend it. Tiny chef is excellent also and they sell food at a window inside the bar.“

“Great place, great people! Nice little local bar with friendly people and great music. Drinks are awesome!“

“Cool calm spot but needs an atm!!! $15 minimum for cards.“

“The food was delicious . I especially recommend the 6 oyster appetizer. The jamalaya is very good and nice that you can get a large or cup sized portion. My only complaint is that they brought our entrees before we had even finished our appetizers which made us feel a little rushed even thought it was a Monday and the place was not very busy.“

“Best bar on the south side! Like a second home.“

“If super cool Dive is still a compliment then that describes Heavy Anchor to a tee. Dogtown pizza is the only food but who doesn't love that? Drinks are cheap and bar staff was friendly AF.

Best of all, they have a stage in the back for shows, I saw comedy/improv but sounds like they have bands too.“

“We stopped here and had their "trashed" wings. They were delicious! We played a couple of games of pool while we waited and loved the atmosphere. We will definitely be back!

Kid-friendliness: There's a side for families and a bar side for 21 and over..“

“My Cheers Family. The best time, everyone here is family“

“Always a wonderful time! Good drinks, good people, good atmosphere!“

“Halloween themed Hole in the wall.Cash only, Cheap, One Pool Table, Covered outdoor area, Tables on the back patio.Laid back, macabre atmosphere, dark lighting. Good for grabbing a couple of beers with friends, a 1st date, or spending the night with strangers.Many people that come here live in walking distance or a short drive away.“

“what's not to like? Great people, Wonderful cocktails, layed back and relaxed, super wedding venue!!! Need I say more?“

“Great people, local hangout.“

“I LOOOOVEEE THE STAFFF , with the exception of MEG from my experience is racist x100! I sat here today and my other black friend had to go to the owner about their owner than explaining the issue, bc he know like I, it’s start a mental race issue WITH MEG AS ALWAYS AND KNOW.N BY MANY BLACK PATRON! THEY ARE WILLING TO NOW SPEAK AFTER TONIGHT!I reported her issues in 2022 and it hasn’t changed. i come here to relax and listen to the available music. Meg tells me a black woman, Beyonce, if played multiple times will make her upset and she will project that to customers. She never has asked anyone else this EVVER! In discussing further of no tip, she advised me not to come back in if I’m not playing the music that makes HER happy if not expecting for it to be turned off or for anger to go to other patrons which made me feel discriminated and responsible for others bad times. In drinking my drink in an almost empty bar, NOW, I’m taking seats up and mich as before amassing people around her to bully. This isn’t right and MEG SHOULD BE FIRED but at the very least a case is coming as she informed me her and the owner talk often and hertreatment is of the bar. As Meg stated if I want different treatment don’t come on her shift vs trying to make things right. My biggest fear is retaliation for speaking out CONTINUALLY on the same issue and we are still here and I AM BANNNED. So another reason this is public bc of the fear she put in me that her and the owner are so close that my claims will mean nothing!“

“Great staff !! Lots of fun games and just a down home atmosphere!“

“Tiny place in a bad neighborhood, but wow, the food was great and the service was very friendly. I'd be happy to go there again!??

Parking: Strictly street parking and not much of that, but make sure you lock your vehicle up tight, and make sure no valuables are visible.“

“It's a dive but it's clean. Also a cigar bar. Bring your own or buy one of there's. The beer is packed on ice in a stand up cooler.FYI...they don't serve food, so don't show up hungry. Also, they only take cash.

Parking: Small lot. May have to park on the street.“

“Ample parking. Great location.across from the pool . Excellent sports venue for groups or small gatherings of friends. Excellent service drinks for extra strong. Love the atmosphere for a close cozy sporting event or get friends together..“

“fun spot. always treated good and have a good time.“

“Good place. I’ve visited about a dozen times and for the majority of the time, it’s been a nice experience. However, that nice experience has been diminishing greatly lately. I understand people can get a bit inebriated at times and their demeanor can get a bit out of hand” and sometimes outright nasty. However, for a young woman (I believe is named Melissa), the later seems to be a regular occurrence with her. On every occasion I’ve seen her, she’s been loud, rude, crude, mean and vile to others, once including myself. It would seem that management should discourage this bad behavior.“