One of the best cocktail bars as an out of towner from the east coast I’ve had. Makes me feel back in Brooklyn. Randy is awesome, super knowledgeable on not only the drinks but the beers they have offered in cans. Highly recommend for drinks. Limited food menu because restaurant took them over, but they are lovely!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Sara Govero
This is a real deal cocktail spot. It’s got sophistication but it’s cozy and super casual. The bartenders are extremely skilled mixologists, passionately crafting unique and expertly balanced cocktails! They use top notch spirits and fresh, high-quality ingredients.The menu offers a blend of classic cocktails alongside new inventions. It’s always buzzing in there. Pat makes a mean Negroni.Since 2017 as BarKeep, they’ve been serving cocktails at pop-up events like sip n strip in Tower Grove, Mobot’s Garden Glow, Frosted, etc. This spot is their brick-and-mortar spot in the Grove.If you’re a newbie, don’t hesitate to ask tons of questions. If you’re an expert, this will be one of your favorite cocktail spots in the country.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sara G.
This is a real deal cocktail spot. It's got sophistication but it's cozy and super casual. The bartenders are extremely skilled mixologists, passionately crafting unique and expertly balanced cocktails! They use top notch spirits and fresh, high-quality ingredients. The menu offers a blend of classic cocktails alongside new inventions. It's always buzzing in there. Pat makes a mean Negroni. Since 2017 as BarKeep, they've been serving cocktails at pop-up events like sip n strip in Tower Grove, Mobot's Garden Glow, Frosted, etc. This spot is their brick-and-mortar spot in the Grove. If you're a newbie, don't hesitate to ask tons of questions. If you're an expert, this will be one of your favorite cocktail spots in the country.
Amberly Woods
Loved the atmosphere and the drink selection. Didn't try the food, but I will definitely be back. The bartenders were very personable and friendly and super helpful in picking both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Amanda Fey
AMAZING drinks!! Super cute little place with a great atmosphere. Came for a burger pop up that was being hosted here and would definitely come back for a drink spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sean Downey
The best cocktail spot by a mile. Great space to relax and enjoy. Pat and Claire are exceptional.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dominique S.
The love I have for this place and the wonderful people who work here and run it knows no bounds. At The Vandy you'll find surprisingly upscale, creative cocktails and a vibe that feels effortlessly cool and chill. They've managed the perfect balance of elevated and relaxed. The snack menu is small but delivers impressive little bites that you'd expect to find at the type of restaurant you wait months to get a reservation at. The cocktails are unique and well balanced. You don't have to worry about getting a syrup heavy surgery sweet cocktail here - unless you ask for one because they're super nice and will work with you to create something for your pallet if you don't see anything on the menu you want. They typically offer table service, so when you walk in just hang at the front of the bar for a moment and someone will point you towards a seat for you and your party and then someone will come to you for orders! It's a small space and seating is somewhat limited so I wouldn't recommend it for big groups. 2-4 are the perfect numbers with how tables are set up but we showed up with 6 one night and got lucky with there being an open space so they accommodated us without a problem. One of the things I love most here is the vibe. A lot of places that serve up top notch cocktails feel a little bit more formal, or lately you need reservations for a lot of spots - not at the vandy. They find weird yet enjoyable stuff to put on their TV that just adds to the laid back vibe in an otherwise elevated space. Last week it was the senior dog agility show and at one point the whole bar was cheering for this old dog that the bartender said was her favorite. A few weeks before that it was the marble Olympics. It's not something I've ever considered before but that extra thought they put in really makes this place feel so welcoming and approachable. When you're looking for it from the outside, know there are no big lit up signs. Instead there is a small nondescript sign that you'll struggle to see in the dark. You might notice the original carpenters sign on the building before you do theirs. Its kind of like a speakeasy vibe. It just adds to the fact that this bar is STL's best kept secret. This is a perfect place for a date, or post dinner drinks. It's our regular go to cocktail bar. The only *warning* I have is that this is a bar that puts a lot of thought and artistry into their cocktails and bites menu. If you want a $5 rail vodka soda and jalapeño poppers- this isn't that spot. Though the people who work here wonderful and in my experience will make you almost anything you ask for. But just look at the menu and you'll get the jist. Check out their socials/website for any updates or specials like industry night. Love this place. Go there, be adventurous, be nice and tip well! PS- the pimento cheese! Just get it.
Yashica Michelle
Wonderful place to try! Great food, amazing drinks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Haleh M.
This is the perfect little spot for a casual girls cocktail night or a romantic date. The cocktails were delicious and one of the best old fashioned's my partner has ever had and he's an old fashioned type of guy. The Paloma was perfect for my taste. The service was great! They were super nice and attentive to us. The vibe of this place was incredible. It's both cozy and casual yet makes you feel fancy at the same time. Highly recommend and will be coming back
Danielle M.
I'm so excited about this place! It's about time we had a true cocktail bar that lives up to its name. The Vandy is a small cocktail bar right at the corner of Talamage and Vandeventer. If you drive too fast, you will absolutely pass it. There's bar seating and tables when you walk in. It's very cozy, but it's definitely a classic cocktail bar. The bourbon selection was phenomenal! I included a couple of pictures of the bourbons that I really liked that they had. They also make good house cocktails. I highly recommend this place if you're looking for the classic cocktail bar, and don't want to be overwhelmed by a huge menu of food, too much noise, or people who don't really know how to order drinks lol.
We love the Vandy - it's one of our favorite bars. Really fun, interesting cocktails and the staff are friendly and give great
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Nicholas P.
The drinks are delicious and creative, there is a wide variety of spirits and the cocktails are tasty! If you are a whiskey drinker then this is your place. The service was quick and drinks came out very fast. The bar is small and cozy, would recommend giving it a try if you're in the area.
Nick Merz
We were recommended the vandy by a few friends of ours and we were absolutely delighted when we made our visit! The vandy has a great whiskey selection which is what we were looking for and it felt like all the prices were fair as well. They had a number of their own single barrel selections. So for our particular visit we just did a flight of the single barrels that they had to offer. What's neat too is that if you ended up liking one of the single barrels they would sell you one as well. Overall the staff is great and the environment was nice! Very laid back and comfortable.Parking: The building is a little difficult to identify right away because it has a construction company name on it. There is free street parking on the street in front and the side streets but no specific parking lot.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Galve Deleste
This place has been on my list for a while now and I'm glad I had the chance to finally make it in. The bar is cozy and inviting, and the team behind the bar and providing service are the most knowledgeable and creative individuals in the business. With a superb selection of spirits and an impressive list of cocktails, we will be sure to return. I'd recommend the 'All Ears' and the 'Dad's Dinner, while my partner enjoyed her 'Avenue V' and 'Gothic Forest'. Didn't get a chance to try the grub but I'll definitely be trying some delightful morsels on my next visit. Cheers!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Kate M.
Inconspicuous, if you blink on your way down Vandeventer, you'll miss it. Once you find your way, you definitely won't be disappointed. The Vandy has to have some of the friendliest bar staff I've ever encountered. I was greeted warmly by several team members on my way in. I took a seat at the bar, menu is on QR code. The drinks are organized by liquor type: gin, rum, whisky/bourbon etc. I went with the Epic Holiday for my first cocktail. Cinnamon, ginger, and sage combined to make for an amazing cocktail. My second cocktail was The Office Party, a gin based cocktail. I will preface this by saying I do not like gin at all. The overwhelming floral taste is off putting and I've never been a fan. The Office Party uses a peppered gin which took the flavor profile in a different direction. Lime juice and mango heavy syrup made this next level and thoroughly enjoyable. There are a select number of cocktails on draft. They also offer flights of bourbon and whiskey. There is definitely something for everyone! The Vandy has a small menu of snacks and bites. I tried the chicken fried oysters with a herb aioli. The flavors paired well together. These were not my favorite as the oysters were still a bit wet even after frying. This made for a soft texture consistent with a raw oyster instead of a deep fried one. I also tried the pimento cheese and crackers. This was absolutely perfect and full of flavor. There are also olive and veggie plate, a small charcuterie, and a ham biscuit that is on the top of my list for next time.
One of the best cocktail bars as an out of towner from the east coast I’ve had. Makes me feel back in Brooklyn. Randy is awesome, super knowledgeable on not only the drinks but the beers they have offered in cans. Highly recommend for drinks. Limited food menu because restaurant took them over, but they are lovely!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
This is a real deal cocktail spot. It’s got sophistication but it’s cozy and super casual. The bartenders are extremely skilled mixologists, passionately crafting unique and expertly balanced cocktails! They use top notch spirits and fresh, high-quality ingredients.The menu offers a blend of classic cocktails alongside new inventions. It’s always buzzing in there. Pat makes a mean Negroni.Since 2017 as BarKeep, they’ve been serving cocktails at pop-up events like sip n strip in Tower Grove, Mobot’s Garden Glow, Frosted, etc. This spot is their brick-and-mortar spot in the Grove.If you’re a newbie, don’t hesitate to ask tons of questions. If you’re an expert, this will be one of your favorite cocktail spots in the country.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is a real deal cocktail spot. It's got sophistication but it's cozy and super casual. The bartenders are extremely skilled mixologists, passionately crafting unique and expertly balanced cocktails! They use top notch spirits and fresh, high-quality ingredients. The menu offers a blend of classic cocktails alongside new inventions. It's always buzzing in there. Pat makes a mean Negroni. Since 2017 as BarKeep, they've been serving cocktails at pop-up events like sip n strip in Tower Grove, Mobot's Garden Glow, Frosted, etc. This spot is their brick-and-mortar spot in the Grove. If you're a newbie, don't hesitate to ask tons of questions. If you're an expert, this will be one of your favorite cocktail spots in the country.
Loved the atmosphere and the drink selection. Didn't try the food, but I will definitely be back. The bartenders were very personable and friendly and super helpful in picking both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
AMAZING drinks!! Super cute little place with a great atmosphere. Came for a burger pop up that was being hosted here and would definitely come back for a drink spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The best cocktail spot by a mile. Great space to relax and enjoy. Pat and Claire are exceptional.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The love I have for this place and the wonderful people who work here and run it knows no bounds. At The Vandy you'll find surprisingly upscale, creative cocktails and a vibe that feels effortlessly cool and chill. They've managed the perfect balance of elevated and relaxed. The snack menu is small but delivers impressive little bites that you'd expect to find at the type of restaurant you wait months to get a reservation at. The cocktails are unique and well balanced. You don't have to worry about getting a syrup heavy surgery sweet cocktail here - unless you ask for one because they're super nice and will work with you to create something for your pallet if you don't see anything on the menu you want. They typically offer table service, so when you walk in just hang at the front of the bar for a moment and someone will point you towards a seat for you and your party and then someone will come to you for orders! It's a small space and seating is somewhat limited so I wouldn't recommend it for big groups. 2-4 are the perfect numbers with how tables are set up but we showed up with 6 one night and got lucky with there being an open space so they accommodated us without a problem. One of the things I love most here is the vibe. A lot of places that serve up top notch cocktails feel a little bit more formal, or lately you need reservations for a lot of spots - not at the vandy. They find weird yet enjoyable stuff to put on their TV that just adds to the laid back vibe in an otherwise elevated space. Last week it was the senior dog agility show and at one point the whole bar was cheering for this old dog that the bartender said was her favorite. A few weeks before that it was the marble Olympics. It's not something I've ever considered before but that extra thought they put in really makes this place feel so welcoming and approachable. When you're looking for it from the outside, know there are no big lit up signs. Instead there is a small nondescript sign that you'll struggle to see in the dark. You might notice the original carpenters sign on the building before you do theirs. Its kind of like a speakeasy vibe. It just adds to the fact that this bar is STL's best kept secret. This is a perfect place for a date, or post dinner drinks. It's our regular go to cocktail bar. The only *warning* I have is that this is a bar that puts a lot of thought and artistry into their cocktails and bites menu. If you want a $5 rail vodka soda and jalapeño poppers- this isn't that spot. Though the people who work here wonderful and in my experience will make you almost anything you ask for. But just look at the menu and you'll get the jist. Check out their socials/website for any updates or specials like industry night. Love this place. Go there, be adventurous, be nice and tip well! PS- the pimento cheese! Just get it.
Wonderful place to try! Great food, amazing drinks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is the perfect little spot for a casual girls cocktail night or a romantic date. The cocktails were delicious and one of the best old fashioned's my partner has ever had and he's an old fashioned type of guy. The Paloma was perfect for my taste. The service was great! They were super nice and attentive to us. The vibe of this place was incredible. It's both cozy and casual yet makes you feel fancy at the same time. Highly recommend and will be coming back
I'm so excited about this place! It's about time we had a true cocktail bar that lives up to its name. The Vandy is a small cocktail bar right at the corner of Talamage and Vandeventer. If you drive too fast, you will absolutely pass it. There's bar seating and tables when you walk in. It's very cozy, but it's definitely a classic cocktail bar. The bourbon selection was phenomenal! I included a couple of pictures of the bourbons that I really liked that they had. They also make good house cocktails. I highly recommend this place if you're looking for the classic cocktail bar, and don't want to be overwhelmed by a huge menu of food, too much noise, or people who don't really know how to order drinks lol.
Restaurantji Recommends
We love the Vandy - it's one of our favorite bars. Really fun, interesting cocktails and the staff are friendly and give great
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
The drinks are delicious and creative, there is a wide variety of spirits and the cocktails are tasty! If you are a whiskey drinker then this is your place. The service was quick and drinks came out very fast. The bar is small and cozy, would recommend giving it a try if you're in the area.
We were recommended the vandy by a few friends of ours and we were absolutely delighted when we made our visit! The vandy has a great whiskey selection which is what we were looking for and it felt like all the prices were fair as well. They had a number of their own single barrel selections. So for our particular visit we just did a flight of the single barrels that they had to offer. What's neat too is that if you ended up liking one of the single barrels they would sell you one as well. Overall the staff is great and the environment was nice! Very laid back and comfortable.Parking: The building is a little difficult to identify right away because it has a construction company name on it. There is free street parking on the street in front and the side streets but no specific parking lot.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
This place has been on my list for a while now and I'm glad I had the chance to finally make it in. The bar is cozy and inviting, and the team behind the bar and providing service are the most knowledgeable and creative individuals in the business. With a superb selection of spirits and an impressive list of cocktails, we will be sure to return. I'd recommend the 'All Ears' and the 'Dad's Dinner, while my partner enjoyed her 'Avenue V' and 'Gothic Forest'. Didn't get a chance to try the grub but I'll definitely be trying some delightful morsels on my next visit. Cheers!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Inconspicuous, if you blink on your way down Vandeventer, you'll miss it. Once you find your way, you definitely won't be disappointed. The Vandy has to have some of the friendliest bar staff I've ever encountered. I was greeted warmly by several team members on my way in. I took a seat at the bar, menu is on QR code. The drinks are organized by liquor type: gin, rum, whisky/bourbon etc. I went with the Epic Holiday for my first cocktail. Cinnamon, ginger, and sage combined to make for an amazing cocktail. My second cocktail was The Office Party, a gin based cocktail. I will preface this by saying I do not like gin at all. The overwhelming floral taste is off putting and I've never been a fan. The Office Party uses a peppered gin which took the flavor profile in a different direction. Lime juice and mango heavy syrup made this next level and thoroughly enjoyable. There are a select number of cocktails on draft. They also offer flights of bourbon and whiskey. There is definitely something for everyone! The Vandy has a small menu of snacks and bites. I tried the chicken fried oysters with a herb aioli. The flavors paired well together. These were not my favorite as the oysters were still a bit wet even after frying. This made for a soft texture consistent with a raw oyster instead of a deep fried one. I also tried the pimento cheese and crackers. This was absolutely perfect and full of flavor. There are also olive and veggie plate, a small charcuterie, and a ham biscuit that is on the top of my list for next time.