50 Best Cocktail Bars near University City

“After reading reviews, we wanted to take a chance on this bar. We are from out of state and look for low-key places. We love smaller 'dive' bars. We were greeted right away by the friendly Madi behind the bar. Great conversations, lots of laughs, and good prices. The kitchen was closed, so we are unable to speak to that. But - do not let a few nay-sayers turn you off from checkin this bar out.“

“Lovvvvvve the sushi here!! Dining experience is a total vibe!“

“Impromptu date night away from the kids lead us to this place! We arrived at peak dinner time- 7:30- and shockingly there was no wait! I can’t imagine this will last for long, because the service is fabulous, and the food is delicious! We have really enjoyed the other restaurants by these guys- and Press does not disappoint! I loved the Lavender cocktail, Husb enjoyed the sweet take on the old fashioned. I also had the beet salad to start- but ate it too fast to get a photo! The smash pizzas have a delicate combination of flavors, are easy to eat and heat up the next day to continue the culinary enjoyment!“

“Cocktails. Food. Service. Music. Vibe. Everything was top tier. Had a lovely time and we will be back again. We made a reservation on Google, it was simple and we got sat right away. Can’t wait to go back!“

“We went there with a large group. The atmosphere was great! Beautiful views and nice setup. Odd thing though, when we arrived early the waitress said we wouldn't get service until the start time. I understand maybe not having dedicated service but do you really want to not serve customers that are willing to drink? ?“

“A cool little spot that you'd never know was there... bourbon selection is perfect, they had some different drink recipes on menu, but can make whatever obviously. Check it out if you're into small, semi quiet top shelf liquor establishments. Service only got 4 due to waitress seeming like she wasn't really into being there at all.“

“I took my cousin to The Moniker for her birthday. The decor, the thoughtful details, and even the glassware were all top-notch. The customer service made us feel like family; the hostess at the front desk even took photos of us and made us feel so welcome. The owner curated special drinks, letting us taste a variety of unique styles. And the chef’s creations were absolutely delicious. Even the bathroom was beautifully decorated! I’ll definitely be returning, and my cousin was completely blown away by the experience. Highly recommend it for a quick bite or night out.“

“Awesome place!!! they make ANY type of drink, anyway you want it!!! Plus, the main bartender there is amazing!!! 💯“

“I want to extend my deep gratitude to the great Hostess last Saturday afternoon who kindly went above and beyond her responsibilities not only as a host but as a human being by letting me (offering!) charge my lon foot and had a dead phone. It was about 4 pm and the place was slightly busy (almost outside full and inside) but not much else was around the area so my hunch and restaurant experience tells me they’re doing everything right: good food, good prices and good staff. The atmosphere is inviting, unpretentious and sort of a homey, cozy n stylish flair. I would’ve rather stayed and ate but thankfully the hostess helped me on my way. thank you for helping and not being annoyed when I asked for directions twice! (Also,“

“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.“

“Wonderful experience all around. From their delicious unique cocktails at the bar with very knowledgeable staff, to the amazing food experiences we had for dinner. Fantastic wine list with a really unique experience!“

“Honestly, some of the best and most creative drinks in all of STL. The atmosphere is also amazing. The orange creamsicle drink is probably one of the best things I have ever tasted. Great bar right in central west end next to the chess museum.“

“Friendly and welcoming service.“

“Always a fun place to go to have a relaxing time!!“

“This little dive bar is so adorable. There were a couple of pups there which i loved. But im not sure if dogs are allowed so they might have been service dogs. The bartender was very nice and i even got "gonged" for being a first timer. It sucks they dont serve food. But the regulars there were very nice and welcoming. There is a touch tunes juke box available. Only down side is that there is smoking allowed inside. But i will definitely be back because it was a great experience.“

“Shout out to Al’s Lounge for donating school supplies to deserving children in the community! We appreciate the support for our youth!“

“It is small, all the chairs are bar height and so are the tables. There was no place for us to sit in front of the band so we had to sit off to the side at the bar. Not really an issue for us but it was not very comfortable. It was quite Smoky and they left the doors closed. I believe it would have been better to leave the door open so some of the smoke could filter out. The owner was also the bartender and I like her a lot! If you are a smoker this would probably be a great place for you. If you don't mind sitting on bar height stools then this is the place for you. The bathrooms are extremely tiny after you get into the stall... So it's not big girlfriend friendly.
I just don't think this was the place for us but by the amount of people that were there it is definitely the place for a lot of other people!
I definitely think that you should go here at least once ?“

“Pretty nasty hole in the wall. Thank God it's shut down.“

“My fiancé and I always have such a great time when we visit. We LOVE viewing the latest art being displayed and the Dj/Dance atmosphere. The staff is kind and eclectic and professional. We highly recommend this spot!!“

“Great drinks and atmosphere“

“friendly. neighborhood bar vibe. a place where you can drink and think or laugh and talk. oh, you can smoke in here! small stage for karaoke/live music. no darts or pool table but there is golden tee! smokers can be free here (they have a cig machine.) super friendly service. 5/5 will be coming back here for sure“

“NBC was a really nice place to go and hang out and socialize. It was pretty crowded but the people it was crowded with was pretty cool and laid-back. The drinks was good they weren't to water down and the prices were Fair. My overall experience at NBC was great.“

“We had the 10 course tasting menu last night and every single one was a hit. Woke up today thinking about the flavors. Amazing service as well!!!“

“This place was AMAZING!! The food was so thoughtfully creative and prepared with obvious talent and love. We enjoyed meeting owner brothers and hearing their story of bringing their Yucatan culture and roots to the St. Louis food scene. Everything we tried was beyond delicious. This is a must-try for authentic Mexican food inspired by the Yucatan region.“

“4 stars for fingerling potatoes. 5 stars for Sleigh Bells “Rill Rill”.“

“I got lucky and nabbed a last minute reservation for my birthday. This is truly my favorite restaurant! The food as always was exceptional. The only thing that was lacking was our waitress seemed a little put off being there. She was timely and attentive, but really not very friendly. This has not been the case on any other visit to your restaurant.“

“I absolutely love The Fountain on Locust! It is by far one of my favorite restaurants in St. Louis! The food is amazing and the dessert is always the perfect way to end the meal! Every time I have been to The Fountain on Locust, I have left happier than when I came in! The staff is very welcoming and they always do a great job, providing top-tier service!“

“The espresso martini flight is AH-mazing!“

“Great food, great service, great atmosphere, & great vibes!!!“

“Great drinks. Sting so worth the price“

“This is the best burger in the city. I will die on this hill lol“

“We really enjoyed the food and atmosphere can’t wait to come back!!! My husband had the salmon, rich and broccoli this was cooked to perfection! I had the fish tacos they were so good. Our desert was carrot cake & raspberry lemon cake they melted in our mouths. This restaurant gets 10 stars we absolutely love it!!!“

“The food is amazing. The location is great. The service is impeccable. This is THE place to be!“

“Uniquely decorated inside, and it's beautiful. Outside patio is awesome, loved the music, We had amazing service as well♥️ and great food!“

“Fabulous food. So glad they have re-opened“

“Beautiful place. Excited to try their night time cocktail hour.“

“10/10 highly recommend The food, customer service was great! Enjoyed every moment“

“As a person with Celiac visiting your town I felt so welcome and safe- and it was a huge treat to eat an entire plate of yummy fried goodness that was safely prepared for someone like me. But the awesomeness didn’t stop there- the friendly bartender shared more Celiac safe local hotspots with us as well!“

“Great wine, place to lounge and relax with friends . Best bartender and server“

“It was a rare out of town date night for us and we chose Olive and Oak for a couple reasons. They were open late on Sunday and the menu looked amazing. From start to finish, this was a wonderful dining experience. The NA mocktails were amazing. The atmosphere is stunning. We tried several different things on the menu and were not disappointed by any of them. Our server, Jordan, was fantastic. My boyfriend is a restaurant owner/chef in Columbia and to watch him truly enjoy every bit of that meal made my heart happy as well. We will absolutely be back. Many times:)“

“Great cocktails, food, and service. Maggie was a great waitress!“

“Last night’s visit to Farmhaus for my birthday celebration was truly exceptional. From the moment we stepped into this delightful farm-to-table establishment, we were enveloped in an ambiance of enticing aromas, cozy warmth, and genuine authenticity. The food, a harmonious blend of flavors and freshness, left us utterly speechless. Opting to share our selections among the three of us, each dish we sampled proved to be a culinary masterpiece. It was evident with each plate’s arrival that they were crafted with meticulous attention to detail and a dedication to using only the finest ingredients. From the irresistible appetizers to the delectable entrees and divine desserts, every bite was sheer perfection. We found it impossible to choose a favorite, as each dish offered a sublime combination of simplicity and flavor. The service was equally impressive, with the staff effortlessly balancing fine dining attentiveness with a laid-back charm. The impeccable timing of each dish’s delivery, coupled with the staff’s friendly yet professional demeanor, made us feel genuinely cherished and attended to throughout the evening. If I had to highlight one dish that stole the spotlight, it would undoubtedly be the wahoo fish with asparagus cream sauce. Caught fresh by the chef himself just days before, it stands as a true testament to Farmhaus’s unwavering commitment to sourcing the freshest ingredients. Truly, each dish we enjoyed was a culinary revelation, from the irresistible beef carpaccio with its luscious ancho spiced whipped cream to the rich and savory osso bucco, and the remarkably tender and flavorful beef skewers. And let’s not forget the delicately sweet strawberry tarte, a perfect ending to an exquisite meal. As a Taurus foodie who savors the nuances of fine flavors and a welcoming ambiance, I can wholeheartedly attest that Farmhaus has secured a permanent place in my heart. I hope to make dinner at Farmhaus an annual birthday tradition for many years to come!“

“If you’re looking for a great cafe in Clayton, for a girls get together or birthday gathering or just want a night out for dinner. This restaurant was fabulous. The foods were delicious and the cocktails were great as well. Even the coffees they offer are amazing. The waitresses and waiters are always cheerful and on top of their presence. We always look forward to coming here. They never disappoint. Can’t wait for the music series to open back up come fall.“

“Amazing owners and staff, with a really well curated shop!“

“The waiter was excellent! The food was amazing. The entire staff did a awesome job with greeting and service! I will definitely be back🎉🥰“

“Stopped here while visiting the city and it was delicious! Loved the interior design and def getting a shirt next time cause they are super cool! Food was yummy and drinks were good too“

“Great place to hang with and meet new friends. Owners are great!!“

“Always a friendly staff, always friendly customers… it is my new favorite bar thanks to the HUGE improvements the new owners have made!“

“We’re regulars, but last night celebrated our wedding after party at Hummel’s. Dawn made sure we had some of our favorite beer and that she’d stocked up on what everyone would want. She started campfires, helped make our sparkler entrance happen, and even surprised us with fireworks. This is the kind of bar you trust with this special of a day.“

“My partner and I were impressed with the friendliness of service and amazing food. We will definitely go back. 5-star place, for sure.“