St Louis
St. Louis's music rooms are where the city's evening voice actually lives. A working editorial ranking, refreshed every quarter.
Lafayette Square · $$$
St.
The Grove · $$$
Cocktail-and-tapas bar with one of the longest tequila lists in the Midwest.
Clayton · $$$
Heritage French-influenced cocktail-and-wine bar.
Cherokee Street · $$
Boutique cocktail-and-pizza bar in a converted storefront.
Tower Grove South · $$
Cocktail bar inside a former corner shop.
Benton Park · $$
Eccentric mosaic-tile bar that has been a St.
St. Louis rewards drinkers who scout neighbourhoods, and the spread below reflects that. You'll find spots in Soulard, Central West End, The Grove, and beyond — each picked for what it does best, not how loud its marketing is. We focus on jazz trios, listening rooms, late-set bands, dedicated stages; we ignore venues that prioritise volume over craft. The order is a working ranking, not a leaderboard — number one isn't always your number one. Read the notes and pick the room that fits the night you're planning.
Best for: jazz lovers, late-set listening, midweek atmosphere. Most rooms here run from late afternoon until 1 or 2am; the busier ones lift their door policy on weekends and we've flagged those where it matters. Save the page, send it to whoever you're meeting, and let the rest of St. Louis take care of itself.
A working editorial ranking. Numbers are guidance, not gospel. Pick the room that fits your night.
Looking beyond St Louis? See our guide to the best live music bars worldwide, or compare live music bars city by city.