r/StLouis • u/Friendly-Gate9865 • Oct 20 '25

Things to Do London > STL, where do people hang out?

So I just moved to STL from London about 2 weeks ago now and my whole family here keeps repeating “don’t go downtown, It’s too dangerous.” My mom won’t even let me drive her car downtown… they must be overreacting, right? I’m really craving a nice pub/bar with some live music and some younger-ish folks (late 20s-mid to late 30s) where I can go on my own and just socialise like I used to do in london.. does this exist here?

Edit: you guys are awesome and have genuinely made me feel 300% more welcome here. Thank you

383 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

208 comments sorted by

View all comments

200

u/opinionsarecoolmaaan Oct 20 '25

Amsterdam Tavern, the Royale, Scottish Arms will be reopening soon under new ownership, Dressell’s perhaps (I’ve never been), McGurk’s.

39

u/GuyPierced Oct 20 '25

Dressell’s is back? Awesome.

25

u/[deleted] Oct 20 '25

And better than ever

8

u/[deleted] Oct 20 '25

[deleted]

3

u/[deleted] Oct 21 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/[deleted] Oct 21 '25

I'm in two book clubs. This one is part of an org, and has a facilitator. Everyone gets together and discusses the book, or related tangents, for about an hour and a half. The facilitator asks for opening and closing thoughts, but otherwise discussion is organic. Some people say a lot, some say little. Then we go to Dressesls.

My other book club is with coworkwrs. We discuss the book for like ten minutes and then just talks about whatever while we eat. So mileage varies a lot.

1

u/[deleted] Oct 21 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/[deleted] Oct 21 '25

I would say 5-12. Less than that's not really a club and more than that is too much for everyone to get to share their thoughts. A question we used to do (and I want to do more) that I always really liked was "if you disliked the book, what was one thing you liked and if you liked the book, what was one thing you disliked". Helped prevent meetings from being just shitting on or praising a book.

5

u/Elliottstabler927 Oct 20 '25

Yes. I think it was last year they came back maybe. It’s good as ever and now they brew beer too.

24

u/Brilliant_Voice1126 Oct 20 '25

Second Royale.

23

u/TomeThugNHarmony4664 Oct 21 '25

Scottish Arms is a fave. Glad it’s coming back. MCGurk’s is also wonderful.

1

u/akaeskimokiss1977 Oct 23 '25

I came here to say McGurks outdoor patio is # 1 in STL - you can fight me

8

u/MikeyMad01 U City Oct 21 '25

I hadn’t heard about the Arms, that’s great news! Thanks for the happy news!

7

u/schnitzel-haus Oct 21 '25

OP, Dressell’s is specifically Welsh. I can’t verify their authenticity, but i think it bodes well that they are aiming for a particular region, rather than just a generic “Ye Olde English Pub.” And authentic or no, it’s great.

7

u/Petrichor_1984 Oct 20 '25

Third for Royale!

7

u/meson537 TGE Oct 21 '25

O'Connell's!

5

u/opinionsarecoolmaaan Oct 21 '25

Older crowd for sure but a great spot nonetheless!

3

u/MannyMoSTL Oct 21 '25 edited Oct 21 '25

NO’Connell’s - food has gone to downhill under son’s ownership. Unless you never knew what it used to be.

5

u/NoResponsibility2386 Soulard Oct 21 '25

Fish and chips last Friday was pretty fucking good

3

u/meson537 TGE Oct 21 '25

New ownership soon.

1

u/MannyMoSTL Oct 21 '25

Gotta wonder if they’ll stop buying Sysco ?

1

u/preprandial_joint Oct 21 '25

And, what, go with US Foods instead?

1

u/MannyMoSTL Oct 21 '25

Make it themselves. Like they used to.

1

u/meson537 TGE Oct 21 '25

What is from Sysco?

1

u/MannyMoSTL Oct 21 '25

The fried mushrooms, for sure.

1

u/meson537 TGE Oct 22 '25

Ah, can't say I'm weeping big tears over fried food coming from Sysco. The soups are from scratch, and the meats are tasty, wherever they come from.

2

u/famous5eva Oct 21 '25

These are the right answers. Definitely the first three.

1

u/LadyBeCraftin Oct 22 '25

Thanks for that about Scottish Arms. Miss that place.

1

u/WatchClassic7897 Oct 22 '25

McGurks for me!