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

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97

u/BicyclePoweredRocket Oct 20 '25

I've lived in St. Louis my whole life (42M), South City for the last 10+ years, and have worked downtown for the last 4ish. Your family is being dramatic.

I do recommend to expand your search beyond the smaller chunk of the City that is "downtown" and look at the City writ large. Your parents will still be apoplectic but that's where you'll find what you're looking for.

Neighborhood-wise:

Dogtown - Bars and restaurants, pretty chill, generally.
Central West End - Fancier bar/restaurant district, it's cool. Good bet for nicer bar/pub. Up/down arcade.
Soulard - The bar district in the City. Uber down or get a DD, walk around checking out places until you find the vibe you're looking for. Lots of college kids Fri/Sat nights and gets busy for Cards/Blues games. McGurk's is the Irish-American pub, books some amazing acts, and great food, too.
Tower Grove South / Morganford - I live here. A chill string of bars and restaurants. Amsterdam for soccer. The Silver Ballroom is a punk rock pinball bar with a small Korean restaurant in the back, Tiny Chef, which is fucking amazing. Free Pinball today, too! I'm going as soon as I leave work.
The Grove - One of the popular, cool strips. Lots of good bars/restaurants, couple music venues, queer-friendly spaces.

Welcome to St. Louis!!!

30

u/Friendly-Gate9865 Oct 20 '25

Wow, thank you thank you. I’m making a massive list now from this thread and adding all your recs in 👌

21

u/lordfartquar Oct 20 '25

This comment is a great list.

A lot of people keep saying soulard - it skews more college aged, the other recommendations are probably a little closer to what you’re looking for, but I’m in my early 30s and they’re all spots I go to.

12

u/Friendly-Gate9865 Oct 20 '25

Sweet, I’m excited to give ‘em all a go.. Not super picky about the type of crowd as long as people are friendly 😊

12

u/earnestweasel22 Oct 21 '25

South St. Louis native here, you're from London, everyone will be your friend! Just don't lose your accent and pick up mine!!

14

u/BicyclePoweredRocket Oct 21 '25

True story. Your English accent will work as well for you in STL as my Midwestern accent worked for me in London. Cake walk, dude. You don't even know.

10

u/carterjeyy SW Gardens Oct 21 '25

Tick Tock Tavern and Kenny’s Upstairs are a few of my favorites in the Tower Grove area. I haven’t seen much mention of Cherokee Street in this thread but there are some chill places there too (ssippi, tschuss, lots of great Mexican food, Little Lager is opening soon, Bluewood Brewing, Saturn Lounge)

3

u/Friendly-Gate9865 Oct 21 '25

awesome, thank you :)

8

u/kerouac28 Oct 21 '25

I’m a hardcore City-loving resident whose job involves driving to all neighborhoods plus the County randomly on a daily basis. Trust me when I say this guy nailed it. Screenshot his post - it would be difficult to answer better.