11 Gay Bars in St. Louis, MO — LGBTQ+ Nightlife

A mixed crowd of 20s to 40s fills this sprawling gay nightclub in the Grove. Multiple rooms, a performance stage, and a large packed patio give you plenty of space to dance, watch drag shows, or sing karaoke. The vibe is social and energetic, with friendly bartenders and roaming shot boys adding to the fun. Free food pops up regularly: a buffet some nights, free pizza other times. DJ Danny spins weekends at the patio bar, and Sunday Broadway videos get everyone singing along. It's adults-only and pet-friendly, run by owners John and Jeromy who keep things clean and well-staffed. Bachelorette parties sometimes roll through on weekends, but the locals still hold the floor.

Don't expect a stuffy cocktail lounge. Rehab Bar And Grill is a casual gay nightclub where the motto is leave your attitude at the door. The Grove bar has been open since 2012 and serves drinks, hosts drag shows, and runs karaoke and happy hour specials. The crowd leans 20s to 30s, mixed locals and visitors. It's smoke free inside, with a full bar and outdoor seating. Check their schedule for drag shows, especially on weekends.

Tower Grove East's Grey Fox Pub is a budget-friendly dive bar that calls itself a "drag wonderland." Drag shows run Friday and Saturday at 10pm and Sunday at 9pm, drawing a mixed crowd of locals in their 30s through 50s. Happy hour runs weekdays from 2pm to 7pm with $2 Smirnoff Martinis and $2.50 domestics and rail drinks. Yelp reviews mention a resident cat roaming the bar, which adds a quirky touch. The pub is adults-only and has a full bar plus outdoor seating. Note that some online reviews criticize the building's condition and cleanliness, so come for the strong cheap drinks and drag performances rather than a polished interior. Reservations are accepted.

Soulard's only weekly drag show happens here on Monday nights at 9pm. This neighborhood gay bar is anchored by a hand-carved wooden bar built during Prohibition, inside a building over 150 years old. The decor is eclectic: record-album lined bathrooms, sci-fi robots, and old games and memorabilia on the walls. It's divey, casual, and straight-friendly. The crowd tends to be 30s through 50s, not a twink or hookup scene. You can play pool or darts, and there's limited fried bar food. Happy hour runs daily 11am-5pm. Live DJ on Friday and Sunday nights. It's a good spot to settle in for conversation or look around at the museum-like scenery.

In St. Louis's Southside, this gay pub draws a mixed, loyal crowd with its casual patio and no-frills atmosphere. The outdoor seating area is dog friendly and often hosts live music and drag shows. Open late every night, Hummel's Pub has a full bar and free Wi-Fi. Budget-conscious drinkers will appreciate the happy hour deals. While the space is modest, regulars say the community vibe more than compensates.

Think piano bars are stuffy? This Soulard spot flips that. It's a divey, casual lounge where the piano drives the vibe and the crowd sings along. Open until 1:30am most nights, with outdoor seating and happy hour deals. The 40s-50s crowd keeps things relaxed but social. It's budget-friendly, so you can grab a few rounds without breaking the bank. If you're bar-hopping Soulard, HandleBar is another nearby stop.

Unlike a typical bar with a neon sign, this speakeasy hides behind a secret alley entrance in the historic Thaxton Building. It's password protected and requires getting on "The List" to know the code, and there's often a cover even with the password. The crowd is mixed gay and straight, and the venue is women-led.

Neon and velvet set the mood at this massive burlesque club, housed in a former 1920s speakeasy. It claims the title of the largest cabaret venue in the country, with dinner shows ranging from comedy-burlesque to cirque-inspired acts. The owners, Jim and Brandy Callahan, built the space on a shoestring budget and opened in 2015. Shows run about two hours, and you can book VIP packages that include fedoras or boas for your group. Sunday brunch brings a burlesque buffet. It's women-led and trans-friendly, drawing a mixed crowd in their 20s and 30s. Dressy attire is expected, so skip the shorts.

Bicycles line the walls at HandleBar, a bike-themed pub that embraces diversity with an eclectic menu. The two-story patio offers ample outdoor seating, and the bar stocks a huge selection of craft local beers. Russian-born owner Tatyana Telnikova serves authentic Russian dishes alongside pizzas and vegetarian options. The crowd skews 30s and 40s, with a mix of locals stopping by after work or on weekends. Thursday through Saturday are the busiest nights, with music and parties. Reservations are accepted, and free WiFi is available. The full bar and outdoor seating make it a solid choice for a relaxed evening.

Don't expect a hushed cocktail lounge. Prism is a cabaret and dive bar hybrid where drag shows run nightly and the patio stays busy late. This is St. Louis's newest LGBTQ+ hot spot, drawing a mixed crowd from 20-somethings to 50-somethings who come for the lively energy and budget-friendly drinks. Happy hour runs daily from 5 to 7 PM. There's a weekly drag brunch with mimosa and Bloody Mary specials, and you can reserve a table online. If you're bar-hopping, HandleBar is another nearby gay spot worth a stop.

This spot is for anyone who wants a frozen drink in a laid-back brick-walled bar with a side of drag. Tropical Liqueurs brings the energy with drag shows that keep the crowd entertained through the night. The exposed brick gives it an industrial feel, but the vibe stays casual and lively. You'll find outdoor seating when the weather cooperates, and happy hour specials draw an after-work crowd. Weekend nights are the busiest, with the bar open until 1:30am on Fridays and Saturdays. If you're bar-hopping, HandleBar is another local spot nearby worth checking out.