If you're looking to barhop, Manchester Avenue in St. Louis' locally-named "Gayborhood" is a good place to start. Many of the bars are in an area known as the Grove, which borders Grove and Chouteau Avenues on Manchester, as well as the South Forest District in the 4000 block area. Women can enjoy the laid-back Novak's Bar and Grill or Nancy's, while the trendy Just John's caters to an upscale, well-dressed male crowd. The vodka bar Ernie's 32 Degrees is also on Manchester, as well as Attitudes, a lesbian bar that offers the trifecta: a pub, bar and dance club. At the end of the block, check out Premium Lounge for a well-mixed cocktail or two.
Further down Tower Grove Avenue in the district known as Tower Grove East, Atomic Cowboy is a hot spot for the omnisexual crowd, while drag queens love the Grey Fox Pub. If you're in the mood to drink, Absolutli Goosed is loved for its 60 varieties of martinis. Home to Pridefest, Grand Avenue in the South Grand District is another hot spot for gay crowds, as it offers the largest dance club in the city, Complex Nightclub and Restaurant. If you need a place for coffee the next morning in South Grand, the gay-owned MoKaBe's Coffee House will get you back on your feet after a night out.
Central West End, or CWE, is an upscale, tree-lined neighborhood that was the inspiration behind Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie." LGBT locals and visitors come to CWE for the leather- and bear-themed Bad Dog, the dance club Magnolia's, the Latino-inspired Club Viva and a posh video bar known as The Loading Zone or The Zone. After a night of dancing or drinking, check out one of CWE's gay-frequented sidewalk cafes for a pick-me-up coffee and nosh.
Gay crowds come to St. Louis' Soulard District for the history and the cozy, welcoming ambiance. Soulard is home to Clementine's, a relaxed bar and restaurant that is allegedly the oldest gay bar west of the Mississippi River. Around the corner in the French Quarter of the Soulard, the bar Bastille is another local favorite for its creative drinks and laid-back clientele. In the district known as Southside, cabaret-lovers can be found at Korners, while foodies frequent the Hummel's Pub or Van Goghz.
