Many of the top gay bars St Louis can boast are located in and around the city’s Grove district on Manchester Avenue, which runs between Forest Park, Missouri Botanical Garden, and Midtown. The go-to drinking spot for lgbtq++ locals, the Just John Club manages to maintain the laid back feel of a small-town tavern. Though its sports bar-style interior may disappoint some for its ordinariness (at least until the lights go down and the dancing begins), JuJo’s has a large and enticing exterior terrace, alongside a nightly roster of drinks specials and live music events that continues to make it one of the leading gay St Louis nightspots. Another gently-ageing established Grove hand is Attitudes Nightclub, an everybody’s welcome kaleidoscope of carefree gay, straight, and trans beautiful people determined to have a great time and party until they drop or the lights get turned back up, whichever happens first. The main vibe of its dark and glitzy interior is of dance club with a thudding bass, though there are some plush leather sofas and a platform above the dance floor that act as chill-out spaces, and lively drag shows on the stage area most weekends.

 

Here are some popular gay events in Saint Louis, MO:

1. Pride St. Louis:  An annual PrideFest celebrating the lgbtq+QIA+ community, fostering understanding, and tolerance through educational programs and events.
2. Black Pride St. Louis: A celebration focusing on the Black lgbtq+QIA+ community.

Here is a list of gay bars and hotspots in Saint Louis, MO:

1. Club St. Louis:  Club St. Louis serves as a community testing site for STD and HIV, distributing condoms and safe sex information to both members and non-members. They offer free testing every 4th Thursday of the month from 6-8 pm. The club promotes the well-being of the gay community and supports organizations that protect health and civil rights.
2. The Crack Fox: The Crack Fox hosts various events such as the Goth Garage Sale, stand-up comedy nights, and a heavy metal-themed drag show.
3. Gayley's Cafe: The website provides information about poker, a popular card game. It emphasizes the importance of logical thinking, awareness, and the ability to read other players' body language.
4. Keypers LLC: Keypers offers a friendly atmosphere with delicious drinks. They host Happy Hour every weekday from 2 pm-7 pm. On Thursday evenings, they feature live piano music. The bar also offers dart games for patrons.
5. T's Pub: T's Pub is described as a great gay spot with fabulous staff. They host various theme nights and offer a variety of beers. A review by Paul M. praises the pub for its atmosphere and beer selection.

The "Gateway City" is famous in the Midwest for its diversity and relative gay-friendliness in America's heartland. Gregory Kompes named St. Louis one of the "50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live" for its live-and-let-live attitude, extensive cultural attractions, and flourishing nightlife. There are several lgbtq+ friendly neighborhoods, including the Central West End, where the Manchester Avenue "gayborhood" is located, Grand South Central and the historic Soulard District. Most bars and clubs offer dancing and food, and closing time in St. Louis is 3am.

The nearby Rehab Bar & Grill, on the corner of Manchester Avenue and South Sarah Street, is one of the first (or last) gay St Louis bars that comprise the Grove district, depending on your direction of travel. Though a little harsher on the wallet than some of the other gay bars in St Louis, Rehab is still worth dropping by thanks to the amical bunch of guys behind the bar and the surprisingly mixed crowd of drinkers in front of it given it’s known as a rainbow flag-waving gay bar. A few hundred metres back east towards Midtown, JJ’s Clubhouse & Bar dates back some twenty years and probably hasn’t changed its décor since, but don’t let that put you off this all-American bear and leather club. This traditional ‘man’s’ bar has a faithful multi-generational clientele that ensure the pool table is in constant use while the large ceiling-mounted televisions screen live sports. Come the weekend, there’s the added bonus of the backroom club, complete with strobe lighting and live DJs.

Local Expert: Gay Scene in St. Louis

St. Louis has a vibrant and thriving gay scene. In fact, St. Louis has a few areas that the lgbtq+ community frequent. In these areas, you'll find rainbow flags proudly displayed, coffee shops, boutiques, theaters, and bars, and condos. These areas are all welcoming and inclusive and are worth a visit while in town. 

The Grove - This is the area where all the nightlife happens. There are more than a dozen places to have a cocktail and enjoy the nightlife. Each bar has its own unique atmosphere so you can easily get a change of scenery by moving on to the next. If you are looking for a place to party and dance the night away, this is the place!

Central West End - If you are looking for a place to enjoy a nice stroll, enjoy a nice cup of coffee, and check out a local art gallery, Central West End is where you want to be. Considered the most cosmopolitan area, this community is growing with newly built condos, trendy boutiques, private walkways, and bars. 

South Grand - This popular area is full of different varieties of restaurants to choose from. It also has a handful of lgbtq+Q-owned coffee shops and boutiques. If you are looking for a place that offers a variety of different restaurants, a melting pot of cultures, and funky shopping, this is the place to be. 


Bars & Clubs: Soulard to Fox Park

- Bastille Bar & Cobalt Grill (1027 Russell), Mardi Gras atmosphere, locals' hangout bar and grill, games room,  friendly vibe, occasional shows.
- Keypers (2280 S Jefferson Ave), lgbtq+ piano/ martini bar, easy conversation.

Bars & Clubs: South Grand to South Broadway

- Grey Fox(3503 South Spring) neighborhood bar, beer blasts, weekend La Cage aux Fox drag shows, and variety performances.
- Hummel's Pub (7101 South Broadway), neighborhood bar with big back patio men/women, drag shows and entertainment.

Across the river in Illinois

Bubby & Sissy's (602 Belle St, Alton, IL) near Argosy Casino, two levels, dance floor, female impersonators, huge patio.

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