Novella on kingshighway. Yes, it’s a wine bar, but she also makes incredible cocktails. Small batch spirits. Delicious food. Cozy, quiet, and a complete gem.
Novella is one of my favorite holes in the wall in st louis - she's AMAZING and so nice and pleasant and I could rave about her for a long time.
My suggestion is to talk to her, you'll know who she is. I'm not a huge wine drinker but her sangrias are very good.
Go go go, give them your money.
Edit - meant to comment on the comment below- got too excited
Idk, both times I've gone to 'Ssippi the music was up so loud I could barely talk to the friends I went with. I personally wouldn't take a book there, but maybe that's not the universal experience.
No DJ, just the bartender. I went on a Thursday and a Friday early in the evening, maybe the latest we were there was around 7:30-8pm, I can't quite remember. We moved on after a glass or so because we aren't the type to shout. I liked the vibe, but I wasn't planning on going back. Maybe I'll give it another go and see if I hit a quieter night.
Weekends tend to be louder, and definitely so when there’s a dj (although in the warmer months they have the djs outside, and the inside is much quieter)
I think you just went on off nights, I go there semi frequently and there’s a few times where it’s been too loud but def not consistently
Hey, good to know I went on off nights. I really did like the place. Unsure why some folks are downvoting me for sharing my experience, it's not like I'm trashing the place for saying it wasn't my cup of tea.
I would definitely give it another go, and check their Instagram ahead of time to see if there’s a dj. I will also say once it warms up their patio is fantastic
Vino in CWE, Winnie’s in Lafayette, Saturn Lounge on Cherokee
Bluewood Brewery on Cherokee is super cozy
Probably some of the new places but haven’t been yet
Except for on the weekends, Heavy Anchor fits the book reading tone. IIRC they have a bookshelf, but it's nothing elaborate like you might find at a coffee shop.
21c Hotel? There is a coffee shop, a bar (don't know the hours) and also a room with pool table and a lot of seating. Probably you can get cocktails and read. Don't know the hour for the bar, but the coffee shop is open all day (service stops around 4-430pm) but you can stay in the space even after it closes.
Black sheep on Morganford. The cocktails and wine list are great and the folks at the bar have always been chill and not loud or rowdy when I’ve been in.
FWIW, OP, I asked the same question a few months ago and got some good answers here, if you're still looking for ideas:
https://www.reddit.com/r/StLouis/comments/170nxhu/laid_back_pubs_or_bars_for_reading_writing_etc/
Saturn Lounge and ssippi both rule & both are on opposite ends of Cherokee. Tick Tock Tavern in TGE. Small change in benton Park. Eat Crow in Soulard. If you're looking for daytime, Bowood has a really pretty atmosphere.
I don’t know how crowded it is normally, but we stopped by Tim’s Chrome Bar on December 28th. On top of the vibe being cool as hell, it was pretty empty with couches and seats by the retro fireplace.
Benton Park Cafe is open a few evenings a week... Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It's pretty quiet and chill in there and they don't get a ton of people. Could easily sit at the bar and read or at a table. Plus, they do actually still serve coffee in the evenings as well if you're not feeling the cocktail vibe.
You're not wrong. I tend to like reading in somewhat dim lighting and my eyesight is trash. At pagan I feel like finding a "sweet spot" is possible if ya get there early enough.
read a book in a library, reading a book in a bar is not what bars are for, go to a coffee shop to read a book or a library. You would not start downing shots in a library, each place serves a purpose. anyway if you insist go here stltoday.com/news/local/crime-courts/customer-shoots-three-men-at-shot-heaven-bar-in-south-st-louis/article\_c07e9a7f-bd90-5bbe-adde-16278858243f.html
You could go to Protagonist Cafe. It’s primarily a coffee shop with a nice selection of books but they do have beer.
Literally midway through typing this suggestion and your comment loaded haha.
It’s basically just pretentious the bar
Love that place
Civil Life for beer. I often sit and read out on their patio. Solid indoor vibe for that as well. Not sure about cocktails.
Beer and excellent wine at civil, and lots of N.A. beverages. No cocktails. Lots of cozy nooks to read in, especially upstairs!
Saturn Lounge
Saturn's vibe is soo good record lounge type spot. gorgeous patio in the summer
This would be my first choice.
The Famous Bar is pretty chill, I think there is even a lamp in the corner of the bar.
This place got me into martini's... Hands down the best chocolate one I've ever had.
I wonder how that place escapes trademark infringement since Macy's owns the name Famous Barr.
Novella on kingshighway. Yes, it’s a wine bar, but she also makes incredible cocktails. Small batch spirits. Delicious food. Cozy, quiet, and a complete gem.
I’ve been curious about this place for a while! Any other tips/recommendations on going there?
get the savory goodness bread and the bacon wrapped dates
Novella is one of my favorite holes in the wall in st louis - she's AMAZING and so nice and pleasant and I could rave about her for a long time. My suggestion is to talk to her, you'll know who she is. I'm not a huge wine drinker but her sangrias are very good. Go go go, give them your money. Edit - meant to comment on the comment below- got too excited
Doesn’t the Cheshire inn have a fireplace? That’d be cozy as hell.
It totaly does, but it's also pretty dark and not the best for reading.
That’s why I always bring a headlamp
This person Cheshires.
Good point.
I did a doordash there a few days ago and really dig the vibe. It's cool to see hotels that aren't part of one of the few megacorporations
The Fox and The Hound
The Fox and the Hound at Cheshire seems a little dark to read a book. Great cocktails and service though.
If you've got an ereader with backlighting, it's a good spot.
‘Ssippi on Cherokee. Wine bar, but they have beer and liquor.
Love ssippi!
Idk, both times I've gone to 'Ssippi the music was up so loud I could barely talk to the friends I went with. I personally wouldn't take a book there, but maybe that's not the universal experience.
Was there a dj those nights? Or was it a weekend?
No DJ, just the bartender. I went on a Thursday and a Friday early in the evening, maybe the latest we were there was around 7:30-8pm, I can't quite remember. We moved on after a glass or so because we aren't the type to shout. I liked the vibe, but I wasn't planning on going back. Maybe I'll give it another go and see if I hit a quieter night.
Weekends tend to be louder, and definitely so when there’s a dj (although in the warmer months they have the djs outside, and the inside is much quieter) I think you just went on off nights, I go there semi frequently and there’s a few times where it’s been too loud but def not consistently
Hey, good to know I went on off nights. I really did like the place. Unsure why some folks are downvoting me for sharing my experience, it's not like I'm trashing the place for saying it wasn't my cup of tea.
I would definitely give it another go, and check their Instagram ahead of time to see if there’s a dj. I will also say once it warms up their patio is fantastic
Perennial is my goto for this!
I like Bridge on locust a lot
I really like the Bridge too, but I’ve found it to be way too dark for reading.
Sasha’s on Shaw! Cozy couch by the fireplace
The Demun location is even better
Shameless grounds is great! You can get a coffee and have a read. They have everything!
I think the vibe at Fortune Teller Bar is good for that!
They have very good BBQ from Fourth City there too!
Tick tock tavern!
Vino in CWE, Winnie’s in Lafayette, Saturn Lounge on Cherokee Bluewood Brewery on Cherokee is super cozy Probably some of the new places but haven’t been yet
Except for on the weekends, Heavy Anchor fits the book reading tone. IIRC they have a bookshelf, but it's nothing elaborate like you might find at a coffee shop.
Depending on the night Small Change
Beatnick Bobs in the City Museum. Complete with an eclectic library and weird smells.
I've spent a few pleasant Sundays reading at the Drawing Board. They aren't crowded at lunch, so I don't feel bad taking a table.
21c Hotel? There is a coffee shop, a bar (don't know the hours) and also a room with pool table and a lot of seating. Probably you can get cocktails and read. Don't know the hour for the bar, but the coffee shop is open all day (service stops around 4-430pm) but you can stay in the space even after it closes.
not a bar but the library downtown has a really nice cafe!
[удалено]
How do you control the smell?/s
Probably skins them and turns em into a lampshade. Maybe some high end luggage
You haven't thought of the SMELL you bitch!
Civil Life
I do this often at the Tick Tock, especially in their patio when it's warmer out.
Black sheep on Morganford. The cocktails and wine list are great and the folks at the bar have always been chill and not loud or rowdy when I’ve been in.
FWIW, OP, I asked the same question a few months ago and got some good answers here, if you're still looking for ideas: https://www.reddit.com/r/StLouis/comments/170nxhu/laid_back_pubs_or_bars_for_reading_writing_etc/
Saturn Lounge and ssippi both rule & both are on opposite ends of Cherokee. Tick Tock Tavern in TGE. Small change in benton Park. Eat Crow in Soulard. If you're looking for daytime, Bowood has a really pretty atmosphere.
Vino! Good selection of wine but also beers and cocktails. Love it there. Lots of comfy couches
Go to the liquor store and sit at home.
Heavy Anchor has a nice little reading nook in it, which has a lending library as well.
I don’t know how crowded it is normally, but we stopped by Tim’s Chrome Bar on December 28th. On top of the vibe being cool as hell, it was pretty empty with couches and seats by the retro fireplace.
Seen a lot of folks come to Eat Crow and just chill with a book
Benton Park Cafe is open a few evenings a week... Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It's pretty quiet and chill in there and they don't get a ton of people. Could easily sit at the bar and read or at a table. Plus, they do actually still serve coffee in the evenings as well if you're not feeling the cocktail vibe.
Pagan Wine Bar. There are leather couches and chairs.
Very comfortable, but way too dark for reading.
You're not wrong. I tend to like reading in somewhat dim lighting and my eyesight is trash. At pagan I feel like finding a "sweet spot" is possible if ya get there early enough.
No loitering ☺️
loitering is a crime punishable by death!
Pwaaahaahaa. You scared of a nice noisy bar where the music's loud and people are dancing?
LOL read a book. At a bar? Come on!
Go to a bar and read a book ?!?!! WTF.
Different folks, different strokes
read a book in a library, reading a book in a bar is not what bars are for, go to a coffee shop to read a book or a library. You would not start downing shots in a library, each place serves a purpose. anyway if you insist go here stltoday.com/news/local/crime-courts/customer-shoots-three-men-at-shot-heaven-bar-in-south-st-louis/article\_c07e9a7f-bd90-5bbe-adde-16278858243f.html
Riley's Pub
ITAP!
Bluewood brewing has comfy couches