Bridge Tap House & Wine Bar

St. Louis, Missouri

The romantic, versatile bar in Dave Bailey’s diverse family of St. Louis restaurants

What it is:

Bridge is the downtown spot to go with a group of friends, some of whom prefer wine or spirits. It is also the place to wear your best collar shirt and share an intimate table on the balcony overlooking the long curved bar backed a library of bottles.

Why it’s great:

First, there are the twig chandeliers, a striking large one inside the entrance and others hanging over the bar. Of course, there is the beer selection—the ever-changing list of fifty-five beers on tap is balanced in every way: local, national, and international brands; quiet beers and loud ones; and comfortably familiar beers and “you won’t find this everywhere” choices. The food is dependable, the choices diverse, and the specials are, well, special. But, frankly, it is hard to get past the various boards (such as Warm Heartland Goat Cheese) or the mix-and-match cheese and charcuterie. They work equally well with beer—and encourage the thought to dig a little deeper into the beer menu by choosing from the 4-ounce, 12-ounce, and 20-ounce pours—or wine (twenty are available by the glass). —Stan Hieronymus

Details Hours: 11 a.m.–1 a.m., Monday–saturday; 11 a.m.–midnight, Sunday Address: 1004 Locust St., St. Louis, MO Web: thebridgestl.com by