Best Gay Bars & Bathhouses In St. Louis
St. Louis has its own well-developed LGBTQ+ nightlife scene, centered inside the city limits itself. Unlike many mid-size metros where residents drive an hour to the nearest cluster of venues, St. Louis locals have a solid collection of gay bars, a bathhouse, and queer-friendly spaces distributed across several city neighborhoods — most within 10 to 20 minutes of each other. Whether you live in the city or are coming in from St. Charles, Belleville, or anywhere in the bi-state metro, the venues below are where the community actually gathers.
The St. Louis LGBTQ+ Scene
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, the Missouri Botanical Garden, and Midtown. The Grove neighbourhood along Manchester Avenue serves as the city's makeshift gayborhood. A secondary cluster has grown in South St. Louis, particularly along South Grand Boulevard and in the Carondelet neighborhood. Bar PM and Hummel's Pub form a mini-gayborhood in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Carondelet. St. Louis is generally welcoming for LGBTQ+ visitors, especially in the Central West End, The Grove, Downtown, and near Washington University. The result is a scene that feels genuinely city-wide rather than concentrated in a single strip — which means more variety, and also means that a full night of bar-hopping may require a rideshare between neighborhoods.
Top Gay Bars & Bathhouses for St. Louis Locals
Just John Nightclub
Type: Gay bar / Nightclub
Location: 4112 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Features: Located in the heart of The Grove, Just John Club is a vibrant gay bar known for its welcoming atmosphere and lively entertainment, with expansive indoor and outdoor spaces featuring multiple bars, a dance floor, and a stage for performances. Known for its inclusive vibe, strong drinks, and no cover charge, it hosts themed parties, drag shows, bingo, and karaoke.
Website: https://www.justjohnclub.com
Prism STL
Type: Gay bar / Drag venue
Location: 4054 Chouteau Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Features: Located in The Grove neighborhood, Prism STL is a vibrant LGBTQ+ bar known for its nightly drag shows and lively atmosphere, offering drink specials, specialty cocktails, beer, wine, and locally made pizza, with special events including watch parties for RuPaul's Drag Race, karaoke, and DJ nights, plus a catered drag brunch every Sunday.
Rehab Bar & Grill
Type: Gay bar / Bar and grill
Location: 4004 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Features: A casual gay nightspot located at the corner of Chouteau and Manchester avenues, serving as an introduction to the Grove neighborhood, featuring a spacious back patio and regular drag shows. An LGBTQ+ friendly spot with a casual, welcoming vibe, regular drag shows, karaoke, and a spacious patio, serving pub-style food and well-priced drinks, praised for its friendly staff and community feel.
Grey Fox Pub
Type: Gay bar / Drag venue
Location: 3503 S Spring Ave, St. Louis, MO 63116
Features: A long-standing LGBTQ+ gay bar offering a welcoming atmosphere, affordable drinks, and lively drag entertainment including weekend shows, drag king nights, and glow-in-the-dark bingo — celebrating nearly four decades in business and remaining a beloved staple of St. Louis's queer nightlife.
Bastille
Type: Gay bar / Mixed LGBTQ+
Location: 1476 S Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63104 (Soulard)
Features: A relaxed and bohemian gay bar in the Soulard neighborhood, known for its slightly older clientele, bar favorites menu, and darts games, with regular events like "It's Just Bingo" on Tuesdays and karaoke on Wednesdays.
Kenny's Upstairs
Type: Gay bar
Location: 3131 S Grand Blvd, 2F, St. Louis, MO 63118
Features: A second-floor bar on the South Grand strip with an intimate, neighborhood feel; regulars note it carries the spirit of the historic Upstairs Lounge, making it a meaningful spot for those who know St. Louis LGBTQ+ history.
Website: https://www.kennysupstairs.com
Bar:PM
Type: Gay bar / Club / Mixed LGBTQ+
Location: 7109 S Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63111
Features: A welcoming LGBTQ+ bar in South St. Louis, known for