Review: Bridge Tap House and Wine Bar in St. Louis
Now is a great time to be a beer-lover. Across our fair city, a microcosm of brew houses and taprooms have sprung up, offering a welcome variety of house-brewed and imported lagers, ales, IPAs, porters, stouts and more. Jumping on that bandwagon is David Bailey, owner of Rooster and Baileys’ Chocolate Bar, who sliced the ribbon on his newest venture, Bridge Tap House and Wine Bar, in February. Since then, Bailey’s crew has been pulling cold pints and tall stems of vino for a growing crowd of discerning boozers. And from the look of things so far, they have a lot to be happy about.
Located two blocks off of Washington Avenue, next to the downtown Left Bank Books, Bridge is a little gem that’s easy to miss on the first pass. I’m thankful. A huge crowd would quickly overwhelm Bridge’s cozy interior. Once inside, head upstairs to the mezzanine level seating – the best view of all the action. The unique style is urban meets rustic: Exposed brick warms the space, and sleek wooden shelves hold countless bottles of wine and beer. Overhead, a collection of tree-branch chandeliers throw light on a seemingly endless row of beer taps. The atmosphere is soft and subdued – no loud tunes and, thankfully, no flat-screen TVs, a trend I’m hoping catches on. Overall a gorgeous bar, Bridge has the type of effortless charm that far too many of its downtown peers desperately lack.
For the first-timer at Bridge, the alcohol menu can be a bit staggering: more than 200 beers (36 on tap), more than 100 wines (20 of those by the glass), plus a nice collection of call brand and high-end spirits. Unless you’re a craft-beer aficionado, don’t expect to see too many familiar offerings. Think Duvel, not Bud. That being the case, don’t be afraid to try something new. Skim the menu, point your finger, ask the bartender for a tasting, then take your pick from a 4-, 12- or 20-ounce glass or a 64-ounce growler. Twelve-ouncers range from $4 to $8 per pull. The beer list was augmented with a number of local offerings including Cathedral Square, Schlafly and O’Fallon products. The wine selection is equally extensive, with glasses ranging from $7 to $12 and bottles for as low as $24. The service is a bit spotty and sometimes slow, and drink suggestions from the bartenders are less than forthcoming, which is unfortunate given the size of the menu. Still, after several visits, it was impossible to pick something to sip on that was less than enjoyable.
A fantastic people-watching spot, Bridge is ideally suited for dinner and drinks out with friends and/or a significant other. It struck me immediately as a perfect date bar – intimate, impressive, sophisticated without being too in-your-face about it, and nicely located just far enough from the overhyped Wash. Ave. scene. Moreover, Bridge’s menu is geared toward shared plates and snacks paired with craft beers and fine wines – this is the place to go to linger over a nice bottle, a nice conversation and maybe a cheese board. Bridge is more of a hangout rather than a pickup place, with a sharp-dressed clientele of young professionals, flirty singles, cozy couples and small groups ranging in age from 25 to 65 creating the feel of an urban cocktail party with serious style. The final verdict: Bailey has opened himself a winner.
STL AFTER DARK
Check it: Innovative décor and copious amounts of alcohol.
Suds or ‘Tinis: Take your pick from more than 200 beers and 100 wines.
Hipster or Hoosier: Stylish urbanites, first-daters, beer snobs, wine- and cheese-lovers.
Where: Bridge Tap House and Wine Bar, 1004 Locust St., St. Louis, 314.241.8141
When: Mon. to Sat. – 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Sun. – 11 a.m. to midnight.
