After a fire permanently closed multiple restaurants – including Vin de Set and PW Pizza – in the historic Centennial Malt House at 2017 Chouteau Ave. in 2022, husband-and-wife duo Cally and Rich Conyers are bringing a new concept to the historic building. Prohibition, a speakeasy-inspired cocktail bar, is slated to open this October.
“We’re trying to keep with the true speakeasy theme,” Cally Conyers said. “We’re not explicitly telling people where it is in the building; we’re hoping they’ll come to the address and then have to find it.” Rich elaborated, “The original speakeasies were all handled with word of mouth, so we’re using today’s word of mouth – social media, basically – for information on how to get in and special events.”
Originally part of a brewery complex, the building dates back to 1876 and supplied malt to a brewery across the street. During Prohibition, the building adapted by producing ice and other goods – a pivot that helped it survive the era.
Rich Conyers brings more than a decade of experience in bars and restaurants, building on his family’s background in the industry. Cally, who spent seven years in the wedding industry planning honeymoons and destination weddings, is also overseeing the Gatsby brand, which operates in the same building. The duo plans to utilize several event spaces within the footprint – including the old Vin de Set rooftop – for private events, pop-up bars and community programming.
Prohibition will launch initially as just a bar, with plans to eventually introduce a small menu of shareable appetizers and charcuterie. The building also houses Extra Wavy, the Conyers’ architecture and construction firm co-owned by Rich’s cousin Kevin Conyers, and 13 apartments, including a penthouse.
The cocktail program is being developed in consultation with Tim Wiggins, who is an owner of Extra Wavy, alongside St. Louis native Benjamin Bauer, Prohibition’s beverage director. Bauer recently moved back to St. Louis after working in several successful bars in New York City and has been collaborating with Wiggins to create the menu and overall atmosphere. Patrons can expect about a dozen classic cocktails alongside eight house creations, plus beer and wine offerings. Tasting events are also in the works.
Prohibition will seat just under 60 guests in its 1,500-square-foot space, including lounge areas, tables and a 15-seat bar. Cally emphasized that the bar will not only offer an elevated, high-end cocktail experience but also honor several women from the Prohibition era who didn’t receive recognition in their time.
“St. Louis in general has an under-hyped cocktail scene,” she said. “We’re really interested in being a part of that and contributing to it in a meaningful way.”
The bar will initially operate from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday through Monday, with plans to extend hours in the future based on demand. “We really want to make sure the experience is absolutely top-tier,” Rich said.
The team encourages patrons to follow Prohibition’s Instagram for updates, as some components of the bar’s offerings are being kept under wraps.
This article appears in August 2025.