8 cool patios in South City St. Louis

For this new series, we’re rounding up some of the most inviting patios across town. First, we’re looking into South City, where a generally strong patio game offers everything from french fries and bocce ball to live music and fire pits.  

Milo’s Bocce Garden
If bocce ball is your idea of fun – and why wouldn’t it be? – Milo’s is the spot for you. In addition to games, this staple on the Hill has a menu full of Italian classics, wings, burgers, pizza and more. And, of course, plenty of beer. 5201 Wilson Ave., St. Louis, 314.776.0468, milosboccegarden.com 

Friendly’s Sports Bar and Grill  A neighborhood spot willing and able to show basically any sports match imaginable, Friendly’s is dependable and fun. Their low-key back patio offers plenty of picnic tables for sharing buckets of beer; or, if you’re feeling more active, challenge your friends to a game of bags. 3503 Roger Place, St. Louis, 314.771.2040, Facebook: Friendly's South City STL Sports Bar and Grill 

The Royale
For over a decade, The Royale has been the OG of South City patio hangs. Whether for happy hour, late-night cocktails or just an easy dinner with the gang, The Royale does everything well. Depending on the night you go, you may catch an action movie or an all-Guided By Voices DJ set. In any case, it’s a great atmosphere. 3132 S. Kingshighway Blvd, St. Louis, 314.772.3600, theroyale.com

The Golden Hoosier
This new bar in the former Southtown Pub space is still figuring out its menu, but we know a few things to be true: the food and drinks we’ve seen so far appear to be great – a house Old-Fashioned with mole bitters, smoked tandoori wings – and the patio, lovingly named “the campground,” is awesome. 3707 S. Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, 314.354.8044, thegoldenhoosier.com 

HandleBar
While HandleBar is known for being St. Louis’ ultimate late-night dance party destination, its back patio is currently a great option for classic turning up while the bar looks toward reopening the inside in the future. Check out some beers and cocktails, do a shot, enjoy a St. Louis-style pizza and maybe catch a live show. It’s a different vibe from normal, but it still hits. 4127 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, 314.652.2212, handlebarstl.com

Tower Pub
In addition to being a regular stop on Morgan Ford pub crawls, Tower Pub’s huge, inviting patio is just a great place to hang out. They’ve got all the beer specials you could need, as well as a pool table, in case you want to go inside and hustle some strangers. 3234 Morgan Ford Road, St. Louis, 314.771.7979, Facebook: Tower Pub 

Rockwell Beer Co.
Good beer and wine, plenty of space and incredible french fries. And you’ll probably see some dogs. What else could you need? 1320 S. Vandeventer Ave., St. Louis, 314.256.1657, rockwellbeer.com

CBGB 
The patio at CBGB is a South Grand classic. If you’re looking for a chill dive to people-watch, smoke cigarettes and mainline 32-ounce cans of Miller High Life long after the sun goes down … well … you probably already know about CBGB. 3163 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, Facebook: CBGB