5 stunning pools in St. Louis with great food and drinks

Pool season is finally upon us! But if you’re anything like the team at Sauce HQ, you’re apt to skip the pay-for-the-day public pools and seek out something a bit more upscale – not only a little more exclusive, but also with delectable drinks and food to pair with your pool day. Whether you’re an avid swimmer or just looking to chill poolside, this list has something for everyone who’s a little bougie. 

The Last Hotel

This rooftop stunner is 11 floors up and has only been open for a few years, but is swiftly becoming one of the most sought-after pools around. Enjoy breathtaking views of downtown St. Louis while submerged in the long, narrow and shallow pool. The hotel is quite distant from most of the taller buildings in downtown, lending a perched-in-mid-air feel, although the City Museum is adjacent and can be viewed from one side of the pool deck if you’re digging the wacky, eclectic vibes. 

What to eat and drink: The rooftop bar has limited hours, but you’re in for a real treat when it’s open. We particularly enjoyed the hot honey chicken wings and double cheeseburger, as well as the cucumber-jalepeno margarita and the Blackberry Bourbon Smash, but there’s a whole range of worthy options. Don’t miss the frozen drink machines spinning flavors like watermelon mojito and raspberry cheesecake. 

How to get in: Day passes are available for $65. Guests of the hotel get complimentary access seven days a week. Additionally, events may be in the works for later in the year, so keep an eye on social media for details. 

1501 Washington Ave., St. Louis, 314.390.2500, thelasthotelstl.com

Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis

This pool on an eighth floor rooftop shares space with the Cinder House and Bar patio, and we couldn’t be more here for it. It’s also shallow and about as long as The Last Hotel’s pool, but a bit wider. This one definitely has the bougiest vibes of all those on the list, with lush plant life and lovely cabanas available to rent, along with an unmatched bird’s eye view of the Arch and Mississippi River.

What to eat and drink: Cinder Bar has launched an excellent new food and drink menu featuring a variety of offerings with a South American flair. We particularly enjoyed the lychee-basil gimlet, the strawberry lemonade-esque Peruvian Punch and the Pomelo Picante cocktails. On the food side, we loved the smoked pork carnitas tacos and the Cinder House burger, but you can never go wrong with the charred onion dip, a longtime Sauce staff favorite.

How to get in: You can access the pool as a guest of the hotel or if you purchase one of the hotel's many spa treatments. There are no day or season passes available.

999 N. Second St., St. Louis, 314.881.5759, fourseasons.com

Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton

This charming pool is located on a third-floor rooftop terrace, though not technically the top floor of the hotel itself. The surrounding skyscrapers lend an urban feel to go with the upscale vibes of the pool deck, which features plenty of plush furniture, pergolas, greenery and flowers. It’s also shallow and long, comparable in size to that of the pool at the Four Seasons.

What to eat and drink: The Au Soleil menu is available during the Thursday event (details below), as well as all day Saturday and Sunday. The chicken caprese wrap, cucumber salad and toasted ravioli were our fave bites, while the Tiki Rum Torch and Watermelon Lemonade Cooler were refreshing tipples to sip poolside. During the rest of the week, you can order from Cafe la Vie’s regular menu.

How to get in: The best deal here is the Au Soleil event series from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays when the entrance fee is just $15; this night includes live music and a special menu. Otherwise, day passes are available for $75 Sunday through Thursday. Season passes are $700 and include Sunday to Thursday pool access through Sept. 30, access to a fitness center, and a goodie bag. Guests of the hotel get complimentary pool access any day of the week. 

7730 Bonhomme Ave., Clayton, 314.583.9420, lemeridienclayton.com

The Cheshire

This spot near Forest Park exudes rustic-chic vibes to the max, while still giving some of that tropical feel pool-goers often seek thanks to the palm trees and other lush greenery. The pool is shallow and a bit smaller than those above, but still with plenty of room to fit a decent-sized crowd.

What to eat and drink: Food and drinks are available from Fox and Hounds, a very dimly lit tavern inside the hotel. On the drinks side, we were into the gin-forward Super Cooler and tequila-based Spicy Mamba. The Sherwood Bistro Salad is a nice, light meal, perfect for hot pool days, and the lamb sliders are a great snack for sharing. For those renting a cabana, there’s also a special food menu with charcuterie-type fare that must be ordered in advance, so mention it when booking if you’re interested.

How to get in: As a guest of the hotel or by renting one of three cabanas available for up to 10 guests. There is no rental fee, but there’s a minimum food and beverage spend of $300. A $150 deposit is due when you book. Email abreeden@lhmchotels.com for details.

6300 Clayton Road, St. Louis, 314.647.7300, cheshirestl.com

The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza

This historic pool, built in the 1950s for a Miss America pageant, offers a tropical retreat in the Central West End. Although it’s just off busy Kingshighway Boulevard, the pool is set back far enough from the road that traffic noise isn’t noticeable and there are no car exhaust fumes whatsoever. This pool also boasts a deep end of up to 10 feet, unlike the rest of the pools on this list.

What to eat and drink: Food at the pool is provided by the adjacent Chase Club, which offers a seasonal menu featuring a range of cuisines. We enjoyed the brisket sliders, tender and tasty with mini pretzel buns, blackberry-thyme compote, arugula and pickled onion. The spicy-sweet honey-sriracha wings are a nice appetizer and are served with Mayfair dressing. On the beverage side, the whiskey-based STLhatten is a fun riff on a Manhattan, and the fruity Paradise Chase pretty much transports you straight to a tropical location.

How to get in: Be a hotel guest or purchase a one-year membership to the pool and fitness center. Memberships are available at three levels starting at $1,500, and once they’re sold out for the year, you can join the wait list for next year. If you have sticker shock over the price breakdown of the memberships, be consoled by the fact that you get a sizable (roughly half the price, depending on the level) food and beverage credit. 

212 N. Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, 314.633.3000, sonesta.com