3 new bars in Soulard to check out now

We love hanging at our regular watering holes where everybody knows our name; but sometimes change can be a good thing. St. Louis has seen a slew of new bars open over the past year, including three new Soulard gems worth working into your normal night-out routine.

Eat Crow
Eat Crow, the sister bar to Maplewood’s Crow’s Nest, opened in Soulard in the old Nadine’s Gin Joint. The building has been updated with a new bar, remodeled kitchen and an enhanced patio. Much like the Crow’s Nest, Eat Crow brings the heavy metal brunch, menus in old record sleeves and self-deprecating humor. The main differences lie in the food menu: While there is overlap, Eat Crow boasts an extensive mac-and-cheese selection as well as chicken wings with four different sauce options. Our favorite menu item, however, is the mini tacos; we’ve been known to stop in just for a beer and a plate of mini tacos with sides of avocado ranch and jalapeno-sriracha sour cream. The bar also has a large screen for projecting classic ’80s and ’90s movies, and the theme carries over to the cocktail menu with drinks like Space Balls The Drink, a mix of 3 Olives Espresso vodka, Tito’s vodka and Baileys Irish Cream, or the Tequila Montoya which includes six fingers of tequila, lemonade and a Grand Marnier float.
1931 S. 12th St., St. Louis, 314.934.1400, eatcrowstl.com

The Hi-Hat
The building that started the greatest party in St. Louis now houses one of the newest bars in Soulard. In 1980, Hilary Clements had recently purchased the building at 1017 Russell Blvd. and used it as both party space and living quarter. One particularly dreary winter day, Clements and his friends held a party in which they dressed up and marched up the street to a tiny Irish pub called John D. McGurk’s. They enjoyed themselves so much they continued the party every year. That first march up Russell Boulevard was the first Grand Parade, and that house party grew into what is now known as Soulard Mardi Gras. Food at The Hi-Hat includes salads, wraps, wings and quesadillas, but the pizza is a must-try. Or just order Pat’s Hamm’s Sandwich: a can of Hamm’s between two shots of whiskey. The Hi-Hat has a good cocktail list with a great espresso martini along with their take on the French 75 with gin, lavender cider, lavender syrup and fresh lemon, aptly named the Soulard 75.
1017 Russell Blvd., St. Louis, 314.802.7517, thehihatstl.com

Calypso
Calypso brings a full cocktail list and a Cajun- and West African-inspired food menu. The remodeled space now features an all-season patio complete with plenty of seating, multiple TVs, a separate bar and a wall of garage doors that can be opened to bring the outside in. There are over 20 whiskeys on the menu and close to 50 rums; the cocktail list includes the classics as well as tropical drinks like the Caipirinha, Hurricane and a spicy pineapple margarita. The barbecue shrimp with Creole cream sauce was cooked perfectly, and the sauce provided just a hint of spice. The ceviche with shrimp and scallops was fresh, and the yuca chips served on the side were crisp and perfectly salted. The friendly staff, great food and well-crafted cocktails make Calypso an excellent stop when in the Soulard neighborhood.
1026 Geyer Ave., St. Louis, 314.448.1516, calypsostl.com