One evening while planning to have dinner at Scout’s, I happened upon a listing for a new bar and restaurant right next door. Loba & Lore has been in a soft-opening phase this month at 2700 Locust St., the former home of Anita Cafe, bringing cocktails, small plates, art and a little romance to a bustling Midtown corner.
The new spot is the creation of owner Lisa Marie Thalhammer and Culinary Curator Meredith Barry, a familiar face in St. Louis’ cocktail scene through her work at the Grove dive bar Platypus and her appearance on Netflix’s Drink Masters. Thalhammer and Barry are also now a couple, but Loba & Lore is first and foremost a meeting of their creative backgrounds.
That creativity is apparent as soon as you walk through the door. The space is colorful, intimate and eclectic, with couches, artwork and a large rainbow painting above the bar that Thalhammer calls “Raining Rainbow.” The room also doubles as an art gallery, initially featuring work by Thalhammer and Lainie Love Dalby.
The cocktail menu is the centerpiece, with signature drinks designed to be culinary experiences rather than simply something to sip. Each comes with a snack or bite meant to complement the flavors of the drink.
The Survival Guide combines local Sol Luna Coffee Whiskey, Maplewood Fernet, CH Amargo de Chile, coffee, an heirloom pineapple-allspice and peach-jalapeño syrup and coconut milk, served alongside an Oreo; dip in the the cocktail for a grown-up version of cookies and milk. The Loba Lemondrop combines vodka, sake, vermouth, an acid solution and raspberry-lychee jam, and is served with popcorn and a lemon posset brûlée wedge.
There are also classics including a Negroni and an Old-Fashioned, along with other culinary-forward cocktails. A new drink called the Cuddle Chemical is an Old-Fashioned-style cognac cocktail made with vintage caramel and brown sugar syrup.
“I like a snack,” Barry said. “Every drink comes with a bite that enhances the flavor experience.”
The food menu expands on that idea, with small plates that are substantial enough to make a meal. Offerings include sweet and spicy club mix, warmed olives, couscous salad, beet hummus, buffalo dip and a vegan “faux gras,” a meat-free take on foie gras.
There are also larger grazing options, including the Loba board with meats, cheeses, fruit and jams and an ahi tuna board served with wasabi cashews. For dessert, the lemon posset brûlée from the Loba Lemondrop gets a larger treatment, and there’s also a black-and-white cookie.
“We almost called it Snack Bar,” Barry said with a laugh.
Barry is doing much of the food in addition to developing the cocktail program, bringing her culinary experience into a menu that is meant to blur the line between bar snacks and restaurant fare.
The name Loba & Lore hints at the broader concept. “Loba” is Latin for she-wolf, referring to coming together and protecting the pack. “Lore” refers to the mythical storytelling woven throughout the menu, with the narratives expected to continue evolving as the restaurant grows.
“It’s not gonna be a static place,” Thalhammer said. “It’s a place for creativity. We’re a group of creative people. The art on the wall comes onto the plate and onto the glass.”
The space is intended to feel elevated without becoming formal or precious, and the duo sees the surrounding neighborhood as part of that experience. Loba & Lore sits alongside neighbors including Scout’s, Blue Jay Brewing and Videira Wine Bar.
“We want it elevated and welcoming at the same time,” Barry said. “It doesn’t have to have any pretense to it. It’s a deeply personal space, showcases the community that’s around us.”
The story of Loba & Lore started about three years ago, when Thalhammer and Barry met at a queer underground party at The Royale. The after-party was at Platypus in the Grove, and the two quickly began talking about collaborating.
At one point, Thalhammer needed a wall to paint and Barry had a wall. About a year after they met, they painted the now-iconic rainbow Love mural on the Platypus exterior together. The friendship eventually became a romantic relationship, and when the opportunity for the Midtown space arose, the two saw a chance to bring their respective creative worlds together.
“We’ve been manifesting this from the moment that we met,” Barry said.
Thalhammer was born and raised in the St. Louis area and studied fine arts. She has spent years painting murals, including the rainbow work that has become recognizable in the St. Louis community, and has long dreamed of having her own gallery space.
Barry has worked in the St. Louis beverage industry for years, including a stint as beverage director at Angad Arts Hotel and at the now-closed New Society cocktail bar on South Grand. Her appearance on Drink Masters brought her cocktail work to a national audience.
At Loba & Lore, the two are putting those backgrounds into a single space while keeping the focus on the experience of the people who walk through the door.
“We want people to feel creative and inspired and romantic,” Barry said.
The restaurant is currently in its soft-opening phase, with a full opening planned for October. During the soft opening this weekend and next, guests who make reservations online receive a mini welcome cocktail.
The duo also plans to host regular events, including Sushi & Sips nights featuring chef Heidi Skye Hamamura, an artist and sushi dinner with cocktail pairings created by Barry. The next one is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 16, with similar events planned monthly.
After the hard launch on Oct. 1, Loba & Lore will be open Thursday from 6 to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to midnight.
