Restaurateur and bartender extraordinaire Tim Wiggins knows a thing or two about cocktails. He co-owns Lazy Tiger, Yellowbelly and the soon-to-open Extra Wavy raw bar, and through his consulting company Bangers Only, he designs cocktail menus and trains staff at several local bars and restaurants, including most of the LHM properties around town such as Basso on the Plaza and Westport Social. Here are 10 of his favorite spots around the city.
Good Company
“As far as cocktails in the city go, they are very thoughtful with simple, balanced drinks. They are making real cocktails and doing a good job.”
4317 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, goodcompany-stl.com
Kenny’s Upstairs
“The crew there has the perfect mix of high-brow and low-brow cocktails in an unpretentious, comfortable space. I don’t think you will find better cocktails in a divey environment.”
3131 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, kennysupstairs.com
Little Lager
“It is tiny but really inviting. I was immediately met with eye contact. Multiple pours of amari and foamy beer with focused energy; it’s kind of bold. I like that they are not trying to be everyone’s bar, they’re trying to be their own bar.”
5848 Hampton Ave., St. Louis, littlelager.com
Planter’s House
“Ted [Kilgore] is the OG. He is the guy who people are modeling their cocktails after today. If Ted did not do what he did, the scene would not be the same. He is as influential as anyone could be.”
1000 Mississippi Ave., St. Louis, plantershousestl.com
Press Pizza & Pasta
“I think Corey [Moszer]’s draft cocktails are really good. They are impressive and overdeliver with no frills. Making draft cocktails good is not easy and takes understanding the science behind it. I have a lot of respect for what Corey has going on there.”
2509 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, press-stl.com
Retreat Gastropub
Wiggins used to be part of the ownership team at Retreat.
“I built it exactly how I wanted it to be with super high-level execution using ingredients other bars are not using. My whole ethos was to get new, exciting stuff in drinks that actually tastes good. Some employees took it over about a year and a half ago, and they upgraded a few things, but the energy is the same.”
6 N. Sarah St., St. Louis, retreatgastropub.com
Stews Food & Liquor
“I love what Nate [Burrows] and the crew bring. The energy feels like a neighborhood bar, but the staff’s excitement is intoxicating. The identity is fast, crazy, fun and better than you expect. I love the negroni and orange chicken there.”
1862 S. 10th St., St. Louis, stewsstl.com
The Famous Bar
“I like to start at Menya Rui for dinner, then head over to get a gigantic martini at The Famous Bar; that is about as good of a night as I can imagine. Their martinis are 8 ounces, and you really do not need more than one. They’ve had the same bartenders forever; it’s very no frills but necessary in the city.”
5213 Chippewa St., St. Louis, Facebook: The Famous Bar
The SilverLeaf
“I used to live 100 feet from there for six years. Walk through the door and you are in a totally different era. People who go there live within walking distance, and it’s super community-driven. It is not about anything other than a place for people to gather and have a good time. I love it, and it holds a special place in my heart.”
3442 Hereford St., St. Louis, Facebook: The SilverLeaf
Three Sixty Westport
“The staff is super enthusiastic. Of all the properties I do trainings at, they are the most into it. I am biased, but they crush it. I am really impressed by how much they care. Very few restaurants commit to a concept the way they do. They spend a lot of money making it look as good as it does, and they have a large range of what people are looking for. On Sundays, they do a huge, packed DJ night, but it’s more chill on other nights. It is a nice blend of high-end club and actual restaurant.”
111 W. Port Plaza Drive, Suite 1200, St. Louis, 360-stl.com/westport
This article appears in October 2025.