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Categories: Tobacco Shops, Beer, Wine & Spirits, Wine Bars, Lounges [Edit]
Neighborhood: Central West End
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Not one complaint other than it's a few states away from where I live.
Big strong drinks, cigars, fast and friendly staff with great shot suggestions and good prices.
We sat there all afternoon this weekend, and in no way is that sad. har har!
I didn't venture further than the front of the bar but I think I heard there was more seating somewhere else. I'd hope so because if the weather was bad it'd get cramped in there.
Firstly, this place has the greatest selection of cigars I've found in St. Louis. The inside is classy and the seating outside is incredibly relaxing and perfect for people-watching.
It has a bar with a good wine selection and unique beers to pair with the cigars. The bartender is pretty knowledgeable about the booze as well as the cigars.
Holding back the last 2 stars are the prices. This place has never been cheap, but it's not so high-end as to be beyond reach for a special occasion.
I wish more places were like Brennan's.
First off, Great outdoor seating.
Second, You can order wine/beer to go at the shop on the middle level.
Third, their is a cool dark super chill little bar downstairs.
Fourth, the upstairs has a awesome bar, cool art, and Ping Pong.
Need I say more?
The Maryland House (upstairs bar/lounge) is probably one of my favorites in St. Louis...definitely the best in the CWE. It's a little tucked away so the average Bar Louie patron can't find it, and thankfully so! I love the setup of the place- different rooms with eclectic artwork. Would recommend for someone who's looking to spend some time with a group of friends OR as a second/ third date - where you want to get to know someone a little bit better.
It's undeniable: Brennan's is one cool little bar.
It's filled with eclectic artwork and the patio tables offer some of the best people-watching in the CWE. Awesome wine + beer offerings and cigars too if that's your vice.
Really solid music selections and the downstairs bartender knows her stuff.
I'm really digging on this space-- you'll probably see me here this weekend when I head back to St. Louis. Gemtastic!
Brennan's is my number-one favorite bar of all time. Reasons why: Super nice ambiance and decor, chill music, fun speakeasy-style upper and lower floors, and the ventilation is so good you can sit next to someone smoking a cigar and you won't smell it. Just a beautiful and all-around comfortable place to go.
Great blend of people, wine and atmosphere.
Kevin is a great host and I love going to the "debates"
Came here on a Thursday night for a friend's Bachelorette party. We went upstairs to the super-secret "Marilyn's House" for some wine. The decor and ambiance was very San Francisco, but I was a bit shocked with how expensive the place was! I guess if that's what you get with good wine. There was only one bartender working and he poured the wine quite liberally. They also serve Ridge there, but only by the bottle...if only I had the money...
This seems to be one of those great secrets you are only let in on when a friend (or in my case cousin) drags you in one Saturday night and suddenly your eyes are opened.
During the day, this place is pretty unassuming. Mainly a wine and cigar shop, you can simply sit outside sipping your wine and smoking your cigar, and watch the world pass you by. But at night....I feel like this is a place that belongs more in The Village than CWE. The upstairs lounge is completely chill and has some of the coolest art I've seen in any bar. The place doesn't get packed, probably due to it's somewhat secret location on the second floor. There is no sign to lead your way so I suggest knowing where you are going before you get there.
One of the best things about this place though is the dark and hidden wine cellar. The place is completely intimate, there are few tables to clutter up the space, and the wine selection is of course, amazing. I doubt most people would know that this exists unless it is pointed out by a friend. Otherwise, you really feel like you are just sneaking behind the counter and breaking some unwritten rule. No worries...they are expecting you to.
This review is for the upstairs lounge only (Maryland House). Went on a Friday night. Crowd started out a little thin but definitely picked up around 10. Nice ambiance and good music playing on the speakers (Thievery Corporation, etc.). I would say the average age was 28.
I will definitely return here, but on my first visit two things bothered me. #1: They couldn't make the majority of the specialty cocktails listed on their menu because they were out of most of their house-infused vodkas. Apparently only one person on staff knows how to make them and she has been out of town. The cocktail I did order (Snoop da Ville) was really strong (you've been forewarned!) and taste-wise not my cuppa. I should have just ordered wine and will do next time. #2: The cheese plate was not at all as described on the menu. The cheese itself was excellent, but the menu said it would come with toasted pita, quince jam, and some other fancy-sounding stuff. Our plate arrived with Ritz crackers, Carr's water biscuits, and a teeny bit of strawberry jam. So that was kinda odd and lame, but it got the job done.
Brennan's also known as Maryland House at night, is one of the best-kept secrets in one of St. Louis' most popular nightspots. Known as a wine bar, Brennan's is one of the places I like to take friends where if feels as though we are getting the VIP treatment, without actually receiving it.
Outside, there are chairs and tables along the sidewalk that provides the best people watching experience in the Central West End. The best part for me, it the practically hidden door that is unmarked that leads to the bar upstairs.
Friends of mine who have not been there before with me are always hesitant to follow, asking me, "Are you sure you know where you're going?" Yes, yes I do and as soon as we reach the top the stairs, the look around in amazement and generally all exclaim that this is cool.
Cool it is indeed. Around the bar is local artwork and rooms that have themes. One such room I fondly call the shoe room. Along the wall are a whole bunch of sneakers sitting in the glory that has been bestowed upon them in this bar.
Brennan's is a nice place to spend the night. Not so great for a large group due to the size of the place, but Brennan's is a terrific place to enjoy a bottle of wine with some friends.
This is my very dear local wine/cigar shop. Here goes..
The Good..
- You are more than likely to run into me on a Thu, Fri, Sat or any other night
- Brennan's has not one but two of the best kept secrets in STL --and I won't tell
- Best people watching in STL on sidewalk tables in the spring time
- Very local--same faces every time
- The owner is a great guy
The Bad..
- The corking fee keeps getting higher--$8 for wine bought in the store
- What happened to the cheese plate?
The Ugly..
- Cigar & wine: the guilty pleasure
For being in the Central West End, Brennan's maintains a low-key atmosphere and focuses strictly on its product, which is good wine and cigars. Bottle prices and cigars range from reasonable to expensive. However, I try to operate under the rule that a good bottle of wine's price should be over $10, and under $20. Unless you're trying to impress someone, or are a true wine officianado, then you should start paying more.
At a place like this, I think you might also want to start thinking about paying for the atmosphere. Outside, you can enjoy a fine cigar at one of the patio tables, which includes a long, wooden table perfect for a large group. For being outdoors, it's pretty intimate.
What's really great about this place is the wine cellar, which does include a beautiful collection of wines, as well as a dimly-lit bar and a few tables. It's a perfect place to simply get away, or enjoy a conversation.
I love this place! Maryland House has some interesting art! (some random guy from Ladue or something in a red Speedo standing in his yard?!?) It's nice to grab drinks here and chill. Like a modern day speakeasy...
Brennan's and Maryland House are definitely 2 of the coolest places in town, anchoring the best corner in St. Louis.
The owner has a very high taste level obviously and it shows in the design, vibe, and cool events they do.
I take all of my out-of-town visitors here!
I can't really describe this place besides "cool". The upstairs has lots of cool art and a fun atmosphere. I met the owner - great guy. Awesome edition to the Central West End.
This is more than a tobacco shop! It's also a wine bar and wine store. It has seating outside, upstairs, and downstairs. Each has their own ambiance. The wine I had there with friends was awesome; we drank it in the downstairs wine cellar, which was dark and cave-like. Service was a little lackadaisical, but it was a great time. I highly recommend it for a quieter night with smaller groups of friends!
Just wanted to add that at nighttime, when the store closes, there is the Maryland House that opens upstairs. Basically a bar lounge with no sign whose entrance is a subtle, hidden stairway.
Neighborhood: Central West End
Category: Wine Bars
Neighborhood: Lafayette Square
Category: Beer, Wine & Spirits
Neighborhood: Central West End
Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: Central West End
Category: Pubs
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Category: Lounges
