HandleBar
4127 Manchester Ave, St Louis, MO, 63110
HandleBar Menu
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Popular Items
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Address :
4127 Manchester Ave
St Louis, MO, 63110 - Phone (314) 652-2212
- Website https://handlebarstl.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :Closed
- Mon : Closed
Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Music : Live
Good For Dancing : Yes
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Lydia L.
Always a reliable spot full of hipsters that love to dance. Even when other locations suck/are not busy/have odd crowds, you can find a crowd at HandleBar that just wants to have a good time. They're not consistent about charging a cover. The most that they've asked for has been $5. Drinks are average pricing.
(4)Mike M.
This is my go to bar for craft beer. They have plenty on tap and the selections are rotated regularly. It's a friendly place and its clientele is as diverse as its beer selection. The food is great as well. Not the usual style bar food. Served fresh and always plated nicely.
(5)Rob D.
Limited menu but the food was good and it offers a break from the usual bar food. You can just go with a pizza if you want but they have some more unique options than most bars you go to. The different food options pushed a 3 star review to a 4 star, respect has to be given when a place does something a little different Trivia night was fun, a group cheated but it's free trivia so no need to let that ruin the fun night. The drinks were good pours, not watered down and priced very reasonably...Might have had a few more than I should because it was such an affordable night The service is a drawback, it's pretty slow, it's not awful, but it's a bit slower than I'm accustomed too. The noise level was horrible, there's hardwood floors, no accoustic tile on the ceiling and not much on the walls so a level of noise that may be a low hum in many bars was a roaring mess in this bar. Please put up some ceiling tile or something to attempt an improvement with the noise levels, it was much louder than it needed to be due to logistic issues with the room. Fun night, I'd go back for sure, it's worthy of the 4 star for the affordable grub and drinks but the noise level and slow service is a concern depending on what your tolerance is for such things.
(4)Laurie K.
I went here for lunch on a Friday. I loved the way the bar looked and enjoyed the murals on the wall. My friend and I sat in a booth along the wall, there wasn't a lot of seating. My friend and I decided to get a couple drinks first. She loves ginger beer so she ordered a Blonde Bastard. I wanted something sweet but off their drink menu and Keeley recommended A Superior Sour. Both drinks were good. Keeley was not only our server but also the Director of Inebriation, a title posted on a page in the menu. It looks like all the employees are listed with little comments about them. I liked it. Some might say it's silly to put something like that in a menu but I think its fun. My friend and I decided to try a couple things. We started with the Sausage & Pretzel Board. The sausage was good, the pretzels were salty and the aioli and mustard and sauerkraut was perfect with both. The only thing I would change would be to offer more of a serrated knife to cut the sausage into bite-size pieces. I was dying to try the pierogi and she was wanting to follow the "must try " section of the menu and so we got the pierogi and the Russian Flatbread. I'm so glad we did. The pierogi was good...the sweet potato stole the show...but that flatbread but great. The perfect crisp with smoked salmon that I would have eaten off the floor if it fell, cavier, dill creme fraiche and pickled onions that didn't have that strong onion taste. It was as beautiful as it was tasty. Finally we had the Pelmini (pork and sweet onion). These dumplings were in such a flavorful broth that we would take a dumpling out, cut it in half so it would fit with some flavorful broth and greens on the spoon. I can only assume that the dumplings were made in house but they had a nice portion of pork and sweet onion in them. It complimented the consistency of the dough. My only issue with this dish was that the crunchy bread served with this didn't soak up the broth and maybe that's not what it was there for but that broth is fabulous and a bread to soak it up would be a good addition...I think. My friend works in the neighborhood so she plans to go back soon for lunch. I would if I worked closer.
(5)Mandie M.
I have visited the HandleBar at least twice and each time has been for a birthday party. Both times the service has been decent and the drinks have been great. I like how they have craft beers on tap and I like how the bartenders (even though they are slammed with business) provide me with information about the beers so I know what the expect. The atmosphere is pretty cool if you are into bikes. Some really cool architecture and decorations throughout the entire place, including the patio. I definitely know I am old though because one the DJ starts playing I am usually ready to go! The music is loud and I don't fell like dancing when I am drinking my craft beer (I don't want to spill it)! Overall, I do enjoy the HandleBar, but I don't know if this would be a top pick for a location I would choose on my own.
(4)Nate M.
HandleBar is my go to for happy hour drinks. Excellent selection of draft and hard stuff. Great vibe. Total hipster hangout but that is a positive for me. A blast on weekend nights as well. Turns into a giant kickass dance party, sometimes they have crazy video game bike races, trivia etc. Handlebar is great. Simple as that.
(4)Sasha S.
Awesome bar in The Grove with unexpectedly good Russian food. During lunch it's a laid back bicycle bar with a welcoming feel. It kinda has a Colorado-esque feel. The service was fantastic. The only person that seemed to be FOH was the bartender but he made a great server too. He was friendly and attentive. Also, he was very apologetic when our order came out wrong. He not only fixed it but offered us dessert as well, which we politely declined but greatly appreciated. We ordered and shared: Russian-style Pierogi ($5) 2 with traditional cabbage, mushroom, and egg. They were very different from Ukrainian style but still tasty. These had a hearty buckwheat crust that was tasty and complemented the savory filling well. We also ordered and shared: Blinchiki Two Russian inspired crepe-like pancakes, made with local beer, filled, and baked. Topped with sour cream and scallions (unless noted otherwise) with Sambal on the side. The Caprese: marinated tomatoes, mozzarella, basil pesto, caramelized onion Topped with provalone and basil pesto $8 The Greek: spinach, feta, olives, roasted red pepper, mozzarella, provolone So, we ordered a Greek Pizza but got a Greek Blinchiki on accident. -- They still brought us the pizza. Everything was tasty with good flavors and fresh ingredients. We will mos def pop back in at some point, hopefully sooner rather than later.
(4)Ben S.
I really liked this place! Stopped in for lunch on a Saturday. Miles (manager/bartender) took great care of me and really gave me some unique insights into how they run the place and where they place emphasis. Rare to find these days... I started with the pierogis. One pork and one potato. Each was accompanied by its own dipping sauce. The dough was slightly crispy but not dried out. The pork was slightly spicy and the accompanying sauce was a little sweet so they paired very well. The potato was more savory and accompanied by a dill sauce. Also delicious and paired well. It is important to note that their pierogis are a little different than most that you find in Eastern Europe (haven't been to Russia so can't comment on their version) but that's not a bad thing. Different but still very good! Next up was a small portion of their pelmeni - basically a pork dumpling soup. I would say the dumplings are more closely related to tortellini than dumplings. Very flavorful vege broth that they make in house. Lots of pieces of veges in the broth and the addition of green onions and sprouts gives the dish an interesting combination of both flavors and textures. The dumplings themselves are amazing but pairing them with the broth and a little sour creme puts this dish over the top. I opted for dessert, mainly because I cannot name another time I've ever been offered sweet potato cheesecake with a beer-caramel sauce. It's been a few hours and I'm still not really sure what I thought of the cheesecake but the beer-caramel sauce was pretty amazing. Lots of house-made stuff and great presentation shows that they take their food seriously here. Can't wait to go back and try some of their wild pizza ideas...
(5)JoAnn H.
The 1st place I think of when I want to go dancing. Fun atmosphere, I even got my guy to dance. Not an intimidating place, more hipster. I need to try their lunch sometime.
(4)Lindsay J.
We stopped in for lunch on Sunday and were pleasantly surprised by the unique menu. The pizzas were great, and we also tried the blinchikis, the white fish bahn mi, and the pimento cheese dip. Everything was delicious! I have come to HandleBar to drink before, but now I will definitely return for the food! Side note: yes, this is a bar, but we brought our 2-year-old for lunch and she had lots of space to dance around while we waited for our food. The staff and other customers were gracious and didn't seem to mind.
(4)Kurt I.
It seems that every city I've been to has a place called the Handlebar. I came in here after falling down a hill and cutting my leg open, (I'm sure it won't scar too badly - thanks for your concern). Decent priced, quick service and after the bartender took my drink and it still had booze in it, I complained and they quickly brought me another no charge. Twas chill, I dig.
(3)Juliana N.
Loved the bicycle themed atmosphere, the very friendly staff and the delicious Eastern European themed foods! The smoked salmon, arugula, caviar and dill flatbread was amazing! The beet soup wasn't borsch but delicious in it's own right. If I ever find myself in St.Louis again I will definitely be returning here!
(5)Russell T.
They stole my money for wanting to leave literally two minutes after paying cover because I had quote "already enjoyed the bar" even though they wouldn't let my friend with a temporary ID enter the bar. Result, payed ten dollars (menu price 4.50) for a beer and left. Do not give these thieves your business as they will just find ways to steal your hard earned money.
(1)Kate C.
Decent beer selection. Need to carry a few Belgium beer in my opinion. The food is odd but fresh. Had the potatoes with anchovies on them... I let the man friend eat that dish while I nibbled on the hummus. Sometimes the music is great, other times there's no live deejay, simply a playlist. A good spot to chill & meet up with people before you go out.
(3)Rachel M.
Seriously one of the stupidest bars I've ever been to, and the chick bouncer is a total cunt. Not even worth your money, seriously.
(1)Anne B.
Fantastic beer list - rarely disappoints. I also usually love their pizza and the patio.
(4)Nghia T.
The bartender Megan was really friendly and had great suggestions on the food as well as the beer. The food was amazing we had the pierogi and the flaming chicken pizza thin crust with an amazing crunch went perfectly with the half wit!
(5)Bekah S.
Handlebar is such a fun place to hang out and dance at! Unlike typical bars/clubs, Handlebar had DJs that play an eclectic set of music. No matter the tune, everyone is getting down and dancing their heart out. The drinks are decently priced. Fireball shots for $3.50 (vs $5 in Soulard), and well alcohol price is fair. Tonight there was no cover charge, though u have been there when it cost $5 to get in. The crowd is super fun. There are always people looking to dance with another group, and the dancers are always fun. Expect to see some new moves! The inside is a little dark, but it has been dressed up with bicycle paraphernalia. The back patio is GREAT. There is plenty of seating, an extra bar, and it has nice murals. Overall: Definitely a fun, cheap bar to go to if you're in to the hipster crowd and dancing.
(4)Robert S.
The beer selection is good, but the food is only okay. The last time I went, I tried the pork pelmeni, which wasn't particularly memorable and rather bland. Their flat breads are pretty good and there is a good variety to try. HandleBar is a decent place to have beers and appetizers with friends, but I wouldn't go out to dinner there.
(3)Lexi L.
Megan is the best bartender around. Didn't eat but the drink were great. Awesome atmosphere and service was great. very personable, made you feel at home. If you're looking for a place to go in The Grove this is the place to be! 10 out of 10. Will go again.
(5)Joshua R.
For starters, to allay any confusion, this is not a gay bar. Its right in the middle of the grove, which has a lot of LGBT establishments, but this one is unaffiliated. I have come here on a few occasions, mainly for late night (its open til 3 am) and once for trivia. On every occasion, I've had an awesome time. Its a very cool space, with a large indoor bar area and an outdoor patio. They have an awesome beer selection and great specials (if you check on yelp you get $1 off your first drink :)). There typically is a small cover when coming out here on the weekend and the place is converted to a large dance party (mostly), whereas during the week its a reasonably mild mannered hipster bar/restaurant. I have yet to eat here, but apparently they have great russian food and pizza. However, I can firmly endorse it as a solid late night spot (i'd probably only 2nd to Talayna's) and for their impressively challenging thrusday night trivia.
(5)Douglas S.
We stopped here for lunch on a Saturday. We order meat pelmeni and veggie pelmeni. These are a Russian version of tortellini. Both versions were excellent.
(5)Raymond F.
Great staff, great environment, looks like fun for drinking, but POOR food forces me to give a two star. It doesn't take much to impress me, especially when coming to a bar expecting bar food (and starving). The food was def very disappointing but prices appropriately.
(2)Christian K.
HandleBar knows how to throw a party. I am not a huge fan of crowded places and might be the last guy to run to the pubs for a special occasion. However, when HandleBar is having a special event, which seems like every other day, I want to be there! It's actually where I spent New Year's Eve. I even watched a few World Series games there! The key to this establisment is owner Tatyana Telnikova. My wife and I met her the first time we entered HB, MY SUGGESTION THIS TIME, and we were in love with her in a matter of moments. Little did we know then that she and her wonderful place would become a big part of our spare time. Tatyana is always thinking up new ways to entertain her patrons and gets involved with happenings in the Grove and really all around the city of St. Louis. And her patrons respond. There's always something cool going on around the bar. Recently, they started Sell Your Sh*t Sundays where local artists and retailers hock their creative clothes, jewelry, or art. This venue is enormous: a lounge area, a "stage" side where djs and musician perform, and a nice patio with murals covering the wooden fence surrounding the back. They used to have an open mic night, which I thought was pretty great! And the beer. Again, HB tries to incorporate all elements of the city. Local breweries are highlighted with great pride here. At one point, they gave Four Hands a monopoly on the taps, in honor of 4H's anniversary. As for Schlafly, pick your color from the rainbow. They probably have it. How can I forget the food? I really like the pizza, but recently I tried some of their Russian items. Very unique, very cool. Tatyana kept talking about her Russian menu, and I was skeptical at best. Everything I have tried is wonderful. I could go on forever. Go to HandleBar. Meet Tatyana. It will be worth your while! Suggestions: Swine & Dine Pizza, Meaty or Veggie Blinchiki, Any Pierogi
(5)Tarun M.
Pretty good place to chill and dance. There is a decent size open space in the back. There is a bar in the front and other at the back. Dance floor can be slippery as many dancers spill their drinks hike dancing. Overall a chilling place.
(4)Joshua G.
I love this place. Never had the food, but I sure love their beer. Went for the first time not long ago and never stopped coming back. There is an awesome fireplace in the back patio area and the crowd it attracts was awesome. A must see. 5 stars
(5)Emily J.
Awesome. Just awesome. Food was great, and such a wonderful delight to find a welcoming happy place to drink with friends when I go home to visit the parents.
(5)Aimee K.
Wow - color me surprised. This place is fantastic! I visited on a weekday with my mom for lunch, and I have to admit, I wasn't too excited when she said she wanted to go there for lunch. I believe my exact line was "that's fine, but I don't really feel like bar food." Well now I feel like an idiot because as I was walking through the door, I saw this written on the wall: amazing vegetarian Russian menu. Say WHAT? Vegetarians, run to this place. Hell, even meat eaters should run here too. Sure it just feels like a standard bar inside (although the huge mural on the wall is pretty cool,) but you're going to fall in love with the menu. I had no idea what to choose, so I ended up going with the Red Goat sandwich which comes loaded with roasted beets, avocado, goat cheese, arugula and dill sauce. It was absolutely heavenly, and basically combines all of my favorite things into one sandwich. That being said, my mom's lunch won. She ordered off the Russian side of the menu and went with the Veggie Pelmeni, which is house made Russian style dumplings with vegetarian fillings, served in vegetable stock and topped with seasonal greens. I swear there was some yummy dill in there too. We were so surprised! Next time I'm just going to order them both and call it a day. Because there WILL be a next time. I cannot wait to go back to HandleBar to explore the rest of their menu. I feel so ignorant for not knowing how cool this place truly is. If I can walk out of a lunch totally satisfied without feeling like I ate too much, that's a winner. Get to this place as soon as you can, and order a few things so you get to experience how great the cooking really is.
(4)Megan H.
I do love this joint. Fun patio in the summer, great DJ on the dance floor and a good selection of beers.
(5)Allison B.
I think I've found my new go-to spot when I just wanna dance. Cool place with exposed brick and good ambiance, nice DJing and reasonably priced drinks. Like my friend promised, this was a great place to go dancing with other people who like to dance but without getting hassled or humped on. This place is about as anti meat market as you can get. Also, I enjoyed the yummy smelling bonfire on the patio out back. Very chill.
(4)Fred H.
Megan is not only a great bartender, she's an outstanding waitress. The food is excellent! We started with the pickle board and pimento dip. Dip was great and the pickle board offered some amazingly unique flavors. All very good (especially the pickled apples). I tried the Zavtrak Blinchiki and it was delicious. The others in our group tried different pizzas, and all were very pleased. Excellent variety of local craft beers (raspberry stout makes an excellent 'dessert'). But the best was last, the bill. Excellent value!
(5)Lesley C.
Went into Handlebar for lunch with my 5 year old when I missed the turn for the interstate and ended up in the Grove. The bartender (who I think was the owner) was very welcoming to both of us. Our server, Paolo, was very sweet and accommodating. I had the Russian stew (I can't remember the exact name, but it was gluten and dairy free, and outstanding!). Daughter had a delicious looking wood-fired pizza. Wonderful food and a lot of fun bicycle stuff and art to look at. Loved it!
(4)Amanda K.
My boyfriend and I came here because we had some time to kill and got a steal on a Handle Bar coupon deal...we figured we didn't have much to lose. If you have read some of my latest reviews you can start to notice that my dislike for Groupon, Living Social, and other similar businesses has been growing due to lackluster food and service when using these so-called "deals". Well my faith has been revived by Handle Bar! Even though the coupon is what brought me to Handle Bar in the first place, I would gladly return and pay full price...exactly what those coupons businesses should do. Handle Bar is quite spacious with a large bar along the back side of the place, a pool table right when you walk in, and various tables to sit at along either side of the bar. It has a very homey feel to it, which was reinforced when one of the bartender/waitress's son came in and played with his toys on the bar while visiting with his Mom. We ordered off the Russian side of their menu, which is a must!!! We got a cup of their soup of the day, pork dumplings, and crepes filled with breakfast food. The soup was broth-based with lots of meat & veggies. It was served alongside sour cream and a spicy sauce, so you could customize it according to your preferred tastes. I added a little bit of both and ended up with one tasty soup! It was hearty, yet still somewhat light thanks to the broth. The soup started us off on the right food and our main dishes kept that going. The pork dumplings were cooked just right and were served in a super flavorful broth (it was a vegetable stock of sorts with lots of dill), it was also topped with sour cream to make for a richer flavor. The crepe was also delicious; I really couldn't choose which one was better! The crepe was pretty fluffy and stuffed with scrambled eggs and a few veggies, then topped with crumbled bacon and sour cream. The staff here was also great. They were attentive and our food got to our hungry stomachs quick. After eating, we played a quick game of pool (which I unfortunately lost) then went on our way. We will definitely be back for a lunch, happy hour, dinner, or all three!
(5)Vince L.
Came for local StL event. First time here. Was nice and welcoming. The staff was very friendly and patient as I was trying new beers for the first time. Got some samples to test then settled on one. Though it was somewhat crowded for the event never felt too crowded. Very clean and the staff worked to keep it that way. It was great that they hosted the carfreestl.eventbrite.com .
(4)Amy M.
Relaxed atmosphere. Good craft beer selection. Many local brews along with general favorites. Food was surprisingly upscale and artistic. They were in the middle of revamping their menu so we handle limited options but overall a good experience.
(4)Liz K.
What a spot! There is literally nothing wrong with this bar. Bartenders: babes. Drinks: on point. Food: so good it's crazy. Bikes hanging from the ceiling? Nothing wrong with that! Sell your shit Sunday is my favorite day of the month. They should teach that to that place across the street.
(5)Alex M.
Came here on a Saturday night with my wife for some Russian food, pilimany and blinchiki. Was very disappointed. Food was nasty. Their kitchen is not Russian. Although atmosphere was nice if you are into hippy style. Will not come here again.
(2)Jen J.
This place has seriously legit Russian food. You must try the Yummy Pelmeni if nothing else. We also got the large Zakuska plate. While the offerings were typical Eastern European appetizers, the portions were disappointing for a hefty $22 (the option with vodka, of course, why would you get it without). You'll probably get more food if you order $22 of vodka and appetizers separately. Service was iffy...two guys at the bar were pretty oblivious to empty plates and glasses. Once we moved to a table, no one came to check on us and get drink orders...a pity as the place wasn't super busy and not having a server "hover" definitely loses money for the joint. I think they need to train their bar-tending folks better...or they could just be family members and not give a crap. Regardless, I'd go back. On a somewhat unrelated note, Orbit Pinball Lounge in Maplewood almost has the exact same layout as this place, plus a back room. I had serious deja vu when I walked in their door.
(4)Al S.
OK so I am updating my HandleBar feedback now that I have actually tested some of the food menu. I intend to keep testing too. The hummus app. is magnificent. It is definitely some the best hummus I have tasted recently. Good stuff and ample serving - both hummus and pita. I have also sampled the garlic cheese bread, which is also equally yummy and filling. This is a good app. to get if you aren't exactly starving but want to fill up a bit. It goes well with a delicious pint. Pierogis - I tested the potato, cheese, and broccoli versions and was pleasantly surprised. They are relatively small so be sure to order two servings if you are seriously hungry. These also make a great app. or side dish to one of the main entrees. Pizza! They have superb pizza. I am not a big meat eater so I gave the Greek a whirl. Oh my delightful goodness - it was absolutely fantastic! I strongly recommend giving the Greek a spin. If you are looking for a meatier pie - go for the Swine & Dine. It is amazing as well. I snuck a piece or two from my neighbors! I can't wait to give the Greek blinkchiki a try as well as the rest of the menu. So far....everything about this place is awesome across the board....as I expected!
(5)Michelle S.
Went on a Friday night to a very quiet scene around 7pm. I love my local beers but would have liked to see something new instead of the stand-by St. Louis brews. The menu is very limited for food, but very tasty. We had a prosciutto and goat cheese pizza and garlic bread, which was a perfect start to a night of drinking. I think the 3 stars deserves an asterisk noting potential greatness and my return business to see how this new bar will grow.
(3)R L.
Unique and fun atmosphere with great local beer selection. They often have DJ sets and live bands (though the sound level can be a bit overwhelming... conversations can be impossible) and a great mix of people. The staff is friendly and obviously love their work --- some nights they seem to forget about the customers, because they're having so much fun. I've had great nights here and nights where I want to shove the dominoes of hipsters into the dominoes of aging frat boys, but overall, it's a place I feel at home. and love. Well, maybe not love... I'm not ready for that kind of commitment. We're in like, though, fo sho.
(3)Cameron R.
Love the food. Love the drinks. Love inside and the outside. Great service!
(5)Allison B.
I gathered a fun group of about 10 people for a night of pierogi-eatin' at Handle Bar, and we all rather liked the place. I had never been there before and didn't know much about it, but I'm glad I went! Before this meal, I knew the following: * The Handle Bar was a bike-lover thing. * It was a bar. I had seen a tweet about Handle Bar redoing its menu to include more Russian-inspired items, including pierogi. PIEROGI? SIGN ME THE FREAK UP! Lord knows I've been lamenting St. Louis' lack of pierogi for more than a decade, so I was super-stoked to gather up my pierogi-loving friends and try these suckers out as soon as the new menu was available. After making sure from friends that the Handle Bar was 100% smoke free (YAY!), I made it a thing and sent out Facebook invites. The bar was full of wood (that's what she said) and had a strange two-room feel, with that big divider wall between two sections. A few friends were already at the bar when I arrived, so we moved over to the only long table so that more of us could chat and look at each other (we were very pretty). Note to groups: this table isn't that long. We squeezed 10 around it, but we had a difficult time. Tatiana was a fabulous waitress and bartender (and perhaps an owner and chef? I'm unsure, but I think she's at least one of these). She answered questions about beers and food all night long and didn't rush us at all. I ordered the pierogi. These were different from the ones I was used to in Pittsburgh. Whereas Pittsburgh pierogi are doughy and boiled/steamed, Handle Bar's were kind of fried and crispy. We ordered potato/cabbage and potato/cheese pierogi. Two pierogi on a plate per order. They were very good and I'd totally eat them again, though I was still left craving the pierogi I was used to. I also ordered veggie blinchiki, a pancake-type thing. I don't remember much about them, though. It was almost a month ago, for crying out loud! Nosing around, I noticed that the Handle Bar had a great stock of board games. I'd love to get a group together to play, though I do wonder where we'd all fit. Maybe it would have to be a four-person night so we could just sit at a booth? I need to return and try a few more menu items and really take stock of the place. I like it so far, though!
(3)Christine M.
Awesome staff, delicious food and a great selection of local beer. This is definitely a place you should check out
(5)Russ B.
Love this place, just wish I could walk there! I go here sometimes for trivia were you'll run into plenty of cool people mostly with piercings and tattoos which is much more my scene than the now police guarded wash ave. Great beer selection with lots of local options. Good music playing but not crazy loud so you can still have convos. And I hear the food is good, and it smelled good but I just haven't tried it...yet Check it out if you like this kind of atmosphere!
(4)Katie S.
A+ to Handle Bar. First, it has my favorite theme which is simple, a bicycle. I am a cyclist and really heart the racks inside so I can bring my bike in. It is my favorite place to drink beer in the Saint Louis area. They have an amazing beer selection, especially local MO beers. Also, they have a small meal selection but what they do offer is right on par. They have veggie tacos that have a perfect spice and taste. I must say Handle Bar does it all right...along with making you feel welcome every single time. I love you Handle Bar.
(5)Kyle G.
It was the day after Mardi Gras in St. Louis and the place was totally empty which was awesome news for us, the non-partiers, since we had the run of the place and the menu. We previewed the vegetarian options online and was excited to try this place out and it was so worth it. The menu clearly marks their vegetarian options with little leaves and there were many leaves to choose from. My wife and I got two different vegetarian pierogi to split/share. The potato, cheese, broccoli and the cabbage, mushroom, egg, and onion. These were both tasty and these were in a slightly different style being baked rather than pan fried. Think kolache rather than potsticker. We were informed that Russian food is widely interpreted, so it may not be what your grandmother made you, but still tastes like someones grandmother was at the helm! I also enjoyed the Veggie Blinchiki which was basically a filled buckwheat crepe. Also very tasty, though I was hoping for a more toothsome feel to the veggies inside. Instead it was more of a mince like the pierogi. To finish off the meal we shared a piece of their blackberry cheesecake. I'm not normally a cheesecake person since most places serve a flavored cheesecake as a standard slice of NY style cake with a flavored topping. On no sir, this was a blackberry flavored cheesecake on a chocolate crust with some fresh blackberries. Very homemade and rustic...and not as rich and heavy as a cheesecake can be. I'm looking forward to exploring more leaves on their menu.
(4)Rachael H.
Come on down for some...Russian food? The menu is chock-full of delightful Russian-inspired goodies, such as wraps made with traditional buckwheat pancakes, packed with meat and veggies. Any of the appetizers are a good choice, but to get the Russian experience check out the Zakuska plate with some vodka! I partied here on New Year's Eve and had a wonderful time. The place was crowded but not packed, and the music was great. I'll definitely be coming back for more of their 80s nights. The owner of the bar, Tatyana, is also really cool and super dedicated to her bar, her neighborhood, and her city. She has installed a ton of cool art in and around the bar, so be sure to check it out sometime.
(5)Steve P.
The bar is a relaxed atmosphere and the employees are friendly. The food is pretty good, especially the spicy chicken flatbread pizza. They have a pretty good selection of beer both draft and bottles. I would recommend checking them out, also can have a pretty lively night crowd.
(4)Alexander P.
Free cover if you bike there. Tasteful fire-pit in the back and generally hip music up front.
(4)Nisheet G.
Defiitely a great place to be! Thier cocktails are majorly awesome and I loved the Pizza too.
(4)Matt S.
I love watching drunk people try to climb the Penny-farthing sculpture out front. Met a friend here for drinks. Bartenders are friendly, and I like the bike-riding ethos of the place. Seating is limited--I really wish they had places to sit at the bar. There was a musical guest later that evening, so an entire half of their space had been cleared of tables and chairs. Because it was hard to find seating, we found ourselves outside on the huge patio in the back, with what I think was a patio bar. I need to come back here and try the Russian food.
(4)Stewart P.
I really like this place and was surprised by it. I have wanted to visit it for awhile and took advantage of an instant deal as I was downtown for work and hungry. It was a good choice. I ended up ordering the Frank blinchiki and the Yummy Pelmeni. The Frank was a hot dog (2?) wrapped in a thin pancake with tomato, lettuce and onion, "Chicago" style. Excellent. The Pelmeni are meat filled noodles that were so full of flavor (and slightly spicy) with a nice broth and topped with seasonal greens (also excellent). While I only had water to drink they do have a focus on craft beers I believe. The space here is the kind of place I would like to meet up at, really liked the interior and it felt very roomy. The food (Russian influence) was not what I expected at all and was very unique and it is hard to surprise me. I will be looking forward to going back and it will be hard not to order the same thing, it was that good. The menu has something for everyone. I heard someone asking about a trivia nigh but not sure of the details. They also have board games handy I am sure for anyone that wants to play one. Definitely check this place out. Friendly service also.
(5)Liz G.
My review is based solely on my last visit which was with friends after ice skating at Steinberg. It was a chilly night and the "hot cider rider" was the perfect warm-up drink. Hot cider, some combination of alcohol (I wasn't paying attention) all topped off with a thick orange slice and cinnamon stick - oh, holy winter this was the perfect drink that only needed a crackling fireplace to complete the warm lovely feeling. As if it could get any better, we had a s'mores shot. Godiva liqueur along with some other things with a 151 top-off then lit on fire as to roast mini marshmallows on a toothpick. Blow out the flame, down the shot then eat the marshmallows. Wow. There really weren't words. It was a strong shot that was warm, chocolaty, and melt-in-your mouth then finished with the 'mallows. I'm not a shot person but this one had the taste and novelty to have me wanting to come back for their next concoction. Love it!
(4)Christina O.
nightlife/bar review only- if paying a cover on a friday night to listen to mediocre outdated/overplayed music in a smelly place is your idea of fun, i guess this place is for you. don't order anything but beer or shots because they'll make you something really funky which you will be stuck with- since they'll give you sass and won't swap it for something else. may it's better as a restaurant.
(1)Brooke L.
I was incredibly impressed by the sincerity and attention of the staff. David, in particular, took great care in making sure that my drink was perfect, and he did this with all of the drinks my friends and I ordered. Not only were his drinks (especially the martinis!) made to perfection, but they were creative and delicious! I will definitely return to the HandleBar when David is working! Great job! My friends and I really appreciated everything!
(5)Julianne M.
One of my favorite bars in STL. Good dance floor, fun patio, good music, great decor!
(5)Lauren M.
Good food and great service from our waiter, Joe! He was the best and kept us laughing through lunch!
(5)Tiffany N.
I haven't eaten at HandleBar, only gone in for drinks later on a Saturday night solely because Grammophone was closed. Never again. Call me a grandma if you want, but the music was way too loud. Sure, I normally prefer quiet bars, but I also enjoy, say Atomic Cowboy or Novak's, from time to time. This was almost painfully loud. Thankfully, they have a patio. It was like 35 degrees, but there's a fire pit! That was almost redemption. It turns out they also had s'mores, but we were too late for them. The outside bar briefly had a bartender who actually made me a decent drink, but he was gone after that. There was only one bartender inside... on a Saturday? Okay. Also, maybe this is indicative of why I've never gone here before, but I do not like people who look sloppy to touch my food or drinks. I didn't mind all the patrons who looked like they needed to shower, but they also weren't touching anything I was planning to put in my body. The bartender was probably cool, but he was literally wearing pajamas, which freaked me out because I felt like he just rolled out of bed and walked into work. Alcohol kills germs, though, right? Obviously, drinks took forever. Thankfully I only planned to have a couple beers, since when a friend bought me one shot, it was very not good. I'd consider going back at lunch time to try the menu... anything that's far removed from the nightlife. Pros: fire! Neutral: theme Cons: everything else
(1)Tracey W.
Yelping sober is becoming too easy for me and I need a bit of a challenge. Enter: This review. It can't have been that great of a time, since I'm sitting here eating spoiled food out of my fridge and writing a fucking Yelp review, instead of getting spoiled and getting fucking reviewed. But ya know, I can't really blame the Handle Bar for that. They did their part. I really didn't put too much thought into the name of this place, which means mustache to me more than it means bike. I don't get the concept of bike-friendly bars, since are normal bars not friendly towards bikes? I mean, it seems like every place is bike friendly, except anti-bike places? Is this a play on the "biker bar" scene? Like haha, bicyle, not motorcyle? Is this a hipster thing that they could explain to me at the Royale? Too cerebral. Don't care. Cover charge. Dear "The Grove": This is fucking St. Louis. All your shitty bars are super lame, and you should not be charging a cover charge. Kthanxbye. Other than that, though, sweet. Good peeps, for the most part, except the chick who wouldn't talk to me in the bathroom. Patio. Smelled all woody, mainly cuz of the fire pit that had wood in it. It rained and all the pussies went inside. The bartender was f-ing amazing. Seriously. One of those bartenders where they make you feel special, like you have a special bond with them, except they're just in it for the money, and you're just in it for the booze. It was like having my own personal wife all night fucking long. LOVE. The bathrooms were cool, too, but I don't remember why. Something about bikes. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. DJ spinning crazy trance shit. I hate techno music, but whatever. I'll shake it to whatever. To Summarize: 1. If you ride a bike you will like this place, but I'm not sure why. 2. It's a bar that has good service and drinks. 3. Patio.
(4)Katherine B.
What a great place! I've been hearing about it for a while, but never got around to going. I had a hot chicken sandwich - nice. The atmosphere was so chill. They made me a nice drink - a cinnamon rum something or other with hot cider. Great pick me up. They also have a pool table.
(4)Mike M.
The husband and I stopped in for a late lunch yesterday. Had a 10% off coupon. Friends have raved about this place. Understand why, now. Ordered the pierogies and sausage & pretzel plate. Then another one. And a bier. something spicy from Four Hands. OMG! Sausages are from GW sausage in South City. Pretzels are from Companion and served warm with homemade sauerkraut (Russian style; more mild than German) and a dipping sauce. Dare you to eat just one of these. No, really. REALLY! Bring your appetite. The fact that this 'biker' bar is smack dab in the middle of the only gay-borhood in St. Louis speaks to the truly eclectic character of our fair city. We'll be back. Like soon. P.S. Bartender Joey is SOOOO cute! Sigh.... I'd eat his epic sandwich any day!
(4)Mary Kate M.
Ok. I'm not fully sure of what to make of this place. I understand the theme of it, the graffiti art and what not but I am still somewhat confused. First when we got there we were charged a small cover. When we got in there was a dj spinning possibly the weirdest mix of music I've ever heard. I don't think it was house music or electronica. I don't even think he knew what he was doing. The best way I could describe is as something you would think of when you're on some sort of heavy drug induced trip. Acid trip maybe? I wouldn't know considering I've never even tried a drug, but if I had to imagine -- this would be it. This is a straight bar in the middle of the gay community. I like that they are mixing it up a bit, but still it just seems kind of out of place with the rest of The Grove. There wasn't a lot of people there for a Saturday late evening. What crowd of people there were, they were all outside smoking and hanging about. 8 people were maybe in the house listening to confusing dj mixes including the bartender. The crowd primarily is a hipster, eclectic kind of crowd. Au naturale if you will. I felt kind of grossed out being around some of the people because they kind of seemed dirty. Am I being judgmental? Slightly. But everyone needs a bath, right? The patio had graffiti art everywhere. Think 90s art and grunge graffiti. A few chairs and tables about, and good enough room to hold about 40 people. Back to the bar - drinks were decent. The bartender was nice too. This place probably has more of a "local" feel than a random crowd that comes in. I could totally see the same patron coming in at 4pm on a Tuesday afternoon as I could see them coming in for a late night drink at 1am on a Saturday. Take your pick. It's a cute bicycle bar. But not necessarily my type of crowd or feel.
(3)Alex O.
Great beer and spirits selection, great prices, awesome staff, huge patio. Way classier than most 3am bars. Haven't eaten here yet, but have heard nothing but good things. I just recently started going here, and it's already my favorite bar in South City.
(5)Andrew T.
The Handle Bar is quickly becoming one of my favorite bars in St. Louis. No cover, reasonably priced drinks, a strong selection of bottled beers plus some good local brews on tap, a friendly crowd and a house band with a penchant for Johnny Cash covers. What's not to like? One of the bartenders tonight seemed to be new to the job, but she made my Manhattan with a very generous dose of Maker's Mark and a smile, which was much appreciated. Let's face it: any bar that greets you with the spectacle of two flannel-clad young women playing chicken on tallbikes in the middle of the street is bound to provide you with an interesting Friday night.
(4)Chris Z.
This bar is truly unique. As the name suggests, it caters to bicyclists. If you arrive on your bike, they offer a discount and there are a couple of huge structures out where you can lock your bike up. Plus there is a bike repair shop across the street. Inside, the theme continues. One wall is littered with bike parts, while another is covered with a huge outdoor mural... I think by local artist Craig Downs. There's a pool table which doesn't look like it gets played all that much and a bunch of booths. The space is much bigger inside than it seems when looking in from the street. The reasoning behind the bicycle themed bar is found on the first page of the menu. From what I remember, the owner was an immigrant from Russia. Upon arriving to STL, she found herself traversing the city often via bicycle. She found the experience liberating, and it has shaped her whole outlook on life. Thus... a bicycle themed bar that served authentic Russian dishes. Our tatted up bartender was very cool and helpful. We weren't all the hungry so opted for something small. She chose the pretzel an sausage plate for us. The pretzels were home-cooked and good. The sausage was good... but it surprised me it was intentionally served cold. The plate was served with a milky white dipping substance which I avoided since it looked like... well... nevermind. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with my experience at this themed bar in the heart of rainbow country.
(4)Hao X.
I'm not one for bars, but I come here often on Wednesday nights for the Gateway Burners Meet n' Greet. I don't drink beer much, so I can't say anything exciting about the beer here but I love everything I've experienced of this place. They have a healthy supply of firewood for their fire pit things to keep the air warm in the spring and fall. There is often a cat or two staring at you through the windows when you're on the back patio. My first impression of this place was "OMG BIKES! I needs one!" My second excited memory was"OMG traces of exploded people! Huzzah!" Also, this place has some of THE BEST pizza I've had in a while. I've had about 4 or 5 of their pizzas and each one is SUPERB. Their garlic bread is amazing too (most likely due to the fact that they use their pizza crust for it). My friends and I completely devoured the pizzas we got. :D I know one day i'll go there JUST for the pizza. In the winter, I sometimes firespin outside and the thing I always get after to warm up my hands is their spiced apple cider. I know others get it spiked (which I imagine would only make it more divine) and I love how they put an orange slice into the cider -- just to make it THAT much better. The TV in the bar doesn't always show sports. It once showed a strange cartoon about a bear. I ended up asking the owner about it. Apparently it was a russian cartoon she loved as a child. This isn't your typical bar but it's fun, interesting, and very cool.
(5)Susan L.
The food was excellent! We were expecting the average bar food. The Russian dumplings and crepes were awesome. Pizza was great too!!
(5)Abby S.
Who knew St. Louis could be so hip? The Grove area has it going on these days - first a giant sign that now lets you know exactly the name of their 'hood, now a bicycle-friendly bar! Seems like our fair city is starting to keep up with the rest of the world... Stopped in Handle Bar for a quick drink with a gal pal the other night. It was empty inside, but I got here right at 5 pm. In addition to cheap drafts during happy hour, they also have a "Bartender's Special" - that night it was Guinness. I wasn't having it, but I know we have some yelpers out there who are fans. I tried the Six Row Whale - MAN! That's some good beer! Had I not had other plans that night, I would have been content sitting at that bar and drinking myself silly with Whale beer. My companion and I tried to order an appetizer, but the kitchen wasn't opening until 6. And about the time we were packing up, our cute little bartender brought us a plate of hummus. I felt terrible 'case we didn't have time to eat it, but I'm thinking she was able to put it to good use (i.e., her tummy). Come check out this cool bar! It's in a great STL area, the drinks are cheap, the staff is nice and they care about the planet. What more do you want, people?
(4)Mike D.
This place is like hipster heaven ....unfortunately if you smoke you gotta take them Parliaments outside. Very cool setup along with good crowd mix of bicyclists, hipsters, and scenesters all sporting deep V's and super deep V's. Friendly bar staff and great beer selection although pretty much everyone's gonna order PBR, High Life, or an IPA (when did that become trendy?). Right now this is my favorite "alternative bar" in STL & definitely recommended.
(5)Heather H.
They are open for lunch, which was a pleasant surprise. The hummus had paprika and was delicious. I had the Russian dumplings which came in a flavorful broth. My only disappointment is they did not have any soups yet prepared. Service was friendly and helpful with the menu
(4)Walker H.
I went here with a bunch of derby friends. I don't know why, but some guy came through the back while we were drinking and checked all of our IDs. It was weird. Also, they started, seemingly arbitrarily, charging a $10 cover at the door for what amounted to a weird rave-thing. (I'll admit, this was hearsay. I had some friends come in later and they had told me they got charged $10. That was probably collectively, not each. The owner tells me they never charge more than $5.) I like their selection of beverages. It's vast. Once a week (I think?) they have a trivia night. That was sorta fun. Whatever. This is a nice bar. Update: Besides the above clarification on the cover charge, the owner, when she got in touch with me, said that they come around and check IDs at 10pm because they can't allow minors in after that time. I didn't know they could let minors in at all! Anyway, if the staff member had been able to explain that at the time, we probably would have been less annoyed.
(3)Katie M.
This place has a nice atmosphere. I always look forward to going here. They have good pizza, too.
(5)Jenny P.
Went to Handlebar on their opening weekend and became an instant fan! The bike theme and discount for those who came in on their bike is awesome, and I am an even bigger fan of the huge patio out back. The patio has chalk-like paintings on the pavement, which I thought was quite clever. They do need to get more tables set up out there, as there was plenty of room for more (although they may have already done this since I am a bit late on writing the review.) The live music was great, and it would be helpful to have more of a stage area for them as I felt that they were sort of shoved back in the corner of the bar. There is also a pool table up front for your entertainment! The local beer selection is always a hit with me and they had a variety of other local micro-brews on tap that I have never heard of that I would like to try. And of course they had some New Belgium beer to go along with the bike theme. They have some great happy hour specials with $3 STL bottles and $1 PBR nights (Tues- Thurs), which will definitely bring me back! I would love to try their pizza too! What a great new STL bar!
(4)Kayla B.
The Handlebar is wonderful! I love the cycling theme and the large selection of craft beer.
(4)Lowell R.
Fantastic beer selection, unique Russian inspired cuisine, and dance parties with some of the best DJs in town, what more could you want from a bar? Well HandleBar takes it one step further by treating its customers right and having an owner that frequents her own establishment. I have always had great drink service here. Creative specials and some of the lower prices in town make going out here on the weekend easy on your pocketbook. The crowd is usually pretty laid back and eclectic, always friendly from my experience. Once you get heated up on the dance floor you can always cool off in their massive backyard patio area. The cycling themed decor of the bar is unique and reflects one of the owners favorite pastimes.
(5)Ale O.
The newest business in the Grove was launched by the former owners of the Cabin Inn (which split ways with the City Museum a few weeks ago). It's a good space, good theme, good patio and full of bike art (with more coming in each day). The only problem is that the beers are a little pricey and the selection is still somewhat limited. Let's support this place to see where it goes. Hours: Opens at 4 Special: If you bike out there you get 10% off your bill Future note: they're working on a kitchen. Last note: until the kitchen is up and running they let you bring in your own food for the nearby venues (ie, @cowboy or everest)
(4)Pamela R.
Impressive beer selection. Check. Great patio space. Check. Chalk outlines on patio of crime scene bodies. Check. Whaaat? This is why Handle Bar is unexpectedly a great idea for the Grove area. A litle nonsense in a bustling area of town. And did I mention cra cra beer selection??? And of course, ride your bike.
(4)James B.
A cyclist bar in the Grove!? Hell yeah! I've been careful to say cyclist bar instead of biker bar, as the unfamiliar person might get a different impression of this place in the open-minded Grove area if called a biker bar :) I first visited this place the day it opened because I was so excited about it, and I have been a patron ever since. It is always refreshing when a bar opens in this town that offers more than just the dreaded Anheuser-Busch assortment of flavorless beers, and the Handlebar does not disappoint. They have a large variety of libations from not only across the U.S. and the world, but many if not all local micro-brews are represented. And, their stock is always changing with new types and flavors. The bartenders have almost always been quick at their duties and friendly, and are always knowledgeable about the beers they sell without seeming pretentious at all. The interior is a work of art, with murals on the walls, exposed brick, local artist's creations on the walls as well as bike inspired sculptures attached to them. The exterior is just as great, with a fantastic and large outdoor patio with a firepit and an outdoor bar. I can't say enough good things about this place. With the ambiance, biking ethos, service, diversity of great beers, and nightly entertainment ranging from trivia, dance parties, and Nintendo nights, the Handlebar makes a great destination... especially if you ride there on your bike.
(5)Sarah G.
I went to HandleBar on the suggestion from a friend. It was so much better than what I was expecting. The food was great- I had the Lightening BoLT sandwich - it's a BLT with caramelized onions. My only tip was to not go there before 9pm.
(4)Anne G.
Yummy Russian food and good drinks. The service was great as well. Will definitely go back!
(4)Joseph P.
There are few things I love more than bikes and beer. These two loves of mine combine into a delicious bike/beer sundae at the Handlebar. Not that I've ever really ridden my bike here or anything. In fact the bike thing is more of a suggestion than anything. It's really just a fun bar that always seems to have a party vibe. The several times the gf and I have went we've met some very nice people. I get that it has somewhat of a "hipster" vibe but I don't feel anyone here is pretentious or anything like that. Everybody is usually chill and down to Earth. People socialize with strangers. I really like that about this place. Even though they have their "regulars" nobody will look at you like you're crazy for coming here. I can't say I've ever had their food except for snacking on garlic bread. The pizza looks so amazing though. They have some great house drinks and a very nice tap selection of mostly local brews. They also have a 2 dollar mystery can that I'd recommend not doing unless you can stomach some really nasty beer. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the very large patio. As of this past weekend they now have an outside bar that was complete with live music. I really really like this bar. It's fun, cheap, has great beer, everyone is really nice, and they love bikes. What's not to love?
(5)Heather B.
As a cyclist and a fan of all things bikes, I can't believe it took me so long to make it into Handle Bar. And I'm thrilled I finally did. What a great bar. The decor gives you plenty of cool stuff to look at and poke around in. Great beers on tap and good variety of bottled beers. I love that the bartender offers a $2 blind reach into the beer cooler for canned beer b/c hey, who hasn't said "surprise me" once or twice when asked what they're having? The food was delicious and the chef even brought it out to our table (it was a slow Tuesday night) and then came back to check on us a couple of times, which was just really friendly. I guess I shouldn't be surprised by how friendly and cool the staff are b/c it is a bike bar after all. And the cyclists that hang in the Grove are just good people. I will definitely go back again and again, and can't wait for the weather to clear so I can ride in.
(4)Jason R.
This past Saturday was my first time at Handle Bar. The first thing that caught my eye was the very thought out beer selection that they had on tap and in bottle. I was very impressed to see them carry on tap a selection of Six Row Brewery's Porter. The atmosphere was energetic and the decor of the place was true to the name of the bar. I ended up late in the evening ordering one of their pizza's. Though the menu was a little different than I'm used to the pizza was very yummy.
(4)Nate K.
Great local beer selection, music, and schananagins
(5)Charles P.
The Grove is an nice little neighborhood that has really taken off in the past decade. With bars and venues like the The Gramophone, Atomic Cowboy and even Novak's have given this neighborhood some of the best places in St. Louis to hang out at during evening hours. Enter Handle Bar (formerly The Church Key) which has a very unique niche as a bar that is bike-friendly as in they are encouraging you to bring in your bikes and have a drink or four. Not sure if drinking and riding is encouraged but it provides an interesting place to drink. The venue has a really nice size to it first off. It appears they kept some of the tables from the Church Key which is awesome. They also have a pool table which is always a plus. It's lit pretty well which is cool because they have a lot of art work using bikes surrounded on the inside which is nice to view while enjoying a brew. I recommend (weather permitting) to check out the patio! It's not the size of the Atomic Cowboy's but it's a nice medium size patio that's pretty wide open with art work all over the place. Plus I believe I saw a bike repair station outside as well. The drinks at this place are really neat for the clear fact they support local beers (Schafly, Six Row, etc.). The pricing was a bit high but if that's too much then you can always go with the always trusty PBR for a $1. And they had some mixed drinks as well. Also there was some food on the menu but I didn't try any out. In addition, there wasn't any smoking on the inside which was awesome but you could go out on the patio if needed to get your smoke on. I would say that the Handle Bar has a future ahead of it. I would say the other thing that might be a turn off for some is the pricing of the local brews but there is a pretty wide selection for those who are looking for an adult beverage. Also it pays a bit if you go on your bike (10% off your bill). If you are a bike rider who likes to have a drink or five then check out the Handle Bar. Even if your not a bike person, it's still a pretty cool spot to hang out at with friends.
(4)Bryan R.
Congratulations Handle Bar! Bike themed bar on my way home from work that has amazing hand crafted pizza's (and other nosh), well selected local beers (at reasonable prices - that's all relative isn't it?), indoor bike parking, happy hour specials, 10% cycle-in discount, $2 mystery beers, nice patio (with fire pits), and friendly staff? Yes, please! My unsolicited suggestions: Going to need more bike hooks if the place takes off (which I hope it does). A little too clean and sportsbar-ish (but I'll chalk that up to the newness). A little too well-lit in my opinion (perhaps fewer, more intentionally placed lights.) A little heavy on the tie-died-esque decor for my tastes (not just hippies that ride bikes). Lastly, Blues Traveler came up on the juke box. This shouldn't happen (otherwise the juke box seemed okay, albeit a little on the tame side.) This would be a great spot for a rotating cast of guest dj's providing background music. I like!
(4)Kimberly W.
I've been a fan of the little crew that runs Handle Bar since the opened the Cabin Inn at City Museum. While it's too bad they had to part ways with CM, I'm glad they finally got a bigger venue, they deserve it. The concept behind Handle Bar is great, and fills a unique niche in STL. It's also nice to see yet another awesome bar in the Grove. The place is pretty spacious, but the stairwell in the middle is a bit unfortunate and leaves the bands sectioned off in the back corner. Oh well, can't fault old architecture. Out back they have what appeared to be a pretty spacious patio, but it was covered in snow and ice when I was there. The beer selection is pretty extensive and includes lots of micro brews. They have various drink specials though out the week, trivia, a pool table, and lots of live music. We got there around 9pm on a Friday and there was a decent crowd, and by the time we left several hours later the place was packed... glad to see they're doing well!!
(4)Danielle T.
Great spiked cider! I could drink that stuff all day... ok maybe not all day, I'd be sleeping under the table in no time. But it's incredible stuff.
(5)John Paul D.
Really enjoyed this place. I just ate the pizza again. Consistency is there. The crust is delicately crunchy and fluffy at the same time. Really hard to describe. Is is a sicillian styled pizza. Great aroma, simple topping that actually tastes good. I didn't get that over full feeling like when I eat delivery pizza. It was satisfying. I cat eat two or three papa Johns pizza and still be hungry. I have two pieces left and I feel full. This alone is a big deal for me. I got the "sicillian" oddly enough. I had asked what's good, they said everything... love that don't you? In their defense, every thing I have had here has been quality. None the less I wantee a suggestion and they hooked it up. I was happy. I will try everything on the menu as I have really come to like this place. By the way, I am not a big drinker, but I do enjoy some choice drinks here, they have an excellent selection of beers and a pretty decent selection of liquor.
(5)Joe B.
Went here for a meetup. Eh, not really that impressed with the place. Beer selection was OK, but not great. Even when it wasn't crowded, it took a long time to get a beer. Not really impressed.
(2)