Bridge Tap House & Wine Bar

sprucetip

Alaska

4.28/5  rDev -4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Made a few visits on a long weekend visit to St. Louis. I liked the atmosphere in the long, narrow, 2 story, dimly lit building. There is some decor that could be considered odd, like the driftwood-like plant material coming off the lighting fixtures, but it didn't bother me. I guess you could say that it has a bit of an upscale feel about it, but I felt plenty comfortable, and am not an upscale (socio-economic) kind of guy.

55 taps, I belive, and another 200 bottles or so. Wine, too, as evidenced by the name. I got good service at midnight on a Saturday night, and great service on the other visits when it wasn't so busy (or loud). What I love about this place is that the menu offers 4 serving sizes, and lists prices clearly (except that they don't include the tax, which I guess is typical in Missouri): 4oz, 12oz, 20oz, 64oz. Of course the 4oz pours cost more per ounce, but I have no problem with that. I can try more beers, that I can't ordinarily get, without getting hammered. I approve of the program.

As for quality, a friend got something that tasted flat (I concurred), and it was replaced with no questions. Whatever gets docked in quality is made up for in service.

Didn't try the food, but I think it's more foo-foo than meat and potatoes, if that makes any sense. They have a sister business a couple blocks away called the Rooster, where we had a satisfying meal at a fair price.

12-30-2010 06:34:59 | More by sprucetip

katan

Colorado

4.15/5  rDev -7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$$

Stopped here on a recent business trip.

A - It was a Sunday night, but it was certainly a high quality tap house. Beer was front and center. They were filming for an advertisement as well.

Q - Excellent tap list, and the food was exceptional.

Serv: good, but could have been better.I was left with an empty half sample glass for far too long. In retrospect, I probably should have thanked her since I was pulling down the high ABV.

Sel: Excellent regional and national tap list. Had some Avery, Cathedral, Schflay, etc.

Food: The meat and cheese plate was very solid. Cheese selection was a bit pedestrian.

Good place to go in DT STL. I'll have to dedicate a night to this place rather than to share it with the Schlafly tap room.

05-08-2010 03:35:58 | More by katan

AlCaponeJunior

Texas

4.3/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Visited on a saturday night and it was fairly busy. We still got three seats at the bar and marveled at the nice collection of beers. Founder's porter on tap was my favorite that I had. Also had a Bailey's chocolate, which was really interesting too.

The food looked good but we had just eaten so we didn't try it. Next time I will try it.

Service was good. We had a lot of fun bantering with the bartenders on our end of the bar. They made me want to return again.

Beer selection was great. Lots of local breweries on tap, plus some interesting stuff from all over the place. Focus seemed to be on craft beer, not BMC.

The four ounce pours were great because I got to try a founder's, avery, bailey's chocolate, new belgium, and great divide selection while I was there.

I'd say this is definitely worth stopping by when you're in St Louis.

10-04-2011 10:45:59 | More by AlCaponeJunior

CMW

Missouri

4.36/5  rDev -2.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

Just now getting around to a review after visiting a few months ago.

Located in the middle of downtown STL, the Bridge almost seems out of place. Not that I don't love the downtown location, we just do not see too many beer bars in this very central downtown locale.

A - When I walked in I was immediately taken back by the architecture. This is a two story bar but the 2nd story is almost loft-like with low ceilings and about 20 tables. The bar area is filled with wood and the lighting is dark and sets the ambiance.

Q - The quality of beer is top notch for STL and similar to what iTap has to offer. Plenty of regional fare from Schlafly, O'fallon, Boulevard, etc..

S - We sat upstairs and the service was top notch. The server was very attentive and visited several times to make sure we had everything we needed. Water on the table is also a big plus.

S - I spoke a little about selection earlier, but will expand. 200 beers, 55 on-tap. However, there are plenty of quality names here. Founders, Lagunitas, Bell's, Bear Republic, there is something for everyone. They also have a fairly extensive wine list if you come with non-beer drinking friends.

F - I did not try the food personally, but my friends say it is quote good.

Overall, very good bar and the prices are not out of line.

11-14-2010 20:16:55 | More by CMW

cubbyswans

Missouri

4.4/5  rDev -1.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

This is a nice place that's opened up downtown St. Louis. I've been in a few times. They have a great selection of craft beers. They have over 50 tap selections, and a decent bottle selection as well. Draft options are 4oz, 12oz, 20oz, or 64oz (growler to go) on every draft they have. They also sell bottles to go, as well, so for those that live in or are staying downtown, it's the best option for finding some craft beer to take with you in Downtown St. Louis. The service has been excellent each time I've been in. I've only ordered food one time, and I felt the food was a BIT pricey at first, but I really think that's to be expected from just about any establishment in a downtown location. The food was quite tasty, I'll add, so when I finished my meal, I really didn't think the price for it was out of line.

01-05-2011 17:51:18 | More by cubbyswans

grumpy

Missouri

4.28/5  rDev -4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

OK, I'll break the ice and review this place. Can't believe nobody has, yet. My visit was a few weeks ago, and I didn't go in there and take notes with a review in mind, but here's my minimalist review from memory...

We walked in on a Saturday afternoon to find a long bar with 36 taps on the right. Tables lined up to the left, and directly at the back beyond the bar area. There was also a loft area with more table seating. The place was not very crowded, and based on the conversations overheard, was populated mostly by people that live nearby.

The tap beers were all craft and import (no macros) and there were a few somewhat hard to find beers available. No complaints about selection. Beers were available in 4-oz, 12-oz, 20-oz, and growler fills were also an option. In addition, there is a bottle list of craft, Belgian, etc., numbering about 150 or so.

Food was a bit upscale - not standard pub grub. Cheese boards, charcuterie, salads, creative sandwiches, pots, appetizers, and the like. We tried two of the pots (braised beef/sweet potato orzo and roasted chicken crimini mushroom), and they were pretty tasty.

Service was friendly and competent, but as mentioned, it was not crowded, so make of that what you will.

All in all, a nice addition to the downtown beer options. No parking of its own that I could tell, so it will often be a bit of a chore to go there, but we'll be back.

04-28-2010 13:22:17 | More by grumpy

eaglefreak

Mississippi

4.45/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Paid a visit here on 6/20/12 on a Wednesday night. Nice after work crowd. They have seating at the bar and an upstairs as well as outside picnic table seating. Very nice tap selection, including Founders, Bell's, Ommegang, Odell, and several local STL craft beers. Huge bottle list. Food was good and had many choices including cheese and meat plates, sandwiches, small plates, and entrees. Wait staff was friendly and attentive. Large wine selection for those who might not want beer (gasp!). Will def go back on any vist to STL.

06-29-2012 19:35:55 | More by eaglefreak

gregalobeer

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +12.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

God, I love this place. All around, awesome. I feel like I'm shouldn't leave such a positive review, like I'm supposed to reserve the "5" rating for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But you know what ... I have *nothing* critical to say. Wait, that's not true. There was no lighting above the urinal. But that's it.

The ambiance is fabulous. Woodsy, dimly lit but not obnoxiously so, the many taps are a fixture unto themselves, and the upstairs couch area is so peaceful and chill. I went 3 times over a conference weekend. We kept thinking to ourselves, "You know, why don't we just go back to Bridge? There's not a better place downtown." In fact, there's not a better place in many downtowns.

Oh yea, they also have an amazing beer and wine selection, and declicious dips. And food. Look, just go there.

12-05-2010 00:21:16 | More by gregalobeer

Kyleisdesign

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

My girlfriend took me here when I came to visit. Being that I currently live in Chicago I did not have the highest expecations for The Bridge and assumed it would ammount to a normal bar/restaurnt in my area. I was absolutely blown away by their tap list and bottle selection. They had a well balanced variety of styles and you can order all beer on tap in either a 4, 12, 20 or 64 oz size which makes for a great way to sample a variety of beers. The food was amazing as well (we had a variety of cheeses and cured meats). The prices were very reasonable with most 4oz pours being between $1 and $3. I have not stopped raving about this since I went. Next time I visit STL I will be sure to stop by again.

09-06-2011 21:42:22 | More by Kyleisdesign

digr

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev -1.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$$

Headed to Bridge on a recent trip to STL.
Last time went to Baileys Chocolate Bar, a sister restaurant.

Busy Saturday night. Place was full of people.
Service was fast to get a two seater.

Noticed a large number of draught taps on the way in.
Large bar on the first floor, we were seated on the second overlooking the bar.

Food is a mix of salads, Meat and Cheese boards (Prix Fixe and ala carte), "Pots" like Pork Bolognese and Campanelle Pasta (was small but very good). Food is "upscale", but appropriate for the ambiance of the place. Definitely beer and wine friendly food. The Cheese boards are similar to fare you might get in a Belgium bar (minus the pickled onions).

Emphasis is about the atmosphere and the food, and the beverages to go with. Also emphasis on local and natural (e.g. grass fed beef, etc) products.

Service was good. The waiter admitted he did not know the latest "guest" tap and quickly retrieved the info.

The best thing about this place is that they allow draft 4,12,20, and 64 oz options. So, you can choose to taste a bunch things and not get blitzed, or go for the 64oz option and share with a group. It was nice to try the selection in the 4 oz option. This is normally only something brewpubs do. I wish more places did this. All the beer I tasted was fresh despite the large number of taps.

I would like to go back to this place. They had a few bottles of Belgium imports that I had not found in the Boston Area.
I could not help but compare this place to Lord Hobo, in case anyone know it in Cambridge MA. Not the same, but similar.

The wine list looked interesting, but I focused on the beer list.

04-29-2010 04:15:24 | More by digr