Brennan's — Restaurant in St. Louis

This was such an enraging experience I decided to sleep on it before writing this as so calm my nerves. I was told by my friend Brennan’s was a chic cigar bar, I was very excited, and after a few hours in the chess club, A bit hungry, wanting a smoke and a few cocktails, I rushed over here.

As I sat on the bar, which was a very posh looking bar, great whisky selection in front of me. I noticed no one was smoking, “no worries, I’m sure they have a room for the cigars as to not bother the guests who have sensitivities”. Upon asking the bartender (whom possibly was the only part of the experience preventing this rating to be a one star) how do I order my cigar and drink, I was told that’s the cigar lounge is a separate room that is behind a membership pay wall. Kind of annoying, but no matter, I’ve dealt with this before in a few other cities, I then ask “how much is a day or week pass?” the answer I received was “we don’t allow day passes or week passes because we want members to not have a busy room. I inquired how busy is it on a Tuesday evening and was told “it’s not busy at all, and it is rule that people visiting the area hate hearing.”

So just to be clear here

Brennan’s is a cigar bar.

That doesn’t allow smoking unless you pay a membership fee.

A membership fee that has no day pass or anyway to get into.

I’m starting to understand why my Uber driver said that cigar bars are dying in St. Louis. Usually business decision have some underlying benefit for the company, please help me understand this one.

You have just completely halted all sales for pretty much any visitor or traveler.

You have stopped people who are new to cigars, and intimidating them with a pay wall.

And even upon recognizing that the smoke room is NOT even close to full, rather pretty empty, your logic says “let’s turn away people who want to smoke and enjoy a cocktail on a cold day.

I ended up going to Stanley’s cigar lounge. Shocking news! Upon entering, I asked them, “is this a cigar lounge that I can smoke in?” The bartender laughed, said “of course!” Found me someone to help me navigate the humidor. I got my montecristo Espada and my 3 Sazeracs, paid my tab and left.

It’s not that hard...

Brennan's is the best bar hands down in St. Louis. You walk in and have a retro feeling wash over you as you notice the various unique decorations. The first floor has great seating and bar space. There is an outdoor patio sidewalk seating full of chess players, cigar smoke, and deep conversations. The basement has an amazing retro vibe with a small selection on retro games and two ping pong tables. From the main floor you go up a beautiful staircase where a wall of cigars and liquor sit behind glass. Once upstairs there is much more seating and another bar. Further there is a members only lounge. The food is much better than your typical bar food and is distinct. The menu is short and to the point. They serve small plates which are delicious and probably the best grilled cheese you can fins. The speciality drinks are to die for. The great selection of whiskey and other liquors will suit any person. I suggest an old fashion because the staff makes the drink the traditional way. Other great drinks include the Don't worry about it and Yass. Upstairs there is smoking of cigarettes but fear not the very strong ventilation system keeps the air crisp and clean. Mondays they allow smoking of cigars upstairs, otherwise, you must smoke cigars outside unless you're a member to access the lounge. What makes this bar so amazing are the people. The patrons love to spark a conversation whether they be locals or travelers. The environment of the bar is for people to conversate. Walking through the building on a weeknight you will overhear deep conversations about family, politics, and religion. You will see people getting to know one another in a space that fosters human connection. Finally, the service is phenomenal. All of the staff treats every patron with respect, they want to talk, and they add that extra care and dedication to their job. Laura and Carly will always show you amazing service. All of the staff are fun, engaging, and want the patrons to have fun... And like the music? They chose it. Brennan's is great for groups, dates, dinner, quick drink, cigars, ping pong, record rooms, and overall an amazing time. Go to Brennan's. You won't be...

Abrasive bartender, watery “pre-mixed” cocktail. Bartended cut me off when I began asking a question about the menu, saying “I’m going to need to grab a credit card first thing,” which I thought was rather jarring. I asked, “Okay, but can I order a drink please?” A lavender side car arrived and it was very watery. I’m clearly frowning at the drink and the bartender says, “want to order any food?” To which I explain the drink is very watery. “Well, we pre-batch”- Full stop, no apology, no “I’m so sorry it’s not to your liking” or the kind of reply one would expect to receive. So “pre-batch” means it was mixed in advance before the bar even opens, which, if you’re claiming to be a cocktail bar, is pretty off-putting. “What do you want me to do?”- was the next statement. I asked to replace the drink with a different one, but as I was sitting there, the two interactions thus far were unpleasant enough and this pre-batch business gave me no reassurance, that I didn’t want to stay there any longer. I approached the manager, requesting that they please not charge my credit card, as I wasn’t going to stay, and he was gracious enough to apologize that my drink had been disappointing. I waitressed for years in NYC in my 20s and was relieved that at least the manager can do the basic of a decent apology, but that bartender was very abrasive and their policy of demanding a credit card, first thing, even if it means interrupting a customer’s question, is a terribly rude and unwelcoming policy. I travel the country for work and have never had this happen before, thankfully, so I’m hoping this sort of thing is an...