Finally got over here after having it on my list for quite a while. Wow, what a tap list - hopslam, FBS, Old Raspy on cask, a BA beer from UC, and a couple specialty beers from Schlafly. Prices were really good on the local beers and they offered half pints that ended up being $2-3 each. Smaller place with the street parking situation mentioned by others. Service was friendly, but a bit slow; though nothing that would dissuade me from coming back.

Neighborhood pub with good food, better chatter, and an eye for local and regional craft beers. Serious cocktails as well. The owner has an eye for quality, a vision for the place, and seems to know everyone in town. A real public house, St. Louis-style.

Stopped on a slow Saturday afternoon January 2012, nice selection of taps and bottles, but the food items were even better. I was told to try the burger, it was awesome. Also had the Schlafly Vanilla Milk Stout, very good and the Firestone Walker Union Jack, mighty tasty. If you are in the area, it is worth a stop, great food and you never know what might be on tap. Old school bar with new school beers.

Very nice corner bar sort of feel and friendly bar staff. There are a lot of good beers on tap with a heavy focus on local products. The happy hour features reduced prices on the MO beers, giving even more focus to them. I’ve yet to be to their tasting/classes/themes, but on Tuesday nights they have mini-events that generally focus on a beer style. The folks here are pretty knowledgeable about what they have as well. I’ve yet to try the food there, so I wasn’t able to rate on that. there is streetside parking that can be a bit of a pain at time if you’re not a fan of parallel parking, but that’s the only negative I can really say about the place. I’d definitely recommend checking this place out.

(Visited 08/2010): The Royale (which is impossible to write without thinking of Pulp Fiction) is located on Kingshighway not too far off I-44. There is street parking on Juniata and probable elsewhere. Cool sign out front and fleur de lis painting on the side of the building. The interior is cozy with the bar on the left and tables and booths on the right. The color scheme is burnt sienna and yellow, and there is a tile ceiling and a lot of headshots of historical figures around. There is a board showing what beers are available at the far end of the bar. The Royale has 8 taps including beers from Boulevard, O’Fallon, Schlafly, Griesedieck Brothers and Dupont. As for bottles there are over 30, including Boulevard (Saison Brett), Schlafly, North Coast, Sierra Nevada, Founders, Orval, Westmalle, Duvel, St. Bernardus, Meredsous and more. Service was great on a weeknight. The place was fairly busy for a Tuesday, and the bar was hosting their weekly tasting. The bartenders basically brought in a bunch of their own beers (all under "The Funk" banner) and shared if you purchased any of the drafts in that style. On top of that these guys were clearly beer aficionados. I really picked the right night to visit. Food is above average as well. I had the "Garlic Dippy" and enjoyed it. Overall this place is a little off the beaten path but is highly recommended for anyone in STL as far as I am concerned.

The Royale is just south of Tower Grove Park on Kingshighway. Custom bike rack with the spaces between ROYALE for locking up bikes. Pretty cool to have a bike-friendly beer bar and restaurant in my neighborhood. The atmosphere is hip and low-key, with a nice inside bar area with plenty of tables and a good-sized patio space in the back. The staff is cool and helpful. The beer selection changes quite frequently, but Boulevard Tank 7 and Strongbow stay on tap always. Schlafly always has a couple taps, and current rotators include stuff from Odell, Urban Chestnut, Weihenstephaner, North Coast (Old Raspy nitro!), St. Bernardus, Founders, and more- 12 total. There are a few dozen regular bottles and 6-12 guest bottles at any given time. Come up here for the Tuesday Night Beer Showcase, which has a weekly theme with guest taps and bottles plus extras brought by the staff and guests. The food is outstanding for bar food- some of the best burgers in St. Louis, seasonal sandwiches and salads, tacos, wraps, and creative sides. The place keeps winning local awards- Best Neighborhood Bar, Best Burger, etc.- and lives up to all of them. Plus, it’s my neighborhood bar. I’m lucky to have such a great craft beer bar right across the park.

Wow, I gave myself a great score. Not fair really, so feel free to give your own score. Be honest now, but please don’t be mean. If you haven’t been through and looking for a real neighborhood tavern in the river city of Saint Louis, this is the place to go to get the real deal. I hope you enjoy. Steven Fitzpatrick Smith Tavernkeeper The Royale Food & Spirits 3132 South Kingshighway STL, MO 63139 314-772-3600 www.theroyale.com www.stlstreets.com