Two brothers, Mark & Kevin Brennan, set up shop on Maryland Avenue in Saint Louis’ Central West End district in the fall of 2003. A wall of wine storage and a few substantial tables were present in the area. They planned to be a retail-only wine, liquor, and cigar store, but customers started opening bottles there instead of taking them home. Brennan’s quickly gained notoriety as a local hangout. Since its installation in 2006, the message board above the main bar has become associated with Brennan’s and has remained a fixture ever since. To keep the message board current and interesting, they switch it around every week and a half or so.

Brennan’s offers a small dishes menu and a constantly changing range of signature and traditional cocktails, wine, craft beer, and spirits. There are non-alcoholic drinks on the menu, such as WellBeing Golden Wheat and WellBeing 4 Hands Liquid Rain IPA. Sit at one of the many low tables along the south wall or step up to the bar to enjoy these refreshments along with delectable favorites, like Smoked Trout, Pan-Seared Chicken Dumplings, and Potato Chips & Dip.

The Cigar Lounge at Brennan’s offers a distinctive, premium, yet laid-back cigar lounge experience centered on a sizable vinyl collection, an outstanding cocktail & spirits menu, special events, and the best cigar brands. A yearly cigar lounge membership is required to enter the lounge. Day passes are also available for $25 per guest but are not guaranteed.