What it is: When it opened in 2023, owner Manny Negron conceived this as a place of reverence for Czech lagers and pours—and it is, but its early evolution has been a more entertaining conversation between that Bohemian ideal and the pointedly unpretentious local drinking culture. The five drafts and 20-ish cans and bottles are always shifting among local and regional lager all-stars, plus a few from Czechia and Germany. No food and no ales—unless you count the occasional kölsch or cold IPA—but there’s a deep selection of aperitivos and digestivos to “help your gut.” Or to help you get drunk.
Why it’s great: If the side-pulls, Underberg, and Malört don’t spell out “this is where local brewers drink,” then you don’t know many brewers. Part of the fun is not knowing what beers you’ll find; Negron has been known to drive long distances to personally pick up lagers he wants to stock. There might be festbier from Millpond, Dortmunder from Urban Chestnut, rotbier from KC Bier, or smoked helles from Chicago’s Pipeworks—or there’s always Miller High Life. Note that the Löwenanteil membership club ($135 per year) includes discounts and free, unlimited mlíko pours.
Hours: 4 p.m.–11 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday; 3 pm.–11 p.m., Friday & Saturday; 4 p.m.–10 p.m., Sunday; closed Monday & Tuesday
Address: 5848 Hampton Ave., St. Louis
Web: littlelager.com
IG: @littlelagerstl