33 Wine Shop & Bar

Wine is tasty. Cheese is tasty. Wine bars are places to get tasty wine and cheese.
33 Wine shop and bar is no exception. You should go to 33 rather than any other spot though, because it offers a more intimate and personalized experience than other local competitors. For me, 33 represents Lafayette Square, it’s classy and has it’s feet rooted in tradition, but it’s also relaxed and fun (if your version of fun is drinking good wine or beer). I love that you can go all dolled up with your girlfriends or a date OR you can totally come in your (not-​too-​sweaty) yoga clothes after a good class with Connie or one of the other ladies at Southtown Yoga down the street.
The only reason why no 5 stars — they used to serve probably my favorite roast-​beef sandwich in town and they discontinued that menu item. Also, it can get kind of loud in the main room, but if that happens, it’s easy to go off to the east room. It’s quieter there and you still get their fabulous service.
Highlights
— Wine by the glass or bottle
— Craft beer for those who would rather get their dose of hops
— Easily taste the wine before ordering a glass
— Get a glass of Rose without worrying that people think you’re drinking White Zinfindel
— Buy a bottle «to-​go!» (it’s discounted)
— Get a charcuterie plate (or two!)
— Don’t expect do eat dinner
— Relax and stay as long as you want

I’ve been to 33 on both a quiet weeknight and a packed Saturday afternoon during a tap takeover. Both experiences were equally pleasant. Their patio is truly what wins me over.
The dim lighting and cozy feel of the inside space is matched in the secluded garden patio out back. It’s nestled between a tall privacy fence on one side and the equally romantic patio at Bailey’s Chocolate Bar on the other, making it the perfect escape. This is a great place for a date or a laid back group.
There’s an intriguing selection of beers and wines at a reasonable price. The staff is friendly and helpful with suggestions. The «wine shop» element is fun. Like what you’re drinking? Get another to take home with you.
Dogs are welcome on the patio, but they have to pass through the bar to get there. Personally I find it a little awkward to parade my dog through an intimate little bar, even if he fits in seamlessly with the environment out back. If you plan on bringing your dogchild with you, take note of the entrance from the alley.

We did not anticipating LOVING this place as much as we did! It was the 4^th of July and not a ton was open in this area — we wandered in and spent the next couple of hours enjoying fantastic beers and wines and engaging in some fantastic conversation! These folks know their stuff and only put things on the menu that they themselves like and can talk about.
Another bonus was the ability to take some treats to go! We ended up having a great conversation about smoked beers and low and behold we ended up walking away with some stellar examples.
If you find yourself in the Lafayette park area (or St Louis in general) put this on your todo list!

Excellent interesting wine and beer tastings. Knowledgable and fun, friendly staff. A great place to take a date, or go solo to have an interesting pour.

Crisis averted at the 33.
Anything fancy terrifies me. Especially places that are fancy, but everyone’s wearing jeans. I just do not fit in at places like this. Or anywhere, probably.
So when my date took me in here against my will, I started sweating like a whore in church and was fighting off waves of panic attacks. I really am not exaggerating that much. Feel free to pull security camera footage. I was like fucking Albert Brooks in Broadcast News.
Anyway, this place was much better than I thought it would be. They had a nice selection of beer, good service, and reasonable prices. I loved the dimly lit, cozy, and beautiful décor, the quiet ambiance, and the expert service. I did not like the high-​top tables and chairs, but that’s a personal preference.
I should probably add that Guerrilla was serving food the night I was there (not sure how common that is), but I thought that was an extremely interesting and unexpected surprise.
Yes, it was still a wine bar, but if you like wine bars, you will love this one.

Great place for a glass of wine or a bottle. Large and expansive wine list. If you want beer, great selection also after dinners rinks. Wine classes, wine tastings and dorm room dinner are just a few of the special things that go on here.

Had a wonderful night there last night. Good crowd but was still able to snag a table and since I am old I love that. Had a great glass of wine and great service.

While out with a group we stumbled upon the 33 Wine Shop & Tasting Bar and I am glad that we did! A cozy little place, our group was seated in a nice side-​area bit quieter than where the main bar was, with some luxurious couches and a warm fireplace nearby too! The wine selection was immense and my friends who ordered a glass were quite pleased. I myself had a ginger-​ale soda from the «GUS» brand which was enjoyably crisp.
We all sat around chatting and occasionally going back to the bar for other needed drinks (there are no servers to come and get you anything, but the bartender was kind enough to tell us that when we sat down).
Do note this is more of a bar than a restaurant, so while there are some food options you are moreso coming here for drinks to enjoy or purchase and take home. That aside, this is a great place and one I would recommend «chilling» at sometime!

What I Love about 33 Wine Shop
1) The WINE LIST– Its extensive; maybe 20 pages. The menu lists the region, vintage & grape and its organized by varietal.
2)The location-​the main strip of shops in Lafayette Square neighborhood.
3)The expertise– The staff is knowledgable about wine and will lead you in the right direction for what you might like.
4)They also serve food, but not a wide variety. Just cheese, crackers, & pretzels. You wont get too full on the food which leaves plenty of room for wine.
5) They have other things to drink besides wine so if you go with a non wine drinker there are other things for THEM to drink like a variety of beer & whisky.
6) The ambiance– It is chill & non pretentious. It comes off like a friendly neighborhood bar, but a bit more sophisticated. Last time I was here everyone seemed to know each other.
7) By the glass selection changes frequently but is always good.
8) They do these «dorm room dinners“for which a local chef will come in and use an electric burner to prepare a meal for a large crowd. Its a challenge for the chef, a delight to the customer & fairly priced. These events feature some of St. Louis’s top chefs.
9)The back patio. For the warmer months you can sit outdoors and sip your wine in this charming setting.
10) Good memories of sipping great wine with someone special!

One of the very best wine bars-​hands-​down!!! With an incredible collection of wines (and very knowledgeable staff!), a great beer selection, and a very diverse selection of liquors, whiskeys, scotches (to include a fine Japanese collection), It’s a top choice for a evening out!!!
I think going to this Wine Bar since it was initially founded by owner Jake. I continued enjoying this space and its offerings under owner Jeff.
Now comes James Smallwood, who has excellent customer service skills and truly cares about each visitor and patron.
James is knowledgeable, helpful, warm, and sincere…
The bar area in the front is everything it should be, with low lighting and a bustling atmosphere. The second room has a fireplace built into the wall, a sofa, and a cozy setting. In summer, the back patio is a treat!
I can’t express the joy that comes from such an excellent wine collection. There is real attention to detail, and if James for some reason doesn’t have something, he’ll be quick to get it for you!
33 Wine Bar is a combination of a «Cheers» bar, where people come from all over and know each other, as well as a ‘meet your next friend’ bar!
They also have a great selection of meats and cheeses sure to wet your appetite.
All the way around, it’s a truly wonderful space for excellent wine selections, great beer selections, and a warm, jovial atmosphere, that will leave you wanting to return again and again!!!

This place is awesome. Interesting and varied rotating draughts, and a super extensive bottle list of beer, wine, and whisky. If you feel like you may want a Danish beer followed by a Japanese single malt served in a nice relaxing environment, try 33.
The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Service isn’t exactly speedy, but it never takes away from the experience.

It was not my intention to come here. We were actually trying to go to the chocolate bar next door but there was a long wait for a table. Anyway, we got our buzzer and headed over to 33. We each got a glass of wine while we waited for our table next door. This place is super cute! The bartender was also really nice and helpful in helping us pick a wine from their EXTENSIVE menu. I’ll definitely be back.

Very small but worth it. Their drink menu was quite extensive, it’s like the bartender is handing you his dissertation for review, it’s crazy overwhelming. Luckily the staff there is very knowledgable, and even the owner came over and met with us and assisted us with our choices. Great wine and beer selection… go!

We’ve been here twice on Fridays, roughly between 6:30 and 7:30. We’ve found parking within 100 yards of the door. Inside, the deep but narrow interior is sparsely decorated with a bar to the right, and an assortment of high top tables and stools. Service is good.
Attractive points for us:
*Opportunity to try wines by the glass we wouldn’t ordinarily find,
*a relatively generous pour,
*excellent cheeses, (Therese H. carries in GF crackers),
*wine and cheese are fun and tasty, but don’t leave us feeling bloated for post-​wine-​bar dancing.

Good spot for a evening cocktail in a hotspot neighborhood. Plenty of patio seating in the back and inside as well, there are two rooms inside essentially. The wine list is impressive and there are plenty of by the glass selections, the beer list was surprisingly impressive as well. Went early Fri evening and there was plenty of space out back on a super nice summer night. This is a great date spot or for smaller groups, very laid back. I’m a fan.

This place also has great beer! Everything from sours, local, and cellar aged barley wines. The bar staff was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I would highly recommend making this a stop or your entire night out.
Downside — book a taxi while finishing your last drink because your going to be waiting a while.

Seriously, these guys not only listen so that you get exactly what you want, but they make the entire experience comfortable and cozy. And now, with the renovation you get to sit in front of a fireplace while the temperatures dip down outside.
They’ve recently hung work from a local artist. Can’t get much better than that!

I like it… I like it a lot.
It definitely is a chill spot and it was a great place to meet friends.
When I am back in St. Louis, I will definitely go again.

I want to love 33 like everybody else, but for some reason, it just leaves me cold. I think it’s the stark décor. Maybe all the pub height tables. Anyway, I looked at the painting with the lady’s butt too many times, trying to figure out if the crack was too long. If that’s not fun, what is?
I kind of feel like a bad student in the wrong classroom here. A few more visits and my comfort level might kick in, but for my first two visits, I’m definitley a struggling C– student. One thing that would really help is some more useful descriptions for the wine by the glass. They had some pithy remarks, but not much about the way the wine tastes. On the other hand, one wine reportedly had hints of «green pepper» if you can believe it. That’s a first for me and definitely one to avoid. I assume they mean raw, or it is cooked? That’s a stumper.
We ended up getting a half bottle of Pinot Noir the server recommended. The first one she brought out, she poured a taste, which we tried, then she smelled it and said «That one’s bad.» She said it was corked and replaced it with another bottle, which tasted a lot different. Pretty good.
They had 6 beers on tap, but I could just barely read the descriptions on the chalkboard behind the bar. Besides, I didn’t think about beer until after we’d ordered wine. If she would have sold it a bit, I would have definitely wanted to try some.
We’ll probably come back if we’re trying to impress a wine snob (yes, I have a couple of people in mind). Otherwise, there are other spots where we feel a lot more comfortable.

Hosted my going-​away party here last night. I managed to pick a horrible night, as many of my friends had previous commitments, but the few and proud who were able to make it were treated to excellent service, as usual, and great wine.
I’m hoping that Jeff, the owner, makes good on his aspirations to maybe open a sister shop in Kansas City. New chapters and new stories to be written there.
PS Aristotle once said that the more he learned, the more he realized how little he knew. If you’re sitting by the bar, look up and see if you can solve any of the quotation or trivia that’s posted. It’s humbling… even for a smarty pants like me :-)