Bar: Henke’s Tavern
Location: 901 N Lafayette St, Florissant, MO 63031
Score: 9.4/10
I need to start this article off by simply saying I’m sorry. To my friends, family, and readers, I let you down. It took me being on this planet close to 26 years to get to Henke’s Tavern. And that is criminal being that this gem is located in my hometown of St. Louis.
Built in 1926 as Schroeder’s Cafe, and owned by a family who lived right next door, this building is more than just a bar. It’s been a staple in the St. Louis community. Once prohibition ended, the cafe transitioned to a tavern. It was then in 1955 that the tavern was sold to Henry Henke and his son, Joe. The Henke name replaced Schroeder, and Henke’s Tavern was born. Being in the middle of a neighborhood in Florissant, MO, this bar doesn’t depend on any flashy trend or huge events to attract patrons. It’s a simple place to walk into, relax, and enjoy some cold beverages. Ownership of Henke’s has passed through the family and was eventually sold to another local St. Louisian family. And with Henke’s existence approaching 100 years, the traditions of this establishment remain the same and shows no sign of going anywhere.
Being in the middle of the neighborhood, Henke’s almost resembles a house or small store. White siding blends the building in perfectly with the rest of the neighborhood, and if you weren’t looking for it, you might drive right by. Walking in you instantly get hit with the small town, close-knit community feeling many dive bars have. A bar lines one side of the room, while tables line the other. With it being a smaller establishment, it brings out a social atmosphere. Everyone talks to everyone. Strangers become friends. It reminds me of when you see your neighbor drinking in their garage, you go to join, and slowly but surely, all the other neighbors come to join the fun. Conversation ranges from sports, to which spot has the best pizza. Even though some of these people you just met, you feel like you’ve known them for years. And the odds are being in such a small community where everyone knows everyone, you likely will come across a friend or family member, or at the very least, somewhere there can link your last name to someone they know. I wish more bars were like this. Focus more on the atmosphere and the people, rather than some stupid gimmick some bars pull just to try and attract people in. There’s a reason why this bar has been successful for so long.
And to top it all off, Henke’s has a patio to enjoy a nice beer on a sunny day, and slot machines and golden tee for the degenerate gamblers. They also do a very fun spinoff of Yahtzee: Shake a Day. You pay $1 and you roll 5 die, attempting to get 5 of the same number. The more you match the better the prize. Rolling 3 or 4 (memories a little faded from the day) wins you a free shot while rolling all 5 the same wins you a portion of the pot from all the past losers.
Henke’s truly does have it all, and it disgusts me it has taken me this long to get to experience it. The only thing to do now is make up for lost time and enjoy another million beers at Henke’s Tavern.
Decor: Your typical dive bar decor. Chalkboards with deals, plenty of TVs, neon signs, and Christmas lights along the roof. They also decorate for each holiday. We were there a little before Valentine’s Day so had hearts all over. Make’s the bar feel much more personal.
Prices: Cheap. Whether going before a sports game or just going for a night out, can drink all day and not hurt the wallet.
Service: Awesome service. The bartender held a conversation with all the patrons while serving everyone quickly. Just adds to the small-town feel that makes you want to keep coming back.
Atmosphere: Laid back spot but also a ton of fun. Everyone talks to everyone. You can go to Henke’s for any occasion and have a blast. Everyone is very friendly and personable. When you go to another bar, you have to think why can’t every place be like Henke’s?
Cleanliness: Zero concerns. Clean bar.
Bonus Points: None.