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    The Key Stl

    4.0 (28 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    The Key Stl Photos

    THE KEY STL ATMOSPHERE

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    Tedd T.

    Last night at The Key STL was nothing short of incredible. We hosted our very first Bites in the Heights community night, and from the moment we walked in, it felt like exactly what a neighborhood spot should be--welcoming, vibrant, and full of life. The energy in the room was contagious, with kids laughing, neighbors connecting, and everyone just genuinely enjoying being together. Let's talk about the food... absolutely out of this world. The smash burgers were packed with flavor and perfectly crispy around the edges--exactly what a smash burger should be. And a pro tip: order the fries well-done if you love that perfect crispy finish--they do not disappoint. What really sets The Key apart is the atmosphere. It's the kind of place that instantly feels like your place--whether you're stopping in for dinner, bringing the family, or gathering with friends. And with plans to host sporting events, it's about to become a go-to destination for game days as well. We're so grateful to have a space like this in our community. The Key STL didn't just host us--they elevated the entire experience. Compton Heights showed up... and The Key delivered.

    Courtney S.

    The Key is situated in Midtown in what I call the arts district. This is another Kranzberg venue amongst many in the area. The venue is separated into two spots with two separate entrances--a burger joint and the live music spot. We got situated on the venue side for a Juneteenth event, and each table had a QR code for checking out the menu as well as other things about the space, such as renting it out. It's a spacious and thoughtfully planned space with room for standing to listen to music or for sitting down and enjoying the music. The seats are sturdy yet comfy. The floor is concrete, so be mindful when wearing heels or shoes for standing for long periods if you're not able to be seated. I can so see this space hosting live band karaoke!

    Chili
    Kara B.

    This place has a cool atmosphere but definitely needs to work out some kinks. There are no servers so every time you want to order food and/or drink you have to go to the bar counter to stand in the single line with everyone else. No issue with the structure, but the line was long and did not move fast. Upon our arrival the table we sat at had clearly not been cleaned off. Crumbs and sauce all over the table, but it was the only one available. Unfortunately the day I went they were out of shrimp so I couldn't order the shrimp stuffed poppers like I wanted. Our group ordered a burger, the key ravs and chili. I would have ordered a speciality drink like their social media appears they have, but they don't provide a drink menu. The prices are overpriced. You get 5 tiny ravs for $13. The chili was thick with not much taste to it. The burger was delicious but once again, overpriced- $14-16 for a burger without fries.

    Elder emo's performing at the Key
    Manoj A.

    The key is a cool new restaurant connected to a music venue. It has a fun sports bar aesthetic. Their build your burger option was great. I got the vegan burger with toppings and it was one of the best ones in the city, more than just a generic black bean burger. Their drinks and beer were also very affordable. Overall, a great place to hang out and get some affordable but delicious food and drinks. In addition, they let you bring food and drinks to the venue side where bands play.

    Lisa R.

    We won't usually patronize startups until they've had the opportunity to work out the kinks, but we made an exception for The Key in the City of St. Louis. The space has been totally updated, is vibrant and looks great. Several large screen televisions purport to offer the sports bar vibe, but with no audio it was difficult to follow the World Series game we came to see .... and the loud audio of the band rehearsing next door was a complete distraction. In my opinion, this is either two distinct spaces or its not; the blend does not make for a great dining experience. There are no servers; orders are placed and paid at a counter. Since they don't attach numbers to orders, the food trays were mismatched when customers received their food (and there were only three parties of two at this time). I ordered the Jerk Chicken Wings as an appetizer; I received a pound of wings that were much spicier than I expected. I ordered the Build-Your-Own Burger, with lettuce, tomato, and onion upcharges. (I received a half-slice of tomato and no onions). I suspect that the trend towards "smashburgers" is to save on meat, but Steak-n-Shake has been excelling at them for decades ... it's not necessary to use high heat (as we could smell them overcooking) and crispy edges is the goal, not overcooked, entirely crispy patties. The highlight was the Hand-Cut Extra-Crispy "Specialty" Fries. Very Good. I decided, when initially ordering, to hold off on ordering my dessert because I wanted the Key Lime Ravs warm, and I am glad I held off because my dining companion ordered the $12 order of six ravs and only received three. If we could have enjoyed the baseball game we would have ordered cocktails and, likely, more food, and stayed longer. Its hard for me to understand how a pricey burger bar can survive in that area with Stacked and even Five Guys nearby ... our tab was $80, plus a 15% tip ($12) that I usually don't leave for self-service, totalling $92 without liquor. The Key needs more time to smooth things out ... they're not quite ready for primetime.

    Wake Up! Burger
    Wanda H.

    Stopped in here with a group, to get a bite to eat before an event. The location was perfect. Casual atmosphere, with minimal service. You order at the bar (had to ask for a cocktail list) and then they call your name for you to go pick it up. The food was delicious though they didn't have blackberries to muddle in my cocktail as advertised. Their sauces tend towards the DELICIOUS side! Not fancy, but it was good.

    Jerk Burger
    Deyna J.

    We've been to The Key a few times before Billikens games and never ate because the line to order was crazy. For the last home game of the season we arrived early got a table and ate! Everyone enjoyed their food. The fries were delicious! I was happy they had vegetarian option and the garden burger was great. The drinks are really good too. We got the margarita this time and it was delicious but too small for the price. Overall we really like the Key and will return!

    Double mushroom smash burgers on sour dough
    MaryAnn B.

    Nice , super casual place for some delicious smash burgers. Can combine some ingredients to create for yourself, or choose a house creation. Tacos, too. Either way, delicious. Add some fries,, house made chips. Some bar service. Order at the bar, call for pickup. No frills, just yum!

    Menu
    Haley M.

    Perfect location right by SLU campus. Order at the bar kind of set up, awesome menu lineup. Full bar, huge TVs for game day. Double doors in the back lead to a huge dance floor and stage for music. What a fun place. Absolutely will be back! Mango salsa is to die for! Had the Key Cheesesteaks with chicken. More than enough for two meals. This place will be around a while, for sure.

    Key lime pie toasted raviolis
    Luke R.

    Saw they had some of STL Toasted raviolis and they are the best in the city so had to hop in to try the key lime pie toasted ravs snd they did not disappoint. I would like to see them add a lil side of whip cream for them to finish off the whole key lime pie aspect. The fries was fresh cut and loaded with toppings. Really good. You go in and order at a window so service was easy as they weren't busy at 8 on a Friday night. The restaurant its self has a cool sports bar vibe with a nice music hall attached.j was suprised at how large the music space was.

    #19 and Mango Daiquiri
    D'Angel H.

    I would definitely recommend this really cool place. We were in town for a volleyball tournament and found this little gem! We sat the bar, ordered the Mango Daiquiri and the #19. Declan was totally cool! Drinks are really good. The burgers were freakin delicious! And the fries are super yummy!!! We will definitely be back!

    One set of TVs
    Ana C.

    Great new sports bar with phenomenal smash burgers, crafted cocktails and attentive bar and counter staff. Interior is fun but super bright (they are working on getting dimmer switches). Nice variety to the menu. Great spot for quick meal before Fox show or to watch any possible game you're interested in.

    Beef cheesesteak.

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    Honora K.

    Excellent suggestion Luke! Thank you for coming out to support!

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    Honora K.

    Thank you so much Alexis! We love having you in, see you soon!

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    7 months ago

    Great place to meet friends before a SLU basketball game. Good food and atmosphere. The employees were helpful with the food and drinks.

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    I was finally able to go here yesterday and I loved it. It feels like a true American burger joint…read more When you enter, you order at the counter and the food is then brought to your table. Service was great at both the counter and the table. I had the Split & Melt which was delicious. Crispy smash patties, gooey cheese, buttery bread. I also opted to add heirloom tomato to it which added a nice brightness to it. My mom ordered the double, which she said was amazing. We ordered a variety of sides to share. The mac and cheese was amazing, the onion rings were flavorful and crispy, and the fries were also very well seasoned and crispy. Overall, everything was a 10/10. Also, I loved that their fountain sodas are Excel sodas. Will definitely be back to try their draft beers and more burgers!

    Food: The burger? Excellent. One of my favorite smash burgers in the city. The fries? Just ok…read more Maybe it was an off day, but they didn't taste much different to me than a regular fry. Price: All together, with a dollar tip, I paid $27 and change, which to me is incredibly pricey for counter service. $2 for a dipping sauce is steep, and for a small container. Next time? I'd skip the dipping sauce and homemade lemonade to save $7. I'll be back but not running to pay this much again. The storefront: the direct out front, small parking lot was packed and people were going into the gated lot to find parking. Only one person working the counter when you first walk in which lead to a long line at the dinner rush that seemed to be moving pretty slow. We got in before the rush and got our food quickly after. Staff were kind and very helpful! Fairly clean with the food runners circling tables often to remove trash.

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    Good Company - Good Burger

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    4.5(181 reviews)
    1.8 miForest Park Southeast
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    For a cocktail bar, I give this place 5/5 stars. The alcoholic and alcohol free cocktails are…read moredelicious and the vibe is immaculate. I particularly like how the menu has illustrations of the cocktails so you know how they are served. Plus everything is seasonal! For food, I give it a 4/5. The appetizers, including the cauliflower, onion rings, and poutine are excellent but the entree menu is limited to mostly sandwiches and I've found the entrees just ok-to-good for the price. It's easy to walk in for lunch but I recommend a reservation for dinner to avoid the chaos!

    Searching for new resturants in stumbled across this place on Yelp and decided to give it a try…read more I want hungry and wanted cocktails but my husband had an appetite. When we arrived it was steady but we were seated pretty quickly. The atmosphere is really nice and intimate. Nice music and vibes. Tables are really small for a table of 2. Menu options looks great and the cocktail menu too. Our server was nice and friendly. For the table, we ordered chicken wings, onion rings and green chile cheeseburger and that burger was highly recommended. For my cocktail, I ordered a peach bite. Food came out at a decent time and it didn't really hit the spot. The wings weren't bad. I like the tangy taste of the sauce they are tossed in but i did not like dressing on the side. It's their green goddess which was not good to us. My husband did not like his burger at all. However the onion rings were a hit. My Peach bite was wonderful. Very cute ice block branded but not a lot of cocktail in the glass. Maybe I would return with friends knowing what not to order but it's a definite no for my husband.

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    Rockwell Beer Co

    Rockwell Beer Co

    4.3(307 reviews)
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    I hadn't been here for years! I think the last time was before we went to the Rolling Stones…read moreconcert. Our daughters live closer and go more often. We were hanging out with our 15 month old granddaughter for the day and decided to come here for dinner so she could get out of the high chair and move around. We sat outside since the weather was so nice. The patio is large and has tables for smaller and bigger groups. There are also some games to play out there. They have blocks and a few other things for kids to play with as well. There is a lot of seating inside, too. My husband went in and got a menu and we chose our meals. Food is ordered at one counter and beer at another. He went in and ordered our food and got a beer. I drink, but I don't drink beer! Our food was brought out to our table and it was good! My husband and I each had a burger and our granddaughter had grilled cheese. They all came with fries. We ate, my husband had another beer, we played on the patio for a while, and then we left! The vibe was good, the food was good, the beer was good - of course we'll be back!

    There's a 1984 one-hit-wonder named Rockwell whose paranoid earworm still lodges in your skull: I…read morealways feel like somebody's watching me. Rockwell Beer Company earns the association honestly. I walk in wary (I don't drink beer, don't like it, and an industrial brewery hugging a busy four-lane street is not my native habitat), I get the sense I need to eat in the corner so people don't discover the non-beer drinker; however, I walked out humming. The reason is the food, sourced through Street Food by Brasas. This is not brewery food that apologizes for itself. Pretzels, wings, both worth ordering again. The pizzas (barbecue, pepperoni) land in that rare category of elevated bar snack. I'd happily return for a table's worth. It's order at the window food service, which is fine for their vibe, but it keeps the environment to a self-service lower warmth environment. We sat outside, which is nice IF you can find some shade on a hot summer evening. 3.9 out of 5 stars The atmosphere isn't built for me, but the kitchen is good enough that I'd get over it to spend an evening with my beer-drinking friends. What would push this higher: a space that compels me the way the plates do.

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    Jack Nolen’s - Fried chicken sandwich w/ AF hot sauce. Deviled eggs

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    4.7(264 reviews)
    2.6 miSoulard
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    Jack Nolen"s is a vibe. I heard they have the best burgers in St Louis. I had to check it out for…read moremyself. One of my coworkers kept asking me have I tried them yet. Now I can say, yes. The service is good. When I walked in the bartender greeted us. I looked over the menu. Then someone took the order at the bar. We decided to eat outside on the patio. The weather was perfect. The burgers are very good. I'm not sure if it's the best burger in St Louis, but I can say it is very good. The burger was seasoned very good. The lettuce tomato, pickles and grilled onion on the burger was fire. The fries and beer cheese were great. The scattered fries consisted of mozzarella cheese and Italian seasoning were good too. The Washington Apple was perfect for me. I enjoyed everything.

    This dive bar in historic Soulard with a fantastic patio, may have the absolute best smash burgers…read morein St. Louis. The crispy skinny fries are top-notch, too. The bar itself is unpretentious and welcomes everyone. While I was dining at the bar, the rest of the diners were a widely diverse mixture. Witnessing such a vast mixture of people, adds a positive twist to the vibe of the bar. The menu is simple. They focus on what they do best and that's why their smash burger is one of the best. Being a firecracker myself, I ordered the Firecracker Smashburger. It's a single patty, with Pepper Jack Cheese, Tomato-Onion-Jalapeno Relish, Drizzled with a Tangy Fire Ranch and served on a Martin's Potato Roll. The burger was juicy and had those crispy edges that a smash burger is known for. My favorite cheese is Pepper Jack, so that was a big plus for me. The relish added that extra kick that made it a true, Firecracker. I can't enjoy a burger without fries and Jack offers long skinny fries. They had a crispy shell and a soft hot inside. They were simply seasoned with just the right amount of salt. I was impressed that the ketchup was 100% Natural. That gets a big thumbs up. When enjoying a burger and fries, a nice cold beer is always the adult beverage of choice. JN offers a small variety of craft beers on draft and three popular Anheuser-Busch products. I enjoyed a Gumballhead from 3 Floyds Brewing. An American Pale Wheat is a perfect lunchtime beer. The bartenders are personable and offer warm service. I'm definitely coming back the next time I crave a smashburger.

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    Shake Shack

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    3.5(444 reviews)
    1.9 miCentral West End
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    This shake shack is in the ST. Louis airport near gate e16. They have a machine to self order but…read morethe ladies are faster if they are working the cash register. The service is slow even with many employees working. But this is a solid delicious piping temperature hot burger well worth the wait.

    We went here as a family after my graduation. There was something for everyone in the family to…read moreenjoy. I split the veggie burger and the mushroom burger with someone. The mushroom burger is unlike any other I've ever had. It's ground up mushroom in the shape of a patty with cheese on the inside that is then breaded and deep-fried. It was good and something new, but I preferred the regular veggie burger. The veggie burger comes with crispy onions, which I loved. The service was also great. We are a family that loves pickles and sometimes when we ask for extra pickles, it doesn't seem like we ever get enough. It was not the case here! They were very generous with the extra pickles which we were really happy about. The cheese fries were standard. The Oreo milkshake seemed pretty standard as well, but milkshakes aren't my favorite thing. Personally, I didn't care for how everything is served without a plate and with the burgers in the paper bags. I think the paper bags the burgers come in are a great idea to stop your hands from getting messy, but I had to take the burger out to realign everything so that all the bread wouldn't be at the very bottom and it just became a mess. Note: 1 burger was enough for me. I thought I was still hungry after and got another and that was a mistake!

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    The Key Stl - burgers - Updated September 2026

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