Ask George: How common are cash-only restaurants and bars in St. Louis these days?

Pre-pandemic, cash was still king at local restaurants and bars—until it became the pariah. When contactless payments and online ordering took off, fewer customers carried bills, and many cash-only establishments began accepting cards. Some held firm, with some of the most popular being Courtesy Diner, Tick Tock Tavern, Venice Café, Tiffany’s Original Diner, and Fast Eddie’s Bon Air. (Carl’s Drive-In was also on the list for a long time but recently began accepting plastic.)

Here’s a far-from-comprehensive list of cash-only spots across the St. Louis metro area, as well as those with ATMs on site. (Side note: Even at places that take cards, many servers still appreciate a cash tip.)

St. Louis City

• CBGB: 3163 S. Grand, ATM
• Cat’s Meow: 2600 S. 11^th
• Courtesy Diner: 1121 Hampton, ATM
• Delmar Chop Suey: 3336 Delmar
• Friendly’s Sports Bar & Grill: 3503 Roger
• Pizza-A-Go-Go: 6703 Scanlan, cash or check
• Red’s Eighth Inning Bar: 6412 Michigan
• Silverleaf: 3442 Hereford
• Stella Blues: 3269 Morganford
• Tick Tock Tavern: 3459 Magnolia, ATM
• Venice Café: 1903 Pestalozzi, ATM

St. Louis County

• Caddy Shack: 4679 Oldenburg
• Chong Wah: 8208 Olive
• Courtesy Diner: 8000 S. Laclede Station
• Dave’s Diner: 5513 S. Lindbergh, ATM
• Northland Chop Suey: 9240 W. Florissant
• Olivette Diner: 9638 Olive, cash or check
• Tiffany’s Original Diner: 7402 Manchester

St. Charles County

• Boschertown Bar & Grill: 3545 Hwy. 94, ATM
• Drinking Horn: 2234 First Capitol
• Duchesne Bar & Grill: 1001 S. Duchesne
• Hong Kong Restaurant: 2207 Droste
• The Pine Room: 1102 Perry, ATM

Metro East

• DJ’s Bar & Grill: 2526 College, Alton
• Ethel Hirsch’s Tavern: 620 Broadway, Highland
• Fast Eddie’s Bon Air: 530 E. 4th, Alton, ATM
• Hiram’s Bar: 219 W. 3rd St., Alton
• Kopps Korner: 838 E. 7th, Alton
• Marko’s Fish: 820 Madison, Madison
• Norb’s Tavern: 2505 State, Alton
• Sonny’s Wedge: 901 W. Delmar, Alton

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