Five decades after Llywelyn’s Pub first opened its doors, the beloved Celtic gathering place is celebrating its golden anniversary.
The celebration kicks off with the Golden Jubilee Reunion Bash on May 3, when the Webster Groves location (17 Moody) will host the U2 Hype tribute band from 8–11 p.m., along with featured menu items and giveaways. Guests can also enjoy a special golden lager brewed for the occasion by Schlafly, with a portion of the proceeds going to Pedal the Cause.
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Then, throughout the rest of May, Llywelyn’s will host more live music from such acts as Low Hanging Fruit, as well as patio happy hours and a tribute to the pub’s history showcased through photos and stories from the past 50 years. The celebration will be capped off with a special fundraising event on May 30, featuring a guest performance by Spontaneous Nugent.
The Backstory
Jack Brangle and Jon Dressel first opened Llywelyn’s in the Central West End in 1975.
“I used to always go to that Central West End Llywelyn’s, which, back in the day, was one of the very few first places there,” recalls Bill Kamper, managing partner and chief marketing strategist at Simplified Solutions. “When they bought that, they were newcomers in the neighborhood, but they really built up that community.”
In 1997, Chris Marshall, Brett Bennett, and Scott Kemper became the owners.
Today, Llywelyn’s spans two locations in St. Louis metro area and another in Kansas City.
The menu draws inspiration from Irish, Scottish, and Welsh traditions. It has evolved over the years to include classic bar and pub favorites. Fish and chips remain a staple, but guests can also enjoy beer-battered cod sliders. The half-pound Llywelyn Burger continues to be a favorite, alongside several versions of diner-style smashburgers, burger sliders, and a Steak & Brie option with marinated, grilled tenderloin medallions, caramelized onions, and melted brie cheese.
As for drinks, patrons can choose from a curated selection of more than 50 beers, ales, and spirits from around the globe, including the always-popular Guinness and, for a limited time, the aforementioned Llywelyn’s Pub Anniversary Golden Lager. For every can or pint of Golden Anniversary Lager sold, $1 goes to Pedal the Cause, which will host its main event on September 20 and 21.
“The big event runs along the Missouri River, right by [Llywelyn’s] St. Charles location,” Kamper says. “They also have a lot of people in bike clubs who are biking around Webster or St. Charles that stop in. I think being able to tie that in and really be part of that experience gave them the inspiration.”
Since 2013, Llywelyn’s has donated more than $140,000 to local nonprofits and $20,000 in local sponsorships—one more way that it has cemented its legacy in the community over the past 50 years.
