Platypus asks for support after co-founder Tony Saputo is charged with identity theft

One of the city’s most acclaimed bars appears to be in trouble—with rent past due and one co-founder facing criminal charges, apparently for stealing from the other.

Platypus, located in The Grove neighborhood of the City of St. Louis, was named one of the 10 best bars in the U.S. by Food & Wine on April 8.

But just one week later, a post on the bar’s Instagram account by co-founder Meredith Barry hinted at financial trouble. “Platypus needs you,” she wrote. “We are navigating some incredibly painful challenges that were left at our doorstep—challenges that have tested my spirit and the resilience of our team in ways I never imagined.” She went on to ask patrons for their support and to praise several team members. Co-founder Anthony Saputo was notably not one of them. 

And indeed, criminal charges filed in federal court in February against Saputo charge him with one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of illegal transactions with an access device. Federal prosecutors say that from September 2021 to October 2021, Saputo used an American Express credit card issued to “M.B.” for purchases exceeding $1,000. The identity theft charge involves allegations that Saputo used M.B.’s social security number as part of those illegal transactions on the credit card. Barry declined to comment on whether she is the M.B. in the indictment, citing the active criminal proceeding. She said the question of whether any Platypus customers were victims is still under review.

Saputo did not return a voicemail left by SLM. His public defender Julie Clark declined comment. 

Saputo was arrested March 3 and soon released on bond. One condition of his release was that he not access other people’s financial or personal information, even for work. According to court filings made by Clark, Saputo had left the job that “was the subject of the indictment” (presumably Platypus) and had gotten work tending bar elsewhere. The job required that he run customers’ credit cards so that they could open tabs, and Clark asked a judge to amend the conditions of his bon to allow him to do that. That request was denied, records show. (For her part, Barry says Saputo was removed from his position as manager at Platypus, adding, “He no longer works at the bar or handles any funds.”)

In addition to those federal charges, Saputo and his No Dice Libations LLC, which operates Platypus, was also sued in October over $34,000 in unpaid rent and associated late fees. No attorney has entered an appearance on behalf of either the business or Saputo. However, on January 8, the building’s landlord sent an email to the Sheriff’s Office asking to cancel the eviction planned for that day. 

Says Barry, “We have a constructive relationship with our landlord and are committed to honoring our obligations. We’re not going to comment on the specific terms of our arrangement.” 

A third legal action was filed against Saputo and his No Dice LLC in February indicating that he owed $23,037 to a New Jersey-based cash advance company Epic Advance Funding.  Epic’s attorney is based in Nashville and was busy when SLM called on Monday. 

Says Barry, “Platypus has been through an incredibly difficult period, and we are working hard every day to address the challenges that were left at our doorstep. We are grateful for the support of our community and our team. The best thing anyone can do right now is come in, have a drink, and help us keep doing what we do. We are working with legal counsel to address the business challenges created by this situation and look forward to being able to tell this story more fully when the time is right.” 

When Saputo and Barry came together in 2021 to open Platypus, each brought an impressive resume involving high-profile chefs and well-executed cocktails. He was the beverage director for the company that owned The Midwestern, Start Bar, and The Wheelhouse after working as the beverage manager at The Benevolent King under chef Ben Poremba along with stints at Layla and Atomic Cowboy. Barry was beverage director at the Angad Arts Hotel and had worked with Niche Food Group under James Beard Award winner Gerard Craft. It was their first time as owners. 

But unlike many top cocktail spots around town, Platypus was determinedly low-key, with an atmosphere that combined the best of neighborhood bars (friendly service and patrons, two sizable rooms) and dive bars (sometimes very loud music, and a sort of comfortable grittiness). The combination was intoxicating for people who liked serious cocktails in a place that never took itself too seriously, including Food & Wine.

The magazine’s recent writeup naming it one of America’s top bars noted that, three years earlier, it had been named the best under-the-radar bar.

“Live music, comedy nights, karaoke, monthly queer mixers, and local artwork on the walls all feed the raucous feel of a neighborhood living room,” its writers explained. “The drink menu rotates continuously through options like the WHOA!-groni, a barrel-aged Negroni variation. Duckbill—a food vendor located within the bar—offers playful bites; the popcorn chicken in particular has fans. Safe to say, Platypus is under the radar no more.”