The Scottish Arms
Central West End, St Louis
Restaurant in St Louis, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$20–30per person
Dress
Casual
Why go
The Scottish Arms is a practical St Louis pick for a relaxed pub-style meal, especially at dinner when the format makes the most sense. Choose it for an easy catch-up, casual date, or small-group plan; look to Vicia for a more occasion-driven meal or Puttshack - St. Louis for activity-led plans.
About The Scottish Arms
The Scottish Arms in St Louis is easy to plan around its St Louis location, casual dress code, and weekly hours. It is closed Monday and Tuesday, opens at 4 PM on Wednesday and Thursday, and opens at 11:30 AM Friday through Sunday.
Choose it for a casual plan, not an over-specified one
The right expectation is important here. Plan around the casual dress code and posted hours rather than assumptions about specific cuisine, menu items, service format, prices, seating details, or special accolades. Treat it as a direct St Louis option to consider when the schedule works for your plans.
For timing, dinner is the clearest fit on Wednesday and Thursday because the venue is open from 4–10 PM. Friday and Saturday run from 11:30 AM–12 AM, and Sunday runs from 11:30 AM–10 PM. Those earlier weekend opening times may help with daytime planning.
Good for simple scheduling and casual dress
The Scottish Arms is easiest to evaluate on practical terms. The dress code is casual, so guests do not need to plan around formal attire.
Do not plan around specific signature dishes or drinks in advance. First-timers should check the current menu directly and verify any dietary restrictions before committing, especially for stricter needs.
Where it fits among St Louis alternatives
Among other named options, The Scottish Arms can be compared with Retreat Gastropub, Everest Cafe and bar, Atomic Cowboy, Vicia, and Puttshack - St. Louis when you are deciding where to go in St Louis. The strongest reason to choose The Scottish Arms is practical fit: its posted hours and casual dress code.
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: Closed · Tuesday: Closed
- Location
- 8 S Sarah St, St. Louis, MO 63108
- Website
- thescottisharms.com
- Phone
- +1 314 932 7303
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Scottish Arms reads like a sincere neighborhood pub rather than a pastiche. The room leans on warm wood and layered lighting, which gives it a cozy, classic feel, and its acoustic design keeps conversation comfortable at table. The kitchen treats British Isles cooking as a serious starting point, which keeps the tone more refined than a dive bar while retaining a rustic, pub-forward personality. The result is an intimate, warm spot that still hums with the life of a local tavern: one that balances neighborhood familiarity with careful cooking.
Best For
This is a Central West End pub built for everyday neighborhood use: lunch service, dinner, and late-night pints all feel natural here. Its location a short walk from Forest Park and near hospital and university workers means it draws a mixed crowd for after-work drinks, casual hangouts, and group dinners. The place sustains a steady rhythm across the day, so it’s well suited for anyone looking for an approachable spot to meet friends, grab a pint after a shift, or settle in for a hearty evening meal.
Ordering Tips
Lean into the menu's British staples: properly done scotch eggs and batter-forward fish & chips are presented with care. Pies and pasties are another reliable move; the kitchen is praised for structural integrity in its pies, so shepherd's pasty is a smart order. For classic comfort, pick bangers & mash or mince & tatties, and pair mains with a pint to match the gastropub rhythm.
Venue details
Ambiance
Dark oak bar evoking centuries-old Scottish ambiance; warm, welcoming atmosphere designed to transport guests to Scotland with period décor and relaxed outdoor patio.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
- Kitchen
- Traditional
- Menu Format
- A la carte
- Drinks Focus
- Single-malt scotch, Whiskey, Local beer
- Outdoor Seating
- Yes
Signature Dishes
- Fish & Chips
- Scottish Egg
- Shepherd's Pasty
- Bangers & Mash
- Mince & Tatties
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 8 S Sarah St, St. Louis, MO 63108
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- 4–10 PM
- Thursday
- 4–10 PM
- Friday
- 11:30 AM–12 AM
- Saturday
- 11:30 AM–12 AM
- Sunday
- 11:30 AM–10 PM
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Retreat Gastropub, Notable alternative
- Vicia, Notable alternative
- Puttshack - St. Louis, Notable alternative
- Everest Cafe and bar, Notable alternative
- Atomic Cowboy, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
The Scottish Arms is the easier, more casual choice in this St Louis set. It is better for a relaxed pub-style meal than for a polished occasion dinner. Vicia is the stronger pick when the meal itself needs to carry the night, while this is the lower-pressure option when comfort and ease matter more.
For a similar casual lane, Retreat Gastropub is the closest cross-shop. Choose Retreat Gastropub if the group wants a broader gastropub feel; choose The Scottish Arms if the pub setting is the point. Everest Cafe and bar is the better alternative when the priority is a more defined food direction rather than a pub night.
Puttshack - St. Louis is the better call for groups that need built-in entertainment. Atomic Cowboy suits a livelier bar-forward plan. For first-timers deciding between them, The Scottish Arms is the most sensible pick when the goal is an uncomplicated meal in a pub setting.
Explore St Louis
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Scottish Arms guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Scottish Arms
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| The Scottish Arms | St Louis | No published awards |
| Retreat Gastropub | St Louis | No published awards |
| Vicia | St Louis | No published awards |
| Puttshack - St. Louis | St Louis | No published awards |
| Everest Cafe and bar | St Louis | No published awards |
| Atomic Cowboy | St Louis | No published awards |
How The Scottish Arms St Louis compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Scottish Arms good for a special occasion?
It may work for a low-key plan if the hours fit and casual dress is appropriate for your group. The schedule is Wed and Thu from 4–10 PM, Fri and Sat from 11:30 AM–12 AM, and Sun from 11:30 AM–10 PM. For a different St Louis option, you might also compare Vicia.
What should I wear to The Scottish Arms?
Casual dress is the dress code for The Scottish Arms in St Louis. There is no need to plan around formal attire. If your evening calls for a different style of outing, compare current details with another St Louis option such as Vicia.
Is The Scottish Arms good for solo dining?
If you are comfortable with a casual dress-code venue and the hours work for you, it may be worth considering. The Wednesday and Thursday 4–10 PM hours are the main weeknight window, while Friday and Saturday run from 11:30 AM–12 AM. Retreat Gastropub is another St Louis venue you may want to compare.
Is lunch or dinner better at The Scottish Arms?
Dinner is the clearest timing on Wednesday and Thursday, when The Scottish Arms is open from 4–10 PM. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday open at 11:30 AM. Sunday runs until 10 PM, while Friday and Saturday run until 12 AM.
What are alternatives to The Scottish Arms in St Louis?
Other named St Louis options to compare include Retreat Gastropub, Vicia, Atomic Cowboy, Everest Cafe and bar, and Puttshack - St. Louis.
