The Map Room

Unfortunately the Map Room is now closed. :(
I thought I’d update my Unilocal Review because I know if I mark it’s closed it will take Unilocal’s admin team 20 yrs to actually change it.
So in the interest of not wanting to disappoint anyone, this business is now closed. It’s actually for sale!
RIP Map Room, I loved you so much! :(

This place is quirky, fun, casual and totally cozy. Very unique décor.
There are big comfy chairs and tables spread out all over. You can listen to free music every Friday. My friend’s band The Thin Dimes plays the 1rst Friday of every month. If every band is as cool as theirs, you’re set.

This place is completely adorable. I came with some of my family to watch a friend of my sister-in-law’s play some music. The atmosphere reminds me of coffee houses of the ’90’s, but The Map Room has a comfortable, unique touch all it’s own. My husband and I played a game while we enjoyed the music and were happily surprised we were served a cinnamon chocolate treat courtesy of the house (they served everyone interested). We had just eaten a full dinner, so none of us ordered anything besides water and iced tea. I was bummed we didn’t get to try any of their many drink options. It was a cool enough night to enjoy the courtyard/​patio area, which was really nice. I would become a regular at this place if it weren’t so far from where I live. Check it out if you get the chance!

Absofuckinglutely charming!
Seriously, this is possibly the cutest little café/​tea house in St. Louis! Unfortunately, on the night we rolled in, I really wanted some alcohol… A taste of Irish Coffee and some white sangria later… I decided that I should have just stuck with tea or coffee. The sangria was really watered down, just overall strange. The Irish coffee wasn’t done right (a curdling drink is not appealing). I don’t blame this on anyone but myself. It’s called a tea room instead of a bar for a reason…:\
This place was calling my inner hippie by the name: I loved everything, from the hand towels in the bathroom (instead of paper towels), to the board games, to the cute little patio with café lights, to the playful Mackerel tabby boy cat lurking in every corner. I could see this as an awesome place to just hang out on a lazy afternoon.
Out of towners! There is a wonderful cajun restaurant — River Bend Café, just down the street from here. Dinner? check; Tea and dessert? check? awesome chill/​date night? check!
Too bad I went on to hit up some trashy places on Wash Ave and had an all day hangover after…

A very quaint, niche coffee shop in the Soulard area. The owner is very friendly. It is also the perfect place to read or study. Comfy couches, a perfect blend of music and a room that makes you feel like you are distinguished. A nice find. Thanks Unilocalers.

I’m am completely in love with this place!
My friend and I wanted to get tea or coffee and some pastries the other day. I was working later than expected and so we couldn’t go to a tea room. I saw that this place was open until 11 pm so we headed over there.
From the outside, it was really cute. Holiday lights lined the awnings and snowflakes hung from the window. We parked across the street and walked in. The Open/​Close sign is really cute too — it make me think a bit of an old-​school pincushion. Walking inside, I was impressed by how many maps there were. There was a compass on the floor — beautifully painted, reminding us where our cardinal directions were. I loved all the maps that were on the walls and the globes that hung on ropes with tassels in the corner.
The sugar area had cinnamon, fake sugar, real sugar, and splenda in a sugar dispenser (as well as the packets). In a little glass jar with tiny tons on top were sugar cubes. I haven’t interacted with sugar cubes in YEARS! They made me nostalgic and oh so happy! I ended up taking on and holding it very close to my coffee. I expected it to melt slowly but capillary action sucked up the coffee and made the sugar brown and caffeinated! YUM! What more could I want?
Since it was in the early evening, the place wasn’t very busy. There were two people pouring over maps and three gentlemen having some sort of planning meeting. We walking into the back and ordered our coffee (the girl behind the counter was super helpful and extremely patient. She didn’t laugh at me when I couldn’t find the menu painted in giant print on the wall behind me. We also got a slice of keylime chocolate cheesecake from the glass display. They also had pumpkin spice and raspberry cheesecake and little petite pastries. Instead of using paper napkins, they provided us with adorable cloth ones. The keylime cheesecake had bits of marzipan decorations and was delightfully light and bright. We shared a slice and gobbled it right up!
We sat at a small two-​person table and talked. There were board games on a bookshelf in the corner and some other bookshelves with atlases, poetry books (limericks, anyone?), and random other things to entertain you. The sections of the bookshelves are labeled by words on fun shaped foam cutouts.
The owner said they sometimes have live music in the evenings. There’s a scary butler looking wood sculpture holding a tray. One of the people working said that was for the musician’s tips.
I LOVE this place and I’m definitely coming back!

The map room is nothing short of amazing. I found out about this place from my fellow Unilocalers-​thank you! I get butterflies just thinking about you going. It’s like one of those coffee shops you would see in New York. The inside is obviously decorated in maps and on the window sills you will find tea cups with succulent plants in them (way to upcycle!). The outside has to be the cutest thing ever. You will find tables with huge trees and in the summer they even play moves out there. The menu you can try teas, coffees, spiked/​unspiked, and my fav the iced chai tea. A great first date, work on school work, relax and read a good book place! Oh and they also have board games.
See you soon Map Room!

Cheap cheap cheap!
Bottles of wine for under $ 15!!!
Their hours are less than desirable but a friendly family that owns the shop!
The décor is home-​like and comfortable, wonderful personal touches everywhere.
Try the red and white sangria! $ 5 for pictures of each!!!
Also they have a nice selection of coffees and teas!

Had white sangria with strawberries, and some cheesecake. Very enjoyable. Love the map décor.

If I were starting a business I would probably follow the Map Room’s formula for success:
–add booze to all beverages and sell them cheap (i.e. Sangria)
–have lots of couches
–make your bathroom fun to hang out in (maps)
–take steps to avoid waste (paper towels in the bathroom)
–construct a super homey outdoor patio
–invite musicians to play good music (like vintage swing)
I wish this place was open later during the week and that they served more food. Regardless, lounge at The Map Room and make an afternoon perfect

This place is small and quaint. We stopped in for coffee and dessert after a nice dinner elsewhere. An acoustic folk band was playing as we entered. There are small little tables and comfy chairs scattered around the place. In one corner was a married couple playing cards and singing to the music. At another was a group that obviously meets here regularly. Most of the customers were a bit older… but that what this place is going for… a laid back place to enjoy some coffee, wine, and conversation.
You order in the back of the building… it’s an old kitchen that I imagine has changed little since the place turned into a business. A nice woman in an apron whips up your drinks and desserts and serves you with a smile. Then back into the main room to enjoy.
Although this place doesn’t totally fit my vibe, I did enjoy my experience here. Next time I’d come back with Grandma.

This is an awesome little space! Michele is by far one of the friendliest business owners I know. She is willing to do anything to make sure your visit to the Map Room is a great one!
During the winter months they have this amazing Apple Cider/​Red Wine Drink — so good and makes your tummy feel warm and fuzzy!
Also — this is not a tip for everyone, but if you might be trying to find a space for a bridal or baby shower this is just perfect. I walked in once while there was one on the patio. Michele had it lit with with tons of white lights and everyone was opening presents while having sangria. Seemed just wonderful!!!

Don’t see what the big deal is with this place. I stopped in mid-​morning to kill some time and nurse a coffee, and it almost felt a little uncomfortable inside — like I was practically unwelcome! Maybe it was just the inevitable anxiety of trying a new neighborhood place that I was channeling, I’m not sure, but I ordered my coffee and sat down and began to work.
Tried to work, that is. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t get my laptop to agree with the Map Room’s wireless network. It could have been user error, but I think that the Map Room’s wireless router hadn’t been updated to talk nicely with Macs, or at least that’s what a dozen internet bulletin boards told me. It’s probably fixed by the time you read this, but if not, I’ll mention it next time I’m in.
I see in other reviews that this place is manned by husband and wife, and I think I saw both of them hanging out, chatting with customers. I got the sense that the other people in the Map Room were important, somehow; I think I saw some sort of law enforcement official on one end of the room, and perhaps a local politician in the other. Truly an interesting place, if you think about it.
The atmosphere is fun and it’s comfortable enough, feeling pretty much like you’re hanging out in the living room of a grandmother that isn’t yours. If I lived in the neighborhood, I’d be back, but as for me, something tells me that with my last visit, I found out the earth was flat and sailed right off the edge.

I love the map room. Everything about it is so adorable from the eclectic furniture to the cloth napkins to the coffee condiment caddy. They have a large selection of loose tea, coffees, and wine (they sell only bottles and they’re cheap!). I love going here by myself to read and relax or go with friends to hang out. They have live music on some nights and have an online calendar, but not sure how much it’s updated. I’ve heard excellent things about the patio, but haven’t tried it out for myself yet. Can’t wait to do that.
My only complaint (and it’s pretty picky) is that they don’t have a large variety of bakery items. They do have a pretty nice spread, but the vast majority of it seems to be covered in chocolate and I’m not a huge fan.

I was totally impressed with the way the Map Room handled a bridal shower that was held here. It was a perfect area to have it, out on the patio/​garden. White lights are strung up high (bonus points for having them turned on in the daytime), with black iron tables and chairs. We were served plates of cheese/​nuts/​fruit and white and red sangria served from carafe’s– and water served from empty wine like bottles… and adorable little cloth napkins with hand sewn embellishments. I especially enjoyed the white sangria. Yum yum! Made me want to learn to make it myself!
We also had cupcakes — a blue frosted one that benefited the Make a Wish Foundation, Tiramisu, and Carrot Cake. I chose the Tiramisu. To be honest, the cupcake looked better than it tasted– but oh well. It had a pretty dense cake like texture– and was definitely a sugar overload with the frosting. It did have a little cream center surprise in the middle and a spice chunk surprise on the bottom of the cupcake… Next time I’d really like to try a Mango pie/​cake slice that I spied in the bakery case.
I got a latte to go– and the lady was very helpful in helping me decide what flavors would blend with what. Totally appreciate that! I like suggestions.
The latte tasted absolutely wonderful… though it had the surprise addition of whipped cream that I wasn’t expecting, so that obviously helped. (Normally when I order a nonfat latte, there is no whip– or they ask, but ah well.)
I imagine it might be kind of awkward in there, if it was crowded– because there isn’t a lot of side wall space to lean on, if there were no chairs. But it’s totally eclectic and the selections and service were wonderful. I can’t wait to bring my friends here :)

Every visit to this place puts me at ease instantly. The atmosphere is quaint, comfortable, and entertaining all at once. There are tons of little touches throughout the place, you can tell someone cared to fill the place with love.
The owner is very helpful, and will help you dive through the massive amount of choices for drinks and sundry.
I ordered the picnic basket on my first visit, and everything in it was just the perfect combo. I felt a little piggy for eating it all by myself (it’s meant for two), but whatever!
Tonight I got the Danish Brownie and Spiked Hot Chocolate (w/​Walnut Liquor) — Soooo sooo sooo good.
They have live music some nights, and poetry reading on others. Whatever the case, I invariably find myself drifting here when I find myself in St. Louis.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this place! Another Labor of Love place where you can tell they put their heart and soul into it.
My absolute favorite is the hot cocoa spiked with Amaretto (5 bucks I think). BUT OH the sangria. I can get pretty toasty on just one FOUR DOLLAR carafe.
The atmosphere in here is so homey-​cozy. Couches & tables & map designs all over. I would love to just stay here and sip drinks all day.
Oh and did I mention they have wi-​fi? They do. Nothing better than curling up on their couch with a bevy and my laptop.
Their bathroom is über cute too. They have a little statue holding his nose that holds the toilet paper. And they use terry cloth hand towels instead of paper towels in the bathroom. In fact the napkins that they serve all the food with a cloth too. And hand stitched by the owner.
Oh and they got cheesecakes and petit fours. YUM. And with the petit fours being so bite-​sized you don’t have to feel so guilty about cheating on your diet.
But the thing I love most is that they really make an effort to know their regulars. They ask names, and remember faces very well. And they even tolerate my lush moments.

Oh, Map Room, why do you have to be 45 mins. away from where I live?
The Map Room is a place I could see myself haunting if I lived in the Lemp/​Benton Park area.
Me and my S.O. both ordered a carafe of the blackberry brandy sangria. We thought it would be a hot drink, and when we were presented with cold sangria, we were a little disappointed. It was still very good, and I had visions of us on a warmer Saturday, sitting on the patio with our iced sangria. We also split a brownie, which was semi-​orgasmic.
All in all, we had a great experience at the Map Room. I’m really excited to go back and listen to some live music or hang out on the patio.

The Map Room is a Lemp neighborhood establishment that I find to be quite interesting. Having driven past it every day for many months before actually venturing in, I initially found myself greeted by a place going through sort of an identity crisis. Was it a wine bar, coffee shop, snack stand, social club, music/​poetry venue, private residence, or internet café? Or could it even be some bizarre all-​of-​the-​above combination?
With a couple visits now under my belt, I have come to the conclusion that it is in fact a crazy concoction of the aforementioned niches but it also possesses an eccentric eclecticism that is more often found in a trendier city like Austin or Cincinnati, than St. Louis. Others like Venice Café and The Way Out Club come to mind as places that get away with being unabashedly unique.
The owner (s) of The Map Room actually live in the space above the shop and are the only employees as well. On a number of occasions I have overheard them explain this to customers standing in line at the counter. To me this only adds to the charm and gives further excuse for any oddities that may occur. Now, I don’t mean to say that The Map Room is just this weird place that is strange for the sake of being strange. It is simply one of the few locally-​owned businesses in St. Louis that truly personifies the souls of its owners.
My favorite thing about The Map Room is the white sangria. It is flavorful and way too easy to drink. Next thing you know your half-​caraffe is empty. Holy cow! My only real complaint is that you can’t buy wine by the glass. Yes, I am fully aware that the bottles there are not THAT expensive but I personally am not enough of a wine drinker to consider buying more than a single glass. So, basically what I am saying is that all places should cater to my personal needs and tastes. Is that too much to ask?
Seriously though, if you’re looking for quirky ambiance and the occasional flash-​poetry mob, The Map Room is your place. Plus, it’s in a radically cool neighborhood, so you’re bound to run into some über cool peeps.

Since moving to the Cherokee neighborhood, I’d driven by The Map Room several times and had wanted to go in and explore. Unfortunately, the hours they are open are not conducive with my schedule. But I finally had the opportunity to stop by there for a glass of wine just the other night… so glad I finally got the opportunity to try The Map Room!
The interior is absolutely unique and cool! Hence the name, there are maps everywhere. That, paired with the vintage furniture and exposed brick walls makes the space feel warm and inviting.
Ordered a bottle of wine — the selection is very interesting. Mostly sweet, cordial type wines. They also had a spiced wine available in a variety of flavors– raspberry, cherry, apple, etc. With or without booze.
The Map Room also sells sweets– did not have the opportunity to try any this time around but they smelled delicious. Can’t wait to go back and try :)

I am so in love with this place. Just completely and utterly in love.
The second I walked into this place, I knew I was going to become a regular. The place is quaint, sweet, comfortable, and wonderful. The owners live upstairs and apparently, this bar was something that the wife had wanted for some time. She had wanted something quaint and nice that was still priced for the neighborhood and she certainly achieved it.
The bottles of wine are completely fair priced and are of good quality. We spent the night drinking the Pinot and some of their White Sangria. Also, you can order a picnic basket, with two kinds of cheese, a loaf of french bread, wheat bread, olives, volpi sausage made locally on The Hill, and nuts for $ 12! Where can you beat that? Their deserts are lovely and also incredibly reasonable.
Also, they have board games. I am sorry if you were here trying to have a quiet night last weekend, because yes, I was part of that rowdy group on the patio on their 7^th bottle of wine screaming Catch Phrase answers. For the quieter game player, they have scrabble as well as many other things to keep you entertained.
I have not had the coffee but they make everything you could need in a coffee shop, including lattes and chais and all the other yummy stuff you could want. The atmosphere is amazing as well. The inside is warm with large bookshelves. There are even leather couches in the corner. The outdoor patio is great as well and really feels like you have made your way to a Hermann Winery and not just Benton Park. There are pebbles covering it and nice padded chairs and tables under large trees. On Saturday nights they show old movies on the patio. This place is just tops in my book.
Also, the bathroom is just great. It’s a one man show but somehow, the line was not a problem all night. There aren’t scratchy paper towels for you, but individual wash cloths for your hands and the best part, the toilet paper holder is one of those fake butler stands of a guy holding his nose. HILARIOUS.
The only downside I can come up with, they don’t have beer. This is a problem, but not enough of one for me to not come here and brag about the wonderfulness that is The Map Room.