Part of the Gay St. Louis Guide — bars, events & things to do.
St. Louis, Missouri
Queer-owned coffeehouse in Tower Grove South, open since 1994.
Queer-owned coffeehouse at the corner of Arsenal and Grand in Tower Grove South, open since 1994. Founded by three women — Mo, Ka, and Be (hence the name) — as a gathering place for people on the margins. The menu goes well beyond coffee: breakfast burritos, biscuits and gravy, house-made veggie burgers, and a $15 Sunday brunch buffet, with strong vegan and vegetarian options throughout. MoKaBe's became nationally known during the 2014 Ferguson protests when it opened its doors to demonstrators and police responded by tear-gassing the crowd outside. Owner Mo Costello joined a lawsuit that resulted in a court-ordered warning requirement before chemical agents could be used on protesters. Over three decades in, it's a South City institution — queer-owned and operated, with a patio overlooking Tower Grove Park.
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