Antagonist Cafe: Historic police-station charm meets on-site roasted coffee and board game ambiance.
Antagonist Cafe sits in a historic building in St. Louis, once a police station, now a welcoming coffee shop with on-site roasting. A sister to Protagonist Cafe, it serves fresh roast, small-batch coffee, with homemade sweets and pastries. Real mugs, no disposables, and a rear space housing Pieces: Board Game Bar. Friendly staff and comfortable seating make it ideal for study or conversation.
2727 S 12th St, St. Louis, MO 63118, USA
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Fresh, small-batch coffee roasted on-site and served in real mugs for a premium experience.
Daily selection of sweet and savory pastries, scones, and other fresh-baked treats.
Comfortable seating with ample outlets, perfect for remote work, studying, or casual meetings.
Explore the unique art deco architecture and original jail cells from the 1927 police station.
Access to Pieces Board Game Bar's extensive game library for entertainment while you enjoy your coffee.
Overall rating
Regina Latrice
I stopped in to get a cup of coffee on a rainy cold day. The first impression was how I was welcomed the moment I walked inside. I was greeted with such joy and smiles. I always check the bathrooms before I order anything to make sure they are clean. And thankfully it was. I was on short timing so was only able to grab coffee. The coffee was delicious rich and perfectly brewed. I I’ll definitely be back with some friends soon.
Mark Zeman
Literary buffs, this is the sister cafe to the Protagonist Cafe in Soulard, so set your expectations high. They specialize in fresh roast, small batch coffee, fresh baked sweets and savory pastry. The charm comes from the location; it's housed in the beautiful art deco building that served as the Third District’s police station (1927 - 1990). Place your order at the booking desk. The cells remain intact, bars and all, to provide an incarcerating coffee experience... so good it's criminal. As a final touch, the rear section now houses the Pieces: Board Game Bar and Restaurant.
Shannon Dobson
Absolutely lovely atmosphere! All of the seats are super comfortable and great for studying, especially because there are a bunch of outlets to use for charging my devices. The drinks were also delicious. I will definitely be back!!
The Veredictine
Antagonist is such a cool spot. It’s in this amazing old building that was originally a police station, and later an art gallery — now it’s a coffee shop with serious character. The vibe is relaxed but stylish, and the coffee is excellent. It’s roasted right there on site, and you can actually see the roaster in action. Served in real mugs with real spoons — no paper or plastic, which I loved. I had a scone too, and it was fresh and delicious. The staff were super friendly, and we found street parking right out front. Definitely a place I’d come back to.
Christy Gilbert
This has to be one of the best coffee houses in the St. Louis area. It was an old police station and the cells are still there. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Read the titles of the books, you may just giggle. Antagonist also houses the restaurant/bar Pieces where you can eat, drink, and play board games. They have an entire wall of them categorized. If you are looking for a nice peaceful atmosphere with excellent coffee and pastries, Antagonist Cafe is the place to go.
