{"id":2588,"date":"2024-12-17T12:11:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-17T18:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saucemagazine.com\/places\/antagonist-cafe-brings-moody-charm-and-edgy-vibes-to-soulard-17437729\/"},"modified":"2025-07-26T09:02:26","modified_gmt":"2025-07-26T09:02:26","slug":"antagonist-cafe-brings-moody-charm-and-edgy-vibes-to-soulard-17437729","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saucemagazine.com\/places-2\/antagonist-cafe-brings-moody-charm-and-edgy-vibes-to-soulard-17437729\/","title":{"rendered":"Antagonist Cafe brings moody charm and edgy vibes to Soulard"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nestled near the historic Anheuser-Busch Brewery at 2727 S. 12th St.<\/span>, <\/span>Antagonist Cafe <\/a>has brought an edgy new vibe to south Soulard, offering a dark, moody ambiance and signature coffee that aims to become the next local favorite. As the edgy counterpart to the bright and airy <\/span>Protagonist Cafe<\/a>, which has been a north Soulard staple since 2019, Antagonist delivers the same exceptional coffee and pastries with an added twist.<\/span> <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve had requests for more savory options at Protagonist,\u201d shared co-owner Laura Leister. \u201cSo, here at Antagonist, we\u2019re introducing new menu items, like freshly baked focaccia.\u201d In addition to its familiar offerings, the cafe also features an on-site coffee roastery. \u201cWhen you walk in, you\u2019ll see the roaster to your right,\u201d Leister explained. \u201cYou can watch us roast beans weekly, which will supply both cafes and our board game bar, Pieces.\u201d This addition also paves the way for Antagonist to expand into retail coffee sales, broadening its community reach.\n<\/p>\n

The cafe\u2019s design is just as compelling as its menu. Housed in a former police station built in 1937, Antagonist retains much of its original art deco charm, with terrazzo flooring, ornate brass fixtures and marble accents blending seamlessly with modern updates. \u201cWe\u2019ve transformed four original jail cells into cozy, private nooks,\u201d Leister noted. “While some may find the few remaining jail cells odd, we wanted to preserve the building\u2019s 100-year-old architecture and make something positive out of its past, respectfully reclaiming it for the community.”\n<\/p>\n

Leister describes Antagonist\u2019s aesthetic as \u201cmoody and edgy.\u201d With dimmer lighting and bold design elements, the cafe stands in stark contrast to Protagonist\u2019s cheerful brightness. Despite these differences, the two cafes maintain a playful rivalry. \u201cWe\u2019ll have dueling drink specials and fun marketing campaigns where Antagonist will cheekily claim to be the better coffee shop,\u201d Leister said with a laugh.\n<\/p>\n

Beyond its unique atmosphere, Antagonist has a broader vision: to connect the Benton Park and Soulard neighborhoods. \u201cWe hope the renovations and the cafe\u2019s inviting atmosphere will help bring the two communities together,\u201d stated Leister. That vision will expand in January when Pieces,<\/a> the owners\u2019 popular board game bar, relocates to the same building. Together, these two ventures promise to create a vibrant community hub where coffee, conversation and creativity can flourish.\n<\/p>\n

With its distinctive vibe, innovative offerings and deep community ties, Antagonist Cafe is more than just a coffee shop \u2013 it\u2019s an experience. Whether you\u2019re savoring focaccia or watching beans roast before your eyes, Antagonist offers a story worth sipping. Follow along on Instagram<\/a> for updates, and join the friendly rivalry by visiting both locations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Antagonist Cafe in south Soulard is the edgy counterpart of Protagonist Cafe in north Soulard.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":516,"featured_media":2589,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"single-feature.php","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","newspack_collection_is_cover_story":false,"newspack_collection_post_order":0,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_post_subtitle":"Meet the edgier counterpart of Protagonist 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Laura Leister and Ameet Raval love a good theme. First, they opened board game bar Pieces in Soulard in 2016; earlier this month, their second concept, Protagonist Cafe, went live at 1700 S. Ninth St. in Soulard. Protagonist is a literature-themed coffee shop whose walls are lined with\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Bars"","block_context":{"text":"Bars","link":"https:\/\/www.saucemagazine.com\/category\/topic\/bars\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saucemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/protagonist-cafe-soulard-lg.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saucemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/protagonist-cafe-soulard-lg.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saucemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/protagonist-cafe-soulard-lg.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saucemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/protagonist-cafe-soulard-lg.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saucemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/protagonist-cafe-soulard-lg.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":682,"url":"https:\/\/www.saucemagazine.com\/people-2\/st-louis-restaurants-still-struggling-post-snowstorm-17556669\/","url_meta":{"origin":2588,"position":1},"title":"St. Louis restaurants still struggling post-snowstorm","author":"Salem Prestien","date":"January 27, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"As St. Louis welcomes this week\u2019s warmer weather, a lingering chill remains for many small business owners. 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Not pictured: third co-owner Ameet Raval.Protagonist Cafe will occupy the former space of The Porch, a wine and gift boutique.The cafe will offer an assortment of coffees with an emphasis on nondairy milks.The German chocolate\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Places"","block_context":{"text":"Places","link":"https:\/\/www.saucemagazine.com\/category\/places-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saucemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/protagonist-cafe-soulard-01.webp?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saucemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/protagonist-cafe-soulard-01.webp?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saucemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/protagonist-cafe-soulard-01.webp?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saucemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/protagonist-cafe-soulard-01.webp?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saucemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/protagonist-cafe-soulard-01.webp?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":47038,"url":"https:\/\/www.saucemagazine.com\/places-2\/4-st-louis-cafes-perfect-for-remote-work-18274349\/","url_meta":{"origin":2588,"position":4},"title":"4 St. Louis cafes perfect for remote work","author":"Jamie Korenblat","date":"September 10, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"In St. Louis, there are a number of high-quality cafes that come equipped with a tasty menu and an even better work-from-home aesthetic to promote a productive workday.","rel":"","context":"In "Feature Follows"","block_context":{"text":"Feature Follows","link":"https:\/\/www.saucemagazine.com\/category\/feature-follows\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saucemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/teleo_-__-_jamie_korenblat.webp.webp?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saucemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/teleo_-__-_jamie_korenblat.webp.webp?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saucemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/teleo_-__-_jamie_korenblat.webp.webp?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saucemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/teleo_-__-_jamie_korenblat.webp.webp?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saucemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/teleo_-__-_jamie_korenblat.webp.webp?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":29606,"url":"https:\/\/www.saucemagazine.com\/places-2\/goshen-coffee-roasters-will-open-a-cafe-in-the-former-soulard-coffee-garden-this-spring-17338064\/","url_meta":{"origin":2588,"position":5},"title":"Goshen Coffee Roasters will open a café in the former Soulard Coffee Garden this spring","author":"Nicky Althoff","date":"March 9, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Goshen Coffee Roasters, a popular Edwardsville coffee company, is bringing what it deems GOod SH*t ENergy to Soulard this spring. 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