First Look: 909 Public House in Wentzville

909 Public House, the latest project from the team behind Cork & Barrel Chop House and Spirits, opened for business Tuesday, July 31, at 909 Main Plaza Drive in Wentzville. The restaurant specializes in scratch-made Southern-inspired dishes, as well as pub favorites in a decidedly funky, eclectic space.

The extensive menu from executive chef Candice Poss includes a wide variety of dishes that reflect her Southern heritage, from andouille corndogs to fried catfish to shrimp and grits. There are also options like build-your-own pizzas and an array of burgers, nachos, tacos, wings and then some. The bar program features 40 beers on tap, along with nitro taps for kombucha and cold brew coffee, cocktails and wine and beer flights, as well.

The 909 Public House space used to be home to HWY 40 Brews, but the interior is nearly unrecognizable from those sports bar days. Now, almost every nook and cranny holds some sort of eccentric bric-a-brac to draw the eye, from a replica of an antique diving helmet to a fully stocked aquarium to a bar front made to resemble the cogs and gears of Victorian age machinery. The interior boasts 175 seats in two dining areas that include lounge seating, bar stools, booths and a large communal table.

909 Public House is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Take a look at what’s happening out west.