It all started in 1975, at 4747 McPherson Avenue in St. Louis’s Central West End. Llywelyn’s wasn’t flashy or overly ambitious; it was just a small, welcoming pub with a Welsh heart. Back then, the neighborhood was a bit rough around the edges, far from the vibrant district it is today. But Llywelyn’s helped breathe life into the area, becoming a cornerstone of what would eventually become one of St. Louis’s most iconic neighborhoods.

The Beginnings
Jack Brangle and Jon Dressel, two locals with a passion for good food and even better conversation, opened Llywelyn’s with a simple vision: create a place where people could gather, share a meal, and connect. The pub was small and intimate, with just enough room for a handful of tables and a snug bar. The cooks’ line was right next to the bar, so you could see your food being made while chatting with the bartender. It wasn’t polished, but it was real—and people loved it.

The Character
Walking into Llywelyn’s back then was like stepping into another world. The walls were adorned with a mix of Welsh memorabilia and oddities collected by Jack and Jon—things like vintage Welsh beer advertisements, old maps, and even a portrait of Prince Llywelyn, the last free prince of Wales, after whom the pub was named. The space smelled of rich, hearty fare: beer batter frying, lamb roasting, and bread baking.

The lighting was dim, the atmosphere warm, and the noise level a steady hum of conversation and laughter. It felt like everyone there knew each other, and if they didn’t when they arrived, they certainly did by the time they left.

The Food and Drink
The menu was unapologetically Welsh, featuring dishes that were hard to find anywhere else in St. Louis. Welsh Rarebit, with its sharp cheddar cheese sauce served over thick bread, was a standout. The lamb sausage, made in-house, was a revelation for anyone who tried it. And then there was the leek and potato soup—simple but comforting, the kind of dish that made you feel at home, even if you weren’t Welsh.

The drinks were just as much a draw. They stocked Welsh and English ales, as well as a few local favorites, creating a beer list that was ahead of its time. It wasn’t just about the drinks themselves but the way they were served—with care, precision, and a smile.

The People
But the real magic of Llywelyn’s wasn’t in its food or decor—it was in its people. The pub attracted an eclectic crowd: writers, artists, academics, and locals who just wanted a good pint and a welcoming place to spend their evening.

Jon Dressel, one of the co-owners, was a poet, and his artistic circle often found its way to the pub. On any given night, you could overhear discussions about literature, art, and politics mingling with the more down-to-earth banter of locals catching up after work. The contrast was part of Llywelyn’s charm. Everyone was welcome, and everyone had a place.

Regulars became fixtures of the place. There was the older gentleman who always sat at the bar, reading a novel between sips of ale. The group of young professionals gathered every Friday, laughing loudly and clinking glasses. A local musician played a quiet tune in the corner, adding to the pub’s cozy atmosphere without ever overpowering it.

The Legacy
By the late 1980s, Llywelyn’s was thriving. They acquired the adjacent property, expanded the kitchen, and added a dining room to accommodate the growing crowd. But even as it grew, it kept its original character. The staff knew your name, your drink order, and probably a bit about your life.

The original Llywelyn’s stayed open for over 40 years, helping to shape the Central West End into the vibrant, artistic neighborhood it is today. When it closed in 2018, it left behind a legacy not just of good food and drink but of community. For those who were lucky enough to experience it, the original Llywelyn’s wasn’t just a pub—it was a home away from home, a place where memories were made and stories shared.

Today, Llywelyn’s lives on in its other locations, but there will always be something special about that little pub on McPherson, where it all began.