New English-Style Pub Opens in Eureka

There is a mystery at one of Eureka’s newest restaurants, Kilderkin’s Pub, according to owner Scott Hawk.

Previously home to Gibby’s, Hawk opened the English-style pub on July 15, fulfilling a lifelong dream of owning a restaurant. The menu focuses on providing a variety of fare, from made-from-scratch Sheppard’s Pie and steaks to burgers and Stromboli. There’s a plenty to choose from at the bar as well, which is stocked with 15 taps.

“We are shooting for the coldest beer in town,” Hawks said, adding that it comes out of the tap at around 28 degrees Fahrenheit.

The restaurant contains seating for about 148 and is a family venture, with Hawks’ sister Krista Hawks-Gruber, a service industry veteran, serving as the general manager. Loretta Schaeg is heading up the kitchen.

And although the restaurant side is the larger part of the business, it’s the bar that is, in Hawk’s words, the “center of mystery and controversy.” It’s a beautiful structure, carved out of a dark Tiger Maple, exactly the kind of thing one would expect to see at a pub in the English countryside.

However, it is also decorated with symbol associated with the city of St. Louis, the fleur-de-leis. Hawks has heard a variety of stories about its origin, most of them linking back to Anheuser-Busch in some way, but can’t get any true verification of its history.

He invited any historians or those with an expertise in the finer points of bar room architecture to come by and take a look. Kilderkin’s Pub is located at 108C Hilltown Village Center and you can find a complete menu here.