Animal Happy Hours
The Saint Louis Zoo’s Animal Happy Hours are back for 2026! Sip specially crafted cocktails and immerse yourself in the up-close sights and sounds of the animal's habitat. As hors d'oeuvres are served, our animal experts will answer your questions during an in-depth chat. We’ve added even more surprises for the new year to make these after-hours evenings even more unforgettable!
Happy Hours are for adults 21+ only. Each Happy Hour will have 40* spots available.
2026 Event Dates:
Thursday, Feb. 26: Bubbles with a Bear **SOLD OUT**
Thursday, April 23: Hoofstock Happy Hour **SOLD OUT**
Thursday, May 21: Sips with Spider Monkeys
Thursday, June 18: Trunks and Tequila **SOLD OUT**
Thursday, July 16: Kocktails with a Komodo
Thursday, Aug. 13: Floats with a Bloat
Thursday, Sept. 3: Palomas with Penguins **SOLD OUT**
Bubbles with a Bear
**SOLD OUT**
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 🥂 5 to 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Polar Bear Point (inside the underwater-view building)
There’s no such thing as the winter blues when you’re a polar bear! Embrace the season of ice and snow with Kallu, the Zoo’s playful polar bear. While Kallu may choose to splash and swim in his chilled saltwater pool, guests will stay warm and toasty as they sip sparkling champagne cocktails set up inside Polar Bear Point’s heated underwater-view building. As hors d’oeuvres are served and bubbly poured, the Zoo’s polar bear experts—including the Director of the WildCare Institute Center for Polar Bear Conservation—will educate guests about the Arctic’s incredible ice bears, including the story of Kallu and his importance to polar bear populations. Pop, fizz, clink, and Kallu!
*Due to indoor space capacity, Bubbles with a Bear has 30 spots available.
All guests must be 21+ to attend.
Hoofstock Happy Hour
**SOLD OUT**
WHEN: Thursday, April 23, 2026 🍹 5:30 to 7 p.m.
WHERE: Red Rocks Pathway
Enjoy cocktails with camels and an aperitif with an addax at the Hoofstock Happy Hour! All ungulate enthusiasts are invited to celebrate spring during golden hour in the Zoo’s historic Red Rocks area with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. While guests consort with the camels and take in the takin, they’ll hear a talk from a Zoo hoofstock expert.
Addax, Grevy’s zebras, Bactrian camels and takin are among the most endangered and vulnerable animals in the world. Guests are invited to learn about the Zoo’s global conservation efforts while celebrating these striped, horned and hooved species.
All guests must be 21+ to attend.
Sips with Spider Monkeys
WHEN: Thursday, May 21, 2026 🍺 6 to 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Primate Canopy Trails
Sip on cocktails with the Saint Louis Zoo’s spider monkeys at this evening event in Primate Canopy Trails! Guests are invited to mix and mingle as they’re immersed in the sights and sounds of the jungle-like primate habitat. Attendees can welcome the start of summer happy hour season while sipping a signature cocktail in the gathering dusk. As hors d’oeuvres are served, a primate expert will give an in-depth talk on the behavior of the Zoo’s playful troop of spider monkeys, including the newest young arrivals, and their counterparts in the wild.
All guests must be 21+ to attend.
Trunks and Tequila
**SOLD OUT**
WHEN: Thursday, June 18, 2026 🥃 6 to 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: River’s Edge Trail elephant habitat
Enjoy cocktails with the Saint Louis Zoo’s elephant family at this evening event in River’s Edge! Guests are invited to learn about the unique pachyderm personalities that call the Zoo home during a talk from a Zoo elephant expert. Elephants may rely on their “ear-conditioning” to cool down, but guests can beat the heat with a signature tequila cocktail served alongside hors d’oeuvres as they mix and mingle in the gathering dusk. Themed attire and “elfies” are encouraged!
All guests must be 21+ to attend. We cannot specify in advance which individual elephants will be part of this Happy Hour.
Kocktails with a Komodo
WHEN: Thursday, July 16, 2026 🍸 6 to 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Charles H. Hoessle Herpetarium Komodo dragon habitat
Meet Charlie, the star of the Charles H. Hoessle Herpetarium! Charlie is the Zoo’s new Komodo dragon and the latest resident of the Herpetarium’s newly refurbished solarium habitat. If you haven’t yet been charmed by our dragon, the Kocktails with a Komodo Happy Hour is the perfect chance to make his acquaintance. Enjoy a signature drink and hors d’oeuvres as a reptile expert shares the fascinating lore and life science of this remarkable species. Komodo dragons are the largest lizards in the world, and Charlie is the first to live in St. Louis in more than 12 years. Cheers to Charlie!
All guests must be 21+ to attend.
Floats with a Bloat
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026 🦛 6 to 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: River’s Edge Trail hippo habitat
We all know what goes into a boozy float. But what exactly is a bloat? A bloat is the word used to describe a group of hippos! Guests are invited to cool off with an ice-cold concoction alongside the Zoo’s own hippo bloat. Meet the ladies — Mashavu, Kiboko and Tombi — of our hippo family. This terrific trio will show off their tremendous size and toothy smiles as they tiptoe through their watery home. A Zoo hippo expert will share a talk about these massive mammals, followed by an enrichment demonstration that’s sure to make a splash!
All guests must be 21+ to attend.
Palomas with Penguins
**SOLD OUT**
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 🐧 5:30 to 7 p.m.
WHERE: Penguin & Puffin Coast Humbolt Habitat
Penguins aren’t always all about ice and snow. In fact, Humboldt penguins hail from South America, where the weather is often warm. Join us as we gather outside with the Zoo’s Humboldt colony! While our penguins dive and dip in our outdoor habitat, guests will toast to the end of summer with palomas, served alongside hors d'oeuvres. Waddle you waiting for? Come and join us!
All guests must be 21+ to attend.
See all our events!
View our events calendar for a full list of all upcoming Saint Louis Zoo events. You can also sign up for our events newsletter here!