Louisville – Where To Eat, Drink, & Be Merry

Posted on July 5, 2013 by bernie in Whiskey 101 // 0 Comments

Louisville – Where to go eat, drink, and be merry

So you’re visiting the distilleries, and find yourself in Louisville on a Sunday night. Is there anything going on? Where should you eat? Where can you get a drink where you won’t be the only person sitting in the bar? When you’re visiting a new town we’ve all been there. You walk in to a place and not much is going on, and you watch your bartender check their facebook over and over because they’re bored. Then someone walks in and says, “you should have been across the street, it’s great over there!”

So I’ve put together this list as where to go eat, drink, and be merry and when, so this won’t happen to you when you take the time out of your schedule to come visit us here in Louisville. I hope it helps out.

When you see a * before an account, that means that it is an “Urban Bourbon Trail Account” which is sponsored by the Louisville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau – which means they must stock at least 50 bourbons on their back bar!
When you see a + that will signify that they carry more bourbons than the average bar; well an average bar in Kentucky that is!

Breakfast

*Dish On Market – 434 W. Market Street 502-315-0669 www.dishonmarket.com Anderson and Marshall’s place, and on the Urban Bourbon Trail, and awesome breakfast and lunch. Check out the Presidential Breakfast.

Ghyslain – In the NuLu area at 721 E. Market St. – www.ghyslain.com
A new quick casual dining experience serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Patrons can enjoy shopping in the boutique which features pastries, homemade gelato, and a wide assortment of Ghyslain’s gourmet chocolates.

+Bistro 301 – 301 W. Market www.bistro301.com – Casual upscale dining right across from the downtown Convention Center. Located in a historic building on the corner of third and market streets. Their menu features fresh local and regional ingredients served in a relaxed and friendly environment. Full bar service with 12 beers on tap, wine list, and a large bourbon selection. Locally owned and operated by Molly and Matt Mershon since 2003.

Wagner’s Pharmacy – 3113 S 4th Street (behind Churchill Downs on the corner of Central) THE coolest place to have breakfast in Louisville, because this is where all the trainers/jockey’s and television announcers for the Kentucky Derby eat breakfast. History literally drips off the walls, and the breakfast is outstandingly good home cooked breakfast. A MUST on a visit to Louisville! It’s also right across from Churchill Downs and the Museum there, and the café in the museum is also on the Urban Bourbon Trail.

Northend Café – 2 locations – 1722 Frankfort Ave and 2116 Bardstown Road – both have good bourbon selections, and great place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but I really like it for breakfast or brunch. They’ve been open on Frankfort Ave for a while now, and opened a second location on Bardstown Road near the Douglass Loop.

Lunch

Downtown

Bistro 301 – 301 W. Market www.bistro301.com – Casual upscale dining right across from the downtown Convention Center. Located in a historic building on the corner of third and market streets. Their menu features fresh local and regional ingredients served in a relaxed and friendly environment. Full bar service with 12 beers on tap, wine list, and a large bourbon selection. Locally owned and operated by Molly and Matt Mershon since 2003.

+Side Bar – 29 S 2nd St, Louisville, KY 40202 Phone:(502) 384-1600 www.sidebarwhiskeyrow.com
Located inside the beautiful Whiskey Row Lofts, this historic structure was originally built in 1877 by the L&N Railroad to serve as their headquarters. One of if not THE best burger in town, and awesome bourbon list. This place is great any night of the week for dinner as well.

*Bristol Bar & Grill – A Louisville staple, and right downtown (locations in Highlands, and East End as well). Get the pot stickers and jalepeno poppers too.

*Doc Crows – 127 W Main St Louisville, KY 40202 (502) 587-1626 www.doccrows.com
Located in the historic Whiskey Row of downtown Louisville, Doc Crow’s offers the freshest flavors of American Southern Cuisine. The traditional menu celebrates classic seafood favorties from the coastal areas and diverse BBQ styles found throughout interior regions. This Southern institution pays homage to it’s Whiskey Row location with a wide selection of the world’s great whiskies and a focus on America’s most celebrated spirit.

Harvest – 624 E Market St Louisville, KY 40202 (502) 384-9090 www.harvestlouisville.com
Lunch Tues-Friday, dinner Tues-Sat, brunch on Sunday. We pledge to source at least eighty percent of our food from farmers and growers which are within a 100-mile radius of the city. These are not just ordinary farmers… these are people who we consider custodians of the county side, people who are committed to sustainable farming practices and impeccable standards of animal welfare. Even the lavish design of the restaurant is in line with our local and sustainable vision; much of the wood and other materials used in the decor is reclaimed from buildings around the city.
Highlands

Down One Bourbon Bar – 321 Main Street www.downonebourbonbar.com
This is a great little restaurant and bourbon bar opened right in front of the Galt House Hotel on the 3rd Street side. They have a cool private dining room too through an old British telephone booth if you need some privacy with your group too. Cultured, but casual, come check ’em out!

Ramsis – 1293 Bardstown Road – www.ramsiscafe.com
Ramsis is about as eclectic as it comes. The dining room is filled with artifacts from Ramsis and his families travels from around the globe, and the dishes on the menu reflect that as well. This is a casual place open late right in the heart of the Highlands, and I think has the best brunch in the city on Sundays. You can take an exotic trip here with no passport required.

*August Moon – 2269 Lexington Rd. 502-456-6569 www.augustmoonbistro.com
Chef Peng Looi’s reputation for culinary excellence has gained national recognition. In 2003, he was a featured chef at the James Beard House and was the guest chef at the Cheeca Lodge Food and Wine Festival in the Florida Keys. He was also named a category winner in the 2001 Kikkoman “Take the Moolah and Hula” Teriyaki recipe contest. He was featured again at the James Beard House in 2005 “Taste of Malaysia” and 2006 “Taste of Louisville.”

Jack Fry’s – 1007 Bardstown Road 502.452.9244. FYI, you always pretty much need reservations for Jack Fry’s, it’s Louisvillian’s favorite restaurant, and it’s really amazing food, and great ambience. 502.452.9244

Dinner or Supper (as they say in the country)

Downtown

*Bristol Bar & Grill – A Louisville staple, and right downtown (locations in Highlands, and East End as well). Get the pot stickers and/or jalapeno poppers too.

St. Charles Exchange – 113 S. 7th street (across from 21c Museum Hotel) www.stcharlesexchange.com
When you walk in to St. Charles Exchange, you feel you might be walking in to history. The large bar is stocked with great craft beer, estate wines, and of course bourbons and other spirits. Their beverage program is considered one of the best in the area.

Proof/21c – 702 W. Main St. www.proofonmain.com
You’ll be saying “shut the front door!” a lot there, as it is part of 21c Museum Hotel, and everything in the place is a piece of art from artists of the 21st Century (thus the name). Awesome food and great drink, and atmosphere. You won’t think you’re in Kentucky, but it feels just like it should be here.

Jeff Ruby’s –325 W. Main St in front of the Galt House Hotel 502-584-0102
Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse is a high energy, upscale dining at it’s best. Dry aged steaks, and seafood are some of the best around, and it’s located directly in front of the Galt House Hotel, and close to Actors Theater and the Yum Center. Ruby’s is where to see and be seen, and enjoy some of the best live music in town too, as my buddy Robbie Bartlett sings there most weekends.

Eddie Merlot’s – 455 S. Fourth Street (4th and Muhammad Ali) Prime aged beef and Seafood.
Eddie Merlot’s is a place where hospitality and the comfort of our guests are our highest mission; we pledge to provide the finest personal service, quality of foods, freshest ingredients, in world class facilities for all to enjoy a memorable experience. The steaks and seafood are spot on, and I’ve always enjoyed just sitting in the bar area and eating, but their dining room is quite something.

Milkwood – 316 W. Main Street (Actors Theater) 502-584-6455 www.actorstheatre.org/milkwood/
The name “Milkwood” says Chef Edward Lee, “brings to mind comfort and nurture, the ideas of milk and wood. These ideas are also reflected in the interior’s major design elements.” The name pays homage to Dylan Thomas’ Under the Milk Wood, a heartwarming play about a unique community that Chef Lee says reminds him of Louisville in its portrayal of an “authentically one-of-a-kind community that is rich in history, but also a city looking towards the future”

NuLu Area (East Market St. area, New Louisville = NuLu)

La Coop Bistro – 732 E. Market St – 502- 502-410-2888 www.coopbistro.com
French Restaurant in NuLu…Here’s a recent review: After recently returning from France, I can say they have captured the French bistro style. Really close space packed with tables? I felt like I was dining abroad. The food was delicious and innovative. Service was friendly and kind. All in all, I would go back in a heartbeat. Good job!

Garage – 700 E Market St. www.garageonmarket.com Open seven days a week (Any night the weather is nice and can sit outside..it’ll be rockin’) Garage Bar is housed in a former auto service garage in downtown Louisville’s vibrant East Market or NuLu neighborhood. A nod to its roots as a historic saloon, Garage Bar serves up ice cold draft and bottled craft beers, Kentucky Bourbons, seasonal cocktails and wine. The casual neighborhood spot features Chef Michael Paley’s pizzas from a wood-fired brick oven and Southern specialties, with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients.

Decca – 812 E. Market St. 502-749-8128 www.deccarestaurant.com Decca brings the talent of San Francisco chef Annie Pettry to East Market Street. She’s committed to locally farmed and small production ingredients in her kitchen and throughout the bar and wine program. Decca makes its home in a historically renovated 1870’s building in NuLu and it features two intimate dining rooms, an outdoor courtyard, and a brick and limestone cellar for libations and live music where they’re excited to feature local artists and musicians alongside Chef Annie’s inspired food and drink.

Rye – 900 E. Market St. 502-749-6200 www.ryeonmarket.com
At RYE, they believe that food should be approachable, yet challenging; something that pushes the senses and comforts the soul. Founded on the conviction that our most valued social experiences are created around food, RYE believes food exudes an energy that is, at times, indescribable. Local and regional food simply tastes better, and so RYE sources products from local farms using sustainable, seasonal, unadulterated ingredients.
Old Louisville

*Buck’s – 425 W. Ormsby (Inside the Mayflower) – 502-637-5284 www.bucksrestaurantandbar.com When Buck started the restaurant in 1992 he wanted to create an experience for our guests that they would never forget. He had always admired “moon gardens”, which are all white flower gardens, they say if you plant your garden in white you get to enjoy your garden day and night. So he painted the walls dark hunter green, added lots of candles and filled the bar with white flowers. Put that together with a fine continental menu, artfully mismatched china and nightly live piano music (now by Rick Barlett) and Bucks Restaurant was born.

610 Magnolia – 610 Magnolia Ave 502-636-0783 www.610magnolia.com
Located in the heart of Old Louisville, 610 Magnolia offers a unique combination of Southern hospitality and urban sophistication, and has been praised as the area’s finest dining destination. With seating for 50, it is open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings only. The six course pre-fixed seasonal menu changes weekly. With only one seating nightly, guests are offered a leisurely opportunity to dine on innovative dishes by acclaimed Chef/owner Edward Lee, and offers an extensive wine list that changes to reflect the seasons.

Highlands/Clifton/Crescent Hill

El Camino – 1314 Bardstown Road – 502-454-5417 – This is a monument to Southern California Surf culture with authentic Mexican fare cuisine, and wonderful atmosphere. Where Bourbon is the focus at their sister location The Silver Dollar, fine rum, tequilas and mezcal is the featured spirits here; but they still have some great bourbons too. The place seats plenty folks, but I’d still get a reservation…it’s POPULAR!

Silver Dollar – 1761 Frankfort Ave – When ya walk in, you’ll feel like you’re in a 1950’s Bakersfield, CA honky tonk complete with the Bakersfield, CA sound being played on vinyl, and you’ll also find no TV’s in the place. Awesome Bottled In Bond Whiskey selection behind the bar, and the bar is like a mile long as this was formerly the Albert Stohl Fire House that served the Clifton/Crescent Hill area of town.

Highlands Tap Room Grill – 1058 Bardstown Rd. Tommy owns the joint and Will helps run it, and Derrick plays music here sometimes, but all the times it’s good food, and good drink with nice beer selection on tap and good many bourbons to choose from.

Holy Grale –1034 Bardstown Rd. www.holygralelouisville.com BEER ONLY – but the food is good, and after visiting the distilleries and having some great bourbons out and about, you might just want to stop in here for some of the best Belgium beers and others from around the world. Holy Grale is in a small little old church, and there are like 18 different depictions of the Last Supper in the men’s room….my favorite is the one where they all are wearing sun glasses. Choir Loft is cool upstairs too, and the food is really great…not really a dinner place, but they have awesome food.

Shenanigan’s – 1611 Norris Place – Eddie Kuper owns this Irish Pub, and it’s an awesome neighborhood pub that just keeps getting more awesome every year. Great burgers and sandwiches too, so don’t over look this place as just bar food…it’s damn good food and atmosphere.

Seviche – 1538 Bardstown Road – 502-473-8560 www.sevicherestaurant.com
A Latin Restaurant consistently ranks as one of Louisville’s best establishments with a laid-back yet stylish atmosphere. Chef Anthony Lamas is regularly recognized as one of the city’s top chefs, having been featured on the Food Network, in Southern Living and Bon Appétit and a 2010/2011/2012 semi-finalist in the James Beard Foundation Awards for Best Chef: Southeast. Seviche’s seasonally-changing menu showcases the freshest seafood and local artisan ingredients.

*Asiatique – Jason runs the bar, and Chef Peng Loi is the acclaimed chef for this eclectic awesome Asian restaurant with a genius flair from Chef Peng Looi.

*Rasis Café on the World – 1293 Bardstown Road – www.ramsiscafe.com
Ramsis is about as eclectic as it comes. The dining room is filled with artifacts from Ramsis and his families travels from around the globe, and the dishes on the menu reflect that as well. This is a casual place open late right in the heart of the Highlands, and I think has the best brunch in the city on Sundays. You can take an exotic trip here with no passport required.

+Volare – 2300 Frankfort Ave – 502-894-4446 Traditional Italian upscale spot. Robbie Bartlett – Ladies Night is Wednesday with The Robbie Bartlett Trio, and Robbie sings there with Mike and Richard every Thursday as well. Awesome bourbon list.

*Bourbon’s Bistro – 2255 Frankfort Ave – 502-894-8838Jason and John own the place, and they really started the whole Bourbon themed restaurant a few years back by stocking the back bar with 100 or so American whiskies, and they have been recognized by Whisky Magazine as an Icon of Whisky and other publications as best at what they do here. The bar is made from bourbon barrels, and staff is always knowledgeable and helpful with bourbon flights and cocktail suggestions.

East End of Town

211 Clover Lane – that’s the address too in St Matthews – 502-896-9570 – Opened in 1992 Chef Troy and owner Andrew promise locally grown farm to table experience where the menu changes daily/weekly. Located in Colony Square, 211’s atmosphere is reminiscent of the French countryside. Open for Lunch and Dinner, and reservations are encouraged, but not required.

*Village Anchor – 11507 Park Road, Anchorage, KY – www.villageanchor.com Village Anchor is comfort food, but done right and winner of the 2012 Diner’s Choice Award from opentable.com. This is a hoppin’ place in Anchorage, KY (20 min from downtown Louisville) and is in a Victorian style building that was once the train station there. The Sea Hag is the bar downstairs and they do cigars and bourbon on the patio there every Thursday.

+ Joe’s Older Than Dirt – on your way to, or from, or have dinner there too. Gary and Janet own the place, and they have an awesome bourbon/American Whiskey list, and it’s a cozy neighborhood bar.

R Place Pub – is down the street from Joe’s and it’s a fun little dive bar with sand volley ball leagues and cheap drinks with good bar food too.

Live Music

Sunday Nights

Haymarket Whiskey Bar – Hickory Vaught’s Bourbon & Bluegrass Jam where folks (including me when I’m in town) bring their own instruments and all get together and jam together…It’s free, and fun, and lots of great bourbon and whiskey behind the bar that’s at a great price too!

Nachbar – Germantown bar (not far from downtown at all) and Squeeze Bot plays every Sunday, and they’re something to experience. An instrumental mish mash of instruments that will knock your sox off.

Diamonds in St. Matthews 3814 Frankfort Ave – Kevin “KnoxVegas” Cummins plays there most every Sunday, and he’s awesome. Request Sarah Smile from Hall & Oats, he nails it….request sheets are typically $5 bills or more in my opinion that is.

Gerstle’s – 3801 Frankfort Ave – www.gerstles.com The Pranksters play every Sunday. Hunter Thompson love this band and they all got high together. They play the Beatle’s “The Walrus” . I mean, c’mon. If the Beatles were together today, they couldn’t play that song…that’s how good the Pranksters are.

Captain’s Quarter’s (in Season Memorial Day to Labor day) The Jim Dishman big band Your Huckleberries play there every Sunday night. My buddy and bluegrass partner Hickory Vaught plays with them too.

Monday
Decca – jazz night
Varanese – Jazz
Diamond’s – Barrett Ave – 630 Barrett Ave., and St. Matthews location 3814 Frankfort Ave.

Tuesday
Diamonds – acoustic
Varanese – Jazz
Jack Fry’s – Jazz
Diamond’s – Barrett Ave – 630 Barrett Ave., and St. Matthews location 3814 Frankfort Ave.

Wednesday
Diamond’s – Barrett Ave – 630 Barrett Ave., and St. Matthews location 3814 Frankfort Ave.

Thursday
Diamond’s – Barrett Ave – 630 Barrett Ave., and St. Matthews location 3814 Frankfort Ave.
*BLU – lobby bar at the Main Downtown Marriott 2nd and Jefferson – Hickory Vaught with “Bourbon & Bluegrass” every Thursday from 9-12 PM

Fri/Sat
+Jeff Ruby’s – Live music in the bar with my buddy and one of the absolute best R&B singers on the planet, Robbie Bartlett usually singing there on the weekend. If not, her brother Rick just might be there too.

*Seelbach Hotel – For everyone that is “Great Gatsby” crazy, and this is where Daisy Buchanan gets married. It’s also where Al Capone hung out and played poker during Prohibition on trips to get some bourbon.
Diamond’s – Barrett Ave – 630 Barrett Ave., and St. Matthews location 3814 Frankfort Ave.

Sunday

Brunch
*Ramsis Café on The World (all you can eat deal…vegan biscuits and gravy too y’all)
+Silver Dollar – ala cart, and my favorite is the Flank & Eggs, and definitely add the hash browns. They also carry more Bottled In Bond bourbons than just about anyone! Try one of them in your Bloody Mary too…they’re awesome. I suggest JTS Brown Bottled In Bond, or JW Dant

Late night any night

Downtown
meta – new cocktail bar that just opened on Chestnut Street between 5th and 4th Street. Jeremy is one of the principles there, and Levi, DJ, and the staff there are friendly and make great cocktails. I’d order a High Pant made with Old Fitz BIB if I were you to start with!

Freddie’s – Broadway between 3rd and 4th. Across from the Brown Hotel. Freddie’s has been there since Prohibition ended I do believe, and when you walk in it’s like you’re in a Twilight Zone episode that you’re in black and white and it’s 1961. Don’t tell anyone in there that President Kennedy has been shot, because they just don’t know it yet.

Third Street Dive – Dive bar right downtown at 3rd and Muhammad Ali (the dive bar for the folks that work at Fourth Street Live! Or locals that don’t go to Fourth Street Live!

+Diamond’s on Barrett Ave – 630 Barrett Ave. www.diamondpubandbilliards.com Owned by Griff, and run by Jared, this is a big pool hall (16 tables in one room alone) and they have tons of big screens for the ball games, and live music every single night of the week.

*Haymarket Whiskey – 331 E. Market (next to Residence Inn) www.haymarketwhiskeybar.com
especially Wednesday through the weekend…but always fun, and Matthew’s place here is also on the Urban Bourbon Trail. Haymarket Whiskey Bar is a great place to imbibe. Located on East Market Street between NuLu and downtown Louisville, Kentucky and just steps from the YUM Center & Slugger Field, the Haymarket features more than 50 whiskeys by the drink, more than 50 bottled beers from around the Us & the world and 7 rotating taps featuring American & Belgian craft beers.

Highlands/St. Matthews
+Diamond’s in St. Matthews – 3814 Frankfort Ave www.diamondpubandbilliards.com
Owned by Griff, and run by Jared, this is pool hall on a smaller scale than their place on Barrett, but the same amount of tables. They also have tons of big screens for the ball games, and live music every single night of the week. My fellow bourbon fan and musician Kevin plays here a lot, and does a killer version of Sarah Smile from Hall & Oates.

*= “Urban Bourbon Trail Account” sponsored by the Louisville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau – which means they must stock at least 50 bourbons on their back bar!
+ = Not on the Urban Bourbon Trail list, but they carry more bourbons than the average bar. (average bar in Kentucky that is)

Louisville – Where To Eat, Drink, & Be Merry

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