46 Best Cocktail Bars in Lexington

“Hands down one of the best dining experiences I’ve had! Quick & exceptional service. Every employee I came in contact with was friendly and helpful! Highly recommended!“

“Everything was amazing the manager Brittany was amazing. We were in from Ohio and had a great time! Too notch service.“

“I had such a great time at Georgie's last time I went (and every time I've been before)! The drinks are delicious (highly recommend The Force) and the atmosphere is great for having a drink with friends. Very modern yet cozy. The vibes were 10/10. There is also a ton of seating which I very much enjoyed too and the staff was very nice.“

“12/10 experience at the bar! Sit on down grab a slice of pizza and a bread stick or two and let John the bar master craft you the best cocktails in town! Super fun vibe complete with great customer service. John made it so we stuck around!!“

“If I could give this place 10 Stars I would! My husband and I were traveling back home to Michigan after our trip to Mammoth Cave National Park. We had a fun afternoon of burbon drinking after camping and Desperately needed something to eat. Unfortunately, it was so late everything was closed. In a last ditch effort we spontaneously asked a passing local of ANY WHERE we could eat He immediately pointed us to Minglewood. We arrived an hour before close and quickly and apologetically ordered a couple cocktails and some food. I had the pimento hamburger and GIRL LEMME TELL YOU!!! Iv never had a hamburger more delicious in my entire life! It doesn’t stop there, we then had the absolute pleasure of meeting the LADY BOSS (maybe the owner? I was pretty tipsy by then lol) She was AMAZING and after bonding of chef life and hearing how much I love chicken wings, she suggested they had the BEST and proceeded to make us an order HERSELF even tho they were pretty much closed! OH. MY. ACTUAL. GOSH…SHE WAS NOT WRONG! I can’t tell you how serious I am when I tell you these were the BEST wings Iv ever had!! We are going to be camping in Smoky Mountains National Park for New Years weekend and have planned our trip specifically to include a stop here again for those wings! Do your mouth a favor and eat here. -Rose & Todd“

“Fast service, quality drinks, nicest bar family you'll find.“

“Best food, portions, price and service.“

“I cannot speak highly enough of Mileta and the owner Dallas. I planned a surprise birthday party with 25 guests and Dallas worked hand in hand with me to make it so special. Every single person was blown away by the food, the servers were incredible, the rose room was an absolute DREAM and it left us all excited to come back. Mileta is the roaring 20s meets Italian delicacy and it’s done for vibrantly and authentically. They even printed up off menus that had happy birthday _______ on them. I’m still just blown away. Thank you so much.“

“During our visit to Kentucky’s Bourbon Country, we had the distinct pleasure of dining at what has quickly become our favorite restaurant in the area. From start to finish, the experience was exceptional. The food was nothing short of outstanding—flavorful, expertly prepared, and perfectly paired with a diverse and impressive collection of bourbons. What truly set this restaurant apart, however, was the warm and welcoming atmosphere, which made it feel like more than just a meal out, but rather an experience shared with friends. The staff’s hospitality and dedication to making every guest feel at home contributed to what was undoubtedly a memorable evening. We are already eagerly anticipating our next visit and look forward to enjoying another fantastic meal, discovering more exceptional bourbons, and sharing the experience with some great friends. Highly recommended for anyone visiting the Bourbon Country region—whether you're a bourbon enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates great food and service.“

“The taco flights (The Filthy Fajita, The Smokeshow and The Gangsta) were Amazing as was our appetizer (Shrimp Rangoon Bites)!! Strawberry Bombshell on the rocks was definitely the bomb! Speaking of being the bomb, gotta give it up to our server Tonni and the general manager Nick who were both so nice, helpful and accommodating!! We will definitely be repeat customers! Thank you for a wonderful experience!!“

“There are very few bars in Lexington that have specialty cocktails that compare to Belle’s! The history behind the building is intriguing! I spent my most recent birthday on their rooftop in a vip section that was delivered with respect and accuracy. Security has always made me feel safe if/when there have been males/females that were overly disrespectful. The staff is as attentive as possible, considering the high volume of costumers they have to serve. If you can handle a high volume bar, with a high standard for cocktails, service, and security, I highly recommend!“

“Dined at the new restaurant Millstone in Lexington last PM. It’s in the old Dudley Square Building. What a great meal, great atmosphere. Really a nice vibe in the old school house I believe it was. Lot of exposed brick walls, great interior decorator. Very comfortable seating, some great jazz in the background but you could easily have have conversations and hear those you were with. So many restaurants have poor acoustics and it’s hard to have conversation. I enjoy a Sazerac cocktail, there are maybe 3 places in the city that know how to make a good one. Their bartender nailed it. Outstanding. We had Crabcake and Yeast Rolls for an appetizer and they were awesome, the crab rakes are served with fried green tomato. 5 Rolls were brought out in the cast iron skillet they were prepared in. Paula had a Millstone Salad and I had the Rib Eye. Both outstanding. Everything thing they serve they make in house, except the mayonnaise I was told. Fresh, locally sourced meats and vegetables. I had their bread pudding for desert. Everybody has thier on take on this, they added chocolate chips and their own sauce, It was amazing. They just opened this week, usually a new place has a lot of kinks to work out, but this was a great experience. The management has done a great job bringing in staff committed to excellence. Parking was not an issue either. UK had a game last night, but they had enough parking right there which is free. Something you dont find in the downtown area. 5 Stars, check them out!“

“Incredible views with handcrafted cocktails - what more could you want from your trip to Lexington!? This bar is the best seat in downtown Lex for a view!!“

“Great food with large portions and fast, friendly service. Best Mexican Restaurant we’ve found in Lexington, KY.“

“i was in absolute aw over poppy’s!! this place is absolutely beautiful and amazing. the staff is so kind and welcoming. the flowers are beautiful and fresh and such a wide variety to choose from. so beautifully decorated and such a friendly environment. the drinks absolutely amazing. i would live in poppy’s if i could“

“Great food and service was very good“

“Hunter our waitress was awesome. Food was delicious.“

“We went to Blue Heron the week before and had the most delicious meal, the fireplace was warm and wonderful and the staff was friendly and fun, so we decided to go back this week with another farm client! Again everything was exactly as we had expected! Thank you so much!“

“We came for drinks and appetizers pre-show at the Opera House. It was quick (but not rushed) service. Delicious options with plenty of variety. It had been a while since I had visited Dudley's, but that cauliflower appetizer will be living rent free in my brain until I'm able to return!“

“The weekly old guys pub crawl loves this place. We've been doing this weekly since Aug. 2023, and just started posting the photos. So if the photos don't match the place, they will show up somewhere. Most important is, we love this place.“

“My husband and I having family night with our sons at Blue Sushi Sake Grilled“

“Chelsea our server was great and she made great recommendations. We tried the pretzel sticks with beer cheese, these are the best ever. Boone fries, the pimento cheese dog and the spicy chicken sandwich. The blackberry jalapeño sauce is soooo good!! Would definitely eat there again. Everything we had was really good. I don’t think their pricing is higher than anywhere else. Eating out in general is not cheap!!“

“From the moment we walked into Granddam, we knew we were in for a special experience. The cozy yet upscale atmosphere strikes the perfect balance—elegant without being pretentious, welcoming without being too casual. Even better, parking was a breeze, setting the tone for a stress-free evening. The real standout of the night was the hospitality. Our server, Hunter, was an absolute gem—attentive without hovering, knowledgeable about the menu, and genuinely warm. He made us feel like honored guests, offering thoughtful recommendations and ensuring that every detail of our dining experience was seamless. And then there was the food—Chef Paula is nothing short of a master. Her ability to blend the rich flavors of her culture with classic Southern cuisine is extraordinary. Each dish was a celebration of bold flavors and refined techniques, from the perfectly balanced appetizers (the tri tip with grits was divine) to the decadent dessert. Every bite told a story, a perfect harmony of tradition and innovation. Granddam isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience. Whether you’re looking for an intimate date night or a special gathering with friends, this is the place to be. With impeccable service, an inspired menu, and an atmosphere that makes you want to linger, Granddam is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates the art of fine dining. 10/10 recommend. We’ll definitely be back!“

“First timing trying this place. Fill place, feels like a neighborhood spoke with some unique dishes on the menu.

I got the Lumberjack burger. It came out raw, ordered it medium. They took it back I expected a new burger, the simply further cooked the burger. This time it was well done. Not a big deal flavor was still there, juicy and well seasoned. However, I think much of the Beer cheese had cooked off.

We got the salad with orange vinaigrette and it was very good. The squash soup was also nice on a snowy day.

Service was excellent and enjoyed the experience. The only negative was the burger cook and the not getting a new burger. Just kind of pointless to ask for how I’d like it cooked.

Would eat here again though“

“I highly recommend this place! Came here for my first time this evening and we got our food in literally 5 minutes! Friendly and fast service! Food is so good! Try it you won’t be disappointed!!“

“We booked the Secret Garden at Harvey's to celebrate our daughter's graduation. It was fantastic! We had seats for grandparents, great drinks, the charcuterie boards were so good, and our daughter and her friends loved the vibe! Would highly recommend!“

“I had the pleasure of trying their Burger Week special today and was absolutely blown away! It may sound strange, but I'm now a firm believer that apple chutney *belongs* on burgers. The combination of beef, melty brie, apples, & dijonnaise created the perfect balance of sweet & savory. The sprinkle of parsley on the fries provided an excellent pop of colour & was a lovely lil touch. Their ranch is pure excellence & clearly made in house. I highly recommend grabbing a side of it to dip those aforementioned fries in! 💖“

“Great salad and shrimp flatbread was yummy. Prices are great. I felt comfortable and safe dining alone (traveling through).“

“Great music great vibes. wouldn't mind going back at all.“

“We really enjoyed our visit at Desperados Cantina located in the Distillery District. They have what seems to be the largest tequila selection in town! Not only do they serve great cocktails, but their tacos are so good. I highly recommend the hot pepper chicken taco and the pork belly taco. They also have a nice patio right next to a creek with a beautiful fireplace. Highly recommended!“

“This is a superb spot to grab cocktail drinks with a friend or for a date. I love how it is so cozy inside, and all the plants make it even more inviting to grab drinks here.I love coming here for pre-game with my friends. I love ordering their cocktail drinks, and they're so delicious. One of my favorite drinks is called Press Play.“

“This was our first time in Lexington. We picked The Tulip Bistro and Bar because it was close to our hotel. The service and food was simply awesome. The braised short ribs were incredibly tender and flavored to perfection. The salmon was a very large piece cooked just right. We then finished dinner off with the creme brulee. I can't recommend this restaurant enough. Dana, our server, was wonderful.“

“Cozy bar inside the Sire Hotel, Lexington, with excellent concoctions by hospitable bartender Natalie, who crafted top-notch drinks for us like Race Thyme and Buck Bramble (check out their menu online). Natalie also mixed a mean sangria. She's a gem. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at this spot.“

“we had a wonderful experience hosting our monthly book party at old north bar! from reaching out to get a reservation to closing tabs at the end of the night, we could not have asked for anything better. the entire process was quick and easy and we had such a great time meeting in this cute and cozy space! be sure to check out their signature cocktails - their various espresso martini flavors were a huge hit with our group! we also loved that there were various food options we could bring into the bar including SOB (burgers) in the same space! we cannot wait to come back to old north!“

“Great Place! Friendly people and terrific bartender!“

“Stopped in The Jockey last night and had a great experience. Drinks prices weren't inflated because of the location. Right in the middle of downtown. Bartender was super friendly and attentive. Got a pizza from Rise Up Pizza kitchen (a separate entity apparently) and it was amazing! Will definitely return asap. I'm a Lexington native and will definitely be a new "regular" Highly recommend“

“May try it out again but it was mediocre. The service and quickness was great. Husband got steak and chicken street tacos, BLAND. No flavor especially the shredded chicken. Bean soup was good. I got steak fajitas which steak was pretty good so my dish had flavor. Guac was great too. What was VERY disappointing was I got DENIED by my request of corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas with my meal. NEVER have I been to a Mexican restaurant and been (literally) told NO. Server was great but To make the experience REALLY AWKWARD was the fact that instead of getting your bill your server stands there waiting for you to pay them and if paying in cash they’ll stand there and NOT give you your change back. I was waiting for my change (so I could manage out her tip) and she just stood there so I got out more cash for her tip then decides to walk away. Very uncomfortable so you may want to change your checking out routine.“

“Great Food and Friendly Service“

“All the staff are Great, Wonderful, Attentive, Professional. I am really impressed by their 'work ethics'. We love coming over there to watch the games.“

“My mom and her fiancé drove in from Gulf Shores, AL to attend my son’s (her grandson’s) college graduation from UK. I was able to book them 2 night at the Clarion for the event. After Saturday’s commencement, we wanted to celebrate. My mom and her fiancé were so impressed with Sedona Taphouse from the previous evening, that they treated us to an early dinner along with some drinks there. It was amazing from the appetizers to the drinks to the entrees. Our server was a delight, but we also had the pleasure of meeting the GM, Ben as he came over to not only check on us, but to shake my son’s hand and personally congratulate him on his achievement. He really made a big deal about his accomplishment and even went as far to pay for his meal, drinks and dessert. So unexpected! Ben went above & beyond and that food and atmosphere was outstanding. We frequent Lexington often, I’ve found my new spot for lunch or dinner. Thank you Ben!! We can’t thank you enough for making Mason’s special day even more memorable.“

“visited your place on my way north. friendly people and a great atmosphere. live music at 7 was a treat.“

“The steak, potatoes and broccoli were AMAZING! Compliments to chef Rena!! The bartender/server Tyler was really great too. Overall an awesome experience! Very happy I decided to come here for dinner.“

“So I travel a lot I’m in airports everyday. Most of time it’s either over saturated expensive fast food served with a side of horrible attitude but today in Lex I discovered Sir Vera’s kitchen and their Tamales!!!!! Taking the recommendation from Dean and going with Chicken Verde Tamales was one of the best things I did today. Tamales were delicious, service was friendly energetic and spot on. All at a very reasonable price not overly inflated like all other airports. Thanks again Dean 5 stars“

“One of our team members says "Bronte Bistro is a great spot for bunch, lunch or dinner. Cozy and Quaint. We love everything we have had there!"“

“great service. friendly staff“