25 Best Cocktail Bars in Lexington

“I can't say enough good things about Carson's. The atmosphere is always warm and welcoming. The service is as good as it gets, the food and drink quality and selection are truly amazing. A bit pricy for most, but well worth it.“

“One of our favorite restaurants we have ever been to while home or traveling. The food is amazing, the place is exciting and the service is exceptional! One of the key staff members is Shelby. We always request her as our server. Shelby has excellent bourbon and food knowledge, provides first class service and makes every dinner fun and enjoyable. She is half the reason we go to OBC Kitchen. Shelby is simply amazing. Thank you Shelby!“

“Agave & Rye is the best taco restaurant in Lex! They have the tastiest, most extravagant tacos! This is a great environment to try something new and have a few drinks with friends. Highly recommend ordering their Epic Queso Dip, the best queso dip in town!“

“Agave & Rye is the best taco restaurant in Lex! They have the tastiest, most extravagant tacos! This is a great environment to try something new and have a few drinks with friends. Highly recommend ordering their Epic Queso Dip, the best queso dip in town!“

“had lunch for the first time today and the food was phenomenal! I got the lunch special chicken quesadilla fajitas with beans and rice (9.75) . service was fast and everyone was so friendly. great addition to our neighborhood and I'm looking forward to eating there again soon!“

“Yall! This is the place! Fellow vegetarians/vegans, this is an incredible spot to check out. Blue has an extensive vegan sushi menu & it is DIVINE.I have never had any sushi I’ve enjoyed, so I was uncertain at first. I met my parents here for dinner since they are huge sushi lovers & I wasn’t sure what to expect. This was absolutely some of the best food I’ve had in a minute at a restaurant as a vegetarian. Started off with the charred edamame, bc who doesn’t love a great bowl of edamame before dinner? I use to not love sushi bc of the seaweed wrap, so I was happy to know they had alternatives, soy rice paper & cucumber. I enjoyed their Thai & Crunchy Cabbagge rolls. I was shocked at how much I loved sushi, even went back a day later lol. Everything was super tasty. The flavors & textures were everything!!! Not only was the food great, but I highly recommend sitting at the bar. Our bartender Gabrielle provided excellent service. My family & I appreciated your kindness! Gabrielle was extremely knowledgeable about the menu. My mom is gluten free & we are always grateful when our server is eager to help & knows how to accommodate.Thank you for your service, can’t wait to come back!Vegetarian options: HUGEEEE VEGAN MENU!Dietary restrictions: Easy to eat GF, Vegan, & Vegetarian!Parking: Not bad parking, on busy nights be prepared to maybe have a 5 minute walk to Blue!“

“Extensive bourbon and whiskey lists, delicious cocktails, and tasty food makes this place a must visit. Recommend trying the bread sticks, meatballs, bourbon glazed salmon, and any of the burgers. The only regret was not trying their pizza!Parking: Large parking lotWheelchair accessibility: Ramp access available“

“Blue Heron Steakhouse totally lived up to our expectations and then some! It's cozy and quaint and Lacey took great care of us. The food was amazing. The steaks were high quality and grilled exactly as we liked. The sides were delicious as well. The dark chocolate mousse was heavenly and paired nicely with the remaining Cabernet Sauvignon I had left after supper. We were seated by the fireplace, and upon closer inspection, the chandelier is made from old Maker's Mark bottles. I love the exposed brick as well.“

“Awesome night with some amazing friends at the Bluegrass! We tried some Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 20 years. Josh is the most knowledgeable bartender I have ever met, not only did he know the bourbons but so much history of the brands. Highly recommend!“

“My girlfriend and I really loved this place and definitely want to come back! Everything was freshly made and delicious. From appetizer all the way to the dessert; this includes the fresh made craft ginger soda! Service was great and very friendly. Highly recommended.“

“If you're looking for a bar with a ~vibe~ this is it. I went for a happy hour with some girlies on a Wednesday and we had no trouble finding a table or a parking spot behind the building. The drink menu had tons of options and some interesting flavor combinations. I tried the Clooney, which was a tequila drink. There was also a blue cheese washed vodka drink so if you're into that it looked good. They had some happy hour specials that ended at 6 I think. Overall a good little cocktail bar.“

“From the cozy couches to the amazing curated cocktails by amazing mixologists, Harvey's sets itself above the rest. There are several very fine places in downtown Lexington that will provide their own unique service and style but the folks at Harvey's are a step above. Whether you're just down for a single cocktail or ready to make it your home for a few hours, I strongly recommend stopping by and giving them a try. I have been going here for a couple of years now and love every time I walk in. My favorite cocktail is the Old Fashion with their very own barrel select Knob Creek... A pour you will remember... Oh, and tell 'em Greg recommended it!“

“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“

“Boonedogs is one of the best local dives in Lexington. They have great food and incredible drinks. The service is fantastic whether you sit inside or outside at the picnic tables or firepit. You can play cornhole or volleyball during the warmer seasons. It is a great environment for kids and dogs, a date night, or a night out with friends. It's well worth the beautiful drive into horse country to eat there.“

“This is the spot!! As retired military, I’ve had the opportunity to travel all around and try food from many regions. This is by far the best, authentic, and delicious Mexican/taco place I’ve found since being in KY. Collin, the head chef, not only developed the menu and hand creates all the food, sauces, and salsas, but pays respect to every single ingredient as a way to naturally elevate all the basic “Mexican” dishes we are all familiar with, while still staying true to the traditional roots of the food.I cannot rave enough about the food and drinks from Desperados Cantina! The guava frozen margarita is impressive, while not being overly sweet. Every single taco is noteworthy in its own way, the elote is as close to being at a street food vendor in Mexico as you can get, and the brunch menu is phenomenal (especially the breakfast nachos!) and they have dessert too! If you haven’t tried the food yet, its a must! I know for certain we will be returning again and again!“

“Would definitely need to book a reservation, because it is a small local restaurant. But you can sit outside, weather permitting! The decor is lovely, and the staff were wonderful! The food was beautifully plated, and tasted really good! Went for my anniversary, and it was very pleasant! Definitely recommend!“

“Date night! We started off with the best crab cake I have ever eaten and a baked goat cheese laden with local lavender honey and pistachios hot in a skillet. For entrees we had the duck and tournedos. The cook on both was why Dudley's gets a four instead of five. The duck was slightly overcooked but the fat hadn't been rendered enough. That being said, the confit duck in rice and accompanying veg were delish! The tournedos with crab meat were slightly more well than medium; however again, accompanying mashed potatoes and sauce were stunning. The ambience is perfect for a date night. It's in a beautiful spot on downtown with plenty of street parking , lot parking and garage parking nearby. On this day in particular, because the weather was so nice, the doors were also wide open allowing for beautiful fresh air during our meal. Service was excellent and quick. We will be back especially for that delicious decadent crab cake. Truly the best we've had in town!“

“Ona is a really great spot for a cocktail: reasonable prices, great seating, chill ambiance, and the cocktails are delicious! The service was friendly and efficient-we had a couple friends who didn't want an alcoholic beverage and on the spot they made a citrus mocktail that was refreshing and delicious! They also have daily specials in which they have a discounted cocktail (different ones for each day of the week) and they are $5! We got the Friday special which was a Dark N Stormy (a rum based Moscow mule sort of cocktail!) and it was great!“

“I wish there were more stars to give. This is my favorite place in Lexington. It's intimate, but you don't feel crowded.There's a seat at the secret window, and it reminds you of those N.O. courtyards. Look for it.The food is beyond amazing. We had the chicken skewers, the Shrimp and Grits cakes, the Blue cheese crayfish beignets, and cheesecake with rum sauce. Oh my God. Each thing was better than the last. I can't recommend them highly enough. These flavors of New Orleans are spot on.The bar has a large selection, and there is talent in the mixology.Can't wait to come back to see live music there.Told them we had limited time, and they were very kind in accommodating. They weren't packed- yet.We will be back!If you are going to the Lexington Opera House, it's close enough to walk. I highly recommend going around a corner to try them.Parking: We walked over, so the parking wasn't a concern for us to eat. There were several events, so parking was about $20 near here.“

“Stopped yesterday for some beers with family. Unfortunately the food truck was packing up as we arrived. We did get there late so... Love the place! Hung out at a picnic table enjoying the evening. Good beer selection as well as cocktails. Beer was just how we like it, ICE COLD. Bar keep was extremely pleasant and cordial. I see that they put in a small stage and we're looking forward to some music. Everyone should stop by and enjoy this establishment because you won't regret it. Looking forward to visiting again (and again).“

“Enjoyed our evening at Fiddletree last night. Sat at the bar and Matt was terrific. Such a great guy! Enjoyed cocktails, charcuterie tray, and filet. The charcuterie was huge. Filet was cooked perfect and so flavorful. Overall it was a great evening.“

“The sweet tea was really good. I had the fried pickles and mini sliders. The fried pickles were thick cut but really good and seasoned. The mini sliders were okay. They were messy and needed more seasoning. My husband got the morning glory burger. He said it was really good, but the patty was underseasoned. It was a good little place, though.“

“In a cozy corner of this Lexington town, Lies Papi's at Palomar, a gem with a well-earned crown. With walls adorned in vibrant hues, It welcomes all to dine and muse. The scent of spices fills the air, A hint of lime, a smoky flare. Chips and salsa arrive with zest, And the guacamole confirms it's simply the best. Tacos, enchiladas, rich and bold, Stories of ancient recipes told. Savory meats and beans so fine, Dancing in harmony with cheese and brine. A sip of margarita, tart and sweet, A perfect pairing, a joyful treat. The warm service of staff, the laughter around, In every corner, friendship is found. As the evening wanes to gentle night, The flavors linger, pure delight. A haven of culture, taste, and sound, For this Mexican restaurant, love unbound.“

“First and foremost the guys ant the front always greet me with open arms. it’s an all around great place to come. Doesn’t matter what age you are, you always make good friends. The male bartenders are my favorite and has my drink already made while only stepping one foot inside.“

“We had a late Valentines outing at the Manchester Hotel including drinks and an app at Lost Palm followed by a drink in the lobby area bar and then dinner at Granddam restaurant. The overall experience was fantastic and I highly recommend checking out all of these places. I had been to Granddam one time previously and it was a good meal but this time it was seriously one of the best meals we've had. The specially featured veal chop was what sealed the deal but everything from the seared ahi tuna to the freshly flown in oysters to the pork belly app to each and every curated cocktail... was amazing all around. I wouldn't har ever ordered the veal chop without the comments from our server who said it was the best thing he's ever eaten there. He was spot on with his recommendations. The cocktails were all so perfectly created as well. This evening was truly a great experience.“