43 Best Cocktail Bars in Louisville

“Very nice place and food was excellent. Service was very professional, friendly and excellent ?. Could not complain about the food or the service, perfect! It was a bit loud inside the restaurant, customers and music, mainly customers just very loud..Parking: Absolutely no parking when we went so we had to park at the hotel next door, which cost $16 for 2 hours.“

“We got takeout with friends and it was delicious! I can't wait to go back and dine in--I've heard the ambiance is top notch. The food was amazing! Vibrant, flavorful, and beautiful. The pics speak for themselves, but do yourself a favor and check this place out.“

“Three of us had dinner on Tuesday night. The restaurant had a very nice atmosphere. Our server was Yasmine. She was very helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. She was attentive but not obtrusive. Everyone enjoyed the food very much. We had a lovely leisurely dinner. I would definitely return.“

“I had North of Bourbon on my " MUST Visit List" ever since I saw them on the local news. It was worth the drive all of the way from Elizabethtown! Now, I am planning which of my friends I like enough to bring them to this gastronomic delight! First off, its intimate setting is on my list of favorite decors due to the giant bourbon barrel booths that line the right hand side. I was fortunate enough to be seated in one with my service dog (This is another benefit of coming here; they had no qualms about allowing my service dog in with me.). Next, I was beguiled by the tantalizing choices on the menu. New Orleans Cajun/ Creole food is the top of my favorite culinary styles, and the chef does it RIGHT in this establishment! I was here for lunch and some cocktails before my appointment at the Louisville VA hospital, so I ordered the catfish nuggets with a side of creamed spinach. Oh! What a treat! I felt I was back in the French Quarter and near Bourbon Street as the succulent fish melted in my mouth and the mild pepper sauce added just the right touch, along with the sparse roasted cabbage that was served on it with the pepper sauce/ glaze. The creamed spinach also did not disappoint.Along with this, I ordered the "What's Mr. Peanuts First Name" cocktail, which is Maker's Mark, peanut orgeat, and Coca Cola Classic. This was served with a shot glass full of peanuts, and before my entrée arrived, I was served a small, complimentary bowl of boiled peanuts which sent me into an unexpected reverie. I never ask for regular peanuts, but boiled peanuts at North of Bourbon are a legume delicacy! I asked later, and I found that if I wanted more than the complimentary serving, it would cost $5. That would be 5 bucks well spent. I finished it all off with an ounce or 2 of Maker's Mark K.O.B.B.E. Private Selection. I am a Maker's Mark Ambassador, and this did not disappoint!As I wrote earlier, I am already planning a return trip for destination dining and Bourbon sipping. DO NOT MISS AN EXPERIENCE HERE!“

“I had an amazing time at Michter's. The tour was informative and the tasting was the most informative and engaging. They are everything bourbon should represent. I'll come back for sure. The bar upstairs has incredible cocktails to enjoy as well!“

“Excellent food-huge scallops were delicious as were the crab cakes and short ribs. Try the frites or goat cheese spread which are both delicious. For dessert we tried the blonde brownie with Vietnamese coffee ice cream and it was wonderful. We'll definitely be back for another meal.“

“Hands down, the best restaurant in Louisville! We stayed in Hotel Distill, where the restaurant is located, the first week in April. We ate breakfast every morning, with the exception of our departure morning, and we ate dinner there every night except 2 nights! Everything we had that week was amazing; the food, drinks, atmosphere & hospitality were all on point! If you are in the Louisville area you are missing out if you don’t stop in for dinner!“

“My first time going. It was the last day of Louisville Taco Week. I got each of the three tacos they were offering. The Basic Betty Smash Taco, The Jalapeño Popper Smash Taco and The Love Child Smash Taco. There is too much to list for each taco, just know that they all have a different type of smash burger in it. Each one had it's own different flavor, I took one bite of each and each bite was better than the last. I'm not sure if these are on the regular menu, but if not they should be. When I got there my cousin was eating a carne asada eggs roll, I ordered one but didn't try it just yet, but she said it was fire. I want to return and see what else on the menu I'm going to enjoy. It will be very soon.I apologize for the the photo, I know it doesn't look good, this was after I took a bite of each taco.“

“Went last night to celebrate a birthday! We had an amazing time. You do not have to rent a room to enjoy yourselves. Everyone on the open floor is very social and supportive of anyone on the stage. Everyone sings along and it was just such a great night. Cannot wait to go again! The drinks were good too!“

“I went here on a Friday night around 6:45 with a party of three. I was able to immediately get a table, and I noticed the place started to fill up shortly after 7:00. This place is so cute! I really loved the ambiance, and the attention to details with the decor is amazing. It was a clean facility (including the bathrooms), and there was ample parking around back (you do have to pay, however). As for the service, I was pleased with the attentiveness. There was one point where the gap in service was a little longer, but it was a time where a bunch of people had just walked in. I was accidentally charged for food that was meant to be split with my party, and I didn't notice until I had already paid (my mistake obvi), but the server refunded it and only charged me for my two drinks instead. It was so kind! I am currently not drinking, but my friends ordered the Sangria and the Cosmopolitan. They said both were amazing! I order the non-alcoholic beverage called One Week, and it was delicious! I would recommend that more non-alcoholic options are added (I was told they only have alternative tequila, and I think alternative whiskey would be a great add). We also ordered the Kentucky Queso, Roasted Garlic Hummus, and Double Dark Chocolate Mousse. The queso was to die for, and the mousse was so rich! I will say the hummus was underwhelming as I expected it to have a stronger taste of garlic. Overall, I really enjoyed our time here! I would definitely recommend to others, and will likely take others here!“

“More than I was expecting! As you walk in the doors you are greeted by one of the friendly staff. The showroom has everything a Mitchers fan could ask for: shirts, coasters, books, and of course many of their Bourbon selections. It was a 15-20 min wait to get up to the bar. The host was very polite. When it was my time, the elevator opened as she called me and she said “your chariot has arrived” made me smile. As I came off the elevator I was greeted by Georgia and she showed me my seat at the bar. A glass of water and an assortment of snacks was waiting. The snacks were small pretzel balls, dried bananas, and crunchy quicos. The crunchy quicos (corn nuts) are a must try(see sticker).The first drink I ordered was the Falls of the O-H-I-O Fizz. It was delicious! Frothy due to the egg white, with a little touch of sweet, and gentle burn from the bourbon. The second drink I ordered was the Fort Nelson Crusta. The presentation was beautiful. There’s a whole lot of sweet in this one. The sugar brim was the icing on the cake. Georgias service was outstanding, I can’t say enough. Her and her team are experts at their craft. The setting is very warm and down home. I highly recommend this place if you’re single or on a date. Georgia and her staff will make you feel at home. I’ll be back.“

“Great specials. Was able to try bourbons I would have never thought to try. People were friendly, staff was knowledgeable. Drinks were awesome.Parking: Arrived just after 8PM and there was plenty of street parking, but when I left there were no spots available.“

“Overall, a nice meal. For my first visit, I found the overall seating area lighting too dark. The restaurant was full, and the noise level was more than energetic, it's too loud. We both had the Caesar salad either chicken, and it was excellent, as was our baked Brie appetizer. The service was very good, our waitress was covering too many tables though. She was working hard. It was the Friday evening rush, and the bar orders took a long time to arrive. My bourbon maple drink was excellent, and was comped due to the delay. Nice touch. Overall very good for a slammed Friday evening.“

“We had a girls night out at Square Cut and it was fantastic! We had the “chefs table” menu so we could try several different things and every single bite was amazing. My favorites were the pumpkin dip and mussels. I’m looking forward to my next visit!“

“This was the best restaurant experience I’ve had in a long time. There is a gas skillet built into the table and you cook your own meat, nothing better than hot off the grill!! It’s so interactive and such a nice place. It is on the expensive side, but I wasn’t left feeling bad about that, hell everything is expensive these days! Best cut of beef I’ve had in years, will be returning again soon!Vegetarian options: They have vegetable and non meat items.“

“We had the absolute best tour at Copper and Kings. We visited half a dozen distilleries and took tours and this was by far our favorite. We did the culinary tour and our tasting at the end of the tour was paired with amazing bites prepared by Chef Josh. Everything was delicious and the portions were larger than we expected for small bites. The quality of the food was excellent. It was one of the best meals we had in Louisville - tied with Proof on Main and the Cuban restaurant. Our tour guide Daniel was super knowledgeable, funny, and incredibly personable. We loved Maple the dog too. This is a must do when visiting Louisville because the Brandy distillery offers something a little different than your usual Bourbon tour, the food is impeccable, and the people are super friendly.“

“Beyond decent. I love the humbled mindset that Jeanne and John have created here. Be welcomed by beautiful plants and pops of contrasting color brightened by the large window storefront. Browse, chat with Jeanne, and be amazed that after shopping for your new Silver Satin Exotica you can refresh with some curated spirits.The back portion of the shop acts as their bar. Stocked with Mezcal and Rums from many regions of Mexico. John knows and LOVES this stuff. Gavin, he's nice as hell to be tending bar as well.Every few months the flagship cocktails change for a new seasonal lineup, so be sure to pop in often.“

“Really cool atmosphere, great cocktails. Bar tenders are very helpful and knowledgeable. Stated long enough for my husband and I to each have 3 drinks that were all different. They were all great in their own ways. Definitely a “Must Visit” place in Louisville.“

“Amazing cocktails by an outstanding mixologist, who works to perfect his craft. I highly recommend it, and definitely will come back again. The atmosphere is interesting and there is local artist work all over the walls that is for sale I believe. Loved the pinball machines and spent a couple of dollars trying to rack up some scores. Haven't played pinball since high school. Lots of fun. This service by our bartender was outstanding, and he was very attentive. Highly recommend for the cocktails and the service.“

“Jessica & Harrison were perfect company this afternoon. This place is all about Cheese, Cheers, and Charcuterie’s!!!! If you are looking for a light atmosphere, great conversation, delicious cheeses & meats. This is your place!!! Ohhh I forgot to mention they have a well stocked selection of spirits, as well as a quality selection house cocktails.“

“What a wonderful bar to visit while we were visiting. They have a ridiculous number of bourbons to try at very reasonable prices. The other cocktails were also reasonably priced. I loved all the messages of inclusivity in the bar. Why don't we have bars like this in South Florida?“

“Micah was the best we will be coming back for every date night he accompanied us very well and explained everything in detail I really needed help and he helped me anywayVegetarian options: YeaDietary restrictions: Don’t knowParking: GreatKid-friendliness: Perfect yesWheelchair accessibility: Perfect“

“I really enjoyed this cocktail lounge right in the heart of the Highlands on Bardstown Road. Drinks were fairly priced, well-crafted and the crowd was relaxed and pleasant. I like that they use non-mainstream brands for their drinks. Good atmosphere, lively & fun crowd, will definitely come back.“

“My partner and I came here after a meeting downtown and wanted a quiet, chill place to talk. This place was absolutely perfect! It had an amazing feel to it, vintage but not old. The fun and punny drink names were perfectly juxtaposed against how good and classy they tasted and were made. Everyone that was here seemed interesting and that made the ambiance that much better. Don’t like the outside fool you, do yourself a favor and stop in, pick a drink based on whatever song pun makes you groan the loudest, and get ready to watch the bartender make one of the best drinks you’ll have in downtown Louisville!“

“I just got back from a week in Mexico and I was craving some delicious empanadas. I prefer Argentinian over the Mexican masa style, so I was excited when I lucked across Señor Empanada’s Facebook. They were super friendly and responsive via messenger and I had an order placed for delivery the next day. They arrived hot, fresh and absolutely incredible. Be sure to order the chimichurri to go with them - it is out of the world.“

“We had the the chicken livers, hot brown, and shrimp and grits. The portions were huge! All of the dishes we prepared excellently. Flavors and presentation were excellent. Service by the wait staff was excellent. Prices were very reasonable. I had an Old Fashioned to drink and it was done right. I will definitely be back!“

“My husband and I had a staycation at Hotel Genevieve and decided to walk into Lucky Penny with no reservation. Although I would highly recommend making a reservation, we did get seating right at the bar as soon as a couple was walking out. The incredible host/server Shae was so kind and seated us right away. She was very helpful to us and to all the other guests that were there. The bartender was also great and made sure that we were taken care of. Definitely will be back! It's such a cool space, it really doesn't feel like you're inside a disco ball. The drinks were great also!!“

“Food was prepared so well!! All our dishes were nice portions, excellently prepared. Sangria was better than we had in Spain! Waitress was very busy but served us well The only big negative was the noise level. You could not hear folks at your table We would return considering the food was top notch! Yummy mushroom soup, crepe, meat croquettes, empanadas, etc.“

“Great place to hang out and drink in Louisville. They are open late. Good music, can get crowded on the weekend. The open patio is great. We didn't eat there, I don't know if they offer food because this is definitely a place for drinking and not eating.“

“We had brunch here the morning after the Derby. We were greeted warmly when we arrived. We loved the ambiance of the restaurant and the food and service was top notch. The Benedict is the best I've ever had! Be sure to check out the adjoining galleries!“

“We randomly came across this place and couldn’t be more happy with our experience. Everything was excellent. I had the spam fried rice and a carajillo. I’m not sure there’s a better hangover combo after a night out in Louisville. This spot is an absolute must.“

“The food was delicious. Reasonably priced. Several vegetarian and vegan options. The staff was friendly and efficient.Vegetarian options: The house salad is great with a tasty lime vinaigrette. The veggie tacos are fantastic.Parking: Parking lot behind buildingWheelchair accessibility: Flat surface to enter building“

“this little bar is just what I needed after a long start to my week. the regulars are friendly. the staff is top notch. 10 beers on Tap, and a wide variety of whiskeys and bourbon. along with a great kitchen menu. with daily specials on both. there is live entertainment, and KaraOke on Wednesdays. if you haven't been to this hikes point jem. you just ain't living right. come on out, they'd love to see you“

“Listen. If you're in the area, thinking about where you should eat, take this into advisory.Picture this: you walk in, greeted by the most friendly, courteous and attentive staff! Then, you find something on the menu you find appetizing and itnshows up and blows yournexpectatuosn out of the water.... then when the check comes yourenpleasantly surprised and realize all the other spots are over priced over rated and under deliver.Go to to nic and Norman's ask for Alyssa and tell her devin sent you and prepare to see where the bar is set for exquisite dining with a friendly and inviting atmosphere that will make even the first timer feel like a local regular! I highly advise just asking to be surprised when it comes to.chossing from the extremely diverse menu that delivers with every punch!“

“After a very bad first experience at this Gustavos I gave it another try (I was thevine in our group who was against it). I'm glad I did. What a completely different experience. Food was great! Service was exceptional! I'm hoping to go back again“

“This might be the spot in the hotel district (not sure what locals call it). An amazing, amazing, deep old fashioned and NY sour. So so good.It’s literally a library and feels so inviting. Their decor is fitting and it makes you want to stay. Could easily spend a few hours there chatting away.“

“I live very close to here and my kids like to go over just to run around.. there is tons of open space and seating on the covered patio n outside area. I have eaten at Jeffs doughnuts, Bandits pizza and Bunz burgers (I haven't eaten here since Bunz has moved to this location but Im quite sure its the same delicious food) and all 3 are super delicious. Jeffs doughnuts is kinda pricey.. for a doughnut i mean and Bandits pizza and Bunz burgers has very reasonable pricing. I would definitely recommend trying this place out. I will for sure be back to try all of the other restaurants.“

“I've taken a few friends to this speakeasy -- and it's been a wonderful experience every time. Tracy is a fantastic bartender, on top of it, who makes every interaction feel warm and personable. Natasha as well is quick and efficient, with such a kind smile. Each drink I've had has been tasty, and I've enjoyed each one. The ambiance is wonderful, and the live jazz is always on point. I'd recommend anyone go here--and I have recommended many go here!“

“This is a nice place to shoot pool and hang out. It has that neighborhood bar feel, which is really nice nowadays. There is 6 pool tables and there is plenty of room to shoot and have fun. The lady that was bartending was very nice and all of the people that were in there, on a Monday night, were really friendly!“

“Try the Seltzery! Our favorite choice of drinks are the pina colada and blueberry margarita. The staff is incredible, ambiance is chill but poppy, and the place is so modern, our fav place in Louisville for a drink. Also - bring your dog with you inside or outside!“

“hate to leave a bad review but was disappointed in the food. the filet was just ok...not very tender...no sides came with it and for 59 thats ridiculous. The calamari was really good but could have came with a dipping sauce..we had to ask for one. The mushrooms were overcooked and too salty. The salads weren't big at all. The lump crab came in a tiny metal ramekin and it was salty as well and wasn't lump at all..it was shredded. Presentation on a lump crab shouldn't be served this way in such a fancy restaurant. on a positive note...the manager was very professional and they took care of the whole bill plus gave us dessert. I just want to leave this as constructive criticism for them so hopefully they improve the quality and quantity of their food for people paying high dollar. Maybe the chef was overwhelmed or having a bad night not sure. The environment was nice...gorgeous view. Just think there's a lot of changes that should be made to get a higher rating.“

“Porch was a fantastic spot for a nice dinner while we were visiting Louisville for the Derby. We had the short ribs and Mac n cheese and both were fantastic. Our server Josh was friendly and helpful. We also loved the vibe and decor of the place. Would love to go back !“

“Oh the tacos. These gems are but one reason to visit Merle's. (Try the green chilli btw and you can thank me later.). The beer selection is pretty meek, but the live entertainment really adds to the scene, unless you are right near the stage. Open windows make the atmosphere lively. A great place to go before a concert at Yum Center. Highly recommend.“