45 Best Cocktail Bars in Lexington

“The four of us shared focaccia, tallow fries, and one order of crispy potatoes was not enough, so we ordered a second 😂 My Alaskan-raised husband was so happy with the halibut and I enjoyed the fiori so much.
The atmosphere is amazing, definitely something new that Lexington has been needing.
We had a great server with great recommendations and she was very knowledgeable.

Parking: Mall parking“

“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!“

“We hosted a friends wedding shower here on a Saturday afternoon and it was the PERFECT venue for our party! It was spacious yet intimate, the decor is elegant, and the drinks are fantastic and reasonably priced. The manager/owner was easy to work and communicate with. We ordered charcuterie boards from the restaurant for snacking and brought our own desserts. Highly recommend Georgie’s for an event like this.“

“Visited for lunch.There's a pizza bigger than your face! So,When you enter the store, the first thing you notice is a stylish space filled with lots of whiskey?This looks like a bar counter.There were people drinking even during the day.When you go to the back, there is a pizza area where you can choose the pizzas lined up in the showcase and order.Is the price probably the same? So, when you set it,Salad, drink, and pizza were 10$ each!It's very big so it's cheap!The atmosphere inside the store is very nice, but I don't understand English.I couldn't hear it at all because of the background music in the store, so what kind of salad was it? orWhat type of dressing? I'm sorry that I couldn't understand you when you asked me For drinks, you could choose between a take-out cup (black one) or an in-store cup (red one).After receiving the cup, it is an American style system where you go to the next one yourself.The taste is delicious, there is nature outside, and there is a bonfire.It was a great space!“

“Popped in on the recommendation of two locals and they were right. Glad I listened. I happened to meet the manager when I got on the elevator. Super nice guy.

The atmosphere and decor is awesome. There are spaces for groups and intimate spaces for couples.

The staff were all great and really nice. The hostess was helpful getting me the table I wanted and the waitstaff are fantastic.

The food was great too. I'll go back the next time in Lexington.“

“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.“

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

“We ate for the first time at the Andover location and had the best meal we’ve had in a long time. Service was excellent. We both had the chopped wedge salad, wagyu burger, broccoli topped with smoked Gouda sauce, macaroni with smoked Gouda, and shared a slice of peanut butter pie. Every bit of our meal was amazing! We can’t wait to go back and try something else on the menu.“

“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“

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

“absolutely delicious! so many options and wonderful service!“

“I went to Belle’s for my birthday and was extremely impressed with their 10 dollar pours of Well Full Proof barrel select and received excellent service from the bartender downstairs, however I was not impressed when I realized I had been double charged for my drinks. I opened a tab with my card and closed out with cash (with a handsome tip) as I always do, yet my card was still charged. I contacted Belle’s facebook page and they issued a refund same day! Top notch customer service all the way around, hope there’s more Weller left when I come back tomorrow! Thank you“

“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!!“

“The BEST Mexican food I’ve had since visiting Mexico. Truly authentic flavor and dishes. Plus the clean dining area and bar makes for a phenomenal experience!“

“We started out with Dudley Eggs, fav appetizer to share. Then both enjoyed the spinach and berry salad, added the grilled salmon. Superb. Wrapped our girl's brunch with the stuffed French toast, festive option for dessert. Lovely meal, helpful staff.“

“This was the BEST dining experience we've had in Lexington in a long time! The crab cake was the best we've ever had! The lamb was divine and the filet was grilled to perfection! It is our new favorite and we'll definitely be coming back next trip!“

“We found this place while on a road trip from Indiana. We will make it a point to visit when we are in the area again. Top notch service and amazing food!!! Highly recommend!!!!“

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

“The girls and I visited Harvey's over the weekend. We came fairly early (5pm) hoping to get parking and a seat in the bar for all of us -- it was already busy with one lonely seat available. Nevertheless, the crowd was coming and going quickly enough to snag good seats without a lot of waiting. The drinks were delicious and well prepared, and our bartender, Erin, was lovely to work with. She made us a finale drink that she called an Andes Mint Martini that was really yummy and perfect for the holiday season. Other drinks we had were Elwood's Old Fashioned, Tequila Mockingbird, a Cosmo, and the Nate-spresso Martini. All were delicious! There's also a charcuterie station in the back that prepared a beautiful spread of meats, cheeses, fruit, nuts, and sweet and savory condiments, and worth the $65 to feed our group. If you haven't visited Harvey's yet, don't wait!“

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

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

“I absolutely love El Jefe’s💙 The staff are always so friendly. At this point we are weekly or biweekly visitors and are always greeted with a smile. I highly recommend there buy two for the price of one margaritas if you’re a margarita drinker😍. They have several different flavors and will custom them to the flavors you like. The food always comes out hot and always so flavorful. If you are new to Lexington I highly recommend.“

“Every Thursday, I make it a point to visit Bluegrass Tavern, and it’s consistently the highlight of my week. From the moment I walk in, I feel right at home. The true star of the night is Jordan, the bartender. Jordan's friendly demeanor and engaging conversations make the experience truly special. The rest of the staff are equally fantastic. They are attentive, courteous, and always go above and beyond to ensure every guest feels valued. Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy a fantastic evening out!“

“Great Place! Friendly people and terrific bartender!“

“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“

“This was my first time going. You get so much food for such a good price! Very tasteful vey full of flavor and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg! Go give it a try you won’t regret it!!!“

“New guest today and all I can say is Do NOT deprive yourself from checking this place out! All GF options and soooo very YUMMY! Their house sauce is amazing their house made ranch- VEGAN and AHHHHMAZING!!! RUN don't walk - you'll thank me later! The Hot chicken basket?!? CHEFS KISS 💋 ALSO - service was SUPERB!!“

“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.“

“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.“

“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“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“We stopped in here for a quick bite in between distillery tours. The service at the tables was ok. The bartender was great. The food came out super quickly and was perfect. The textures and flavors were unique and amazing. I tried the fried avocado, the birria tacos, the pork belly taco, and the corn. Not a single bad thing. Highly recommend this spot for something delicious and quick.“

“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.“

“We went for a late lunch so it was not too busy. The atmosphere of the restaurant was great. I loved the industrial feel. We went to the kitchen to order and the service was a bit transactional. We sat at the bar and I was glad that the bar staff was a lot more friendly and personable than the cook staff. We ordered the Old North Double Burger and the Chicken Fajita Quesadilla. Both were really good but expensive. No sides were included with the entrees. We also purchased two drinks. Prices were not listed for drinks and with one cocktail and one beer it was $22.“

“What a pleasant surprise to find this place right off the highway; I liked the food and the vibe (leather booths and copper accents). We enjoyed the Trifecta appetizer combo, sliders, and the burger. Jonathan took good care of us. Very reasonable prices too. We’ll be back!“

“Dan is excellent! Super friendly and great server! 10 stars for him. These are not the best tacos I’ve ever had, but what do you expect in an airport? They were still pretty decent and had a good amount of meat on them to be filling with just two. The chips were really good! Service was fast which is great especially when trying to catch a fight. Placed our order at 4:40 PM and got our food at 4:45 PM. Lots of gluten free options for those with allergies. Overall very pleased!

Dietary restrictions: Gluten Free“

“Great Food and Friendly Service“

“Delicious. Excellent service. We will definitely be back!!“

“great service. friendly staff“