13 Best Cocktail Bars in Louisville

“Great intimate vibe. As soon as we sat down, we were greeted with waters and menus. The housemade chex mix was a great touch. The bartender was very kind and attentive and talked through the cocktails with us until we found a drink that seemed perfect. Each cocktail we perfectly executed and so tasty! Went with a group of friends and would definitely recommend a reservation for a larger party to make sure you are all seated together. Can't wait to go back for a date night.“

“Mmmmmmmmm barrel strength bourbon“

“It's rare that we have a date night on a weekday with two young children, but tonight was the exception. When I realized our anniversary was falling on a Wednesday, Perso was the first place that came to mind. Perso's Prix Fixe Menú is available every Sunday through Wednesday and offers a three course meal for $29. It's no secret that I'm a fine dining enthusiast; but who doesn't love a bargain? If you're looking for a nice night out without breaking the bank, this is your spot. Perso sits at the corner of Oak and Shelby in the same location as the former Square Cut Pizza. The giant windows in the front provide an abundance of natural light. The interior has a modern industrial vibe with painted exposed brick, plants, and Edison bulbs hanging on pendants. One wall with wooden slats gives a Scandinavian feel to the main dining area. It's a small-ish intimate space with a beautiful patio. For my first course, I chose Crostino Di Tonno- olive oil poached tuna, stracciatella, pickled celery, and Calabrian chili. I followed my first course with olive oil poached swordfish, corn chowder, and golden zucchini scapece. For dessert, I had the chef's choice: apple strudel with whipped cream cheese. My husband chose heirloom tomato with roasted eggplant, bagna couda, and fine herbs. For his main course, he had pork tenderloin with edamame, beef dashi, and fine herbs. We both opted for the chef's choice for dessert. I tasted each of his courses and they were every bit as delicious as my own. The edamame provided the perfect texture and his tenderloin dashi tasted gravy-esque without being overly heavy. Mostly notable, besides the insane deal for such decadence, was the fresh flavor combinations throughout. Our table had fresh rosemary as a centerpiece. The corn chowder was right up my alley. I could've licked my bowl if I wasn't trying to pretend to have a bit of class. The swordfish was tender, juicy, and not overly fishy. The tuna flatbread was the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. The mint on top of my whipped cream cheese truly set it apart. My lavender Manhattan was earthy and smoky, not just in flavor. It was literally smoking. My husband had an old-fashioned. Neither of us were disappointed. Our server, Amanda, was phenomenal. She offered recommendations. She visited our table to ensure we were satisfied the perfect number of times. Her warm demeanor was professional while also being personable. She was everything we hope for in a server. Perso's Sunday through Wednesday Prix Fixe Menú is hands-down one of the best opportunities for an affordable night out. That being said, once you get a taste of what they have to offer, you'll be sold on splurging any day of the week.“

“This is the first time my partner and I have been to Louisville and we decided to stop by Meta. If you too decide to stop by you'll be met with a warm and friendly atmosphere. The bartenders were so chill and willing to work with us to get our drinks just how we'd like them. Nataleigh and Khryss were super awesome and made my partner and I feel so welcome! Thank you guys so much for making our time in Louisville that much better! We hope to see you again next time we visit!“

“Bar Genevieve in Louisville offers a charming, intimate setting with a thoughtfully curated cocktail menu. The ambiance is cozy and inviting, perfect for a relaxed evening out. Their inventive drinks, paired with excellent service, make for a memorable experience. A hidden gem for cocktail lovers in the city.“

“Epiphany is what this urban farmers' dreams are made of! It's about time there is an OUT OF THIS WORLD Farm to table libation bar (with a solid alcohol free menu)!!! Pick up farm fresh eggs, order a Farm to table libation, and the most delicious bites plates on could imagine! The assorted pickles are far out - try em'! Oh, and one MUST NOT forget about the white chocolate mousse - my lawd. I am now a fan of mousse! Beautiful art is available for adoption on the walls. And you can not go wrong with any of the libations. The flight is a STEAL! I can not remember the cocktail names ordered, but one was cherry focused. While the other is made with turmeric greens and gin. De-lish-must! I mean it. Go. Now!!!!“

“26 votesOpenTable4.8/5613 reviews Google review summary 54321 4.7 (617) Reviews All Service Meal Price bartender35 boudin27 barrel21 speakeasy20 +6 Sort by Most relevant Newest Highest Lowest  Tommy Wright 25 reviews·5 photos Dine in | Dinner | $30–50 A Culinary Journey Like No Other From start to finish, this restaurant provided an unforgettable dining … More     +2  Tabatha Dearman Local Guide·145 reviews·160 photos a month ago Dine in | Lunch | $20–30 North of Bourbon is a fabulous little fine dining restaurant and bar in the heart of Louisville. We had a family destination Christmas with travelers from Michigan and Mississippi and were excited to find this restaurant. The menus and the … More     +9  Alli Neireiter 14 reviews·27 photos 3 months ago Dine in | Dinner | $50–100 Update - I would like to address the response from management. I never called your establishment. I did my reservation through open table online. So there was NO conversation with you all about being full and I certainly did no decline … More     +5 2  North of Bourbon (Owner) 4 months ago Hi Alli, Thank you for your feedback. We take all reviews seriously, and yours is no exception. We have reviewed your comments with our team to ensure accuracy and to identify areas for improvement. According to our records, we seated you at 6:45 p.m., and the check was closed out at 8:47 p.m., which aligns with the standard two-hour window we strive to provide all guests to enjoy their dining experience, even during busy evening hours. When you called for your reservation, our staff informed you that we were fully booked inside and offered seating at the bar, which you declined. You opted for outdoor seating instead. While we do our best to make our outdoor space as comfortable as possible within the confines of Goss Ave, factors like foot traffic and noise are unfortunately beyond our control. We have not received previous complaints about joggers and certainly not 30 joggers, nor have we had any complaints about the outdoor lighting, which was carefully considered when designing the space. We sincerely apologize for missing the late complimentary champagne toast. It’s unacceptable that it arrived so late in your meal, and we are addressing this internally to ensure it does not happen again. Your comments regarding the food have also been shared with our kitchen team for review and improvement. Our goal is always to provide a memorable dining experience for every guest, and we are sorry that you felt like we didn’t meet your expectations.  Brittany Buckner Local Guide·13 reviews·21 photos 2 months ago Dine in | Dinner | $50–100 I went in a group of 6 on a Saturday evening. The service was absolutely phenomenal. Our server, Stephanie, was very friendly and did an incredible description of the dishes we asked about. We had all of the following: raw oysters, baked … More                  Reserve a table Tommy Wright 25 reviews·5 photos 4 days ago New Dine in | Dinner | $30–50 A Culinary Journey Like No Other From start to finish, this restaurant provided an unforgettable dining experience. We began with an appetizer featuring a beautiful selection of raw and cooked oysters, each one more delightful than the last. The raw oysters were fresh, briny, and perfectly chilled, with a subtle sweetness that made them irresistible. The cooked oysters were equally impressive, rich with flavor and topped with a delicate balance of seasonings that elevated the natural taste of the seafood. Opting for the chef’s choice for the entire meal was an inspired decision. Each course was thoughtfully curated, highlighting seasonal ingredients and creative pairings. The dishes were a perfect balance of flavors, textures, and presentations, keeping our palates intrigued and satisfied throughout the meal. The main courses continued the trend of excellence, with each dish showing a deep understanding of flavor combinations and culinary technique. From the perfect“

“Me and my girlfriend went here on a Friday night it was exceptional. some of the best food we've both had in our entire lives I had the lamb chops my girlfriend she had the duck it was phenomenal. fairly expensive, but you definitely get what you pay for here. My only caveat was it was a little too loud for us to talk without raising our voice due to it being busy .“

“While I recognize and appreciate good bourbon, I can’t get away from my favorite spirit, mezcal. I live in a control state where only like 10-15 mezcals are sold in the state controlled liquor stores….statewide. Anytime I go out of state to non-control states or out of the country, I always make a point to find the stores and bar/restaurants that have the best mezcal. Pretty Decent did not disappoint. Service and atmosphere were great. Mezcal selection was unsurpassed outside of Mexico or major metropolitans ie DC, NYC, Chicago. Service was commendable, friendly and warm. Wish I had more time and money to spend. Cannot emphasize enough that mezcal selection was amazing.

Parking was on the street. There is a plant shop in the front. Food is limited, but it was good.

Parking: Street parking was all I could find. It was a Thursday night so not sure how it is otherwise.“

“Beautiful art deco style bar. Unique drinks. Service was excellent. 5/5“

“Fun times in the hidden speakeasy“

“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!“

“Great place for events/parties. The tour guide was funny and informative. As a bourbon drinker, I was surprised how much their brandy tasted like bourbon! 10 out of 10, I would definitely go back!

Parking: Free Parking after 5pm across the street.“