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Eater Louisville Heatmap: Where To Drink Right Now

by Zach Everson
3 comments / new
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by Zach Everson
3 comments / new

The question is a common one, but during Derby week, it's louder than a bugle blowing the call to post in your ear: where should I drink right now? Drinking connoisseurs (as opposed to flat-out alcoholics, or maybe just in addition to them), want to know what's new, what bar has the latest craft beer, which mixologist just devloped a new concoction. Thus, we offer the Eater Drinkin' Heatmap, which will change to highlight where the Louisville booze aficionados are flocking to at the moment. (These spots are listed not by rank, but in the order in which this editor got around to finishing their descriptions.)


·The Eater Louisville Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now [~ELOU~]
·Louisville's Brunch Heatmap [~ELOU~]

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Holy Grale

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With a connoisseur's selection of 26 regularly changing drafts, this converted Unitarian church is the city's go-to spot for beer.
1034 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 459-9939
(502) 459-9939

The Silver Dollar

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GQ just named this Bakersfield-influenced juke joint one of the "Ten Best Whiskey Bars in America."
1761 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 259-9540
(502) 259-9540

Proof on Main

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If you're seeing giant penguins, it's not because Proof's craft cocktails or deep wine list got you Billy Madison-level drunk; they're part of the art. Also, the current installation's topless photos mean no reason to rush home for nudie magazine day.
702 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 217-6360
(502) 217-6360

St. Charles Exchange

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The confidence of bar master Colin Shearn: Grubstreet New York includes its Divine Lorraine in in an article on "outstanding drinks from all 50 states and he releases a new cocktail menu where its not even listed.
113 S. 7th Street, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 618-1917
(502) 618-1917

Big Bar

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The crowds here make you wonder how the Highlands of all neighborhoods was without a hip gay bar for so long.
1202 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 618-2237
(502) 618-2237

Garage Bar

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This upscale pizza joint attracts a crowd regardless of the weather, but when it's warm and the garage doors are open, it's the hottest drinking spot in the city's hottest neighborhood.
700 East Market Street, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 749-7100
(502) 749-7100

Four Pegs Beer Lounge

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Germantown is synonymous with beer, and this 2011 opening is quickly becoming synonymous with Germantown.
1053 Goss Ave, Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 634-1447
(502) 634-1447

Down One Bourbon Bar

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Opened for just two months, this downtown spot has more than 100 bourbons, sorted by age: first generation (1792 to Prohibition), second generation (post-Prohibition to 1980) and the modern era (1981 to today).
321 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 566-3258
(502) 566-3258

Against The Grain Brewery

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Never mind the "Where do chef's eat?" question: you want to know where they drink. And that's at this brewpub.
401 East Main St, Louisville, KY
(502) 515-0174
(502) 515-0174

Louisville Beer Store

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Sample a flight or two from its eight rotating taps before picking up an assortment of bottles for your hotel room (or to smuggle into Churchill Downs in your brassiere).
746 E. Market St., Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 569-2337
(502) 569-2337

Sergio's World Beers

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Think you're an expert on beers? Hit the tasting bar, chat up Sergio and find out otherwise.
1605 Story Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 618-2337
(502) 618-2337

Churchill Downs

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Any other week, the Twin Spires doesn't make this list. But with 120,000 mint juleps, 40,000 Oaks lilies, and 425,000 cans of beer about to be served this weekend, it's as much of a lock as a win bet on a pony in a one-horse race.
700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40214
(502) 636-4400
(502) 636-4400

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Holy Grale

1034 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40204
With a connoisseur's selection of 26 regularly changing drafts, this converted Unitarian church is the city's go-to spot for beer.
1034 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 459-9939
(502) 459-9939

The Silver Dollar

1761 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206
GQ just named this Bakersfield-influenced juke joint one of the "Ten Best Whiskey Bars in America."
1761 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 259-9540
(502) 259-9540

Proof on Main

702 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
If you're seeing giant penguins, it's not because Proof's craft cocktails or deep wine list got you Billy Madison-level drunk; they're part of the art. Also, the current installation's topless photos mean no reason to rush home for nudie magazine day.
702 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 217-6360
(502) 217-6360

St. Charles Exchange

113 S. 7th Street, Louisville, KY 40202
The confidence of bar master Colin Shearn: Grubstreet New York includes its Divine Lorraine in in an article on "outstanding drinks from all 50 states and he releases a new cocktail menu where its not even listed.
113 S. 7th Street, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 618-1917
(502) 618-1917

Big Bar

1202 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40204
The crowds here make you wonder how the Highlands of all neighborhoods was without a hip gay bar for so long.
1202 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 618-2237
(502) 618-2237

Garage Bar

700 East Market Street, Louisville, KY 40202
This upscale pizza joint attracts a crowd regardless of the weather, but when it's warm and the garage doors are open, it's the hottest drinking spot in the city's hottest neighborhood.
700 East Market Street, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 749-7100
(502) 749-7100

Four Pegs Beer Lounge

1053 Goss Ave, Louisville, KY 40217
Germantown is synonymous with beer, and this 2011 opening is quickly becoming synonymous with Germantown.
1053 Goss Ave, Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 634-1447
(502) 634-1447

Down One Bourbon Bar

321 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Opened for just two months, this downtown spot has more than 100 bourbons, sorted by age: first generation (1792 to Prohibition), second generation (post-Prohibition to 1980) and the modern era (1981 to today).
321 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 566-3258
(502) 566-3258

Against The Grain Brewery

401 East Main St, Louisville, KY
Never mind the "Where do chef's eat?" question: you want to know where they drink. And that's at this brewpub.
401 East Main St, Louisville, KY
(502) 515-0174
(502) 515-0174

Louisville Beer Store

746 E. Market St., Louisville, KY 40202
Sample a flight or two from its eight rotating taps before picking up an assortment of bottles for your hotel room (or to smuggle into Churchill Downs in your brassiere).
746 E. Market St., Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 569-2337
(502) 569-2337

Sergio's World Beers

1605 Story Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
Think you're an expert on beers? Hit the tasting bar, chat up Sergio and find out otherwise.
1605 Story Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 618-2337
(502) 618-2337

Churchill Downs

700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40214
Any other week, the Twin Spires doesn't make this list. But with 120,000 mint juleps, 40,000 Oaks lilies, and 425,000 cans of beer about to be served this weekend, it's as much of a lock as a win bet on a pony in a one-horse race.
700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40214
(502) 636-4400
(502) 636-4400