clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Find A Derbytime Drinking Place In Louisville

View as Map

With a long tradition including various ways to dodge around Prohibition, Louisville maintains many, many fine bars and restaurants happy to serve up a beer or cocktail in just about any part of town. As we expect both locals and visitors may be looking for a libation, Eater has assembled a cross-section of high, low and in-between spots that serve adult beverages around the city. Drink responsibly, and have a happy Derby!


Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Proof on Main

Copy Link
There's a limo covered in glitter outside, "exploding seagulls" in the restaurant and an apple-offering Pan perched on the corner of the bar. Even without the delicious craft cocktails, it's like you're already drunk.

St. Charles Exchange

Copy Link
The monumental bar at St. Charles Exchange has to be at least 18 feet high and probably twice as long. This ebony, booze-bedecked behemoth, along with leather-padded chairs and benches and some amazingly tall mid-19th- century windows make this an exceptional place to enjoy a craft cocktail. Fortunately, St. Charles Exchange offers plenty.
This penny-floored, posh-wallpapered cocktail emporium occupies what was formerly a speakeasy, then a strip club, and continues the clubby, somewhat salacious traditions of both.

Down One Bourbon Bar

Copy Link
This downtown spot has more than 100 bourbons, sorted "first generation" (1792 to Prohibition), "second generation" (post-Prohibition to 1980) and "the modern era" (1981 to today). It's fun for the whole (legal drinking age) family!

Wild Rita's Mexican & Tequila Bar

Copy Link
This recently opened restaurant/tequila dispensary from the inventors of Wild Eggs has over 100 different tequilas along with Mexcian-inspired dishes and something called a "were-jaguar."

Against The Grain Brewery

Copy Link
Craft beer, Bloody Marys and bacon on a stick, all housed adjacent to a beautiful ball park. Definitely not the worst place in the world to enjoy a drink.

Garage Bar

Copy Link
This hip/posh pizza joint attracts a crowd regardless of the weather, but when it's warm and the garage doors are open, it's one of the hottest drinking spots in one of the city's hottest neighborhoods.

Louisville Beer Store

Copy Link
Eight rotating taps, a huge number of bottled beers on hand. Drink in, take out or just stand there and marvel at the amount of beers in the world.

The Cure Lounge

Copy Link
This Schitzelburg stop says it's "simply elegant with a generous dose of edge" and offers a "full bar...food menu...goodtimes!"

Four Pegs Beer Lounge

Copy Link
This Germantown "beer lounge and social eatery" has many fans, both for its selection of craft beers and its chicken and waffle sandwiches.

Sergio's World Beers

Copy Link
Think you're an expert on beers? Hit the tasting bar, chat up Sergio and find out otherwise. The place may seem kind of dive-y, but it does have a world of beers, and it's almost never closed.

The Silver Dollar

Copy Link
GQ named this Bakersfield-influenced juke joint one of the "Ten Best Whiskey Bars in America." As the crowds show, many locals agree.

Holy Grale

Copy Link
With a connoisseur's selection of 26 regularly changing drafts, this converted Unitarian church is a welcome home for those who worship beer.

Big Bar

Copy Link
Small space, sort of gay, but mostly a comfortable, cozy neighborhood bar that welcomes everyone.

El Camino

Copy Link
This surf punk/tiki bar mashup has creative drinks, a great outdoor patio and some the city's best Mexican cuisine.

Great Flood Brewing Company

Copy Link
A rotating menu of eight beers on tap, with at least four brewed in house at this Bardstown Road establishment. Enjoy the art while sipping a cold one.

Proof on Main

There's a limo covered in glitter outside, "exploding seagulls" in the restaurant and an apple-offering Pan perched on the corner of the bar. Even without the delicious craft cocktails, it's like you're already drunk.

St. Charles Exchange

The monumental bar at St. Charles Exchange has to be at least 18 feet high and probably twice as long. This ebony, booze-bedecked behemoth, along with leather-padded chairs and benches and some amazingly tall mid-19th- century windows make this an exceptional place to enjoy a craft cocktail. Fortunately, St. Charles Exchange offers plenty.

Meta

This penny-floored, posh-wallpapered cocktail emporium occupies what was formerly a speakeasy, then a strip club, and continues the clubby, somewhat salacious traditions of both.

Down One Bourbon Bar

This downtown spot has more than 100 bourbons, sorted "first generation" (1792 to Prohibition), "second generation" (post-Prohibition to 1980) and "the modern era" (1981 to today). It's fun for the whole (legal drinking age) family!

Wild Rita's Mexican & Tequila Bar

This recently opened restaurant/tequila dispensary from the inventors of Wild Eggs has over 100 different tequilas along with Mexcian-inspired dishes and something called a "were-jaguar."

Against The Grain Brewery

Craft beer, Bloody Marys and bacon on a stick, all housed adjacent to a beautiful ball park. Definitely not the worst place in the world to enjoy a drink.

Garage Bar

This hip/posh pizza joint attracts a crowd regardless of the weather, but when it's warm and the garage doors are open, it's one of the hottest drinking spots in one of the city's hottest neighborhoods.

Louisville Beer Store

Eight rotating taps, a huge number of bottled beers on hand. Drink in, take out or just stand there and marvel at the amount of beers in the world.

The Cure Lounge

This Schitzelburg stop says it's "simply elegant with a generous dose of edge" and offers a "full bar...food menu...goodtimes!"

Four Pegs Beer Lounge

This Germantown "beer lounge and social eatery" has many fans, both for its selection of craft beers and its chicken and waffle sandwiches.

Sergio's World Beers

Think you're an expert on beers? Hit the tasting bar, chat up Sergio and find out otherwise. The place may seem kind of dive-y, but it does have a world of beers, and it's almost never closed.

The Silver Dollar

GQ named this Bakersfield-influenced juke joint one of the "Ten Best Whiskey Bars in America." As the crowds show, many locals agree.

Holy Grale

With a connoisseur's selection of 26 regularly changing drafts, this converted Unitarian church is a welcome home for those who worship beer.

Big Bar

Small space, sort of gay, but mostly a comfortable, cozy neighborhood bar that welcomes everyone.

El Camino

This surf punk/tiki bar mashup has creative drinks, a great outdoor patio and some the city's best Mexican cuisine.

Great Flood Brewing Company

A rotating menu of eight beers on tap, with at least four brewed in house at this Bardstown Road establishment. Enjoy the art while sipping a cold one.