Just how many excuses do you really need to do a little poking around in the Bluegrass? There’s the horse farms, the distilleries, plenty of good food all set in Kentucky’s natural beauty and with a healthy dose of southern hospitality. Then there are those places, unique to Kentucky, where you can belly up and sample some of the area’s finest bourbon or maybe a beer from another part of the world or, one crafted just down the road alongside some tasty munchies.
The Old Seelbach Bar, Louisville – Set in the lavish confines of downtown Louisville’s Seelbach Hotel, the Old Seelbach Bar is all about a more glamorous time in our nation’s history; before shorts and white tennis shoes became the dress code of the majority of the populous. It’s one of the places to drink bourbon in Kentucky and there’s that feeling that F. Scott and Zelda could walk in at any moment. If fine wood and leather along with live jazz is up your alley, this is your place.
The Irish Rover, LaGrange – There are actually two Rovers, one in Louisville and another in nearby LaGrange. Both are full of authentic Irish character and great pub grub but, the small town feel of the LaGrange bar is truly special. The menu, especially the seafood, is way better than average for bar food and the Guinness just seems to taste better at The Rover.
Grey Goose, Midway – A few horse farms west of Lexington is the small charmer of a town called Midway and nestled among downtown’s shoppes and restaurants is The Grey Goose. Like the Irish Rover, there are two Gooses, the other one located in Lexington and, like the Rover, both are great hangouts but, staying with my small town charm theme, the Midway Goose is my choice. You’ll like it too if you have a taste for a nice friendly neighborhood atmosphere, a fine selection of drought beer (Bell’s, Guinness, Smithwick’s) and excellent New York style pizza.
Cheapside Bar and Grille, Lexington – Cheapside has been a downtown Lexington landmark for a long, long time and for good reason, it’s what it’s all about when it comes to a neighborhood hangout. This aged to perfection gem has good eats along with decently priced adult beverages and an outdoor patio adds a dose of charm in the warm weather months.
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg – OK, technically Shaker Village isn’t a pub but, thanks to a fairly recent ordinance change, you can now order alcohol with your meal at the Trustee’s Dining Room or the Winter Kitchen during the colder part of the year. What better place could there be to enjoy a nice Kentucky Bourbon or Kentucky Ale than in the middle of the remote and bucolic surroundings of Pleasant Hill and, you can stay overnight to further enhance the experience. I’m hoping that, in the future, there might be a tasteful bar added to the dining areas.