The 15 Best Bourbon Bars In Louisville To Take Your Out-Of-Town Friends

The Urban Bourbon Trail

The Urban Bourbon Trail is the starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and a cocktail and culinary experience exploring Louisville’s finest and most beloved bourbon bars. There are about 50 stops along the trail and no matter where you go, you’ll be awed by their bourbon selection. From distilleries like Angel’s Envy to restaurants serving the priciest Pappy Van Winkle you can find, there’s something for everyone along the Bourbon Trail.

Watch Hill Proper

11201 River Beauty Loop
For those who enjoy whiskey, but also want an elevated dinner, Watch Hill Proper is the place for you! They have a large whiskey selection, with traditional and proper options, with basically any of your favorite bourbons. Their dinner menu includes mouth watering selections, such as wild mushroom risotto, torched king salmon, and the ever-classic beef-tenderloin. Watch Hill Proper has regular events, such as bourbon-tastings, and bring-your-own cigar smoke-easy nights.

Gertie’s Whiskey Bar

821 E Market St Suite 101
Gertie’s Whiskey Bar offers a dimly lit, intimate space, perfect for a romantic date night or a relaxed night out with friends. If you’re a history buff, you can go downstairs and step into their prohibition-era inspired speakeasy, complete with vintage furniture, cozy seating and specialty drinks that pay homage to the era.

Bourbons Bistro

2255 Frankfort Ave.
From crazy offerings like 100-year-old whiskey to accessible favorites like Jack Daniel’s, Bourbons Bistro is for everyone! You get the option to sit-down and enjoy delicious meals like sweet potato gnocchi and juicy burgers in their comfy, down to earth restaurant, or pick up your food and a cocktail or two to take home.

Trouble Bar

1149 S Shelby St.
Trouble Bar is a woman-owned, queer safe-space, and dog friendly bourbon bar, perfect for a relaxed, warm and convivial experience. Their large, industrial windows look out onto Shelby Street’s beautiful murals, so it’s perfect for all your social media posting needs as well!

North of Bourbon

935 Goss Ave
Ever wanted to try an elevated mix of New Orleans, Louisville and Kentucky bourbon in a warm and friendly atmosphere? That’s what North of Bourbon has to offer. In addition to their 300+ option bourbon selection, they offer an inspired lunch and dinner menu based on your favorite New Orleans flavors, created by their James Beard Award Nominee chef, Chef Lawrence Weeks

CASK

9980 Linn Station Rd.
Want to make your bourbon excursion a kid-friendly outing? CASK can help with that! In addition to their regular menu of southern-inspired foods, they have some kid-friendly and kid-priced options. They also have a reasonably priced cocktail menu, so you won’t have to break the bank to have a fun evening out!

Down One Bourbon Bar

321 W Main St.
As they say at Down One Bourbon Bar— “what tacos can’t fix, whiskey will.” Conveniently, at Down One, you can get both at the same time! Another downtown bar located near the YUM! Center, Down One Bourbon Bar is perfect for a concert pre-game or for a fun lunch with your friends. Their tacos are served fresh and quick, making it perfect for when you’re running just a little behind and need something to scratch your taco and bourbon itch.

Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar

West Tower, 140 N Fourth St. 2nd Floor
You probably already know about the Galt House, but do you know about Jockey Silks Bourbon bar located inside? Here you can order an assortment of Jim Beam, Four Roses, Buffalo Trace and more, alongside high-end, refined versions of traditional bar eats! If you’re in the mood for something rare, they have you covered as well, with selections such as Pappy Vanwinkle 12 year and Elijah Craig 23 year. Jockey Silks is the perfect stop if you’re in the mood for some Bourbon during your Downtown Louisville adventures.

Neat

1139 Bardstown Rd.
Neat boasts National Geographic’s assessment as “#1 Bourbon Bar in America” and as a great place to go if you’re a beginner to American whiskey. It’s no wonder— Neat is the start of the Bourbon Trail. At Neat, you can learn about the history of Bourbon and Louisville in an intimate space, with an affordable bourbon and cocktail selection.

Proof on Main

702 W Main St.
Proof on Main is an eclectic restaurant and bourbon experience that promises to be a love letter to Kentucky’s Appalachian cuisine and whiskey tradition. It’s great for art lovers— Proof on Main’s walls are a rotating art exhibit featuring contemporary art. Here you can feast your mouth AND your eyes!

Seven

815 E Market St Suite 100
Perfect for your NULU adventures, Seven offers an elegant atmosphere and a top-shelf selection of bourbons and a variety of original and delicious cocktails. Hospitality is their focus, so if you’re new to Louisville’s bourbon culture, their attentive and knowledgeable staff will be sure to help you find your perfect drink.

Silver Dollar

1761 Frankfort Ave
Like your Kentucky whiskey with a side of honky tonk music? Silver Dollar has your back. Silver Dollar pays homage to 1950s Bakersfield grit, with a brunch and dinner menu that is a modern retelling of traditional working-class food southern American migrants in California would have eaten, with delicious empanadas and pulled pork. Their aptly named cocktails, such as Rough and Ready, and Goldrush, are made with your favorite bourbons: Maker’s Mark, Old Forester, and more!

Taste Fine Wine & Bourbon

634 E Market St.
Taste Fine Wine & Bourbon is perfect if you want a relaxed environment to explore small case, lesser known wines and bourbons. Their wine and bourbon tasting menu changes weekly, and they have nearly 400 bourbons and whiskeys available, so you can always discover something new!

Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen

122 W Main St.
Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen is the perfect stop to pre-game your YUM! Center concerts! Open two hours before most YUM! shows, this Whiskey Row bourbon bar is bound to delight you with its traditional western whiskey hall feel. Not only do they get southern cuisine and cocktails right, but they get music right, too! They host music events every weekend, so you can toe-tap while you sip on your Jim Bean and munch on your whiskey wings.