Must-see nightlife in Kentucky

  • Holy Grale

    Louisville

    One of Louisville's best bars is housed in an old church, with a menu of funked-up pub grub (gourmet Belgian frites, green curry mussels, short rib…

  • Mr Lee's

    Louisville

    Germantown's craft cocktail anchor is this satisfyingly retro establishment that serves a small but serious list of tipples. The semicircular red leather…

  • Monnik Beer Co

    Louisville

    Megapopular Monnik is in up-and-coming Schnitzelburg. There are 20 taps – the IPA stands out – in this restrained hipster environment where the beer isn't…

  • Old Talbott Tavern

    Kentucky

    The dim limestone environs of the Old Talbott Tavern have been welcoming guests like Abraham Lincoln and Daniel Boone since the late 1700s. It was a…

  • Gravely Brewing Co

    Louisville

    A favorite of beer connoisseurs, Gravely has a groovy music vibe with vintage amps, turntables and tape-to-tape reels decorating the bar. Well-informed…

  • Paducah Beer Werks

    Kentucky

    Housed in Paducah's old bus terminal, the brewery's decor still retains some of the original signage, along with corrugated metal walls and a metal bar…

  • White Squirrel Brewery

    Kentucky

    Join a rotating cast of locals at the small, friendly Squirrel for the house kolsch, pale ale and seasonal brews. Groovy paintings and tree-like…

  • Louisville Beer Store

    Louisville

    While arguably Kentucky's most coveted specialty craft beer shop, this small NuLu store is also a good place to duck in for a quick sip from its eight in…

  • Juniper Room

    Kentucky

    The 1852 Smedley-Yeiser house in Lower Town makes a charming backdrop for the Juniper Room’s craft cocktails. Swirling a beverage in vintage glassware in…

  • Alex&nder

    Louisville

    Dapper Alex&nder unfurls fab views of the skyline, especially from its outdoor patio. The bar sits on the third floor of Copper & Kings distillery, maker…

  • Highland Coffee Company

    Louisville

    Great, art-filled spot smack in the middle of the Highlands district to fuel your exploration of the surrounding music halls, gay bars and tattoo parlors…

  • Please & Thank You

    Louisville

    The kind of indie cafe that makes a neighborhood. It does creamy espresso and home-baked bread pudding, creative scones and coffee cakes, zucchini bread…

  • Etcetera Coffeehouse

    Kentucky

    Lower Town’s arty crowd comes to this brightly painted cafe to get their organic, fair-trade coffee and tea. Head to the cute garden patio if the weather…

  • 3rd Street Taphouse

    Kentucky

    When you're burned out on bourbon, this fun bar has 21 taps of regional and national craft beer and a knowledgeable owner to guide you through them.

  • Ei8ht Up

    Louisville

    This open-air terrace on the rooftop of a Hilton Garden Inn (don't hold that against it) is a come-one, come-all cornucopia of all leanings and…