Bluegrass Tavern

Simply put, this is one of my favorite bars in town. The staff is awesome, the atmosphere is cozy (even on those crazy saturday nights), and their bourbon selection is awesome. Try ordering the ‘114’

With over 500 different bourbons on the shelf I would say that this is Mecca. Some of the harder to find bottles can get a bit pricey, but that comes with the territory. Ask the bartenders what is good in your «price range.» These guys really know what they’re talking about and love to help out. Definitely my favorite spot downtown. *wink*

This is my third trip to Kentucky and can say that Bluegrass Tavern has the largest selection of bourbon I’ve seen so far in any city (Louisville, Bardstown, Lexington, etc). No, there’s no bourbon list w/​prices, but considering how they are constantly adding interesting bottles to their collection I imagine they would get tired of continuously redoing a list. Bartender was knowledgeable, attentive, provided great service, and made a very nice Manhattan. Consider this is a «must stop» if you’re in town on the bourbon trail.
I’ve noticed some reviews on here complaining about prices. Yes, they can pretty much set any price they want for a pour of a rare bourbon (supply & demand after all). We were in the mood for Manhattans, 5 drinks came to $ 32. That’s fair in my book.

Terrible service! No menu for bourbon, and the bartender prices the product after you quiz him for what he has. Ironically, the night I was there every shot of good product was $ 100. I’ll pass! There are plenty of spots to enjoy rare bourbon where they how to treat customers. This isn’t one of them!

very cool bourbon bar, relaxing and somewhat intimate. I only wish the bartender was more personable and hadn’t spent the entire evening with another couple who had ordered a more high end glass of bourbon… but hey I get it; lock in a big tip

One weekday after a work meeting we thought we would bring the guys from Colorado out downtown. It started to pour down rain so around 7:30−8 when you would expect people to start trickling in, no one came. So we ended up having the entire bar to ourselves.
Some of the guys that I work with are big bourbon collectors and have a lot of input on the history, so when we we’re in there the manager who does the ordering (and negotiating when it comes to the really hard to get stuff) was working and provided us with a lot of the history of the bottles that are on the top shelf. Some are so old that I’m sure that they are in leaded glass and are undrinkable. Others that have the old medical information from prohibition when you needed a prescription.
It is a great place to go when you’re in the mood for trying out bourbons that you can’t typically get your hands on, but I will say that you should avoid the stuff with the big name recognition (Van Winkle line) as the pricing struction can be a little odd. Depending on whether it has a little ring on the top or not will reflect how much you will pay. When it’s almost out, just ask for something similar because the less there is, the more you pay. Can’t fault them, it’s a time consuming and tedious process to acquire all of those bottles!
When you’re down in Cheapside park, make a stop and have them make you an old fashioned. You won’t regret it!

Before downtown Lexington had «cool» places to drink, this was my choice for a night out because I knew I would get a good drink and be away from the college crowd. Over the last few years as more businesses popped up in downtown, Bluegrass Tavern has turned into a downtown classic for a wider range of people. Yes, it does get crowded but quality of drinks makes up for it. I have never had problems with service at the bar. For me, this place means great memories. good service, delicious drinks and lots of fun! I especially enjoy summer nights here because they start incorporating fresh fruits such as blueberries into their cocktails!

Beyond our bartender who was indifferent to the fact that we were there, it was a nice place to start our bourbon trail. They have drinks for all tastes (and budgets). My husband had a good craft brew, while I had two nice bourbons and their signature Buffalo Trace bourbon Old Fashioned. All of the drinks were great. By the end, I was happy to speak with a friendly bartender, but was so annoyed at ours (and getting hungry) so we left. Hopefully if you go, you find a pleasant face behind the bar.

Great selection of bourbon but unhelpful bartender. We wanted to chat and get advice about what to order but our bartender seemed annoyed having to discuss bourbon with us.

3.5 stars.
Why 3.5?
1. Their prices are effing ridiculous. All Pappy’s start at $ 100 a glass? Then how come I can get a 23-​year at Giusseppe’s for $ 40? That’s still more than I want to spend, but it’s far more reasonable.
2. Their bourbon selection is head-​spinning. I’ve never seen so much anywhere, ever. The menu could be much better organized. It’s very hard to read and at the prices they’re charging, cluing customers in before they order would be a thoughtful touch.
It’s a nice place with a great selection, but at those prices and with so many other far more affordable places with decent selections, I doubt we’ll be back.

Best bourbon bar in Lexington. Mark was working the night we were there. Very knowledgable and made some great suggestions on bourbons to try. Felt a little but like a kid in a candy shoppe. If you want great selection of bourbon and someone that’s knows them well., stop here and enjoy. I highly recommend the Bluegrass!

Absolutely my favorite bar I visited during my vacation in Kentucky. I came in late during the week and the bartender was great. Granted, there were not too many other people there when I arrived, the bartender was still way nicer than he had to be.
We had a really great conversation about different bourbons he had, he showed me a few really top shelf bottles I could not afford ($ 200/​oz!) and chatted about other bars/​restaurants I should check out.
But all the pleasant conversation in the world doesn’t mean squat if your drinks suck. Luckily, these drinks do not suck — they do not suck whatsoever.
We started out with a couple Manhattans, made with a nice rye that I had never heard of (I asked for something different). Very competently made with a generous pour.
At that point the bartender suggested I try out his Old Fashioned. I am hesitant to ever order them, because so many bartenders make a mockery out of them. But I trusted in his skill and boy did it pay off. Easily the best Old Fashioned’s I have ever put to my lips.
They were the perfect mix of sweet and boozy, without being to saccharine. He also used some special brand of cherries I have never seen — not luxardo and not amerena. Unfortunately by the time the night was over, I was too drunk to remember!
After I finished up, he was nice enough to make sure I made it to a cab. To be clear, I was perfectly capable of walking the 50 feet to the cab stand, but since I was the only person left at the bar, I suppose he figured he might was well make sure I didn’t get hit by a bus or something on the way.
I look forward to returning next time I am in the area.

Loved this place. It was not too crowded on a Saturday night, before Easter. Good atmosphere and good bar tenders. I am not really sure how to grade bars, since I do not drink much; but with it being one bar that does not have much of a crowd, surely makes it great.

If you like bourbon, you’ll be happy here. If you also like wearing gingham shirts and pleated chinos, you might as well move in.
After hitting up the Bourbon trail all day, I was a little bourbon-​ed out, so I asked for a Hendricks and tonic. Nothing crazy, but I got SERIOUS attitude with the bartenders «this is a bourbon bar, sweetheart» response. I know, I get it. Fine. Do you have ginger beer? I prefer it over ginger ale with my bourbon. He literally rolled his eyes. So I followed suit with the folks around me and ordered it with Coke, despite how the Coke masks the flavor so much. Whatever, when in Kentucky, I suppose.
It’s a decent space but the attitude was a bit much for me to handle. Add in the totally homogoneous crowd and you’ve got a 3 star joint in my eyes.

Service is always slow. Some times way too hot, some times smells funny. Over all lot of good bars in Lexington, this one could be too. But its not on my list right now

Thumbs up! Love BT, located at the pavillion and within steps of other bars so it is at a great location…
— Always a great crowd– not too packed at nights and during the evenings, just the right amount of people to create a buzzzzzzzz
— Nice selection of drinks, had a bourbon barrel last night before I lost track of drink (HAH) and thoroughly enjoyed it (thanks yall!)
— speedy service yeehaw!
— last but not least i really appreciate the décor and seating– barrels and stools make for a MEMORABLE experience, and really promotes a low key interaction with your friends that i think is unique to BT. There isn’t really another place like it that I am aware of!
yipppeee…

This place could be better with some fine tuning. It has issues with keeping fully stocked because every damn time I go in there, they are out of something I try to order. On the other hand, it’s a cool spot with a great location and decent pricing. But please don’t question me for requesting a brandied cherry and a dash of bitters in my 354 bourbon. It’s how I like it and your cocky attitude pisses me off. Hombre. Anyways… I’ve been here plenty of times to truly judge it and I gotta say, it’s just alright. The selection is vast on paper but I’m sure a lot of those shown aren’t actually being poured due to being out of the product.

Thumbs up on this bar. In a fun downtown location near many other bars. This place has an incredible bourbon selection. The bartenders are pretty quick so getting a drink isn’t very difficult. The cocktails here are so so but not terrible. The tastee bourbon makes up for any shortcuts in cocktail making. They also have real darts which is nice. So if you were just out touring bourbon country all day this is a nice place to party at night.

A large selection of bourbons to choose from. A true bourbon bar. Get really crowed on the weekends. Located by the ⁵⁄₃ Pavillion, so if the weather is nice, you can wonder out and sit outside. Great place to hang out with friends.

The Bluegrass Tavern has the most extensive bourbon selection on hand in the world (138, i think), which is fitting since most are made within walking distance of the bar. The décor is very Kentucky with polished bourbon barrels for tables and shwag from every distillery around. Drinks are fair priced and made by the most skilled bartenders in town. Unfortunately, the place becomes a bit of a crowded hallway on the weekends. No worries; just another reason to start early!