Drink With Locals At These Popular Louisville Bars

By LEO Weekly Staff on Tue, May 2, 2023 at 4:18 pm

Want to drink like the locals? This list is all recommendations by locals so we know that you'll get the best the city has to offer. Do locals go to these places? Yep, absolutely.

If you want to meet Louisville as it really is, visit one of these recommended cocktail and dive bars. Louisville's charm extends far past the Twin Spires, we promise.

Be a good steward of our city and refrain from drinking and driving. Here's how to get around Louisville safely from our friends at Louisville Tourism: Getting Around.

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Nachbar
969 Charles St.
Reddit user Kitchen_Beat9838 said, Nachbar is hands down the worst bathroom Ive ever been in in my life. Its absolutely foul." User VietnamTed says: "Its not a good bathroom by any metric, but the worst youve ever seen? Thats a sheltered life. Despite all that, Nachbar is a beloved watering hole in Germantown, as it should be. And on the bright side, yet another user, Justabitgood, says, The graffiti yields a good time-- it's like a handsfree newsfeed.

Nachbar

969 Charles St.
Reddit user Kitchen_Beat9838 said, “Nachbar is hands down the worst bathroom I’ve ever been in in my life. It’s absolutely foul." User VietnamTed says: "It’s not a good bathroom by any metric, but the worst you’ve ever seen? That’s a sheltered life.” Despite all that, Nachbar is a beloved watering hole in Germantown, as it should be. And on the bright side, yet another user, Justabitgood, says, “The graffiti yields a good time-- it's like a handsfree newsfeed.”

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Drink like the locals: hit up classic (and legendary) dive bars like the Mag Bar or one of the new cocktail spots in town.

Drink like the locals: hit up classic (and legendary) dive bars like the Mag Bar or one of the new cocktail spots in town.

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Get Your Drink on At These Popular Cocktail Bars And Neighborhood Dives

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Darling's Bar
1765 Bardstown Rd.
This cute cocktail bar gives nods to a simpler life and simpler times. The cocktails are anything but.
Photo via Darling's Bar

Darling's Bar

1765 Bardstown Rd.
This cute cocktail bar gives nods to a simpler life and simpler times. The cocktails are anything but.
Photo via Darling's Bar

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Trouble Bar
1149 S. Shelby St.
The people make this bar special. Good bartenders, a great crowd, and always good conversations to be had.
Photo via Trouble Bar

Trouble Bar

1149 S. Shelby St.
The people make this bar special. Good bartenders, a great crowd, and always good conversations to be had.
Photo via Trouble Bar

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Taj
807 E. Market St.
Taj is a good bar along the Market St. corridor to pop in for a drink and maybe catch a game if youre into that. Its a good mix of classy and relaxed neighborhood bar.Photo via Taj

Taj

807 E. Market St.
Taj is a good bar along the Market St. corridor to pop in for a drink and maybe catch a game if you’re into that. It’s a good mix of classy and relaxed neighborhood bar.
Photo via Taj

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The Hub
2235 Frankfort Ave.
Food, Drinks and Fun are the order at The Hub. Come for the drink, stay for the dancing.Photo via The Hub

The Hub

2235 Frankfort Ave.
Food, Drinks and Fun are the order at The Hub. Come for the drink, stay for the dancing.
Photo via The Hub

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Shop Bar
950 Barret Ave.
Its a bar. Its a shop. Get some libations and souvenirs. Photo via Shop Bar

Shop Bar

950 Barret Ave.
It’s a bar. It’s a shop. Get some libations and souvenirs.
Photo via Shop Bar

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Pretty Decent
2235 Frankfort Ave.
Its pretty decent and pretty popular. This new addition to the Hub Louisville is a local hotspot.Photo via Pretty Decent

Pretty Decent

2235 Frankfort Ave.
It’s pretty decent and pretty popular. This new addition to the Hub Louisville is a local hotspot.
Photo via Pretty Decent

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Proof Bar
702 W. Main St.
Classy, Creative in the 21C Art Museum Hotel, Proof Bar serves good bites and drinks. Locals love it and of course, its always a visitor favorite. Photo via Proof Bar

Proof Bar

702 W. Main St.
Classy, Creative in the 21C Art Museum Hotel, Proof Bar serves good bites and drinks. Locals love it and of course, it’s always a visitor favorite.
Photo via Proof Bar

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Pin and Proof Speakeasy
400 S. Second St.
Speakeasy with bowling inside the Omni Hotel.Photo via Pin and Proof Speakeasy

Pin and Proof Speakeasy

400 S. Second St.
Speakeasy with bowling inside the Omni Hotel.
Photo via Pin and Proof Speakeasy

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Nouvelle Bar and Bottle
214 So. Clay St.
The prettiest patio and a lovely bar for wines, chocolate and other small bites. If youre lucky, catch a local performance on the patio. Always a treat. Photo via Nouvelle Bar and Bottle

Nouvelle Bar and Bottle

214 So. Clay St.
The prettiest patio and a lovely bar for wines, chocolate and other small bites. If you’re lucky, catch a local performance on the patio. Always a treat.
Photo via Nouvelle Bar and Bottle

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Library Bar
400 S. Second St.
Library bar inside the Omni Hotel. Not sure if you can read the books, were usually too tipsy to try. Photo via Library Bar

Library Bar

400 S. Second St.
Library bar inside the Omni Hotel. Not sure if you can read the books, we’re usually too tipsy to try.
Photo via Library Bar

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Nostalgic
1306 Bardstown Rd.
Thinking back to the life they enjoyed as kids, Nostalgic wants to create those types of lasting memories for the grownups. This isnt a kid bar, at all. But it does highlight how good we had it.Photo via Nostalgic

Nostalgic

1306 Bardstown Rd.
Thinking back to the life they enjoyed as kids, Nostalgic wants to create those types of lasting memories for the grownups. This isn’t a kid bar, at all. But it does highlight how good we had it.
Photo via Nostalgic

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Never Say Die
3900 Shelbyville Rd.
A little bit punk, a lot of art and an all-around creative and cool vibe. Photo via Never Say Die

Never Say Die

3900 Shelbyville Rd.
A little bit punk, a lot of art and an all-around creative and cool vibe.
Photo via Never Say Die

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NachBar
969 Charles St.
NachBar is a neighborhood spot. Perfect for stumbling home on foot after all the Derby Partying. Dont live or arent staying nearby? Plenty of rideshares and cab services to take you home after. Photo via NachBar

NachBar

969 Charles St.
NachBar is a neighborhood spot. Perfect for stumbling home on foot after all the Derby Partying. Don’t live or aren’t staying nearby? Plenty of rideshares and cab services to take you home after.
Photo via NachBar

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The Merryweather
1101 Lydia St..
Neighborhood dive, local vibe. Fun shenanigans. Photo via The Merryweather

The Merryweather

1101 Lydia St..
Neighborhood dive, local vibe. Fun shenanigans.
Photo via The Merryweather

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Mag Bar
1398 S. Second St..
Local Dive for the punk, rock, hardcore set. Good jukebox and strong ass drinks Photo via Mag Bar

Mag Bar

1398 S. Second St..
Local Dive for the punk, rock, hardcore set. Good jukebox and strong ass drinks
Photo via Mag Bar

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The Palm Room aka Joes Palm Room
1821 W. Jefferson St.
This historic spot is where you go to hear good soul music and dance to the latest r&b, soul, and jazz. Its a grown and sexy spot. Photo via Joes Palm Room

The Palm Room aka Joe’s Palm Room

1821 W. Jefferson St.
This historic spot is where you go to hear good soul music and dance to the latest r&b, soul, and jazz. It’s a grown and sexy spot.
Photo via Joe’s Palm Room

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Hell or Highwater Bar
112 W. Washington St.
Continuing the tradition of hard-to-find speakeasies, Hell or Highwater is a popular date spot and probably a good spot to make a reservation. Photo via Hell or Highwater Bar

Hell or Highwater Bar

112 W. Washington St.
Continuing the tradition of hard-to-find speakeasies, Hell or Highwater is a popular date spot and probably a good spot to make a reservation.
Photo via Hell or Highwater Bar

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