The Urban Bourbon Trail

The City's Top 21 Bourbon Bars & Restaurants

As chosen by local bourbon experts.

What began as a passport program is now a curated, annual list of Louisville’s top bourbon bars and restaurants. Each location is selected for how it captures the true spirit of bourbon —through thoughtful pours, rich storytelling, and exceptional hospitality.

Each year, a panel of local bourbon experts helps identify these standout spots, making inclusion on the list a mark of distinction within Bourbon City’s ever-growing scene.

Meet your 2026 Urban Bourbon Trail® stops. Each one is worth a pour, a story, and a seat at the bar. Start exploring, sip by sip.

Black Rabbit Speakeasy

A hidden gem offering an intimate, speakeasy-style atmosphere where expertly crafted bourbon cocktails meet a sophisticated, late-night vinyl soundtrack.

Bourbon’s Bistro

A true pioneer of the Trail, this Clifton neighborhood staple continues to set the standard with a massive vintage collection and a menu where bourbon is an essential ingredient.

Doc Crow’s Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar

Housed in a historic 1869 Whiskey Row warehouse, this is the ultimate destination for pairing premium pours with oysters and world-class BBQ.

Frankfort Avenue Liquors & Wine

Part high-end bottle shop, part neighborhood bar, it’s a bourbon lover’s playground where you can sip rare finds and take a bottle home with you.

Hell or High Water

Descend into a multi-level library of spirits; this curated speakeasy offers a dramatic, velvet-drenched setting for Louisville’s most creative bourbon expressions.

Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar

One of the Trail’s original anchors, this lounge inside the Galt House offers a quiet, upscale retreat with over 150 of Kentucky’s finest labels.

Lobby Bar & Grill at the Brown Hotel

Sip a cocktail beneath hand-painted ceilings in this architectural masterpiece, where the Hot Brown and bourbon history live side-by-side.

Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen

Award-winning soul food meets a high-energy "Old School" bourbon hall vibe—perfect for live music and a deep list of Kentucky favorites.

Neat Bourbon Bar & Bottle Shop

Specializing in "dusties" and vintage spirits, Neat allows enthusiasts to taste bourbon history by the pour in a beautifully restored space along Bardstown Road.

North of Bourbon

Where the Bayou meets the Bluegrass; enjoy a deep whiskey list and New Orleans-inspired cuisine inside a bar built into a literal bourbon barrel.

The Library Bar at the Omni Hotel

An elegant, book-lined sanctuary in the heart of downtown, offering a serene atmosphere to study the nuances of rare and limited-release bourbons

Proof on Main

Blending contemporary art with a bold spirit list, Proof serves up innovative cocktails and "farm-to-fork" pairings in a gallery-like setting.

Repeal Oak Fired Steakhouse

Located on the site of a former bourbon warehouse, this oak-fired steakhouse celebrates the end of Prohibition with a world-class whiskey cellar.

Seven Cocktails + Bourbon

A sleek, modern addition to the Louisville scene, Seven offers a curated, boutique bourbon experience with a focus on hospitality and high-end pours.

Sway

Short for "Southern Way," this Hyatt Regency staple celebrates local flavors with a modern twist and a robust selection of Kentucky’s native spirit.

Tartan House

A cozy, Highlands-inspired cocktail lounge where the warmth of a fireplace meets a meticulously curated list of bourbon and rye.

The Last Refuge

A quirky and welcoming destination for those seeking rare pours and great conversation in a space that celebrates the "refuge" of a perfect glass.

The Old Seelbach Bar

Step back into the 1920s at this legendary haunt once frequented by Al Capone and F. Scott Fitzgerald; it remains a masterclass in bourbon storytelling.

The Pearl of Germantown

The neighborhood "dive" done right, offering a curated bourbon list that proves you don’t need a tuxedo to enjoy Kentucky’s finest.

Volare

Where Italian fine dining meets the Bourbon City; their private-label barrel picks and upscale bar program make for an unforgettable pairing.

Watch Hill Proper

The world’s first bourbon social club, boasting one of the largest collections of American whiskey ever assembled in a stunning, high-design space.

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