Best Bars in Lexington KY

Lexington KY has a bar scene that keeps getting better. Whether you want a perfectly made Old Fashioned, a cold beer with no pretense, or a rooftop spot with a view, the best bars in Lexington KY cover every mood and budget. I have spent more evenings than I should admit testing these places, and here is what I actually recommend.

Best Cocktail Bars

Bar Ona is tucked down a narrow alley between North Limestone and Upper Streets, and that is part of what makes it special. You have to know where to look. The space is small, the Art Deco interior is beautiful, and the cocktails are some of the best I have had anywhere. They earned a spot on Esquire Magazine's list of the Top 21 Best Bars in America, which is a huge deal for a little bar hidden in an alley in Lexington. The drinks are creative without being gimmicky, the bartenders genuinely care about what they put in your glass, and they use local ingredients whenever possible. If you are bringing someone you want to impress, this is the move.

Bigg Blue Martini in the Hilton downtown is where you go before or after a UK game at Rupp Arena. The martini list is enormous and the energy on game nights is electric. It is not a quiet cocktail experience. It is a Lexington institution.

Middle Fork Kitchen Bar on Midland Avenue in Chevy Chase does excellent cocktails alongside their food menu. The bar program is thoughtful and the bourbon selection is what you would expect from a place in Kentucky that takes its craft seriously.

Belle's Cocktail House on West Short Street has a speakeasy feel that sets it apart from everything else on this list. The lighting is dim, the cocktails are beautifully made, and the whole atmosphere makes you feel like you stepped into a different era. Their Old Fashioned is one of the best in Lexington and the menu rotates with the seasons. If you are the type of person who appreciates a drink that was made with intention, Belle's is your place.

Best Dive Bars

Al's Bar on Limestone is the dive bar that everyone ends up at eventually. Cheap drinks, live music some nights, and a crowd that ranges from college students to career regulars. It is not trying to be anything other than what it is, and that is exactly why it works.

Cheapside Bar and Grill right on Cheapside Park downtown is a solid middle ground between dive and sports bar. Good burgers, cold beer, and a patio that is perfect during warm weather.

The Green Lantern Bar on Limestone has been around since the 1930s. The drinks are cheap, the jukebox is great, and the crowd is always interesting. If you want to feel like you are in old Lexington, this is it.

Best Sports Bars

Drake's at the Summit at Fritz Farm has a rooftop patio that is hard to beat when the weather cooperates. The food is better than it needs to be for a sports bar, the beer list is deep, and there are screens everywhere. On a Saturday in the fall with Kentucky football on and the sun setting over the rooftop, it is one of the best vibes in town.

Tapster downtown near Rupp Arena uses a self-pour system where you load a card and pour your own beer from dozens of taps. It is a fun concept and perfect for trying a bunch of different brews on game day. Check out our full restaurants guide for more spots near the arena.

Backstretch Bar and Grill on Southland Drive is a neighborhood sports bar with solid wings and a loyal crowd. Nothing fancy, just reliable.

Rooftop and Patio Bars

The rooftop at Drake's is the obvious pick, but do not sleep on Lockbox at the 21c Museum Hotel downtown. The cocktails are refined, the space is beautiful, and the art throughout the hotel makes it feel like nowhere else in Lexington.

Mirror Twin Brewing on Manchester Street has a great outdoor space and their own beer on tap. It is a more relaxed vibe than downtown and the brewery scene in that corridor keeps growing.

What You Need to Know

Most bars downtown are clustered along Main Street and Limestone, making it easy to walk between spots. Last call in Kentucky is technically at the discretion of the establishment, but most places wind down by 2:00 AM.

Rideshare is easy to get downtown on weekends. Parking is available in the garages off Main Street, but if you are going out to drink, leave the car at home.

For the latest on new openings and happy hour deals, VisitLEX keeps a solid listing of nightlife options. The Lexington Herald-Leader also covers new bar openings regularly.

My Personal Picks

If I am going out with friends on a Friday night, we usually start at Bar Ona, grab food somewhere on North Lime, and end up at Al's. If it is game day, Bigg Blue Martini before the game and Tapster after. If I want something low key on a Tuesday, Green Lantern every time. Lexington's bar scene is not trying to compete with Nashville or Louisville. It is doing its own thing, and doing it well.