Best bar in Louisville? And why?

[Robin Garr]

If you had to name one bar in Louisville that excels in every way, a bar that you would proudly show off to any visitor from any other place in the world, and say, "This is our best. This makes us proud," which bar would you choose? Extra credit if, in a brief but vivid paragraph or two, you can tell us why you think so.

I'd like to hear about outstanding bars in Kentucky outside Louisville, too, and Southern Indiana. But first and foremost, let's talk about the Metro.

Well, I have a few nominations. However, picking a bar is just as hard as picking a place to eat. It depends on the mood you're in, Who you're with, and sometimes what you're wearing....You can't really narrow something like this down. There are too many variables involved. On any given night, any bar could be the best (or the beast) it just depends. With this in mind, I'll give you my favorites.(In no particular order)

Jack's Lounge, I may be a little biased about this pick but everything about this place seems RIGHT! From the cozy feel, the level of service, and the quality of the drinks and food, you can't pick a better place to go for just about any occasion.

The O'Malley's Corner Complex(Every Kind of Theme you can think of!!! ) vs. Phoenix Hill/Jim Porter's(Cracker Barrel with Booze), Sticking to tried and true fomulas(for better or worse), these places have something to offer anyone. It's hard not to have a good time at any of these hot spots!!! All of these places offer live music, plenty of atmosphere, and ample people watching opportunities that would be hard pressed not to top any list of bars in the city... or for that manner in the country. On any given night, You could feel like, act like, or be in the presence of real life rock stars!!!!

Cahoot's, Still the hipster hangout after all these years. No longer a place to see live music, (ala.. Tewlegan's back in the day, I saw some of the best shows of my life there)you can play a friendly game of pool. Not to mention one of the places where you can get a tasty bite very late!

And last but not least... The Riverview Lounge down at Turner's on the river... Horseshoes while the sun's goin' down on the Mighty Ohio...I don't think I need to say any more about this wonderful spot.

I so seldom visit a "bar" per se but I do enjoy going to Captain's Quarters and sitting on the deck, eating fried banana peppers, watching the waterway and drinking a cold _____(fill in the blank). That's in warm weather of course. When the weather's cooler anyplace along 4th street so I can watch the street traffic.

I don't really go to bars, but my nomination would have to be for the Seelbach bar and its long-standing dedication to live jazz.

The Seelbach has live jazz? Really??? At the mezzanine bar? When?

I have a number of favorites depending on the situation.

Cumberland Brews

The Back Door - Really, the Back Door Pour is legendary in these parts.

Mag Bar

Howl at the Moon - Life is too short not to indulge in some cheese now and then.

Outlook Inn

Spring Street - For the buffalo wings.

Riverbend Winery - If this place was on Frankfort or Bardstown, you couldn't get in the place.

The Seelbach has live jazz? Really??? At the mezzanine bar? When?

Not the mezzanine, but the "Old Seelbach Bar" on the first floor. Dick Sisto (vibes, piano and drums) leads a small group that plays every weekend and had good name guests on frequent occasions. My friend Ty Wheeler frequently plays bass (formerly Buddy Rich band and many others) is with Dick a good part of the time. Generally starts at 10PM and goes to 1AM or so, but it varies, so call in advance.

Cahoots- best late night bar food, decent jukebox, bartenders that have been there for almost a decade. OH- And best of all, a Basil Hayden Manhattan is 5 bucks.

Mag Bar- Excellent jukebox, great place for people watching, stiff drinks.

Monkey Wrench - great DJ's, good food, friendly owners.

Can't believe no one has mentioned Rich-O's yet. Particularly if someone was a beer connoisseur. Also like Baxter Station, and the Irish Rover, but don't go out to bars a lot these days.

It's interesting to me that the answer to this question depends on what your definition of "bar" is. I don't consider my place a bar at all, even though we have a small 4-seater. We don't serve liquor, and the inspiration always was the Bavarian gaststatte, not the "bar" as we tend it imagine.

I prefer the Belgian "beer cafe: designation over that of "beer bar," but it's unfamiliar here in the States. My first reaction to "best bar" is to imagine which ones have good beer, because that's my interest, but I seldom drink liquor and have no appreciation for the random cocktail recipe generator approach.

Robin's just the man for this job ...

Yeah, I thought about that after I posted, but when we're wanting to impress someone from out of town with a night out in our area, your place always comes to mind! Unmatched beer selections, great pizza/food, and a relaxed and unique atmosphere.

And we certainly appreciate it.

I agree with Roger. It all depends on how you define: bar. Richo's is probably my fave, but there are some other great ones already posted as well.

[Robin Garr]

It's interesting to me that the answer to this question depends on what your definition of "bar" is. I don't consider my place a bar at all, even though we have a small 4-seater. We don't serve liquor, and the inspiration always was the Bavarian gaststatte, not the "bar" as we tend it imagine.

I prefer the Belgian "beer cafe: designation over that of "beer bar," but it's unfamiliar here in the States. My first reaction to "best bar" is to imagine which ones have good beer, because that's my interest, but I seldom drink liquor and have no appreciation for the random cocktail recipe generator approach.

Robin's just the man for this job ...

Since you were the source who sent the guy to me with the question, I figured that you had taken yourself out of the competition. Also, as national publications do, I gathered that they were drawing an arbitrary barrier across state lines: i.e., New Albany is not in Kentucky. And there's the beer-only thing. But all that said, in any real contest, Rich O's would certainly be in MY top five.

My favorite bar has always been BBC. I can go there with a friend for a few drinks, have sat at the bar on a week night and been able to study over a couple beers, I can go on a Friday or Saturday night and have a great time meeting people, I can watch a game, I can go just for dinner, etc... I also like that the staff can almost always suggest a good beer!
I also like Cumberland Brews - good beer, food and atmosphere, but sometimes I feel very closed in.
When I'm just looking for a bar with a good atmosphere - I usually enjoy Gerstles, Cahoots, and always enjoyed an afternoon at Maiers....