CJ dubs Granville Inn "a true college bar"

[Robin Garr]

Marty digs deep to come up with evidence that the Granville Inn in Old Louisville is a "college bar," and I guess it is, at least when there's a U of L game on, although I'm not sure it's got the academic zeal of Old Heidelberg or someplace. Nevertheless, he gives a generally favorable three-star review, perhaps a bit overlong for the subject matter at 644 words, and pays proper obeisance to the Granville Burger. The headline, "Back-to-school barroom," strikes me a little funny somehow, though it should be noted that Marty doesn't write the headlines; copy editors do, and they generally don't get out much.

Back-to-school barroom
The food is cheap, plentiful and good at Granville inn

Granville Inn
1601 S. Third St.
(502) 637-9128

Marty digs deep to come up with evidence that the Granville Inn in Old Louisville is a "college bar," and I guess it is, at least when there's a U of L game on, although I'm not sure it's got the academic zeal of Old Heidelberg or someplace. Nevertheless, he gives a generally favorable three-star review, perhaps a bit overlong for the subject matter at 644 words, and pays proper obeisance to the Granville Burger. The headline, "Back-to-school barroom," strikes me a little funny somehow, though it should be noted that Marty doesn't write the headlines; copy editors do, and they generally don't get out much.

If the Granville is a "college bar," then UofL students are getting ripped off on the "college experience."

I say that as a Granville regular. Although Robin jokingly questions the "academic zeal" of the place, I must say that a certain UofL graduate student population tries to up the intellect most Friday nights. And on most Friday nights, we fail. Regardless, the food is good (not a red-meat eater, I go with the Finger Lickin' Fowl 90% of the time), the crowd is usually limited (a true college bar would have more people standing around), and the service is overly friendly (if not always prompt).

I must say that the Granville is one location where I stick with domestic bottles for the most part. Just always seems that they are having tap issues or the tap temperature is off. I don't know much about restaurant beer serving, so I rely on my taste buds for my information. I've never had a tap beer there I was happy with, so I just stick to the bottles and exult at my criminally under-charged tab. Guess it helps to be a regular. Even if you are not a regular, the prices are hard to beat, and the cheese fries will take a few years off your life.

BTW - Thursdays tend to be "Frat Night," and Saturdays are either packed or dead, depending on the whims of college students and UofL sporting events.

[Robin Garr]

I say that as a Granville regular.

Thanks for the insider view, Matthew! I get to the Granville on occasion for a burger, usually at lunch, and I rarely see any students sitting around writing poetry.

I managed to work two degrees out of U of L, but back in my day the place to go was the old Cardinal Inn, which was just across Shipp from Gardiner Hall, now just part of the campus; and they didn't have beer. Great burgers, though ...

In the Granville's defense...I have a group of UL alum friends that still hang there but they refer to is as Gran-vegas...

[Robin Garr]

In the Granville's defense...I have a group of UL alum friends that still hang there but they refer to is as Gran-vegas...

Oh, I hope my remarks didn't imply a need for a "defense" exactly. It's just that I've been to college pubs in college towns, and somehow the Granville, with U of L's mostly commuter status, just didn't seem like exactly a dictionary-picture example. I like the place, though, and I like it a WHOLE LOT more now that the city's no-smoking ordinance is firmly in place.

In the Granville's defense...I have a group of UL alum friends that still hang there but they refer to is as Gran-vegas...

Oh, I hope my remarks didn't imply a need for a "defense" exactly. It's just that I've been to college pubs in college towns, and somehow the Granville, with U of L's mostly commuter status, just didn't seem like exactly a dictionary-picture example. I like the place, though, and I like it a WHOLE LOT more now that the city's no-smoking ordinance is firmly in place.

I agree completely with Robin's sentiments, and I should say that I don't think a defense was needed.

The Granville does what it does well (cheap beer and good pub food/pizza). Not to start a corporate war, but the attempt to call it a college bar was a lousy attempt by the CJ to force a story to fit the season of the year. When I brought this review up with my mom (not a foodie), she said, "Didn't they review it not that long ago? Seems pretty forced to me."

I have a feeling not many people really care to discuss the Granville (Mojito's seems much more popular), but I'll take my chances and throw out a question. Is there a college bar in Louisville?