Discover the time-honored traditions behind crafting America’s Native Spirit and learn about the places where you can experience the sights, smells, and tastes of Bourbonland for yourself. From neighborhood favorites to iconic stops, Lexington offers countless ways to raise a glass and explore bourbon culture at its source.
Wake Up the Bourbon Way
Lussi Brown Coffee Bar
Wake up (or wind down) at Lussi Brown Coffee Bar, a downtown spot where craft coffee and creative cocktails live side-by-side. By morning, you'll find expertly brewed specialty coffee, and by mid-day, you can pick up inventive drinks that marry espresso or tea with cocktail flair, like the Cold Fashioned, which pairs cold brew and bourbon.
A Cup of Common Wealth
Start your day off the bourbon way with an ice-cold bourbon barrel-steeped Brewshine from A Cup of Common Wealth. This friendly neighborhood coffee shop has a motto of “Embrace Community. Serve Others. Create Culture,” a motto which is evident when you first step foot inside. Some of the friendliest faces in town are found behind the counter.
Have Lunch in the Distillery District
Elkhorn Tavern
Elkhorn Tavern is located at Barrel House Distilling in the Distillery District. Sample some of the best of Kentucky fare with pimento cheese, pulled pork with bourbon barbecue sauce, or country ham on biscuits. For dessert, try a bourbon ball, bourbon bread pudding, or bourbon ice cream. And of course, enjoy a cocktail made with Barrel House bourbon.
Desperados Cantina
Desperados Cantina is a must-stop for a quick, flavor-packed lunch. Enjoy their made-from-scratch classic tacos, or go bold with one of their "disrupted" tacos. Pair your plate with fresh guacamole or avocado fries served with jalapeño ranch, then settle in on the patio overlooking Town Branch Creek.
Goodfellas Pizzeria
If you're craving a slice of true New York-style pizza, look no further than Goodfellas Pizzeria. Part of the historic James E. Pepper Distillery campus, Goodfellas pairs a cozy industrial vibe – complete with an old smokestack used in the bourbon distilling process – with hand-tossed pies, a craft cocktail bar stocked with over 200 varieties of bourbon, and an impressive patio along Town Branch Creek.
Crank & Boom Ice Cream Lounge
For a post-lunch sweet treat, head to Crank & Boom for unique ice cream flavors made entirely in-house using 100% Kentucky dairy and fruit from nearby farms. From signature flavors like Kentucky Blackberry & Buttermilk to boozy ice cream floats made with bourbon, it's easy to see why locals rave about this hometown favorite.
Spend the Afternoon Exploring Local Distilleries
James E. Pepper
While in the Distillery District, pop over to James E. Pepper for a tour. The Distillery District is the home of the original Pepper campus. First distilled during the American Revolution, James E. Pepper offers a variety of rye and bourbon whiskeys that are as close to the original recipes as possible. Don't have time for a tour? Stop in for an Old Fashioned, arguably created by Colonel James E. Pepper at the Astoria in New York in the 1880s.
Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.
Tour Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., the only brewery and distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the first bourbon distillery built in Lexington in more than 100 years. Get a behind-the-scenes look into the production process, and be sure to check out their award-winning Town Branch Bourbon and famous Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale.
RD1 Spirits
Visit RD1 Spirits to take a deep dive into Lexington's bourbon entrepreneurs of the late 1800s and today, or taste through their four rotating, experimental barrels and fill your own bottle to take home. After your experience, you can shop for unique gifts in the gift shop or relax on the wrap-around patio overlooking The Commons' historic water tower.
Explore the Region
Spend the afternoon exploring local and regional distilleries, including 18 historic distilleries within 45 miles of downtown Lexington. Make the most of your adventure at local spots with the Bourbonland Tasting Pass – a convenient mobile pass that allows you to explore and savor flights from some of the region's finest distilleries at your own pace. For a full list of distilleries and tours, click here.
Taste Your Way Through Lexington's Neighborhoods
Chevy Chase
Eat and shop as the locals do in Chevy Chase, a walkable neighborhood packed with locally-owned bars, restaurants, and shops. Bear & The Butcher is the perfect happy hour hangout with live music, trivia, and bar snacks like loaded pork nachos or the carnivore board. The Sage Rabbit offers a casual, farm-to-table experience with handmade pasta, burgers, and seasonal dishes. The Obstinate Sons is an inviting bourbon bar with a full-service kitchen, featuring Southern comfort fusion cuisine, including deviled eggs, bread pudding, and house specialty cocktails.
Downtown
Finish off your night downtown, where you can indulge in dinner and drinks. Carson's Food & Drink combines Kentucky Proud products with exciting recipes, making it a local favorite. 3TEN is an upscale, tiki-focused restaurant where Polynesian flavors meet culinary creativity. East End Tap and Table is a casual restaurant and tap house serving made-from-scratch American fare with an international twist.
After dinner, visit the award-winning Bluegrass Tavern, which has over 1,000 bourbons on its menu. Frequently recognized as one of the best bourbon bars in the south, it is a must-stop for any bourbon fan, visiting or local. Another local favorite is Georgie's Social House, where you can enjoy handcrafted cocktails, chef-prepared charcuterie boards, and an extensive wine and bourbon collection. Belle's Cocktail House features the first rooftop bar in Lexington, so you can take in the views of downtown while sipping on one of their specialty cocktails.
Fritz Farm
Fritz Farm is a carefully cultivated, one-stop destination for shopping and dining, including over 60 shops and dining options featuring chef-inspired, local and regional flavors. Described as a student union for adults, Cafe Patachou is an award-winning all-day cafe offering an elevated take on breakfast and lunch with dishes like ricotta scrambled eggs and waffled grilled cheese. Honeywood, a Ouita Michel restaurant, uses locally grown meat and produce in dishes such as the peach chicken, four o'clock snack platter, and bourbon barrel filet.
For our full list of restaurants, click here.
In Your Spare Time
If you have free time, don't forget to visit Lexington's trove of specialty gift shops for souvenirs for yourself or loved ones. Barrel Market offers hundreds of unique items made from authentic white oak charred bourbon barrels, plus an assortment of gifts every bourbon enthusiast will love. Ruth Hunt Candies has perfected the craft of making bourbon chocolates with bourbon walnut fudge, moonshine balls, and famous Ruth Hunt bourbon balls. RELIC is a public warehouse of vintage, rustic, and reclaimed items, including bourbon barrels, vintage signage, Kentucky food and snacks, and oddities and products made by Kentuckians. For a full list of local specialty shops, click here.
