It’s time once again to crown and congratulate this year’s list of America’s Best Bourbon Bars. We have identified 101 bars who take their Bourbon obsession to another level. There are a lot of smart, well-stocked Bourbon bars out there in 2018, but while your favorite watering hole may have a decent selection, some go far above and beyond expectations.
It takes a lot to be named one of America’s 100 Best Bourbon Bars, but they’re easy to spot: seemingly endless shelves that are lined of bottles both rare and common, stretching off into the horizon. They feature multiple cocktails that show off Bourbon’s wide range of flavors, and they take pride in educating their patrons about the basics of brown water.
The Bourbon Country Region (Kentucky) is home to 29 of America’s Best Bourbon Bars. Chicago (Midwest Region) was the city that played host to the most of America’s Best Bourbon Bars (10), followed by Louisville, KY (8), Lexington, KY (7), New York City (6), San Francisco (4) and Nashville (4). We hope you have one of these 100 next-level bourbon bars in your area. If not, take this list and get on the move, because the experience is well worth the journey.
Bourbon Country
The Amsden Bourbon Bar, Versailles KY
Belle’s Cocktail House, Lexington KY
Bluegrass Tavern, Lexington KY
Bourbon on Rye, Lexington KY
Goodfellas Pizzeria, Lexington KY
Old Bourbon Country Kitchen, Lexington KY
The Paddock Bar & Patio, Lexington KY
Parlay Social, Lexington KY
Bourbon’s Bistro, Louisville KY
Charr’d Bourbon Kitchen & Lounge, Louisville KY
Derby Cafe, Louisville KY
Doc Crows, Louisville KY
Down One Bourbon Bar, Louisville KY
Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen, Louisville KY
Proof On Main, Louisville KY
Silver Dollar, Louisville KY
Bourbon Barrel Tavern, Elizabeth KY
The Miller House, Owensboro KY
The Blind Pig Bourbon Speakeasy, Bardstown KY
Bottle and Bond, Bardstown KY
The Old Talbott Tavern, Bardstown KY
The Rickhouse, Bardstown KY
The Old Owl Tavern, Harrodsburg KY
Jane Barleycorn’s Market & Bar, Danville KY
The Prohibition Bourbon Bar, Newport KY
Tousey House Tavern, Burlington KY
Bourbon Haus 1841, Covington KY
Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar, Covington KY
Wiseguy Lounge, Covington KY
Bourbon Country
Northeast Region
Midwest Region
South Region
West Region
