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Lexington restaurants/bars
Posted on 7/21/26 at 1:07 pm
Posted on 7/21/26 at 1:07 pm
First visit to Lexington for the Bama game. UK fans, what are your favorite bourbon bars, nice Friday night downtown restaurant and fun bars or area to pregame for a 3:30 kickoff?
Thanks for your help.
Thanks for your help.
This post was edited on 8/25/26 at 1:10 pm
Posted on 7/21/26 at 1:11 pm to Palmetto08
Lexington is a nice town honestly. I enjoyed my visit there 10 years ago. Wish I could remember some of the spots we visited.
Posted on 7/21/26 at 5:24 pm to Palmetto08
I like Bluegrass Tavern for bourbon if you're going to be downtown. You've got Jeff Ruby's, Tony's, Carson's all down there as well if you're looking for fine dining. I'd recommend picking one of those restaurants and then hopping over to Bluegrass Tavern afterwards Friday. Plenty of other bars in that area by the old courthouse.
Saturday...if I'm at the game I'm tailgating. If you don't have a parking pass and aren't setting up a tailgate (and it sounds like you aren't) you shouldn't have any issue walking around from tailgate to tailgate getting fed bourbon, more bourbon, some food, and then more bourbon. Just walk up to a random UK tailgate talking trash about Tennessee and you'll be solid gold
There aren't really any bars within walking distance from the stadium save for Campus Pub. KSBar and Tilted Kilt were viable options that had a bus service that picked you up and took you back to their lot, but they've closed. Supposedly we're getting a Walk Ons in their place and KSBar will be open on gamedays only. If that's the case, it'll be an excellent GameDay option, but again, right now that is closed so I can't guarantee the renovations will be done.
We've got plenty of other bar options all over town, but that'll depend on what you're looking for and if you're up for being Ubered or what not to the game.
Finally, the game is at 3:30. We operate on the Lord's Time Zone here in the Bluegrass
Saturday...if I'm at the game I'm tailgating. If you don't have a parking pass and aren't setting up a tailgate (and it sounds like you aren't) you shouldn't have any issue walking around from tailgate to tailgate getting fed bourbon, more bourbon, some food, and then more bourbon. Just walk up to a random UK tailgate talking trash about Tennessee and you'll be solid gold
There aren't really any bars within walking distance from the stadium save for Campus Pub. KSBar and Tilted Kilt were viable options that had a bus service that picked you up and took you back to their lot, but they've closed. Supposedly we're getting a Walk Ons in their place and KSBar will be open on gamedays only. If that's the case, it'll be an excellent GameDay option, but again, right now that is closed so I can't guarantee the renovations will be done.
We've got plenty of other bar options all over town, but that'll depend on what you're looking for and if you're up for being Ubered or what not to the game.
Finally, the game is at 3:30. We operate on the Lord's Time Zone here in the Bluegrass
Posted on 7/21/26 at 8:30 pm to UKWildcats
Were heading up for the The LSU game
How is the tailgating scene?
Is it the parking lots , is there a place on campus to set up a tent?
To rent a space (tent, table, 6 chairs and 120g ice chest w/ ice for $1000
Or we can go to Walmart/ academy up there and buy a tent, ice chest and some chairs for 600 bucks and just give it away when we leave.
It will be a night game .
How is the tailgating scene?
Is it the parking lots , is there a place on campus to set up a tent?
To rent a space (tent, table, 6 chairs and 120g ice chest w/ ice for $1000
Or we can go to Walmart/ academy up there and buy a tent, ice chest and some chairs for 600 bucks and just give it away when we leave.
It will be a night game .
Posted on 7/21/26 at 8:47 pm to Palmetto08
You are also only about a 30 minute drive from Woodford Reserve Distillery
Posted on 7/21/26 at 9:21 pm to Palmetto08
Loved Lexington when we played there last season. Went to a cool taproom across from Rupp and had a great meal somewhere around there as well (The Vine I think?). Great town and great fans. Just glad Lane didn’t get dumped the week of that game and lose like he did the year before.
Posted on 7/21/26 at 9:26 pm to BearRebelShark
I grew up going to Lexington every Thanksgiving to see my Grandmother. Love the town and the school. Just not as much as Ole Miss.
Posted on 7/22/26 at 4:50 am to WhiteMandingo
UKs site for tailgating info
I haven't done the prepaid tailgating set up deal like you're talking about for $1000, so I have no idea if they're good, bad, whatever. I will say, I would think if you're visiting from Baton Rouge, it'd be a hell of a lot simpler for you.
I haven't done the prepaid tailgating set up deal like you're talking about for $1000, so I have no idea if they're good, bad, whatever. I will say, I would think if you're visiting from Baton Rouge, it'd be a hell of a lot simpler for you.
Posted on 7/22/26 at 4:53 am to BearRebelShark
I'm guessing you went to Tapster, which is right across the street from Rupp and the Mary Todd Lincoln house. Probably ate at Tony's Steakhouse.
Posted on 7/22/26 at 9:28 am to BearRebelShark
quote:
Loved Lexington when we played there last season. Went to a cool taproom across from Rupp and had a great meal somewhere around there as well (The Vine I think?). Great town and great fans. Just glad Lane didn’t get dumped the week of that game and lose like he did the year before.
We had a good time with Ole Miss fans all day, from pre-game to sitting together during the game.
Posted on 7/24/26 at 9:12 am to UKWildcats
Thanks for the reply UKW! Can't wait to get up there
This post was edited on 7/24/26 at 9:13 am
Posted on 7/24/26 at 11:45 am to Palmetto08
Hope you enjoy your time in our fair city. Need any other recommendations or advice just holler.
Posted on 8/25/26 at 1:38 pm to UKWildcats
Got our seats and they look pretty good for upper deck visitor seats (208 row 22). We're doing a bourbon tour Thursday then Jeff Ruby's Friday night. Will definitely go to Bluegrass Tavern, Henry Clay, etc.
Can you suggest any good patio or rooftop bars downtown for a Friday afternoon/Saturday pregame? We'll probably go somewhere and watch the morning games then head to the stadium tailgates.
Thanks again!
Can you suggest any good patio or rooftop bars downtown for a Friday afternoon/Saturday pregame? We'll probably go somewhere and watch the morning games then head to the stadium tailgates.
Thanks again!
Posted on 8/25/26 at 1:40 pm to Palmetto08
Dude, do distilleries. Hit up Dark Arts in Lexington and then roll out to check out the distilleries on the trail. They are all within an hour or so of Lexington. Go check out Whiskey Thief.
This post was edited on 8/25/26 at 1:42 pm
Posted on 8/25/26 at 1:41 pm to Pimphand
That drive going past those horse farms to get there...bruh. Like a movie.
Posted on 8/25/26 at 2:09 pm to El Jefe de Tu Mama
quote:
That drive going past those horse farms to get there...bruh. Like a movie.
Yeah I mean the drive alone is worth it even if you don't like bourbon.
Posted on 8/25/26 at 2:25 pm to Palmetto08
The staple is Dudley's on Short. It is where the horsey crowd gathers during the races and sales. White tablecloth, classic American food.
Carson's was mentioned above. Solid option.
Tony's and Jeff Ruby's are grossly overrated and overpriced in my opinion.
The service is hit or miss, but the food is always outstanding in La Deauville if you are in the mood for some classic French haute cuisine.
Millstone is between campus and downtown, new, and has been good the couple of times I've had the chance to go.
Bella's Cafe is underrated (same owner as Bella Note; which is solid Italian, but out by the mall). It's small and parking is an issue, but an excellent restaurant.
If you stay at The Summit, I recommend Honeywood. Outia Michaels is the executive chef and a James Beard awardee. Shrimp and grits are outstanding and get the collard greens.
Carson's was mentioned above. Solid option.
Tony's and Jeff Ruby's are grossly overrated and overpriced in my opinion.
The service is hit or miss, but the food is always outstanding in La Deauville if you are in the mood for some classic French haute cuisine.
Millstone is between campus and downtown, new, and has been good the couple of times I've had the chance to go.
Bella's Cafe is underrated (same owner as Bella Note; which is solid Italian, but out by the mall). It's small and parking is an issue, but an excellent restaurant.
If you stay at The Summit, I recommend Honeywood. Outia Michaels is the executive chef and a James Beard awardee. Shrimp and grits are outstanding and get the collard greens.
Posted on 8/25/26 at 3:03 pm to Palmetto08
Jack Fry's in Louisville is AWESOME!!! I know it's not Lexington but it's worth the drive! Food, atmosphere and service are all on point!
Posted on 8/25/26 at 3:17 pm to Palmetto08
I was going to warn you that Kentucky has horrible BBQ but you're a bama fan so you wouldn't know the difference.
Posted on 8/25/26 at 3:23 pm to LSU4Life2021
quote:
Jack Fry's in Louisville is AWESOME!!! I know it's not Lexington but it's worth the drive! Food, atmosphere and service are all on point!
Absolutely! Jack Frye's is definitely one of my favorites. Those fried oysters are amazing. Just sticking to the Lexington area this trip or would drive over.
This post was edited on 8/25/26 at 3:24 pm
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