Local restaurants, bars and places of interest
Food scene
Arguably THE Lexington restaurant! Mixture of southern cuisine and the chef’s original dishes. Fancy “date night” dining plus a more casual bar area. —Not inexpensive.
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Merrick Inn Restaurant
1074 Merrick DrArguably THE Lexington restaurant! Mixture of southern cuisine and the chef’s original dishes. Fancy “date night” dining plus a more casual bar area. —Not inexpensive.
One of my favorites. Casual, relaxed -nice selection of beers. Good subs! Good bread & pretzels. Great atmosphere.
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Mellow Mushroom
503 S Upper StOne of my favorites. Casual, relaxed -nice selection of beers. Good subs! Good bread & pretzels. Great atmosphere.
Best authentic Italian food in town. Large menu. Never crowded. In a very unassuming location and it’s decor hasn’t been updated since the 1980’s, which adds to its charm (IMO)! Always playing Frank Sinatra songs.—Hidden gem.—You didn’t hear this from me...wink, wink but no one knows where they get their financing?!
Paisano's Italian Restaurant & Lounge
2417 Nicholasville RdBest authentic Italian food in town. Large menu. Never crowded. In a very unassuming location and it’s decor hasn’t been updated since the 1980’s, which adds to its charm (IMO)! Always playing Frank Sinatra songs.—Hidden gem.—You didn’t hear this from me...wink, wink but no one knows where they get their financing?!
High on Art & Coffee
523 E High StFor coffee people.
West Sixth Brewing
501 W 6th StBrewery & food
Coffee Times Coffee House
2571 Regency RdNon-chain coffee & tea
Excellent Italian cuisine. Nice atmosphere. Close to my place.
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Giuseppe's Ristorante Italiano
4456 Nicholasville RdExcellent Italian cuisine. Nice atmosphere. Close to my place.
The Ketch Seafood Grill
2012 Regency RdGood, reasonably priced seafood. Very casual.
Nice Italian restaurants that is decorated well. Great atmosphere.
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Bella Notte
3715 Nicholasville RdNice Italian restaurants that is decorated well. Great atmosphere.
Malone's Lansdowne
3347 Tates Creek RdQuality steakhouse. Nationally recognized.
Local comfort food. Homemade pies. Lots of locally grown vegetables. 3 or 4 other Lexington locations. Popular with locals.
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Ramsey's Diners
151 W Zandale DrLocal comfort food. Homemade pies. Lots of locally grown vegetables. 3 or 4 other Lexington locations. Popular with locals.
Popular roadside local bbq. Nothing fancy, but great ribs and brisket! A bit of a drive from south Lexington, but many would say it’s worth it.
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Red State BBQ
4020 Georgetown RdPopular roadside local bbq. Nothing fancy, but great ribs and brisket! A bit of a drive from south Lexington, but many would say it’s worth it.
Palmers Fresh Grill
161 Lexington Green CircleNice restaurant. Seafood and more. Lakeside view.
Close, local, seafood. Nothing fancy but very good. Located in the “barn” at the Summit. Kind of an upper class food court.
Smithtown at The Summit
119 MarionClose, local, seafood. Nothing fancy but very good. Located in the “barn” at the Summit. Kind of an upper class food court.
Across the street from my place. An upscale food court. Whiskey Bear, in the Barn, is open until, at least, 11 or 12(midnight). Other eateries close around....9pm. Maybe later? Worth visiting if you have the munchies & want quick food that isn’t the usual fast food fare.
The Barn at Fritz Farm
119 MarionAcross the street from my place. An upscale food court. Whiskey Bear, in the Barn, is open until, at least, 11 or 12(midnight). Other eateries close around....9pm. Maybe later? Worth visiting if you have the munchies & want quick food that isn’t the usual fast food fare.
J. Alexander's Restaurant
4081 Finn WyClassy, fine food
The Cheesecake Factory
3545 Nicholasville RdEdley's Bar-B-Que
114 Summit At Fritz FarmGood bbq restaurant. Just across the street.
Alfalfa
141 E Main Stvegetarian/vegan restaurant. Tasty, healthy food.
33 Staves
4174 RowanRestaurant in boutique, Origin Hotel. Across the street from my place.
Movie Tavern Brannon Crossing
150 Langley DrMovies and food served while you watch.
Atomic Ramen
119 ⛉ MarionGood local Asian fusion quick food. Close
Grimaldi's Pizzeria
118 MarionPizza place in the Summit shopping center.
Nice restaurant! Good food! Well run by professional restauranteur Rob Perez.—Two other locations in Lexington.
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Saul Good
3801 Mall RdNice restaurant! Good food! Well run by professional restauranteur Rob Perez.—Two other locations in Lexington.
Excellent pizza & Italian in an old church. Been around for 35+ years. Near campus & downtown. A Lexington tradition!
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Joe Bologna's
120 W Maxwell StExcellent pizza & Italian in an old church. Been around for 35+ years. Near campus & downtown. A Lexington tradition!
Planet Thai
2417 Nicholasville RdAuthentic Thai food. Best Thai in Lex.
Dudley's On Short
259 W Short StNice, classy restaurant. One of Lexington’s favorites.
Drake's
3347 Tates Creek RdComfort food, drinks, lots of tv’s to watch sporting events.
Interesting menu choices. Award winning chef. A little pricey. Sometimes live jazz at night.
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AZUR restaurant and patio
3070 Lakecrest CirInteresting menu choices. Award winning chef. A little pricey. Sometimes live jazz at night.
Popular. Casual. Comfort food. Good place to watch ball games.
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Winchell's Restaurant & Bar
348 Southland DrPopular. Casual. Comfort food. Good place to watch ball games.
Bourbon n' Toulouse
829 Euclid AveAuthentic Cajun dishes. Casual. Served quickly.
Coles 735 Main
735 E Main StLocally sourced good food.
Popular German restaurant & bar. Lots of beers. Volleyball courts
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Marikka's Restaurant & Bier Stube
411 Southland DrPopular German restaurant & bar. Lots of beers. Volleyball courts
Panera Bread
2887 Richmond RdGood pizza & selection of beers. Nice atmosphere. Main st.
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Pies & Pints - Lexington, KY
401 W Main StGood pizza & selection of beers. Nice atmosphere. Main st.
Great pizza near UK’s campus. Seating & bar upstairs, downstairs & outdoors during good weather
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Pazzo's Pizza Pub
385 S LimestoneGreat pizza near UK’s campus. Seating & bar upstairs, downstairs & outdoors during good weather
Mi Pequena Hacienda
3501 Lansdowne DrGood Mexican food.
Creative Mexican dishes. Good mixed drinks. More fancy than most Mexican places. But not TOO fancy.
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Corto Lima
101 W Short StCreative Mexican dishes. Good mixed drinks. More fancy than most Mexican places. But not TOO fancy.
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
3297 Nicholasville RdGood food. Near the Fayette Mall
Honeywood Restaurant
110 Summit At Fritz FarmUnique dishes!
Sunrise Bakery
111 W Main StSightseeing
Horse racing, betting, people watching, eating, tailgating, drinking, meeting people....
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Keeneland Race Track station
Horse racing, betting, people watching, eating, tailgating, drinking, meeting people....
University of Kentucky
If interested in finding out about the campus
Concerts, sporting events, UK’s basketball home since 1976. Shopping. Convention center. Food. Hotel.
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Rupp Arena
430 W Vine StConcerts, sporting events, UK’s basketball home since 1976. Shopping. Convention center. Food. Hotel.
Historically significant and tour is very interesting!
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Mary Todd Lincoln House
578 W Main StHistorically significant and tour is very interesting!
21c Museum Hotel Lexington
167 W Main StInteresting museum & hotel
Architecturally unique home to one of the most important and influential national political figures in this country’s history! Guided tours. Pretty grounds. Garden and gift shop. Very interesting!
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Ashland - The Henry Clay Estate
120 Sycamore RdArchitecturally unique home to one of the most important and influential national political figures in this country’s history! Guided tours. Pretty grounds. Garden and gift shop. Very interesting!
Waveland State Historic Site
225 Waveland Museum LnState historic site. Guided tours.
Kroger Field
1540 University DrUK’s football stadium
Kentucky Horse Park
4089 Iron Works PkwyFor horse lovers.
Historic Shaker village about 30 minutes from Lexington. You can tour several of the refurbished Shaker buildings, eat at the wonderful restaurant, stay overnight in an actual Shaker dwelling (with modern amenities), walk around the village and there are often art fairs & special events. Boat rides on the river. A beautiful drive along the Kentucky river palisades.
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Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
3501 Lexington RdHistoric Shaker village about 30 minutes from Lexington. You can tour several of the refurbished Shaker buildings, eat at the wonderful restaurant, stay overnight in an actual Shaker dwelling (with modern amenities), walk around the village and there are often art fairs & special events. Boat rides on the river. A beautiful drive along the Kentucky river palisades.
Plays, ballet. music etc. Historic, refurbished old vaudeville and movie theater. Beautiful!
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Lexington Opera House
401 W Short StPlays, ballet. music etc. Historic, refurbished old vaudeville and movie theater. Beautiful!
Restaurant & bar on a train trip. Take a romantic trip back in time when rail travel was king. In Bardstown, Ky. 3 or 4 hours long. Also has mystery theater trips.
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My Old Kentucky Dinner Train
602 N 3rd StRestaurant & bar on a train trip. Take a romantic trip back in time when rail travel was king. In Bardstown, Ky. 3 or 4 hours long. Also has mystery theater trips.
Tour of bourbon distilleries in central Kentucky. Tastings, touring where famous bourbons are made and stored—gift shopping
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour
Tour of bourbon distilleries in central Kentucky. Tastings, touring where famous bourbons are made and stored—gift shopping
Classic movie theater
Beautiful art deco movie house. Started out as a vaudeville theater in the 1920’s. Shows many great independent and art house movies. As well as classic movies, foreign gems, quality mainstream flicks and cult classics. Midnight movies on the weekend. Main st. Two screens. Occasionally live bands perform.—Has been the site for the premiere showing of several movies filmed in the region. A Lexington classic!!
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Kentucky Theatre
214 E Main StBeautiful art deco movie house. Started out as a vaudeville theater in the 1920’s. Shows many great independent and art house movies. As well as classic movies, foreign gems, quality mainstream flicks and cult classics. Midnight movies on the weekend. Main st. Two screens. Occasionally live bands perform.—Has been the site for the premiere showing of several movies filmed in the region. A Lexington classic!!
Pubs & sports bars
Bar & grilles, sports bars, pubs
Distillery Square
903 Manchester StSeveral interesting pubs and restaurants in one area.
Parlay Social
249 W Short StNice, downtown bar and food.
Whiskey Bear
3195 MarionGood mixed drink bar. Located in the Summit at Fritz farm.
World of Beer
122 MarionGood Selection of beers. At the Summit.
33 Staves
4174 RowanNice bar & restaurant in the Origin boutique hotel.
Local Irish bar. Soccer is usually on the TVs. Near campus. Sometimes music. Large burgers.
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Lynagh's Irish Pub
384 Woodland AveLocal Irish bar. Soccer is usually on the TVs. Near campus. Sometimes music. Large burgers.
Lexington’s oldest working bar. A dive bar in the best sense. Bourbon & Tolouse cajun food next door.
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Chevy Chase Inn
833 Euclid AveLexington’s oldest working bar. A dive bar in the best sense. Bourbon & Tolouse cajun food next door.
McCarthy's Irish Bar
117 S Upper StAuthentic Irish style pub. Food available too.
Country Boy Brewing
436 Chair Avepopular local brew pub
Al's Bar
601 N LimestoneHip(?) dive bar & sometime music venue
Molly Brooke's Irish Bar
109 N Limestonegood Irish bar in old building. downtown area
Remodeled old building in downtown area. Nice place. Live music occasionally. Good drinks.
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Henry Clay's Public House
112 North Upper StreetRemodeled old building in downtown area. Nice place. Live music occasionally. Good drinks.
local favorite—-selection of their own beers—good bartenders—-attached to a casual seafood joint
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West Sixth Brewing
501 W 6th Stlocal favorite—-selection of their own beers—good bartenders—-attached to a casual seafood joint
Bluegrass Tavern
115 Cheapsidehuge selection of bourbons—-good atmosphere
Crossings Lexington
117 N Limestonegay bar—good drinks—drag shows
U.K. themed sports bar. Started by popular local UK sports radio personality & political commentator Matt Jones. A place to watch all things UK sports with like minded fans.
KSBar & Grille
1030 S BroadwayU.K. themed sports bar. Started by popular local UK sports radio personality & political commentator Matt Jones. A place to watch all things UK sports with like minded fans.
Winchell's Restaurant & Bar
348 Southland DrComfort food, sports bar, local favorite
Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery Lexington, KY
1030 S BroadwayShopping
Largest mall in Kentucky. LeRoys Jewelry, Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret, Forever 21, Dillard’s, food court, Disney store, Hot Topic, Lids, Vans, Finish line, Foot Locker, Journeys, Apple store, Gap, Coach, J. Jill, Aeropostale, Michael Kors, AnnTaylor, Lane Bryant, J.Crew, American Eagle, Williams Sonoma. Sephora etc etc.
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Fayette Mall
3401 Nicholasville RdLargest mall in Kentucky. LeRoys Jewelry, Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret, Forever 21, Dillard’s, food court, Disney store, Hot Topic, Lids, Vans, Finish line, Foot Locker, Journeys, Apple store, Gap, Coach, J. Jill, Aeropostale, Michael Kors, AnnTaylor, Lane Bryant, J.Crew, American Eagle, Williams Sonoma. Sephora etc etc.
Bella Rose
126 W Maxwell StChic women’s clothing.
Eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. Lush, Whole Foods, Fabletics, lululemon, Brooks Bros., Anthropologie, Arhaus, Cru wine bar, Shake Shack, Madewell, Pottery Barn, Crank & Boom ice cream, Bath & Body works, Draper James, Free People, Scout & Molly’s boutique, vineyard vines, Warby Parker eyewear, the Frye Company shoe store, Williams Sonoma, etc etc
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The Summit at Fritz Farm
120 Summit At Fritz FarmEclectic mix of shops and restaurants. Lush, Whole Foods, Fabletics, lululemon, Brooks Bros., Anthropologie, Arhaus, Cru wine bar, Shake Shack, Madewell, Pottery Barn, Crank & Boom ice cream, Bath & Body works, Draper James, Free People, Scout & Molly’s boutique, vineyard vines, Warby Parker eyewear, the Frye Company shoe store, Williams Sonoma, etc etc
Street Scene
2575 Regency RdGreat vintage store. Some new items also. Clothes, curios, small furniture.
Logan's of Lexington
161 Lexington Green CirTraditional men’s wear. Women’s clothing too.
Best Goodwill in Hartland shopping center for quality clothing finds. Also, close locations on Boston Rd. & Brannon Crossing.
Goodwill
4740 Hartland PkwyBest Goodwill in Hartland shopping center for quality clothing finds. Also, close locations on Boston Rd. & Brannon Crossing.
Wildcat Wearhouse
415 S BroadwayUK fan gear
Locker Room by Lids
3735 Palomar Centre DriveUK merchandise, clothing, gifts
Kentucky Branded
3801 Mall RdAlumni Hall
3615 Nicholasville RdDICK'S Sporting Goods
3645 Nicholasville RdSports gear and apparel galore
John's Run/Walk Shop
317 S Ashland Averunning shoe experts—New Balance, Adidas etc. Been around since the 70’s.
Nice mix of clothing stores, restaurants and the large, independent Joseph Beth Booksellers. Also,..White House/Black Market, Chico’s, Comedy Off Broadway(comedy club), Palmer’s Seafood restaurant, Logan’s men’s clothing store, Evereve, Francesca’s, Total Wine, Avante travel, the Woodhouse day spa etc.
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Lexington Green
161 Lexington Green CirNice mix of clothing stores, restaurants and the large, independent Joseph Beth Booksellers. Also,..White House/Black Market, Chico’s, Comedy Off Broadway(comedy club), Palmer’s Seafood restaurant, Logan’s men’s clothing store, Evereve, Francesca’s, Total Wine, Avante travel, the Woodhouse day spa etc.
Hamburg Pavilion
2308 Sir Barton WayAntiques
Scout Antique & Modern
935 Liberty RdQuality antiques and vintage.
Clairebourne Antiques
4648 Nicholasville RdHigh quality antique store! Things from all over the world. Very nearby.
Large selection of antiques. Large store! Also has a nice restaurant serving lunch.
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Irish Acres Gallery of Antiques
4205 Fords Mill RdLarge selection of antiques. Large store! Also has a nice restaurant serving lunch.
Liberty Hill Antiques & Fine Furnishings
925 Liberty RdNice antique & modern
Live music
Sometimes good local bands. Sometimes, big or up and coming touring acts.
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Cosmic Charlie's
105 W Loudon AveSometimes good local bands. Sometimes, big or up and coming touring acts.
The Burl
375 Thompson RdLocal and national touring acts.
The Green Lantern
497 W 3rd StGood pub and music venue. Small. Dive bar coolness.
Manchester Music Hall
899 Manchester StBig name artists, indie music, good local shows
Historic movie theater that is now more of a music venue for the Woodsongs old time radio hour and a sight for cultural events. Some music legends and some local musicians play Woodsongs. —Until the early 1960’s the Lyric was one of Lexington’s “black” movie houses as segregation was STILL widespread.—Theater was refurbished somewhat recently.
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Lyric Theatre
300 E Third StHistoric movie theater that is now more of a music venue for the Woodsongs old time radio hour and a sight for cultural events. Some music legends and some local musicians play Woodsongs. —Until the early 1960’s the Lyric was one of Lexington’s “black” movie houses as segregation was STILL widespread.—Theater was refurbished somewhat recently.
Tin Roof
303 S Limestone