Barrel House Distillery
Located in the barreling house of the historic distillery property, Barrel House continues the tradition of old Kentucky distillers by producing quality Kentucky bourbon with traditional methods. You can take a tour Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., with tours starting on the hour and lasting about an hour. End your experience with a specialty drink at the lounge and taproom.
The Break Room
This relaxation area is where you’ll find locals kicking back, sharing laughs and ordering drinks. Running along the Town Branch Creek, the covered patio leads to an outdoor stage for live music and firepits that always draw a crowd. You can usually find a food truck parked outside too, serving everything from tacos to Thai food.
BREVEDE COFFEE
Brevede Coffee is a one-of-a-kind coffee shop that prides themselves on their warm, inviting atmosphere, handcrafted coffee and baked goods, workshops, and events. They also have an in-house bakery, making them a great choice for catering!
The Burl
Originally built in 1926, this restored train depot is the ideal live music venue to experience shows from local and national bands. The natural acoustics and free-flowing vibes are all thanks to the original wood frame and open layout of the space. The intimate floor plan offers standing room only for most shows, with some seating at the full bar. Head outside to the firepit to get fresh air in between shows and keep an eye out for food trucks.
The Burl Arcade
This is where nostalgia kicks into full force. The Burl Arcade is a place for adults to feel like kids again. It’s filled with 1980s retro arcade games, flashing pinball machines, skee-ball and a wall of TVs beckoning you to pick up a controller (and play Super Mario Bros.). The full-bar with rotating drink specials, mojitos on draft, and craft beer selection add to the fun, too. Make sure to bring quarters, as most of the games require them. And then head next door to The Burl for live music.
Burl Brew
Burl Brew offers no-fuss beers in a cozy and hip atmosphere. With TVs to catch a game and pool tables, grab one of their signature brews for a fun night out or while you’re waiting for your show to start at the Burl.
Crank & Boom Ice Cream Lounge
Using 100% Kentucky dairy from JD Country Milk, and blackberries and strawberries from neighboring farms, Crank & Boom makes everything in house, from scratch—even their sauces and waffle cones. With unique ice cream flavors and seasonal options popping up on the regular, plus ice cream cocktails like the Stout Dreams made with Coffee Stout ice cream and Buffalo Trace bourbon cream, you’ll understand why locals rave about this place.
Desperados Cantina
Enjoy this high energy restaurant and bar with a great location in the Distillery District. Desperados Cantina, a taqueria serving up from scratch classic and funky tacos, is a must-stop for some quick eats. Grab a drink with high-end tequila or mezcal and sit on their patio that overlooks Town Branch Creek.
DISTRICT 7 SOCIAL HALL
A one-stop-shop for all things fun, District 7 Social Hall is the kind of place you could spend all night at! Here, you’ll find German food and beers, ping pong, duck-pin bowling, and golf, meaning there’s no shortage of ways to keep yourself entertained!
Elkhorn Tavern
Make yourself at home in this intimate lodge-style bar and restaurant, located right next to Barrel House Distillery in the old barreling house of the historic distillery. They whip up inventive craft cocktails made exclusively from spirits distilled in-house. Be sure to try the burgoo, a classic Kentucky dish, or soak up the savory goodness of the full charcuterie board. It rotates various meats, cheeses and jams, and pairs perfectly with their seasonal cocktails.
Ethereal Brewing
This craft brewery creates its beer in a revitalized fermentation room and is the only brewery in town with a dedicated yeast lab. They’ve perfected the Belgian farmhouse and American craft beer, sparing no expense on ingredients or their brewing process. Their taproom selection spans from traditional craft staples (IPAs, Saisons, Witbiers) to ambitious out-of-the-norm brews. Head past the taproom to find a wall of dart boards and the occasional taco stand. Feel free to bring your pup too, as outdoor seating is available!
Goodfellas Pizzeria
Marvel at the architectural splendor of this renovated distillery space, enjoy a drink from the craft cocktail bar and sink your teeth into a perfect slice of New York-Style pizza. A spiral staircase wraps around an old smokestack adorned with modern hanging lights and seating at the bottom. Upstairs, the mezzanine is complete with a pool table and cozy couches that overlook the restaurant. The impressive bar is stacked with over 200 varieties of bourbon. Outside, you’ll find string lights and bocce ball on an impressive patio alongside the Town Branch. Pizza is sold by the slice and pairs well with the enormous bread sticks. A stop to Goodfellas is a must if you’re in the area.
GRANDDAM
Book a seat at Granddam, an Applachian-inspired dining hall located in The Manchester Hotel. Stop by breakfast, lunch or dinner and enjoy their signature table-side juleps and Bluegrass fare made with fresh, local ingredients.
HALLIGAN'S BAR AND GRILL
Looking for a unique yet laidback bar and grill? Well, look no further! Halligans is known for serving up classic dishes, delicious desserts, and unique recipes for anyone feeling adventurous. Founded by a former firefighter, they’re proud to celebrate firefighters, police officers, and first responders.
James E. Pepper Distillery
After lying abandoned for fifty years, this heritage distillery is back. Using filtered limestone water from the historic distillery well, this place is one-of-a-kind. Bourbon tours are available at $20 per person and include the story of the historic brand, time in the distillery museum, a tour of the working distillery and a tasting of the award-winning, small-batch whiskeys. You can even taste raw distillate right off the still, known as “White Dog,” and then take your tasting glass home. Be sure to take a look at the limestone well before you leave.
LITTLE FORK
Just outside of Wise Bird Brewing Co., you’ll find Little Fork—a self-described, “trailer gourmet” experience. It’s a permanent food truck fixture that provides a fun, cider-driven culinary experience featuring farm-to-table dishes made with local ingredients.
LOST PALM
You don’t have to go far to find paradise. Located on the roof of The Manchester Hotel is Lost Palm, a 1960’s, South Florida-inspired bar. This indoor outdoor parlor is complete with private cabanas, flamboyant Tiki cocktails, and unique dishes like gator bites, a must-try.
The MANCHESTER HOTEL
The Distillery District’s newest addition is The Manchester Hotel, a uniquely Bluegrass-inspired boutique hotel experience. With its soulful interiors and rich, earthy tones, there’s truly no other place in town to compare it to. Complete with 125 rooms, a lobby bar and lounge, a bespoke bottle shop, a restaurant, and a rooftop bar, The Manchester is as convenient as it is comfortable and stylish.
Manchester Music Hall
In the 1800s it was a bourbon warehouse for Old Tarr Distillery. Fast forward 200 years, it now serves as one of Lexington’s premier live music venues and concert halls. As the Distillery District's first business in the modern era, Manchester Music Hall attracts mid-level and legacy acts from all genres. Beyond concerts nearly every weekend, this venue often hosts beautiful weddings and unique corporate events as well.
MASSAGE STRONG
Massage Strong is different from other massage offices. Our massage therapists focus on pain relief, injury therapy, and mobility. We aren't your typical spa, which is why you won't see any waterfalls in our lobby, and you may not hear music during your session. We are here to work with your body in a way to promote pain relief, healing, and functional progress. Come visit us at our distillery district location, and enjoy a night out with friends at our neighboring restaurants and bars.
MS Rezny Studio
This art studio gives serious collectors and art lovers alike the chance to talk with artists about their work and purchase fine art at affordable prices. The 1,500 square foot studio hosts juried competitions, features exhibits seasonally and proudly supports local artists.
mazunte bodega
Lovingly curated from the yearlong research from Mazunte’s owners through Mexico, Mazunte Bodega is rooted in the authentic experiences, explorations, passion, and culture of Mexico. Known for its vibrant fusion of traditional and new flavors, Mazunte Bodega offers authentic regional Mexican food as well as a bar and grab-and-go market. Located next to the Manchester Hotel, grab a great meal and margarita and enjoy its vibrant atmosphere.
Oculus Studios
Oculus is an award-winning marketing and advertising agency, creating meaningful marketing for local and national brands. You might recognize their work from various Ethereal Brewing beer can designs or the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel bottle design.
RELIC LEXINGTON
RELIC is a public warehouse of vintage, rustic, reclaimed “stuff.” We find things we think are pretty awesome and then share them with you hoping you will think they’re awesome too. Bourbon barrels, industrial furniture, vintage rugs. old signage, strange oddities- that’s what we do. We play our music loud and don’t take things too seriously. We like to offer Kentucky products made by Kentuckians in Kentucky. Come in and buy our stuff, or just hang out with us- we’re happy to see you either way!
WISE BIRD CIDER CO.
Wise Bird Cider Co. is committed to crafting small‑batch, heritage style hard ciders from heirloom apples. Their tap lineup features up to 8 house ciders and a selection of local craft beers. From dry single varietal ciders to bourbon barrel aged and dessert ciders, they’ve got something for everyone—plus they’re dog and kid friendly! Wise Bird Cider Co. has an industrial yet modern vibe with a sprawling patio overlooking the Town Branch Creek.
EVEN MORE THINGS TO DO
There’s so much to explore not only here in the Distillery District, but around the city! From local staples to hidden gems, our partner VisitLEX has the inside scoop on all things Lexington.