Here for both a good time, and a long time, Al’s Bar has been a part of Lexington nightlife for almost 50 years. 

Full of history, whether under the name Al’s, Thoroughbred Tavern or the Lilly Pad, this corner of North Limestone and West 6th Street has been described as the cultural center of Lexington.

With decals from WWII, it is unclear how long this establishment has allowed Lexingtonians to “wet their whistles.”

Located on 601 N. Limestone and co-owned by brothers Lester and Josh Miller, the music venue and bar showcases the local and national talent that comes through Lexington.

The bar switched hands in 2007. The first customer under new ownership came in and ordered a shot of tequila at 7:30 a.m. one morning in May, thus launching the life that it has today. 

Al’s hosted its first musical performance since its new beginnings on Oct. 17, 2007, and it was soon putting on four or five shows a week. The expansion into the space next door, now known as Al’s Sidecar, came in 2008, and the addition of the Beer Garden out back came in 2013. Today, Al’s prides itself on being a Kentucky Proud dive bar with more than 40 Kentucky bourbons and whiskeys, local brews and food.

Minors are sometimes allowed into the bar for food, but most shows are for people 21 and up, though some shows are available to anyone over the age of 18. 

“We actually just launched our menu in a new Cajun direction,” Lester Miller said. “The Duck and Andouille Gumbo and Spinach and Artichoke Etouffée have been the most popular although everything has been well received.”

The dive bar also hosts musical performances every Wednesday through Saturday, open mic nights on Tuesday’s and a comedy open mic on Thursdays. 

“We regularly host indie rock, hip hop, bluegrass, country, electronic, metal, comedy, poetry and everything in between,” Lester Miller said .

This little piece of Lexington has seen some big names through its time hosting shows, including Ben Sollee, Deer Tick, Beachhouse, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti and Idiot Glee.

The outdoor beer garden component of Al’s is “both great and challenging,” Lester Miller said. 

It allows for a performance space and a chance to host a larger crowd of people, but it makes Al’s much more dependent on the weather. 

Some upcoming events at Al’s include:

Feb. 26 – Driftwood Gypsy & Big Atomic 

Mar. 4 – WRFL DJ series (early show); Dublove Reggae Band and Ras T Dubflex (late show)

Mar. 11 – Tyler Childers, William Matheny & The Strange Constellations, and The Jenkins Twins

Mar. 13 – Plattenbau, Idiot Glee, Elsinores

Week day shows start at 9 and at 10 on weekends.

By Emily Crace

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