Al&#x27;s Bar

"Al’s Bar is the second home for a particular cross-section of Lexington weirdness. This dive hosts performers of all kinds – from bluegrass to hardcore to stand-up comedy. And it sells some of the best tater tots in town, along with a rotating selection of craft beer and inventive mixed drinks. Come for the music, stay for the fried catfish sandwich." - Bullhorn

On the Grid : Al's Bar

"Al's Bar, Lexington Ky by Bullhorn. Al’s Bar is the second home for a particular cross-section of Lexington weirdness. This dive hosts performers of all kinds – from bluegrass to hardcore to stand-up comedy. And it sells some of the best tater tots in town, along with a rotating selection of craft beer and inventive mixed drinks. Come for the music, stay for the fried catfish sandwich."

G Ed

Google

I am bias in posting this review as my son is playing here live tonight. It's quite cozy and casual and the bartender was great. They didn't serve food tonight and that's how it supposed to be on Mondays...? We should try to book another evening for more crowd and food. The margarita I ordered was great. Come on out for great food, drinks and live music.

JW Francis

Google

Al’s bar is like Al’s home - this is the spot let me tell you. They’ve got outdoor space, they’ve got dance space, they’ve got a great stage, good drinks, amazing food. I highly recommend the bahn mi. You’ll see.

Rebekkah Early

Google

Goth vs Emo night/prom. I'm not new to the Goth scene. And, I'm also a DJ. A Goth/Industrial/EDM DJ. The music that was played tonight for the Goth side was, absolutely atrocious. Not one (other than a Cure song) iconic Goth dance club song was played. I wanted to shove the, what looked like a washed up has been of a Goth DJ off the stage and get the room dancing. I couldn't stand it. Now for the bar. No Jager for a Jager and Pineapple. Nothing for Bloody Mary's. Small selection of bourbon. And premade fruity drinks. And, no cook. Had to Doordash. But, would absolutely return to figure out the bar menu, ONLY IF, a better Goth DJ were to be present.

Dana Marnix

Google

Popped in to Al's while visiting for LexCon 2018 after hanging out at the Arcadium across the street. There was no live music that night, but is was incredibly down to earth. The bartender was an incredibly nice guy, and even took pictures with our sloppy selves at the end of the night (our small group was most of the patrons that night). We never got around to coming back to order what looked like delicious food from there, but next visit we plan to.

Katherine Collins

Google

Live music is fun, drinks are good, and staff are friendly. However, the music is always significantly louder than necessary for the space. Bring earplugs or suffer.

C H

Google

Attending a weekday event with a cover charge I was followed to my table and informed by the pushy bartender that there was a 1 drink minimum. I had never heard of this at an event with a cover charge, kinda seems like a hidden fee and you should just charge an appropriate cover, but what do I know about running a business. When I went to the counter the bartender went to serve 2 people who just walked into the bar while I was clearly waiting for him with eye contact after the last patron ordered. Then he loudly announced he was giving them both drinks on the house- if you are that worried about making yourself/the bar money don't give out free drinks. I ended up getting a $5 coke cause I'm sober. I've heard before that Brian is a piece of work- it was the in the first description a friend gave me of the bar- and this was my first interaction with him, so that tracks. He's tight with the owners in some capacity so expect he'll be there.

Femi Branded

Google

Decentralized from the busy downtown, AI bar is a decent spot in the bars ecosystem of Lexington Kentucky. I was recently there to take pictures of an event and I love the energy and vibes provided by AI bar.

Wendy “Pooh” Mondragon

Google

Very friendly neighborhood place! Great food and drinks and daily specials and local beer's. Great food from The Epic Cure regardless what you decide on, my personal fav; Sopes and Bbq Tots the Swayze Burger was ABSOLUTELY amazing! Not your Typical "bar food" it's definitely got its own flair your mouth will agree guaranteed! Great music 6 nights a week including open mic Monday's.

G Ed

Google

JW Francis

Google

Rebekkah Early

Google

Dana Marnix

Google

Katherine Collins

Google

Live music is fun, drinks are good, and staff are friendly. However, the music is always significantly louder than necessary for the space. Bring earplugs or suffer.

C H

Google

Femi Branded

Google

Wendy “Pooh” Mondragon

Google

Alli C.

Yelp

Always great drinks and Greta entertainment at Al's! I'm not a fan of their cover, but even with a cover you still get your moneys worth. My only rec is to peek in first because sometimes you walk into an empty bar if it's early!

Kayti M.

Yelp

Updating my seven year old review! Al's Bar is truly a gem since changing ownership in 2019! The bathrooms are MUCH nicer (have you taken a selfie in the rose room yet?). The patio is the absolute best for porch sits and happy hour drinks. The calendar is chock full of some of the coolest alternative and queer entertainment in Lexington from BurLEX Burlesque events to Interzone to local and regional metal, rock, folk, pop, indie, and more! Al's is truly an all-encompassinv space! There's something for everyone! They are debuting "Al's Jr" today (3/30/24) serving burgers, chicken, tots and more!

Neil W.

Yelp

Good cool beer. Had the IPA draft special of the week. Didn't eat there but the bar food menu looked pretty good. I hear they have live music almost every night.

Saphace A.

Yelp

This was one of my favorite places to go to hang. They have local bands that perform and I've been to an open mic poetry here. It's not a big place, but there's an outdoor area which is cool and places to play pool. Service was fine. I had country boy's cougar bait. We brought food from elsewhere and they were fine with it... so I think it's okay? It was super late and the kitchen had already closed for the evening. Anyway, it was a really cool space. Pretty chill. Lots of hipsters.

Heather P.

Yelp

Al's does burger week right! I've been here during burger week for two years in a row and both times they knocked it out of the park. Way to show off! Not only was their featured burger one of my favorites both years, but they were fully staffed and everyone was friendly. Yes, it's a dive. Parking in the area can be sketchy. If you have a hard time warding off pan handlers and the like, I don't recommend that you go at it alone. Perfect opportunity to take advantage of an Uber or Lyft. With drink specials and strong concoctions like these, you're not suppose to drive anyways! It's super close to other Limestone area dives, so make an evening and do an area tour... with a friend. They have a couple of pool tables in the back, so if that's your thing, you're in luck.

Blanka A.

Yelp

The new bar bites are a wonderful mix of jamaican flavors. Had the oxtail stew with plantains and white rice and back beans. The rice and beans in themselves would have made me happy. The oxtail was amazing! Got in there with my hands and enjoyed the flavorful bone The food was beyond my expectations! A friend described it is: "this tastes so good. It is like getting food after a night of drinking and feeling like it is awesome, without actually having had a long night of drinking". What can I say? Give it a try!

Matthew E.

Yelp

So we came for burger week and it was awesome!!! Great job guys. Been here for several live music events...one of the few places that does it well. Great beers on tap, food is always on point and the crowd is nicely mixed. Check the front for the schedule of performances and just give this place a try...a little hidden gem in Lexington! They get 4 because it is just kept simple and awesome.

Megan M.

Yelp

Found Al's on Yelp while stopping through Lexington looking for a local dive. Al's is the bar and Fida's Caribbean cafe still run by Fida and her son I am so content with the badass BBQ Jerk Cheeseburger with delicious plantains. Don't like bananas? Like bananas? Order the freaking plantains. Also ordered the spicy slaw bc I love spicy anything and yes, it's spicy! Lastly, had some of my husband's Haitian dumpling soup is yummy! Reminds me of a beef stew. Yeeeeeeeesssssss I recommend this place to hungry people who like good food! Yum yum yum and family owned. Next time we're in town we will be back. Thank you for making my belly happy while I enjoy my adult beverages at Al's. Al's is great too! We are here on a cult classic movie night where they're showing a movie. Life is good

Yan C.

Yelp

Al's is your neighborhood dive bar with a patio and a house cat. The Grapefruit Radler is usually my starter of the night. Refreshing, fruity, and light -- the perfect beverage in this summer heat. The House Peach Lemonade can equally quench your thirst for H2O and EtOH, but the extra dash of sugar is something that I don't need. There's a limited selection of cocktails but you can always get beers on tap or even a pitcher if you want to share. The bar can get pretty busy, but the bartenders are cute that I don't mind waiting and hanging around for a little bit. If there's such thing as a definition of hipster, Al's would be it. On the last Wednesday evening of each month, Eric Sutherland hosts the Holler Poets Series. Poets, musicians, and crowds of hipsters congregate to celebrate music and literature. There is an open mic for budding poets. Punished poets take the stage later in the night. Unfortunately, Holler is coming to an end since its birth in 2008. Luckily, I believe that Al's holds other cool events. If the above said still doesn't tickle your fancy, just grab a drink and play with the prettiest house cat on the patio. There's certainly more than one way to enjoy your night.

Raoul K.

Yelp

The staff is very friendly. Plus Delicious food, clean environment, LIVE MUSIC!, and of course delicious drinks!

Lee P.

Yelp

Great place to go for live music. Great food too. Excellent burgers including local beef, lamb, local bison, black bean (best in town), portabello, and falafel. The sweet potato fries are everyone's favorite. A great neighborhood bar.

Mick J.

Yelp

Lexington's finest in "dive" bar experiences, it's actually run by incredible foodies and beer freaks who have an undeniable magic touch for creating cool food and music-based venues. Head straight over to Al's for delightful and affordable eats and a champion bourbon selection, as well as an impressive collection of craft beers on tap (though the undeniable house fave among the young hipster bike-riding crowd is PBR) LONG LIVE AL'S BAR, a Lexington institution!

Chad C.

Yelp

Apparently this place was Hipster before Hipster was cool. This is a dive bar down North Limestone. It is one of the few bars in town that still has a stage for live bands. I stopped in here the other night with some friends and loved it. It had great food and booze. If you are eating here, place your order with the barkeep before grabbing a seat. I knew I wanted a burger, but didn't know what type. They offer local beef, bison, lamb, black bean and possibly other burger options, but I didn't know which one I wanted. So I asked the bartender what he would order if he were eating and the GBLT Burger is highly recommend. He said they were out of lamb so I got bison. The G is for fried green tomato. It was so good. I am glad I took his suggestion. They also carry a few good craft beers on tap. Which was really nice. I did see something on their menu that peeked my interest. It was a Beer Mosa. That is a PBR with a splash of Orange Juice. WOW. All I have to say is that it made the PBR good. I had a few while I was here that night. I may also make these at home on occasion. Cause I'm just that fancy. The place itself seemed clean, but very well worn. Some of the tables wobble or are outdoor tables. Just go with it. I will go back to this place at some point, stop by yourself.

Nick L.

Yelp

If you're looking for a dive this is your place. Exactly what I needed. Good drinks. Plenty of food. Pool. Nice outdoor patio. Would recommend

Jess N.

Yelp

Positives Good bands New beer garden Decent beer Outside patio in summer Close to Arcadium Onion rings are delicious Limestone donuts across the way Negatives After the sun goes down - nope You might get mugged It's in the ghetto Snarky staff The food was only good if you were drunk - except onion rings If your not a mellennial or in your 40s whishing you were 20 you do not need to be here Nope Parking sucks My car swiped by a cracked out crazy person Nope

Erik P.

Yelp

My favorite bar. It is a dive bar so be ready to deal with everything that comes with that such as dark, a little dingy but just enough where it feels casual and not like I'm going to get stabbed. It is very safe. The food is a great kept secret with really good local food and one of the best burgers in town. They have block parties beer garden in back Comedians Improv comedy Bad movie night political rallies Bands Rap groups In all of Lexington's wealth Al's has become the cultural epicenter of everything. Maybe even beating out the university of Kentucky.

Elizabeth R.

Yelp

I was here for a concert last night, specifically to see a band called Jamaican Queens. They're one of my favorite bands so this place gets one star for having them here multiple times and always for a free show. It seems like they have free music here pretty often and it's a really cool dive atmosphere for it. They get a second star for having seemingly cheap beer. My tab was only $14 for two craft beers and a couple domestics. Seemed like a good price to me. I've gone back and forth between giving them two or three stars. In reality it's probably a 2.5 star type of place. I love dive bars and I know not to expect a ton from them, but I was unimpressed with how the staff treated customers. One of my friends asked what they had on draft (standing on the side of the bar where you couldn't see they had a list) and the bartender said "Just look for yourself." I feel like that was a pretty easy question to answer.

Sarah M.

Yelp

Great local hipster spot. It's close to the ghetto though so that's a definite negative. Went for a comedy venture with a good friend last fall. Pitcher of beer is a must for the evening that way you can enjoy the show etc. They have pool tables as well.

Brittney K.

Yelp

This place had my favorite burger for "Lexington Burger Week". It's a greasy spoon type place but for lunch it was perfect. If you're ok with a lot of grease but tasty food then this place has a awesome burger and delicious tater tots.

Mike P.

Yelp

Small neighborhood style bar. Has a separate kitchen in the bar. Came in on a Tuesday. Food is good. Drinks are reasonable. Looks to be a good night.

Jacob S.

Yelp

All I can speak for is the hospitality, the buffalo chicken wrap and the great microbrew selection. Great dive! Also got to watch my great friend play on stage tonight #iloveJoshDoss

blue t.

Yelp

Great place for live music, good beer, and no frat guys to be seen! Plus more bourbon than you'd think possible at a dive bar. (Though the hipster crowd seems to be taking over.) Al's is a no-frills kind of place, but is welcoming and chill. Wide variety of music, so check ahead before you go - it could be folk-rock one night and a metal band the next! If it gets too loud, you can always go next door to the Sidecar, where the hardcore pool players and cyclists hang out!

Kathryn L.

Yelp

It's not just "a dive bar", it is THE dive bar in Lexington. Classic Mrs. Pac-man, pool tables, draft beer for $1, locally grown food, locally grown live music, and a locally grown staff. And, if you are into "eye candy", the bartender does not dissapoint! Eat some sweet potato french fries, have a bourbon 'n water, or share a pitcher of beer with Cookie. Or if it's one of those days where you want to be alone and contemplate deep thoughts over a cold one, ask the bartender for the week's NewYorker. It's behind the bar; Ask nicely- he'll share.

Marsha B.

Yelp

This is a wonderful dive bar. Great music, great happy hour drinks, great prices! Outdoor patio is nice. They have a pool table which is fun!

Kay B.

Yelp

It had been awhile since we were last here, maybe 2+ years ago. In the mood for a quick and casual meal in our 'hood, we headed to Al's. A couple changes since our last visit that hit us immediately: 1) you can no longer order from the booths, but rather must place drink AND food orders at the bar 2) they literally hold your credit card behind the bar as you run a tab 3) they used to have a nice selection of "side" items that were delish, and 4) what happened to that awesome waiter/bartender who called himself "Catfish"? The bartender tonight seemed a bit overwhelmed, although we couldn't understand why for sure... not exactly a busy night. Nevertheless, we "recovered", sat at the bar and ordered a couple beers. Struck up a conversation with a regular. He was enjoyable and reminded us what we love about this place: You will undoubtedly always meet interesting people here. The other reason: The food is good, despite the scaled-down menu versus previous visits. We shared the GBLT and the Lamb burger, both were good. As well as the beer cheese with crackers/veggies. The onion rings are possibly the best in town. No breakdown on the tab. For all we know, we may have treated others tonight as well. Enjoyed our visit overall, just not quite the Al's we used to know and frequent.

Kim D.

Yelp

After visiting several other bars while visiting Lexington last week, I'm more convinced than ever that Al's is the place for me. It's divey and ugly, it's got great booths, great bourbon at completely reasonable prices (and they even have a price list at the table, so you don't have to wonder just how big your tab is going to be), amazing sweet potato fries and I've never heard a crappy band play here. Drop by, park your butt in a booth for the evening, get drinking and order some food. You'll love it. If you don't, the problem isn't Al's!

Nancee M.

Yelp

Stopped in based on Yelp recommendations. Definitely a great dive bar. All locals, except the 2 of us. Surprised the bar tender with a request for a martini. She knew the ingredients but suffered from a lack of experience. Could have been much colder, but the taste was there. Had a bison burger and the Kentucky gyro. Food was great, freshly made and delivered hot. Great place for a drink and a quick bite.

Jess S.

Yelp

Come in and get a drink they have all types of bourbon some I didnt even know about. There is usually live music, which is pretty good, which comes w a $5 cover but keeps out some rif raf. They also have good burgers here.

Markly M.

Yelp

Best dive bar I have ever been to for a few reasons: 1. The very best beer I have ever tasted, their bourbon barrel ale. 2. Really great burgers, and a lot of options. 3. Fried pickles 4. Real friendly staff 5. Good live music on a regular basis Anytime I pass through Kentucky I have to go to this place!

James R.

Yelp

Neighborhood is dicey...but this place has swag for days!! Great craft beer, fantastic bourbon selection, friendly staff. Would have given them 5 stars but the live music that came on later in the evening was just troublesome...Now I am sure me being a 46 male I was not their target audience, and that is a good thing cause that stuff made my ear bleed. If you want a cool place to sit and chat, get there early and enjoy, if you wanna have the "ear bleeds" come in late...lol

David C.

Yelp

A personal favorite. Good selection of drinks and a good outlet for the local music scene. The crowd here is the best. Prices are low, staff is great. Can't say enough good things bout Al's

Madison B.

Yelp

This bar is my home away from home. Sometimes divey, sometimes overindulgent, but always friendly, welcoming and exactly what I need. The burgers are cheap and delicious. The fried catfish is what I miss the most now that I love out of state. Tl;dr great food, amazing service, best live performances in the area. If you're down with the dive, go now.

Patrick D.

Yelp

The hamburger at Al's Bar is my favorite in town. If it were a little bigger it might be my favorite IN THE WORLD... Everybody needs something to aspire to, though, right?

Angela M.

Yelp

We visited last week while traveling. We weren't as impressed as most of the reviews made us think we would be. Nice covered patio out back. We went for dinner and drinks. Hummus was decent. Fried tomatoes were ok. Burger was good quality but under cooked. My SO had the gyro and it was far from a gyro, just over cooked lamb in a stale pita pocket. Also no redbull for my jagerbomb....some kind of on tap energy drink which did not taste well. In any case, I hope this bar survives as it is in an area that could benefit from some businesses that succeed.

Paolo M.

Yelp

There's everything you need and the music is always at right volume. People are happy, so it's easy to find someone to talk, but basically you generally find your frends. An awesome place.

Laine H.

Yelp

I have serious gluten and dairy allergies- it's hard to find a place to eat anything but they have a great vegan menu. The red beans & rice (sans cheese) is SO. GOOD. Interesting part of town, but I would go back for the food.

Joy G.

Yelp

I love dive bars and really wanted to like this place but just couldn't. I must have come on an off night. The parking is terrible and I felt very unsafe. The place was filthy and full of trouble. I don't see what's so cool about such a dangerous place. I came across a hooker, drug dealer, and a physical argument between two patrons all in the same night. I'm happy for a place that supports local beer, artists, and musicians, but this sleazy little hole in the wall is not my scene.

Russell D.

Yelp

We bought a house in this up and coming neighborhood a little over a year ago. Much like the neighborhood, as long as you don't go into Al's confused about what it is, you won't be disappointed by what it isn't. Simple, well crafted bar food with an extra kick of freshness and imagination in a super friendly hole in the wall type of place. Couldn't have been more pleased on a weeknight when we wanted a quick walk for an easy bite!

Megan M.

Yelp

My goto bar for cheap beer, interesting people, and live music (be aware the music always starts hours late). They have decent tap selection and always an abundance of cheap canned beer. Out back is the beer garden that is a separate space for more electric beer drinking. The food is really fantastic and it's the sortof place if you're there on a slow night or a crowded night you'll probably walk out with new friends :)

Jason S.

Yelp

Al's Bar is definitely the most interesting bar/restaurant that I've been to in Lexington. The first concession is that it's in a shady part of town, but that won't deter you crazy kids, will it? Not to be overlooked at Al's is the food. It's all local and very good. A lot of people come here just to eat. Al's is also a great local music venue. The variety and frequency of their acts is staggering. There's a very eclectic crowd at Al's. The people who live in the area, college kids, hipsters, middle aged folks, it's seems to be a good place for the gay and lesbian community as well. I love this place.

Gordan S.

Yelp

Al's bar rules.Great food,patio and atmosphere.Friendly staff and cheap drinks new beer garden in the back is gonna rock this summer.Live music and a pool table.Al's is defiantly one of the best bars in downtown Lexington.

Desarae A.

Yelp

Fantastic burgers. Don't expect a nice ambience, it's a dive bar and comes with all the dive bar characteristics. That's not really my thing unless I'm there for a concert or show, so I order food to go all the time. Their bison sausage burger special is by far the best burger I've ever had.

Jeff R.

Yelp

I guess it's a dive bar, but it has a better tap list than most places in town. Al's represents with at least 3 Country Boy taps. Decent lamb burger, solid fries. Our latest date night place.

Mario S.

Yelp

So moving from Memphis and looking around town this has become one of my favorite places to eat/drink/laugh. I love how relaxed the atmosphere is, how delicious the burgers are for the price, and I can always find a drink special that intrigues me. Also, they have an awesome patio out back and comedy open mic regularly/ plus music and events. All in all this place is the real deal! It's dive-y enough but also has all the entertainment you want, you have to check it out! You won't be disappointed

Trenton T.

Yelp

Amazing menu with diverse food. Cheap as hell and great stage !!

Chelsea N.

Yelp

I lived in Phoenix for a year and one of the things I missed the most was Al's. The first place I went to when I visted was Al's. The first place I went to when I moved back was Al's. The burgers are great. The fries are the bomb. The beer is cold. The bourbon is strong. The music is great and the guests there are a heck of a time.

John F.

Yelp

I love this place it has a ton of character and great music and good food. The only problem is it's in the hood, and a lot of my friends will not go there because of the neighborhood. But if you have the nerve it is well worth it.

Adam S.

Yelp

Pretty impressive place. Wish it was a little closer to downtown. Solid craft beer selection for a bar with live music. Mad at myself for not eating there. Saw some dishes being served to people and everything smelled and looked wonderful. Great outdoor area as well. Solid place to listen to music as well. A lot more personable than a place like Busters. Feels like watching a great show in your backyard. Prices were very reasonable as well. Overall, good experience.

B W.

Yelp

Burger for burger week was only ok. Poor draft beer selection and AWFUL service. Will not be coming back.

On the Grid : Al's Bar