Log In
Garage Bar in downtown Louisville’s NuLu neighborhood occupies a former auto service station.
The name says it all: Garage Bar.
No pretense here. This funky, fun bar and restaurant in downtown Louisville’s NuLu neighborhood, or East Market District, is in a garage — rather, a former auto service station, complete with tire rack.
The cheese-oozing beauties that come out of the custom-built wood-fired pizza oven definitely will make you park your beer. You can get your Margherita pie. Or there’s loaded potato, made with Broadbent’s bacon, garlic oil, fingerling potatoes, cream, scallions, and smoked cheddar. Vegans can opt for the milled tomato.
But the Garage has more than pizza. The menu emphasizes local produce (or as it says “From Farm to Garage”), a rotating selection of regional country hams, as well as Garage favorites including oysters, Brussels sprout pie, and fried turkey wings.
The vibe at this dog-friendly spot is casual, with cozy seating indoors and, weather permitting, out. The outdoor space spills into a green “lounge” that features additional seating, ping pong tables and, at night, sparkly strings of lights.
If it’s nice, you may want to walk from downtown. Garage Bar is about a five-minute drive and 20-minute walk from the Kentucky International Convention Center.
Historical records show that the building was once a saloon, according to the 21c Museum Hotels group, which owns the Garage. That history is reflected in seasonal cocktails, an interesting wine list (with Spain, Italy, California, and Oregon represented), draft and bottled craft brews, and of course bourbon and rye, ranging from Angel’s Envy to Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. Don’t worry. If you don’t see your brand on the menu, just ask. They may have it.
Garage Bar
700 East Market Street in Louisville, Kentucky; 502-749-7100
The funky Garage Bar emphasizes menu emphasizes local produce, or as the owners say, food “from farm to Garage.”