BAR #9 – TALBOTT TAVERN, KY

In many ways, the Talbott Tavern in Bardstown, KY, was one of my favorite stops on my quest to visit the oldest bar in every state, but not for all the usual reasons. First, you do not get PBR here. Its not a dive bar either. But, if there is one thing I like almost as much as pugs and PBR, its bourbon. The Talbott Tavern and all of Bardstown is all about bourbon. It’s in the heart of the Bourbon Trail. Plenty of bourbon distilleries in the immediate area if you want to catch a tour. The Tavern was originally an old stagecoach stop in the town of Bardstown. According to tavern lore, all sorts of famous people (including a young Abe Lincoln) ate and/or stayed here at one time or another. In fact, outside of the oldest bars in the northeastern states (original 13 colony stuff)…this bar was one of the richest in interesting history. Beyond the bar and restaurant, this place is also a bed and breakfast for those looking for that historic charm. To top it all off, there are even ghost tours of the tavern in the evening. As I was only there for an early lunch, I can not give a review on the ghost tour.

As to the restaurant/bar experience, I enjoyed my lunch and bourbon at Talbott Tavern. It’s a very well preserved place. Some of these oldest bars have been rebuilt a few times so that the interiors are not that old looking. Not this place. From what I could tell, the interior and exterior of Talbotts was very much like it was in the 1800s. It was a great atmosphere. Food is high end, better than I deserve or can appreciate. And of course, plenty of bourbon choices. I try not to drink before noon (except Bloody Marys of course). But as it was an early lunch and I was in the heart of bourbon country, I was forced against my will to sip on a bourbon-neat as I awaited my lunch. My son and I enjoyed a great lunch, walked around the historic town of Bardstown, and then went to the Bourbon Heritage Center and Heaven Hill distillery. Talbott’s Tavern and the whole town of Bardstown, KY, are definitely worth visiting if you are anywhere near this beautiful area of Kentucky. PT