Breweries, Wineries & More: 8 Spots To ‘Cheers’ in Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Whether you’re seeking the best craft brews in town or a great hangout for happy hour, Elizabethtown’s got you covered. From a 1920s-inspired speakeasy to a self-pour wine bar, you’ll find plenty of local haunts to wine, dine and raise your glass throughout the city.
Check out these eight (and great) locations the next time you’re in Etown.
Bourbon Barrel Tavern
A must-visit spot for bourbon connoisseurs (seriously, they have over 500 bourbons to choose from), Bourbon Barrel Tavern is located in a historic building in downtown Elizabethtown. Sample renowned labels like Pappy Van Winkle, with its velvety texture and notes of caramel and vanilla, or the bold and smoky Buffalo Trace. Love beer? There are almost 30 beers on tap (try the clean and crisp BBT Lager), and when it comes to wine and cocktails, the list is even more impressive. Stop in any night of the week for one of the establishment’s events, such as live music performances, comedy shows, karaoke, and trivia nights.
Cavern Club
Psst. What’s the password? You’ll need it if you want to get into the Cavern Club, Elizabethtown’s first speakeasy. A throwback to the days of 1920s flappers and secret nightclubs, this swanky hot spot is located underneath the burger restaurant J.R. Neighbors (and behind a fake brick wall). Relax on one of the oversized leather and velvet couches beneath a dimly lit chandelier and sip on Prohibition-themed cocktails like the Bees Knees or Side Car. Hint: the password changes monthly – you’ll find it on their website or written in chalk on the patio!
Boombozz Pizza & Taphouse
An Etown favorite, this pizzeria and taphouse is a great spot for dinner and drinks with family and friends. Grab a table on the spacious outdoor patio (when the weather is nice) and enjoy delicious pizzas like the smokehouse brisket or the Quattro – a pie topped with red sauce, Italian sausage, prosciutto, artichoke hearts and mushrooms. Happy hour is a blast at this joint with discounted pints, bar snacks and shareable plates (get the Asiago cheese bread). Order one of the many Kentucky-based beers on tap, like the Braxton Revamp IPA with notes of citrus and tropical fruit.
Flywheel Brewing
There’s no better spot to sip a great craft brew than Elizabethtown’s first brewery. Chill out in the laid-back bar area or the expansive outdoor space, and choose from over 16 rotating beers on tap. Taste cleverly named drafts like Basic Batch, a pumpkin and yam flavored beer or E=MC Hammered, a Hefeweizen Style Wheat with notes of clove. If you want to sample multiple brews, order a flight. And if beer isn’t your thing, enjoy a glass of wine or bourbon. Be sure to keep an eye on the event’s page as well; the brewery partners with food trucks regularly – lobster rolls? Yes, please!
Out on the Vine Wine Bar
With over one hundred varieties of wines to sip on, including sixteen self-pour stations, you’re guaranteed to have a memorable wine-tasting experience at Out on the Vine Wine Bar. Enjoy a glass of wine paired with one of the menu’s small plates, flatbreads, or customizable charcuterie boards. There’s even a selection of dairy-free and gluten-free treats like cinnamon roll apple pie. The bar also hosts fun events like drag queen bingo, paint and pour classes, and live music performances!
Waters Edge Winery & Bistro of Etown
You’ll feel like family the moment you’re greeted at the door at Elizabethtown’s first and only winery and bistro. A popular downtown spot boasting a bright and inviting tasting room and spectacular outdoor patio, this winery/bistro offers an expansive selection of reds, whites, roses, sparkling wines, and fruity sangrias. Try the limited edition Golden Berry, a white wine with notes of pear, melon, and herbs. Take your experience up a notch with a custom flight paired with a charcuterie board.
Impellizzeri’s Elizabethtown
Named Kentucky’s best pie, Impellizzeri’s Elizabethtown serves up delicious pizza, brews and bourbon inside the historic Stewart Opera House. Here, you’ll find over 16 rotating beers on tap (try the Gumballhead), over 80 bourbons and a patio bar with a fire pit. Sip on a glass of Buffalo Trace bourbon or a seasonal cocktail, munch on bar bites like toasted ravioli and baked meatballs, or watch the big game on one of the 20 HDTVs. When the weather is nice, enjoy al fresco dining outside.
Wicked Eyed Woman
Wild and eclectic best describes this English-style pub that’s known for its great food, delicious cocktails and fun (and funky) décor. For real, the atmosphere in this cozy spot is 10/10, with artwork from Etown-based artists, a massive indoor tree sculpture, and a bathroom sink made from a vintage bicycle. Dine on pub grub such as Scotch eggs, stuffed mushrooms, and the popular dragon balls – smashed potatoes with bacon, cheddar, relish, and onion, rolled and deep-fried! The lengthy cocktail menu features wickedly creative concoctions, such as the Saint Wicked, a blend of locally sourced lavender-infused whiskey, lime and lemon juice, and a house-made blueberry reduction.
By Samantha M.