Chill Bar Highlands
Location: 1117 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40204
Neighborhood: The Highlands
FB Page for Day-of Info: https://www.facebook.com/chillbarlouisville
Vibe: Relaxed, inviting. Pub vibes with chic layout. Great patio.
Happy Hour Specials: Daily until 7:00 pm. $2 Bud Light Draft, $3 Wells, $3 Fireball, $5 LIT and $5 Old Fashioned.
Need 2 Know: Chill Bar has great staff, lots of bourbons & beers, AND regularly gives back to the LGBTQ+ non-profit community.
Drag: Not often unless it is a special occasion.
Big Bar
Location: 1202 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40204
Neighborhood: The Highlands
FB Page for Day-of Info: https://www.facebook.com/BigBarLouisville
Vibe: Fun, colorful, busy
Happy Hour Specials: Daily Until 8:00 pm. $1 off beer drafts. $3 wells. $3 White Claws. $5 Ketel One. $5 Makers Mark.
Need 2 Know: While the bar’s name is an ironic play on its comparatively small footprint, they are very close to opening their expansion which will triple their space. Be prepared to stand around and chat, because while there is limited seating, it can quickly get to standing room only.
Drag: No drag, Sis.
The House Lounge
Location: 1148 Garvin Pl, Louisville, KY 40203
Neighborhood: Old Louisville
FB Page for Day-of Info: https://www.facebook.com/1148garvin
Vibe: Warm, plush, & relaxed with plush interior. Also, this property housed the longest consistently running gay bar in Louisville’s history, Teddy Bear’s, open for 33 years. New owners are continuing the tradition in the same space with an aesthetic change that looks fantastic. Soft lighting good for everyone’s pores and plush seating perfect for a #kiki.
Happy Hour Specials: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm daily. $2 domestic beers, $3 wells, $3 Fireballs.
Need 2 Know: Looks can be deceiving from the outside. It’s worth going inside to enjoy this one!
Drag: Every other Saturday beginning July 3rd. Intimate layout in bar, so every seat is a front row seat!
PLAY Louisville
Location: 1101 E Washington St, Louisville, KY 40206
Neighborhood: Butchertown
FB Page for Day-of Info: https://www.facebook.com/playdancebarlouisville/
Vibe: “Da Club”. Fun, lively, busy. Expansive.
Need 2 Know: PLAY is Louisville’s main Queer Club, sporting many bars within its layout, a full drag theater, dance floor with live DJ, and more. They also regularly give back to Louisville’s Queer non-profit community. Definitely a place to go for a good time. You may encounter lots of bachelorette parties, however – be aware!
Regular Specials: No cover charge ($10) before 9:00 pm. Thursday Night no cover for ladies to support the Lesbian community. Beer Buckets for $10.
Drag: Regularly book national drag performers from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Shows every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 9 pm, 11 pm, and 1 am.
Drag Brunch at Le Moo
Location: 2300 Lexington Rd, Louisville, KY 40206
Neighborhood: Cherokee-Seneca
FB Page for Day-of Info: https://www.facebook.com/Drag-Brunch-at-Le-Moo-1777422202342449
Vibe: Rustic-chic
Need 2 Know: Le Moo is one of Louisville’s best steakhouses, making this list because of their fantastic Drag Brunches! They book drag talent from across the region for these weekend affairs, complete with a delicious breakfast buffet as well as $3 mimosas. Yep, you heard me. $3! Bring your #dollaz, and get ready to kick of your Saturday or Sunday morning with a great time!
Regular Specials: Weekend Drag Brunches, $3 mimosas
Drag: Weekend Drag Brunches.
Pride Bar + Lounge
Location: 504 State St, New Albany, IN 47150
Neighborhood: Downtown New Albany
FB Page for Day-of Info: https://www.facebook.com/NewAlbanyPride/
Vibe: Dive Bar Chic, pub, friendly, inviting
Need 2 Know: Pride Bar + Lounge hails as the lone LGBTQ+ bar in Southern Indiana, so go on over and give ‘er your support! Plus, the owners of this wonderful establishment also regularly give back to the local LGBTQ+ community. Plus, they often have Jell-O shots available for purchase at the bar, which makes every night more fun.
Regular Specials: Every Wednesday is Wet Your Whistle Wednesdays. Open to close $4.00 wells and $5.00 Pride Punch (their specialty). Every Friday $3.00 fireball shots and $5.00 Long Island Teas all night AND they change our Thursday and Saturday specials every week.
Drag: 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. Intimate bar layout means every seat is a front row seat!
Written by Nicholas Moore
