Sports bars are a great way to have fun with friends and Louisville, Kentucky is no exception. With a range of local teams and major league players, there are plenty of places to watch a game and play darts. From dive bars on back roads to refined whiskey lounges, here are the 16 best sports bars in Louisville that you should check out. The Back Door is a timeless classic, having been around since 1939. It has all the features of a great sports bar, including HDTVs, delicious Pepper Jack cheese balls, neon beer signs, and a good selection of craft beers.
There's also a pool table, darts, regular live music, and a large backyard full of lights for when you need some fresh air. A recent study by Mintel found that 28 percent of young people between 24 and 31 years old spend more time drinking at home because they think it takes too much effort to go out. To combat this trend, many Louisville bars have upped their entertainment game. The Des Moines Smash Bar opened in September and offers six indoor and two outdoor pickleball courts, shuffleboard, cornhole, petanque, table tennis and board games.
The Galt House Hotel is home to the luxurious lounge that was originally inaugurated in 1972. It has subdued lighting, a powerful bourbon menu, red vinyl bar stools and all with a rich walnut wood flavor. The Plainview Village Center branch offers a variety of sports television packages, including the MLB package, ESPN College Gameplan, The Sunday Ticket, Big 10 and all Fox Sports channels. If you're looking for an old-school dive bar or a luxurious whiskey lounge to watch sports and play darts with your friends, Louisville has plenty of options for you. So grab your friends and head out to one of these great sports bars for an unforgettable night.