The Back Door
| Address: | 1250 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40204, USA |
| Phone: | +1 502-451-0659 |
| Site: | thebackdoorlouisville.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 4PM–4AM 4PM–4AM 4PM–4AM 4PM–4AM 4PM–4AM 4PM–4AM 4PM–4AM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 10
A
A Private User
The back door sounds like a secretive, hardly populated bar. But once you walk in, it would seem that half of Baxter Avenue is inside. The crowd is diverse, with different approaches in style and sitting; the nicely dressed usually sit at tables or corners, while the casual & seemingly rough housers play pool in a seperate, more lit up, room. If youre there before 2am, the bathrooms arent messy, but neither do they seem abandoned- so good sanitation. I personally never had the food, since it looks pretty greasy, and they sit for awhile at the kitchens open window, where people and insects could prod at- especially drunks. The bar service, however, is great. And if you find yourself sitting on a stool, watching the bartenders run about, precisely taking their orders with no signs of distress, and making them taste good despite the pile up of demands, then youll see why the bar itself gets so much praise. Also, sitting at the bar gives you a greater chance of quicker service- just lay your cash or card on the table in front of you, as one commonly does- it doesnt make you look starved. Despite my negatives statements, and my not liking The Back Door enough for another visit, the people will either make you feel comfortable or intimidated. Allow me to emphasize comfy casual as the preferred style. This is no night club, women dont enter with tiny dresses, overly painted faces and gelsprayed curly hair. Men dont, or hardly, come in with expensive suits. This is not a business happy hour place, not an artsy bar, this is not a dance floor, this is not for those who wish to impersonate the Jersey Shore cast lifestyle. This is a casual bar, that needs a tiny bit of tunning up, but so far, is what it is, and does it right. My stars go for the bar itself, the bartenders, their amazing service, and tasty cheap drinks. But do not expect a quiet place with less than 100 people. Not for dates or reunions. If you seek chill along the same roads, try Molly Malones around 1am to 3am. If you want rowdy rocker with little to no people but a loud classic rock biker feel, try Cahoots (on Bardstown, by the KFC and Walgreens).
NI
Nicholas Johnson
The Back Door has something for just about everyone. It is a welcoming environment, and has a very diverse clientele. Grubby bar food is served late and used to be a winner, but recently the quality has gone down, the offering has become more limited, and prices have increased. Drinks are usually strong pours and pitchers of PBR are cheap, but there can often be a long line to get the attention of one of the impatient bar tenders. The bar fills up on weekends so get there early if you want a table. However, there are plenty of ways to entertain yourself without sitting, ranging from the multiple pool tables, skeeball, darts, Golden Tee, Keno, multiple TVs, and a smoking section on the patio outside. The bar is tucked away around the side of Mid-City Mall, but is nonetheless right in the heart of the Highlands in short walking distance to lots of other great bars, restaurants, and clubs. Check it out on a weekday, but good luck getting a seat after a big event like Derby, Thunder, or the Zombie Walk!
RC
RC Sound Designs
Do you like being ignored? You do?! Well then all you have to do is grab a seat at the bar at the Back Door. Sit, wait 10 minutes. Finished with your drink? Wait 10-15 for another. But, there is a silver lining my friends. Get out of your seat at the bar and mosey on over to the service well. This takes priority over everyone sitting at the bar. I actually waited 15 mins for another drink while sitting at the bar. I got up up and walked two seats over to the service well where I waited 1 minute to be served. It was amazing! Seriously, worst bar service ever. But there service at the well is top notch!
ST
stxmoore
Absolutely my favorite bar! As a local, this is by far the best spot in Louisville for stiff drinks, a great "chill" atmosphere, and the best cheese fries that have ever graced my mouth! The bartenders are always familiar faces and they are always working their asses off. Service is a bit slow on weekends, but thats expected. Weeknights are the best here if youre looking for a semi-quite place to drink and talk and gorge of some spectacular bar food--cant recommend the cheese fries enough. Music is good too. its its a mix of classic rock and oldies. Oh, and free matches :)
JA
Jason Mitchell
My bartender the 99 lb female was very drunk, incompetent and rude but she made a stuff drink. She thought I walked out on my tab when I first got there. I walked to the back after waiting 19 mins to get a drink and order wings. I came back to my seat to over hear her complain about someone walking out. I asked are you talking about me and she said no. She was so drunk she didnt realize it was me. So good took longer than it should. I saw her take multiple shots. Wings were awesome, top notch. The bar back was great. They need to give him a raise and fire the drunk beer winch.
MA
Matt Schaab
These are THE best wings in Louisville. Hands down. They are reasonably priced, they come with a bunch of celery, a large dipping sauce, and they make their ranch and bleu cheese in house. Theyre naked, fried to perfection and drowning in the sauce of your choice. It takes about 10 minutes from order to get them, 20 if you carry out. Besides the fact that they have several other awesome menu options, strong mixed drinks and a great dive atmosphere, if you love wings you have to try this place.
JA
Jared Stivers
Best wings in town. Their blackened tuna salad is as good as the Bristols... Or close. Their Back burner burger is Very good. Great games like darts, pool, Golden Tee and skeet ball. Usually extremely strong drinks. Beer selection is meh unless you dont like IPAs then I guess it doesnt matter which kind of beer you drink. Huge!!! Smoking area (no weed). All in all very well managed and extremely professional. If Chris still works there, never let him make you a drink cause he is a dick.
HE
Heather Montgomery
Depends on the day and crowd if you will enjoy the experience. A good back up type bar... They need to look into updating the furnishings. The bar chairs all had rips and the stuffing was coming out. Enjoyed the games. My last visit some 20 somethings didnt understand bar etiquette, and called a pool table as theirs, but didnt put any quarters on the slots to actually save the table... Frustrating.
FA
family
Usually I enjoy this establishment but here recently I had the displeasure of meeting the bartender "Carrie". It was the worst experience. She is too old not to know better. Heres your tip Carrie, treat people how you want to be treated. Btw your old enough to retire, if your that unhappy do us all a favor and let it go and start collecting your social security.
ER
Eric McDowell
Hands down one of my favorite bars in Louisville. Great drink prices, strong mixed drinks, wonderful food menu, and very knowledgeable and helpful bar staff. Whether youre starting your night here, or continuing it, you wont be let down. It can get pretty busy here, but the patrons are usually a pretty good crowd, so I cant imagine youll be too let down!
