The Rackhouse Tavern — Restaurant in Lexington

The Rackhouse Tavern, nestled within The Campbell House in Lexington, Kentucky, is a bourbon lover’s paradise that perfectly captures the soul of the Bluegrass State. As a proud member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, this spot boasts an jaw-dropping selection of over 300 bourbons and 11 expertly curated bourbon flights. Whether you’re a seasoned sipper or a curious newbie, the bourbon menu is a journey in itself—each pour telling a story of Kentucky’s storied distilling heritage. The staff’s knowledge is impressive, guiding you through the nuances of each whiskey with enthusiasm that makes every sip feel like a special occasion. The atmosphere screams Kentucky bourbon culture in the best way possible. Walking in, you’re greeted by a cozy, rustic charm that feels like stepping into a distillery’s aging rickhouse. Bourbon barrels are artfully incorporated into the decor—stacked along walls, repurposed as tabletops, and even framing the bar—lending an authentic, warehouse-like vibe. The warm glow of multiple fireplaces scattered throughout the dining area adds an inviting, almost hygge-like coziness, making it the perfect spot to unwind on a crisp Kentucky evening. Live music on weekends (Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30pm to 10:30pm) fills the air with soulful tunes, enhancing the laid-back yet refined ambiance without overpowering conversation. Location-wise, The Rackhouse Tavern is a home run for sports fans and visitors. It’s just a short 1.5-mile drive (about 5 minutes) from Kentucky Proud Park, home of the University of Kentucky Wildcats baseball team, and roughly 2 miles (7 minutes) from Kroger Field, where the Wildcats football team plays. For those exploring Lexington’s historic Keeneland Race Course, it’s only about 4 miles away (10 minutes by car), making the tavern an ideal stop for a pre- or post-event meal or drink. Its proximity to these iconic venues makes it a convenient and flavorful addition to any game day or race day itinerary. The food complements the bourbon-centric experience, with Kentucky-inspired dishes like the KY Hot Brown and cornbread that pay homage to local traditions. My only critique is that service can occasionally lag during peak hours, but the warm atmosphere and that first sip of a perfectly chosen bourbon make it easy to forgive. If you’re looking for a spot that embodies Kentucky’s bourbon heritage with a cozy, barrel-laden vibe and prime access to Lexington’s sports and cultural landmarks, The Rackhouse Tavern is a must-visit. I’ll be back for another flight and a seat...

Had dinner here with my friends and had the worst experience I have ever had at a restaurant. When we arrived they had two men singing and playing the guitar VERY LOUDLY. So loud that I couldn't hear my friends talking and had to yell to even talk to the waitress. I politely asked the waitress to ask them to turn down the volume but she acted so offended. After giving the feedback, the band turned the volume even higher and looked and winked at our table. Moving to the waitress the service was terrible. It took 45 minutes to even come ask us if we wanted anything to eat or drink. After our drinks were brought out the waitress did not return to our table. We waited almost an hour with no service and no food. At this point we all had a migraine from the extremely loud music and yelling to talk to each other. We all had to go to the bar to get our waters refilled. We asked another server if she could ask for the volume to be turned down and she acted very strange as well and said that the manager has already been notified and there was nothing else to do. We were ten seconds away from walking out when our food came out. The food is the only reason that I feel that they deserve even one star. I will never recommend this place to anyone. The manager came by the table at the end of our dinner and we shared our experience and he said that he was NEVER notified about our request but at this point the damage was done. I will never visit this...

My boyfriend made reservations for us for Valentine’s Day after hearing lots of great things!

When I got there, I had to wait at least 5 mins to be helped by a host (there was no one in sight). We were shown to our table, our server was really nice but inattentive. It took them forever to bring our drinks and take our orders as they just seemed to disappear after taking our drink and app order.

After being seated for about an hour, we got our entrees. Food was decent but small portions. Overall we spent $23-27 per entree and it was not at all worth that kind of money.

I originally wanted to try their bread pudding but after being kinda dissatisfied so far I opted out.

Bill was $90 for 2 entrees, 3 beverages, 1 salad.

The other thing that was weird was it seemed like hotel guests were just hanging out and eating Domino’s Pizza in the restaurant and hotel guests were continuously walking through which was just weird and annoying. There were also a few people who seemed to be in their cups a bit and were pretty obnoxious.

Overall not a great experience and we probably won’t be back.

Edit: I was hoping I would get a response from the restaurant regarding our experience. It’s been over a month and no response so I’m bumping my review down from 2...