The Tavern has been around for a while. A recent makeover by owner Scott has made it the new place to be in Old Louisville. Located right at the corner of Fourth Street and Gaulbert Avenue, The Tavern now offers something that’s been, up to now, unfamiliar to Old Louisvillians: actually-great food, and actually-good beer.
This place has been popping since the update. Their fresh, homemade foods, excellent and accessible wait staff, and touch of dive bar charm is what makes The Tavern home to so many great and unique individuals. People know each other by name, but are always welcoming to fresh faces.
Start your meal right with a beer. They usually have a few really great brews on tap (the Deschutes Chainbreaker white IPA is my jam right now), but their bottle selection is on point—not to mention everything is reasonably priced. It’s great for those of us in OL who can walk there, drink a few, eat great food, and walk home.
Next up is an appetizer: GET THE FRICKLE SPEARS. Or, if you’re not into hand-breaded deliciousness covered in chipotle ranch, there’s a ‘Tavern Salad” with the best homemade vinaigrette around—in fact, it works pretty well as an entrée if you double up.
If you’re not into salads as meals, go for the chicken tenders or one of their many burgers. The tenders are (you guessed it) hand-breaded, and they come with salted-to-perfection fries. But if you’re there for a burger, just know that there were (almost) literal tears of joy when I was brought a customized burger with bacon and beer cheese.
There’s bound to be something good happening at the Old Louisville Tavern on just about any day. $2 Wells and Stellas, 50 cent wings, and more comprise their weekly specials. Tuesday nights get a little crazy with trivia, and Thursdays are karaoke nights, in which I’ve (unfortunately for them) participated a little too often.
They’re open from 11:30am to 4:00am (yes, that’s a four) Monday through Friday, and 12:00pm-4:00am on Saturday and Sunday. If you’re looking for a place with well-above-average food, reasonable prices, and even better people, then take a trip over to the real Tavern on Fourth—Fourth and Gaulbert in Old Louisville, that is.
