It's a dive bar. Â In fact, it's the div-iest dive bar you'll find. Â That being said, Al's is a pretty cool spot. Â It's in a sketchy part of town that's improving every year because of good businesses like Al's, Arcadium and the Donut Shop who should get a lot of credit for helping the gentrification of the neighborhood.
There is NOTHING aesthetically pleasing about Al's, but the beer selection is very good - as is the food. Â It draws a diverse crowd, which is nice. Â There tends to be live music or poetry or a B-movie or some sort of entertainment just about every night. Â There is a coin-op pool table, skee-ball and, I think, ping pong. Â If you dig a dive bar, Al's might be the place for you.
Ok Lexington, you got one up on us in Louisville with this spot.
Apparently this corner has not always been the safest spot and used to be known for all sorts of seedy deals. However, Al's was apparently the first of a few businesses now standing in the area that have helped to transform the neighborhood and it doesn't appear to be in the typical gentrification sort of way where residents are pushed out (at least from my outsider's perspective).
It's a really diverse crowd at Al's and rightfully so. Good food and good beer is universally loved so when its sold at outstandingly low prices it should draw in just about anyone and everyone.
Seriously it's 6 or 7 bucks for gourmet burgers made with local beef! They've got a list
of a dozen or so specialty burgers named after regulars. The AJ was absolutely delicious with apples, balsamic vingegarette bacon and cheese on top. Plus homemade pickles on the side!
Next time I'm gonna try the lamb, which is only a $1 up charge.
Was there a dude or two that weren't paying patrons chilling at the bar watching tv? Yeah, that appeared to be the case on my particular visit but really, who cares?
Also, check out the live music on the weekends.
I love dive bars and really wanted to like this place but just couldn't. I must have come on an off night. The parking is terrible and I felt very unsafe. The place was filthy and full of trouble. I don't see what's so cool about such a dangerous place. I came across a hooker, drug dealer, and a physical argument between two patrons all in the same night. I'm happy for a place that supports local beer, artists, and musicians, but this sleazy little hole in the wall is not my scene.
Review Source:I love Al's Bar. It is the best dive bar and there are so many unexpected joys about this place: great beer selection, delicious food, and great bartenders. Get the fried banana peppers -- holy amazing. It really is the best bar. The crowd is mixed but everyone is friendly. There literally is something for everyone here.
Review Source:Best dive bar I have ever been to for a few reasons: Â
1. Â The very best beer I have ever tasted, their bourbon barrel ale.
2. Â Really great burgers, and a lot of options. Â
3. Â Fried pickles
4. Â Real friendly staff
5. Â Good live music on a regular basis
Anytime I pass through Kentucky I have to go to this place!
Lexington's finest in "dive" bar experiences, it's actually run by incredible foodies and beer freaks who have an undeniable magic touch for creating cool food and music-based venues.
Head straight over to Al's for delightful and affordable eats and a champion bourbon selection, as well as an impressive collection of craft beers on tap (though the undeniable house fave among the young hipster bike-riding crowd is PBR)
LONG LIVE AL'S BAR, a Lexington institution!
Great place for live music, good beer, and no frat guys to be seen! Plus more bourbon than you'd think possible at a dive bar. (Though the hipster crowd seems to be taking over.) Al's is a no-frills kind of place, but is welcoming and chill. Wide variety of music, so check ahead before you go - it could be folk-rock one night and a metal band the next!
If it gets too loud, you can always go next door to the Sidecar, where the hardcore pool players and cyclists hang out!
Al's is situated in a funny little corner. Honestly, you think you're about to go into a corner liquor shop instead of a bar where you can hear good local bands (and sometimes not so good local bands--but that's another review for another day).
Since they have the same owners as Stella's, food here is supposed to be superb (though I haven't tried, but I have had Stella's, which is lovely, actually, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt). There are booths, bar stools and row seating in the pool table area. It's a typical dive bar that actually does what dive bars do well (whatever that may be...?): it's just a nice place to grab a drink and not have your toes stepped on by a three-inch heel by some crazed 20-somethings who've had Red Bull-mixed drinks for the past four hours (and this is coming from a 20-something...so you can take that how you like).
When you first drive up to Al's you may be a little put off. Â It's located in a somewhat sketchy part of town and it doesn't look like much from the outside, but once inside you'll find a fun little kind of hippie-ish, low-key bar with a limited (but decent) beer selection, and some of the funkiest music in the city. Â They bring in some really good music from all different genres, but I especially love going here for the Bluegrass. Â
PBR runs about 2.50, and the food's pretty good and greasy. Â Limited seating, but the place doesn't typically get too crowded from what I've seen.
It's not just "a dive bar", it is THE dive bar in Lexington. Â Classic
Mrs. Pac-man, pool tables, draft beer for $1, locally grown food, locally grown live music, and a locally grown staff.
And, if you are into "eye candy", the bartender does not dissapoint! Â
Eat some sweet potato french fries, have a bourbon 'n water, or share a pitcher of beer with Cookie. Â
Or if it's one of those days where you want to be alone and contemplate deep thoughts over a cold one, ask the bartender for the week's NewYorker. Â It's behind the bar; Ask nicely- he'll share.
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