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Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen is a vibrant whiskey hall and Southern kitchen located on historic Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville. We offer over 200 bourbons, award-winning comfort food, and live music in a lively, vintage-inspired setting. Whether you’re in the mood for crispy fried chicken, tacos, or bourbon maple candied bacon, Merle’s delivers bold flavors and true Southern hospitality. Named one of the Top 15 Bourbon Bars in the U.S., we’re also proud to open early for events at the KFC Yum! Center—just steps away. Walk-ins welcome. No reservations.
Soul-food joint offering Southern cooking & bourbon in upbeat digs with an antique bar & live music.
Hours
| Friday | 11 AM–12 AM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–12 AM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–10 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 122 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 290-8888
Website: https://www.merleswhiskeykitchen.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen | Bourbon, Food, and Music
Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen is a toe-tappin classic whiskey hall located in Downtown Louisville on Whiskey Row. Featuring an award-winning menu of Southern/ …
Menu – Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen
WILD MUSHROOM TACO4 · KENTUCKY FRIED AVOCADO TACO4 · BARBACOA TACO4 · FAKE A$$ CHICKEN SANDWICH15 · BRISKET 4 · FLAT IRON STEAK4 · Bourbon Que4 · PAPAS CON CHORIZO3.5.
About Us – Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen
Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen is a toe-tappin classic whiskey hall located in Downtown Louisville on Whiskey Row. Featuring an award-winning menu of …
Reviews
Eric Edwards (e.w. Edwards)
Pretty good. Never thought of getting food in this busy area. Had a recommendation to try Merles chicken. It was very good. Don’t know how often I want to be downtown. But it didn’t disappoint.
… moreMarie Barnes
Found this place riding around by the River and was not disappointed. The fried chicken was good (seasoned and battered well-not greasy), the Mac n cheese was okay, the elote was almost authentic-sweet tea was good enough to get a cup to go. My friend got a bourbon flight and said it was great but didn’t like the waffles.
… moreE. Pat
Music makes a meal better. I loved the live music . They do not take reservations and it’s in walking distance of the KFC yum! Center. It was a nice vibe.
The fried chicken sandwich was filling. SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN TENDERS, HOMEMADE “BAMA SAUCE”
ON A BRIOCHE BUN, TOPPED W/ HOUSE MADE SLAW & PICKLES.
Shareable mac and cheese was okay.
The taco was fresh and hot.
The server was attentive and patience.
… moreThe fried chicken sandwich was filling. SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN TENDERS, HOMEMADE “BAMA SAUCE”
ON A BRIOCHE BUN, TOPPED W/ HOUSE MADE SLAW & PICKLES.
Shareable mac and cheese was okay.
The taco was fresh and hot.
The server was attentive and patience.
Larry Hudson
Merle’s has one of the largest bourbon inventories I have ever seen at a restaurant.
I hate going to a restaurant/bar and not having a menu! II don’t go out to enjoy myself by being forced to look at my phone (everybody doesn’t have a smart phone) for the menu.
We did enjoy George’s Famous old fashioneds.
My wife had the steak tacos and I had the fired chicken and mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes were the best part of the meal, served with gravy!
Afterward, we had another drink at the bar.
… moreI hate going to a restaurant/bar and not having a menu! II don’t go out to enjoy myself by being forced to look at my phone (everybody doesn’t have a smart phone) for the menu.
We did enjoy George’s Famous old fashioneds.
My wife had the steak tacos and I had the fired chicken and mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes were the best part of the meal, served with gravy!
Afterward, we had another drink at the bar.
David
Enjoyed the atmosphere at this Bar. Bartender was very knowledgeable and made great drinks. Menu had some good choices though the quantity of items was not large. Tacos were good size and flavorful. Fried chicken taco was a first but it was really good. Side order of parmesan. Fires was huge and really tasty. This place is definitely a place to revisit.
… morePauline C
Had a great time here. Our group had cocktails as well as the Pinhook and New Riff flights of bourbon/rye as we had already been to Michter’s earlier in the afternoon. The meals were fantastic and we split many dishes amongst us to be able to try different things. Our server was attentive and friendly.
… moreKrystl Smith
Got the chicken and waffles, the maple bourbon syrup was strong bourbon flavor, hubby loved it, I switched to the hot honey syrup. The mac and cheese was absolutely delicious, highly recommend it! The parmesan fries, eh, not much flavor to them. Forgot to take pictures of it.
… moreBrent Turner
This please is fantastic. Upscale bourbons and incredible food at a great price. Can’t wait to go back!
… moreAshlee Moody
Visited March 20, 2025
In town for a conference and decided to try Merle’s for lunch. I was seated right away since I was dining alone, but it took a while before someone actually came to my table to take my order.
After some convincing from the wait staff, I ended up ordering the BBQ pork taco and the Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich. The bbq sauce on the taco was amazing and the pork was tender. However, there was too much slaw on my taco which took away the flavor.
The chicken sandwich on the other hand I had no complaints. The chicken was seasoned to perfection and the pickles aded extra flavor to tie everything together.
Points were deducted because all though the food came out fast it was all luke warm. Especially since I saw the gentlemen in front of me cooling off the steam from his food.
… moreIn town for a conference and decided to try Merle’s for lunch. I was seated right away since I was dining alone, but it took a while before someone actually came to my table to take my order.
After some convincing from the wait staff, I ended up ordering the BBQ pork taco and the Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich. The bbq sauce on the taco was amazing and the pork was tender. However, there was too much slaw on my taco which took away the flavor.
The chicken sandwich on the other hand I had no complaints. The chicken was seasoned to perfection and the pickles aded extra flavor to tie everything together.
Points were deducted because all though the food came out fast it was all luke warm. Especially since I saw the gentlemen in front of me cooling off the steam from his food.
JoNo X
Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen is not what I remember. The food was decent and the live singer was good but that’s where the positives end. Service was below average and the garlic parmesan fires were not worth the up charge. Unfortunately I don’t think I’ll be back. This place was geared towards drinks and the bar experience. I’d recommend eating somewhere else and grabbing drinks here only.
… more