Tartan House

Not just a hidden gem—this bar is a must-see, must-stop spot right in the heart of Louisville, where bourbon culture runs deep. The craft cocktails were among the best I’ve ever had: thoughtful, balanced, and made with care. The service was just as impressive—friendly, attentive, and genuine. What really set the experience apart, though, was the atmosphere. It’s the kind of place that feels cool enough to be a local staple, yet welcoming to anyone passing through. On top of that, I left not only with a great drink in hand but also grateful for the inspirational conversation I had while I was there. Whether you’re local or just visiting, this is one of those rare bars that gives you both an unforgettable drink and a memorable experience.

Hands-down one of the best bourbon bars I've ever been to! This place is a hidden gem for bourbon lovers. The selection is top-tier—everything from rare finds to classic favorites, all curated with care. But what truly sets this bar apart is the owner. Their passion, knowledge, and hospitality take the experience to another level. You don’t just get a drink here—you get a story, a recommendation tailored to your taste, and a warm welcome every time you walk through the door. Whether you're a bourbon aficionado or just bourbon-curious, this is the spot. Cozy atmosphere, great vibe, and hands-on service that makes you feel like part of the family. I’ll be back again and again.

What a great cozy place for an expertly designed cocktail. This little spot is the perfect cocktail lounge. The decor is inviting and the staff friendly. The cocktails themselves are uniquely designed and curated and the experience of watching their creation is very much like attending a show. Highly recommend stopping in for a pre or post dinner cocktail experience that is fantastic and quite delightful.

The atmosphere is so inviting and comfortable! My friend and I loved it! The cocktails are delicious too!

The perfect cocktail stop. Craft cocktails rely on bartenders with skill and passion. The bartenders here really hit the mark. Fire! So well balanced and delicious. This is as good as it gets. We honestly discussed canceling our dinner reservation to just drink here. Thanks for a great night!

The Tartan House is a cozy, inviting bar inside a refurbished house that’s perfect for a relaxed night out. While they don’t serve full meals, just small snacks like chips, the atmosphere or “vibe” as the wife always calls it, more than makes up for it. Plus, there are plenty of places to eat nearby if you need something more substantial. The drinks were great, the service was friendly, and best of all, it wasn’t overly loud. You can actually enjoy a conversation without shouting over music, which is a rare find these days. If you’re looking for a comfortable spot to unwind with a great and unique drink, this is a great choice.

I really really liked the vibe of this place. I brought some first-time visitors with me because I liked it so much the first time I went. Well, I understand that we came in an hour before closing but the bar tender was very, very short with us. With people who have never been there before I was embarrassed to bring them. The drinks weren't as good, it was like he used a ton of juice. I may try it again but i dont know. It is a super cute place for drinks and cocktails though. They have "smokey" drinks and they are really cool.

A great moody bar, with a nice dark feel, but with lights bright enough to actually see everyone! Staff was fantastic, they allowed my book club to book out the bar for 2 hours and really gave us a great experience. I would easily come.back here for a date or just a drink with friends!

Hidden gem tucked away in a quiet neighborhood. Amazing vibes and ambiance inside. Great date night spot for creative delicious cocktails. Service is friendly and welcoming. Order: Day of my daughters wedding. Delicious savory cocktail. Think gazpacho soup in a glass. Dill infused vermouth adds the herby body and the tomato water foam finishes the sip perfectly. The little hint of black pepper adds that nice subtle kick. Great cocktail concept.

I've come here for a book club and the book was dark academia which was perfect vibe! I really like this place and it was a great place to meet and discuss this book.

Absolutely wonderful small, cozy and upscale bar that is upscale but not snobby. The bartender was very friendly and helpful with picking drinks from the cocktail menu, which could be confusing to those of us who are not experts in the variety of house-infused liquors, liqueurs, herbals and other unique ingredients they use to craft very creative drinks. The cocktails are a little pricey, although not too far out of line with the going price of drinks at any nice restaurant or bar, and they actually do put the work and creativity into their drinks to justify the price. Definitely watch the bartender make your drink if you can. It's like watching an artisan at work. The end result in my case was a drink that was absolutely delicious. The atmosphere is like a cozy pub in the British Isles. There was good music playing, but it was quiet enough to easily converse with my friends. I would not recommend this place for a very large group. It is more suited for single people, couples, or small groups. Lastly, if you happen to make it in during the holidays, like my friends and I did, the decor adds to the wonderful atmosphere. Lots of understated holiday greenery without any flash, which suits this place perfectly.

Excellent little bar. I like the scotch-forward theme--bold and much-appreciated move here in bourbon country! And worry not, there's bourbon and plenty of other options too. Cocktails are excellent, and there can be a bit of a show during their prep for several thanks to some liquid nitrogen play in chilling the glassware. Bartenders are welcoming, knowledgeable, and friendly. Nice relaxed vibe overall.

These were easily my favorite drinks of the trip. The can't dubai me love was so yummy and the handmade mini dubai chocolate that came with it was such a nice touch. The mai thai was off menu but it had ginger in it and it just blew me away, wish I could have this everyday. It's really pretty and a moody vibe inside too. The bartenders here really know what they're doing. Loved this place so much.

Our group stumbled in here during a rain storm and found this gem. The bartender was super friendly and even got our group to try their oreo infused rumpleminz shot. So delicious! It was very intimate and relax, would recommend this for a casual drink for anyone ! Can't wait to come back with my significant other

Drinking at Tartan House makes me feel like a real adult who has my life together. Classy and elegant while still being laid back and a fun place to be for a couple of hours. Service was great and menu was really fun. Great place to take insta pics with the girlies.

Tartan House was amazing!! The mixologists were on point and the cocktails were strong and well balanced. The ambiance was sexy, low lights and candles on each table. Definitely a date night spot.

Always love this place! I went there last year after their grand opening and finally came back again to try their summer menu. There was so much choice of summer cocktails. I get to try three of them. 1. Blanc Slate is good but quite strong, but I love the taste of chocolate 2. Laughing at Purple is one of my favorites! I am deadly serious. 3. Tell me more, Tell me more is very refreshing and perfect for summer night to sit out in the patio Go there, and it is all the worth to try!

Wow! Just went to heaven and back on the foam of the best cocktail I've this year. 'Laughing in purple' was an amazing adventure that tasted like Christmas in the islands. Pineapple, cinnamon, horchata meringue.... Creamy with egg white and just incredibly balanced for a sweeter cocktail. Gotta go before it's gone! The vibe and service here are unique - it's a color-drenched glam vibe you could find in the dungeons of Scotland. Let's go back in time and try some amazing drinks!

These aren't bartenders, they're mixologists! Highly recommend for a cute date! I've only been once but I definitely plan on going back soon! Such a cute vibe and great service.

We stopped in for a nightcap and it hit the spot. Really cool interiors, there's more of a cozy seating area up front and then tables/hightops toward the back. It's not the biggest space so maybe not great for large groups. Menu had lots of options in terms of what you want your drink liquor base to be. The bartenders made some great drinks and the prices weren't terrible for a cocktail bar.

Great vibes, so-so cocktails. I came here with some friends who were really excited about the cocktail options. So my interest was piqued as well. But I ultimately left more intrigued by the ambiance than the drink options. I started with a squid ink cocktail because I wanted to try something different. I assumed it would be a little salty, but hoped for a well-balanced drink. It was a batched cocktail and it was SO VERY salty, and the texture (?) of the drink was so weirdly viscous and it was a shockingly unpleasant drink. I went up to get a different one, which was much better and tasted like...autumn (in a good way). I get that cocktail costs have been rising, and the cocktail making process here is a bit of a show (dry ice to chill glasses and make dramatic vapor). But the volume of the drinks and ultimately the taste of the ones I had and tried from my companions, left me feeling underwhelmed. Staff were also a little preoccupied, talking about being hungover from the night before and making sure they got some fresh-squeezed juice for themselves...it was just a little weird. I would go back, especially if the menu has rotated to new/different drinks. But I had such high hopes and found them not met upon my visit.

This place is such a cute moody little bar. Great bright lights with dark walls and a beautiful bar providing a perfect vibe for a date or drinks with friends. They were lovely enough to host the book club I attend and closed the bar for us! The drinks are great, wine is around $10 a glass which is average for bars in the area. Lovely staff!

My kind of cocktail bar! I absolutely loved the cocktail selection here as well as the ambiance. My husband and I will be back. The Wee Rabbit cocktail offered the perfect complexity we were looking for with strawberry infused sherry, pickled carrot brine and oregano oil. The Laughing in Purple was just my level of uniqueness and flavor with toasted rice ube orchata and a lovely purple color.

Aaron was such an excellent Bartender, we went back after having dinner! We love it and will be back in the future.

I love this place earlier on in the evening. It's a perfect stop to start your night, they have a great selection of cocktails to pick from. If you don't see something of interest on the menu, you can let the bartenders know what you like and they'll whip something up for you. My drink has been a hit each time I've done this. Due to the nature of how involved the cocktails are and each time we've only seen one bartender, drinks can take awhile. Be patient. The drinks are good; just bring good company to keep you occupied. :) Note: It gets a bit too loud later in the evening. We found ourselves having to shout over other groups to try to have any form of communication. Nothing against the place, this is just a note for those who planned to have a few drinks and chat -- might not work out well for you.

Tartan because it's Scottish-ish. Cool house converted into an upscale bar. Soft seating areas as well as plenty of seats at the bar. Bar top seating gets you a front row view of the art and craft of cocktail making. No food, just snacks such as premade charcuterie box, bags of chips and popcorn. Great list of bourbon and scotch. Hence the name. I had the East India and the Business Meets Pleasure cocktails. Both served in a nick and Nora glass. My date had the Penicillin and Bee Keeper cocktails, both served in rocks glass. We enjoyed our cocktails. Afterward, we shared the Ten20 Storyteller IPA and a bag of spicy pimiento chips. Yum! Would recommend this place. Quick service. Got busy as the night went on. Street parking so maybe get a ride instead.

Tartan House: My New Personality Trait. You know those bars where you walk in and immediately think, "Oh, this is the spot?" Yeah, that's Tartan House. From the moment you step inside, you just know your night is about to level up. The cocktails?? Unreal. Like, sip once, immediately question every basic drink you've ever had kind of unreal. The bartenders? Straight-up artists. They craft drinks so good, it's almost rude how effortlessly cool they make it look. And the vibe?? Chef's kiss. It's giving classy but not pretentious, cozy but still a little mysterious--basically, the kind of place where you could have a deep life talk or plot world domination, depending on the drink. Final thoughts: If you haven't been to Tartan House yet, fix that immediately. This isn't just a bar, it's a whole experience. Your taste buds deserve this.

Stopped in here to see an old friend, who is one of the owners. This place is AWESOME! Great selection of scotch and bourbon with very talented bartenders making delicious drinks. The feel of the place is very homey and quant. Perfect lighting and great music make it very inviting. Will definitely be back!

Perfect place for a cozy drink! Beautiful ambiance and great cocktails. I came here for a book club and they were so accomodating of our group. Definitely coming back.

Great service, delicious drinks, and great ambiance! Highly recommend coming to tartan!

Comfortable place with interesting cocktails and great service. Cocktail menu had some unique combinations. I'll be back to try more of them.

A Friday night started off right! We finally made it over to Tartan House! Wow we have been missing out. The building and decor here are on point and they are perfectly positioned in an up and coming area. From the moment we walked through the door we were welcomed in. The the atmosphere is inviting and spicy. The colors and textures draw you in. We grabbed a few menus and perused the drink options. I'll have to admit I've been looking ahead and already had a couple options in mind. Our drinks arrived and beyond exceeded expectations. I love nothing more than a perfectly frothy cocktail. I choose the Pepino. I'm a Tequila girl at heart. I loved the fresh cucumber flavor. The drink was light and not overly sweet. The egg whites added to the drinks flawless finish. Nick had the East India. The warm undertones of this drink were delightful. The bartenders here have mastered the art of mixology. I appreciated their attention to detail and hand crafting of all the elements that went into our selections. #sextonpartyof2 #tartanhouselou #upandcoming #expertmixology #handcrafted #nulu #louisvilleky

The drinks and ambience of Tartan House are amazing. Our bartender was knowledgeable, friendly and fast. I highly recommend this place.

Tartan house is such a cool place, pop over for unique drinks and friendly bartenders.

Wonderful addition to Butchertown! This is a great place to grab a few drinks before dinner. The decor is gorgeous, the space is cozy, and all the staff are very friendly. My partner and I tried 4 different cocktails. They were all good, but the penicillin was our favorite. Prices are very reasonable.

Excellent food at this speakeasy. Great service. Ambience was fantastic. And the patrons were great too that the business can control that.

I highly recommend this place. It's very inviting and welcoming to all people. A must go to

Really cool spot. Great vibes and love the decor. I went on a Sunday evening and it wasn't very busy. I got a chance to chat with one of the owners (working the bar) and he made me an off-menu cocktail. They opened in August 2023 and they seem to be doing well - 100% would go again.

Wow this place hits the spot for unique drinks! The team is so knowledgeable and nice too.

Very cool spot on the edges of Butchertown and Nulu. It's known as a scotch bar where the make a very good highball ada signature drink. Cocktails are certainly a craft here and you can get a quick lesson on the history and recipe for an upscale cocktail. The ambiance is like something out of Madmen with a somewhat historic vibe. The back patio of space is great for outdoor events or small gatherings. The bartenders take great pride in their craft and it shows in the quality.

Ambiance is exceptional. Feels very much like a speak easy with a high end and slightly Victorian environment. While it could be described as a shotgun bar, Tartan House delivers an engaging intimate experience that is unique and worth a visit.

Loved this new place in NULU area. Great cocktails with unique touches. Inside atmosphere is great and prices are in line with other cocktail bars. Our group had 8 different drinks and all got great reviews!

I am SO glad we stopped in this new spot! The ambiance and decor inside is very unique and adorable. They had a patio out front that we sat out which could still use a bit of work but considering they opened four days ago, it did the job. Their cocktails were phenomenal and very well crafted, just wish they had more non bourbon options. Staff overall was very nice with the exception of the female bartender who was very snippy and short. Nonetheless, will definitely be back!

Chill vibe. Best bartenders. Cocktails are amazing. Menu drink options are solid but order "Bartender's Choice" and you won't be disappointed!

This place is wonderful! You should really check it out, the food is good the service is great! The restaurant ambience is wonderful. I recommend it!

We really enjoyed our visit. New business in a growing location. Lovely interior that is inviting and relaxed while also upscale. Very friendly staff that provided guidance for our cocktail orders-- and they were outstanding! They have some snack options, but we didn't indulge. Overall we were very impressed and plan to be back soon!

looking for a hidden gem, this is it, bartenders friendly and personable. many different types of drinks and a laid back atmosphere

Elevated design yet cozy ambiance. We were a larger group of 8 and sat in the back area, everyone enjoyed their cocktails. The service was quick and friendly.

Cocktails done right. Retrofit house made lounge/bar, this place has a super cool style (sort of art deco speakeasy) fun bar snacks, and GREAT cocktails. Their glasses are chilled with liquid nitrogen if that tells you anything about the caliber of this place. Would definitely recommend to the cocktail connoisseur. Also, a fairly impressive whiskey & scotch selection. Highly recommend.

Delicious food. Hospitable service as well as polite. Clean and safe environment. Stopped by along the journey.

Fantastic place with the best cocktail I've ever had. Eron was the best bartender and we will totally travel back just to come here.