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Not really much of a cocktail person but have had an itch to come back here after having a wonderful cocktail. The bartender was an interesting character, I asked him to make me something not on the menu and from his own creativity. Behold, a pink cocktail, with gin, that tasted like an orange cream popsicle? I don't know how he did it, I didn't even know I liked gin! Go to Darlings, relax and try something out of your comfort zone.
Finally made it in for a cocktail Friday night. This gin cocktail bar is located on Bardstown road. They offer a cocktail menu that with primarily gin options. Also offer a small beer & wine list. The large bar had plenty of bar stools. Also has booth & table seating. There are a few tables outside. I went with the Time & a Half cocktail. My drink was perfectly filled to the brim with cute hearts on the foam. I would describe it as a bee's knees sour. The honey & lemon taste was very strong... which I loved. My husband and I were both pleasantly surprised with how delicious this cocktail was. My husband went with an Old Fashioned. It was okay. He later admitted he should had just tried a gin cocktail. Cute location with a fun cocktail menu. We will be back.
Vintage vibes abound at Darlings. It's a great spot for an after-dinner drink or a romantic date. They have really fun and creative cocktails that are well-executed and on the lower end of pricing for the area. After we ordered, the service was a little lacking as no one checked in on us the entire rest of the time we sat at the bar, and it was pretty empty. But it was a sleepy, rainy night, and there was a shift change while we were there, so maybe it was a fluke cause the bartenders were all friendly. Still is a 5-star spot for me despite the lack of attentiveness. I'll definitely be back!
This place is fun, I'm visiting Louisville this weekend in town with my husband and some friends and we stopped by here after dinner. Most of their drinks are gin-forward, which is interesting in a bourbon town like Louisville. The first drink I got I actually didn't like very much, it was the Rumble in the Jungle - I prefer sweeter drinks and it tastes more bitter to me. My husband luckily ordered the Cabin Fever, which was delicious, and offered to switch drinks with me. For my second drink, I got The Hanging Garden, upon suggestion from the bartender, and that was much better. My friends ordered the Kombucha Cel-Ray, which definitely tasted like sparkling celery juice or something to me, and a few others. Be aware that even though they have tables, there's no table service - we had to go up to the bar to order drinks. They also pumped the music up a bit louder and lowered the lights around 8pm (we went today, on a Sunday) which was a little annoying. That being said, this was a cute place so I'd still return at some point.
Lovely little cocktail bar. Our bartender was SO knowledgeable and put up with our dozens of questions about the menu. I got the Paging Dr Brown per his recommendation and couldn't have been happier. Also some of the best espresso martinis I've had. Note that it is small inside so seating is limited, however the barstools are extremely comfy!
Of all the gin joints...sorry, couldn't help myself! This is an exquisite gin joint though (and plenty of other cocktails too). Don't see many gin-forward bars in Kentucky, but I'm glad we have this one. Best gin and tonic in the city/state/most places I've been. House-made tonic with any number of gin options, always refreshing, always delicious. And if you like gin, I can't even pretend to count the varieties...never knew a eucalyptus gin could be life changing, and while I hate Bloody Marys, the tomato-infused gin martini one of the bartenders whipped up once was genuinely inspirational. To be clear, there are many non-gin drinks. So, if you don't like gin, give this spot a try...and maybe even try a gin drink! Service is exceptional. Bartenders know their stuff, are attentive, and will make you feel at home. Atmosphere, I love. First: no TVs. Music selection varies, but you'll need to actually talk to people (always fun), brood or otherwise sit quietly (nothing wrong with that!), or come with a friend (or friend). Nice Bohemian feel overall.
Darlings was a nice setting, but the service was awful and the welcome was as well. This yo7ng Latino woman had no character and looked as if she was mad at the world. They don't serve food but you can bring it in, but I would never go back to this place because the service and ambience was terrible. Get better servers
I feel meh about darlings. It was packed on a Monday, idk if that's normal, but the one bartender was working his ass off. The menu had drinks that were not bourbon focused, so if you're really wanting bourbon cocktails this might not be your spot. It's a cute spot though for girls night or a date and there's plenty of seating.
We snuck out for a date night on Saturday and decided to have a few drinks before dinner, and stopped by Darlings. It's a small bar with an older vintage vibe. They have several different seating options including chairs in the corner, bar stools (extremely comfortable) facing the street, at the bar and tables along the wall. When we arrived it was about half full, but by the time we left it was filling up. Very eclectic groups of patrons at the bar. The bartender was fantastic and made our cocktails with care and finesse. My husband ordered the old fashioned and I had a Moscow mule. I'd highly recommend the mule. I don't drink bourbon but my husband really enjoyed his drink too! I think it's just a bar and no food is served but it's a cool place to check out for drinks!
If you're looking for the rare, impressive and charming cocktail bar in Louisville, I highly recommend Darlings. The atmosphere is different in a really great way. The bartenders seem to have incredible attention to detail. When you get your drink, you won't feel like it's similar to a dozen other places. This is a truly unique place and well worth visiting several times. Don't make the mistake of passing this place up. It's a great place to relax with friends or a date. I know I'll be back soon!
3 months ago
13 days ago
Listen let me tell you.... DARLINGS .... Baby .. the Music plus the spicy margaritas have me there .... The Music Selection has me All the Way through There ~ the Atmosphere is just chill .. Service Awesome... Jaaaee doing her thang Baby ...great bartender she's the best. But Seriously the Playlist of Songs has me at the bar ...Just Jamming read more
11 days ago
Not really much of a cocktail person but have had an itch to come back here after having a wonderful cocktail. The bartender was an interesting character, I asked him to make me something not on the menu and from his own creativity. Behold, a pink cocktail, with gin, that tasted like an orange cream popsicle? I don't know how he did it, I didn't even know I liked gin! Go to Darlings, relax and try something out of your comfort zone. read more
Finally made it in for a cocktail Friday night. This gin cocktail bar is located on Bardstown road. They offer a cocktail menu that with primarily gin options. Also offer a small beer & wine list. The large bar had plenty of bar stools. Also has booth & table seating. There are a few tables outside. I went with the Time & a Half cocktail. My drink was perfectly filled to the brim with cute hearts on the foam. I would describe it as a bee's knees sour. The honey & lemon taste was very strong... which I loved. My husband and I were both pleasantly surprised with how delicious this cocktail was. My husband went with an Old Fashioned. It was okay. He later admitted he should had just tried a gin cocktail. Cute location with a fun cocktail menu. We will be back. read more
Vintage vibes abound at Darlings. It's a great spot for an after-dinner drink or a romantic date. They have really fun and creative cocktails that are well-executed and on the lower end of pricing for the area. After we ordered, the service was a little lacking as no one checked in on us the entire rest of the time we sat at the bar, and it was pretty empty. But it was a sleepy, rainy night, and there was a shift change while we were there, so maybe it was a fluke cause the bartenders were all friendly. Still is a 5-star spot for me despite the lack of attentiveness. I'll definitely be back! read more
This place is fun, I'm visiting Louisville this weekend in town with my husband and some friends and we stopped by here after dinner. Most of their drinks are gin-forward, which is interesting in a bourbon town like Louisville. The first drink I got I actually didn't like very much, it was the Rumble in the Jungle - I prefer sweeter drinks and it tastes more bitter to me. My husband luckily ordered the Cabin Fever, which was delicious, and offered to switch drinks with me. For my second drink, I got The Hanging Garden, upon suggestion from the bartender, and that was much better. My friends ordered the Kombucha Cel-Ray, which definitely tasted like sparkling celery juice or something to me, and a few others. Be aware that even though they have tables, there's no table service - we had to go up to the bar to order drinks. They also pumped the music up a bit louder and lowered the lights around 8pm (we went today, on a Sunday) which was a little annoying. That being said, this was a cute place so I'd still return at some point. read more
1 year ago
This is my new favorite cocktail spot in town. Absolutely adore every single drink and the bartenders always make the experience great. I wish there was more seating, though! read more
Lovely little cocktail bar. Our bartender was SO knowledgeable and put up with our dozens of questions about the menu. I got the Paging Dr Brown per his recommendation and couldn't have been happier. Also some of the best espresso martinis I've had. Note that it is small inside so seating is limited, however the barstools are extremely comfy! read more
Of all the gin joints...sorry, couldn't help myself! This is an exquisite gin joint though (and plenty of other cocktails too). Don't see many gin-forward bars in Kentucky, but I'm glad we have this one. Best gin and tonic in the city/state/most places I've been. House-made tonic with any number of gin options, always refreshing, always delicious. And if you like gin, I can't even pretend to count the varieties...never knew a eucalyptus gin could be life changing, and while I hate Bloody Marys, the tomato-infused gin martini one of the bartenders whipped up once was genuinely inspirational. To be clear, there are many non-gin drinks. So, if you don't like gin, give this spot a try...and maybe even try a gin drink! Service is exceptional. Bartenders know their stuff, are attentive, and will make you feel at home. Atmosphere, I love. First: no TVs. Music selection varies, but you'll need to actually talk to people (always fun), brood or otherwise sit quietly (nothing wrong with that!), or come with a friend (or friend). Nice Bohemian feel overall. read more
Darlings was a nice setting, but the service was awful and the welcome was as well. This yo7ng Latino woman had no character and looked as if she was mad at the world. They don't serve food but you can bring it in, but I would never go back to this place because the service and ambience was terrible. Get better servers read more
6 months ago
1 year ago
I feel meh about darlings. It was packed on a Monday, idk if that's normal, but the one bartender was working his ass off. The menu had drinks that were not bourbon focused, so if you're really wanting bourbon cocktails this might not be your spot. It's a cute spot though for girls night or a date and there's plenty of seating. read more
6 months ago
7 months ago
4 months ago
We snuck out for a date night on Saturday and decided to have a few drinks before dinner, and stopped by Darlings. It's a small bar with an older vintage vibe. They have several different seating options including chairs in the corner, bar stools (extremely comfortable) facing the street, at the bar and tables along the wall. When we arrived it was about half full, but by the time we left it was filling up. Very eclectic groups of patrons at the bar. The bartender was fantastic and made our cocktails with care and finesse. My husband ordered the old fashioned and I had a Moscow mule. I'd highly recommend the mule. I don't drink bourbon but my husband really enjoyed his drink too! I think it's just a bar and no food is served but it's a cool place to check out for drinks! read more
If you're looking for the rare, impressive and charming cocktail bar in Louisville, I highly recommend Darlings. The atmosphere is different in a really great way. The bartenders seem to have incredible attention to detail. When you get your drink, you won't feel like it's similar to a dozen other places. This is a truly unique place and well worth visiting several times. Don't make the mistake of passing this place up. It's a great place to relax with friends or a date. I know I'll be back soon! read more
1 year ago
10 months ago
This intimate gin bar is the perfect place to grab a drink before dinner or for a nightcap at the end of the evening. Every single cocktail on the menu that I've tried has been absolutely delicious, but if you want to go off-menu, the fine folks behind the bar can whip up whatever you throw at them - they're knowledgeable and good at their craft. I really can't get over the decor and cozy vibe at Darlings, either. I think dark emerald green is my new favorite color thanks exclusively to Darlings. If you're in the area or have a dinner reservation in the Highlands - do yourself a favor and come on over a little early so you can enjoy a cocktail at Darlings before you head out. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Although gin is their cornerstone, and they have some exciting twists to convert any naysayer, their expert mixologists can craft any old fave or new to excite and delight. Atmosphere is ON point, with cozy comfy bar seats, just dim enough lighting, and ambient music. Bar staff and patrons are friendly, cool company. read more
I'm delighted to have a gin focused bar in Louisville! The art nouveau decor complements the theme so well! The bartender was very knowledgeable on aperitifs, liqueurs, and gin and it was great to talk to her while I sipped a delicious bev. They had a riff on a Negroni subbing the Campari for Becharovka (one of my faves) - so good! And to cap the whole experience off, I had unknowingly left my book the first time I visited (I have so many in rotation at the same time), and she remembered me and delivered it to me when I sat down. How's that for service?! Going to frequent this place lots! read more
4 years ago
It was about dang time Louisville got a gin-focused bar, and Darlings has what it takes to stick around the Louisville cocktail scene for awhile. My boyfriend and I visited on the Thursday night before NYE, around 6:30. It's not a terribly large bar, and as it was busy there were few seats, but we managed to snag spots at the bar (where the magic happens). We were promptly welcomed by our server, who was friendly and ready with recommendations. For our first round, we ordered The Robin Hood and Czech One. I was surprised how I liked The Robin Hood, given its anise notes. It was a bit sweet, but incredibly well-balanced. Czech One was better; reminiscent of an Old Fashioned, but with a lovely warming quality to it. Next, we went with Bolo Rental and the classic Champs-Elysees. The latter was perfectly-made, and the former was exceptional! The Bolo Rental was citrusy and effervescent, the kind of cocktail you could drink all day. A little bitter to balance the sweetness. Finally, we split Catching the Midnight Drift. We ordered from a different bartender, and the drink came very salty. When we flagged our original bartender, she tasted and immediately made us a new one. This one was fantastic. We loved the chai spice. We really appreciated the quality of service, and we loved the look of the bar - very chic, with the right amount of quirkiness for Louisville. We can't wait to return! read more
3 years ago
Great cocktails. Highly recommend Gertrude's Gimlet, Red Bells, and Time and A Half. Gertrude's kinda tastes like a green jolly rancher but not as sweet. Red bells is a great taste of fall flavors. Very light also. Time and A Half is a great egg white cocktail that is overall fantastic, light, and refreshing. read more
Lovely cocktail bar in the highlands. Cozy in the best way. Very helpful bartenders. Each drink was delicious. Mainly gin based, but they have a decent bourbon selection and some good beer options as well. Overall a terrific place to sit and enjoy company, with an outstanding drink. Really looking forward to frequenting here more. read more
4 years ago
When you at highland this is the bar you must try on. This is our new find and new favorite bar on bardstown road. Tried first time and loved it in and out. Delicious cocktails and great sitting arrangement. The owner is very friendly alongside his staff as well. Even on the slow nights like Monday and Tuesday you get same great service. They have wide range of cocktails and everyone should try their moon in the pocket cocktail. Cozy ambience and good music. Definitely recommended this place. read more
4 years ago
4 years ago
This may just be the cutest bar I've been to in Louisville. This bar is small and intimate with some of the coolest decor. We stopped here for a nightcap one night and had a couple of super delicious cocktails (an Old Fashioned and the Dreamsickle). The bartenders definitely know what they're doing! read more
4 years ago
Wonderful bar on Bardstown road. Great vibe and cocktails. Many of which are gin which is uncommon in Lousiville, but great for us gin lovers! read more
This bar Fashions itself as a European Deco bar with lots of Fine Art. They specialize in gin drinks and soft music in the background. There are is no food but this is a nice place to just sit around and catch your thoughts read more
3 years ago
5 years ago
So nice to see this place open. Bourbon is great, but Darling's gin-driven drink selection deliciously pushes you out of your comfort zone, while the ambience of a dimly lit floral wallpaper charms its patrons. read more
2 years ago
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More info about Darlings
Ask the Community - Darlings
Do they have outdoor seating?
Yes there is outdoor limited sitting available. They usually have 2-3 tables, not much place but you can sit with small group and enjoy cocktails.
What time is their happy hour?
4 to 5 is what the bar tender told me. 1 dollar off cocktails
Review Highlights - Darlings
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Darlings - bars - Updated June 2026
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