The 5 Best Bars in Bowling Green, KY
At first glance Bowling Green, Ky looks and feels a bit like Mayberry. A quaint, quiet little college town, where on the surface appears to shut down before the nightly news comes on. But if you dig a little deeper, things aren’t always as they appear. In fact you will see there is more than meets the eye as we show you our top 5 best bars in Bowling Green, KY.
1. 440 Main / Mickis on Main
Is this Bowling Green? Or is this New Orleans? How about a mixture of both. 440 Main shares its identity with Mickis on Main and is in a whole different class of bars in Bowling Green. Before the sunsets it looks like your typical formal dining experience. Patrons sitting on the sidewalk patio sharing a bottle of wine and socializing over a charcuterie board and beignets. But as the street lights illuminate and the neon’s begin to buzz, you are transcended into the “Big Easy” of Bowling Green.
Let’s just say this place never ceases to amaze. The atmosphere is energetic and the music engulfing. The smell of crab cakes and bourbon will literally smack you in the face in a non-threatening, hope you have a good time way. The only thing missing is a parade going right through the middle of the building, in which certain the owner has though about it if it wouldn’t violate some sort of safety regulation. Once you walk in and experience it for yourself, there is no doubt as to why this made the list as one of the best bars in Bowling Green.
2. Tidballs
Hands down one of the best bars in Bowling Green!! Tidballs has made quite the name for its self and is nationally known as the starting ground for Grammy Award Winning artist “Cage The Elephant”. Outside of the fame and fortune that it has helped mold, Tidballs is the epitome of a rock and roll dive bar. From the cigarette smoke infused walls from years past to the alcohol stained floors this bar has some serious stories to tell. Upon walking through the slim door the incredible sounds of grungy rock music makes you soon forget about the pungent odor of moldy beer and body sweat. To some this may sound disgusting, but to others this is the holy grail of independent rock and roll.
3. Hilligans
This staple of Bowling Green has been tried and tested throughout the years and still remains victorious as one of the best bars in Bowling Green. Hilligans is exactly what you would expect from a college hangout; convenient location, cheap drinks, and pizza. Do not let the ample space fool you it can get pretty crowded, especially on WKU home games and weekends. If you’re looking for somewhere quiet to get away from crowds of people then this is not the place. However, if you have your party pants on and are in the mood to be nostalgic, then grab a slice of pizza and belly up to the bar its going to be an entertaining night.
4. Brew Co. Underground
Located on the square in downtown Bowling Green, Brew Co. Underground is an up and coming hot spot for all of your dancing needs. This is one of the few spots in Bowling Green that offers a dance floor and live DJ. This gem can be hard to spot due to it actually being underground, but if you scan the square and look for the long line forming then you are probably in the right spot.
Once you finally get through the door and make your way down the narrow stair case, you are quickly greeted by the hard thumping of bass mixed with an overlaying resonance of chatter. If you value personal space then you may want to go find a nice spot in the back. If you are in the market to socialize and start conversation with strangers, then grab a drink at the bar and make your way to the dance floor. Once you have made it this far your sense of time will quickly become non- existent and the only thing that will matter is the music and the good company that you keep.
5. Dublins Irish Pub
From karaoke to live bands, this is the Irish bar that has a little bit of everything. Dublin’s Irish Pub has been around for several years now and has made a name for its self as being one of the best bars in Bowling Green. Up until recently it was the only Irish pub in the city and most commonly know for their Irish selection of beers, whiskey and karaoke of course. From the weary traveler here on business to the students venturing down from the hill, on any given night this bar sees its fair share of patrons. If you are looking for a place to kick back, listen to some good music and enjoy a Jameson neat then this place has your name written all over it.
There you have it, our list of 5 best bars in Bowling Green, KY for 2019. As this city continues to grow and expand so will our list of the best. So next time you find yourself sitting at home looking for any excuse to get out of the house, give our top 5 bars in Bowling Green a try and tell us what you think.
Now that you have the ultimate list of drinking and nightlife spots in Bowling Green, check out the top 5 restaurants in the area!
>> Best Restaurants in Bowling Green, KY
