all high tables or high table benches... was told by their facebook page that tables can be lowered ... well sure, a table might be able to be lowered but theres a problem with that... the tables that can be lowered aren't big enough for a person and friends to eat at, they're tall bar tables, not dinner tables..also, at a certain time at night those tables get removed from the floor so that they can have a dance area, even if you're in the process of using the table, they send someone along with security over to remove the table from your use.... my food was cold, nobody at the table bragged on their food in the least, sweet potato fries tasted like they'd been boiled not baked or fried, no crispness at all, our waitress had zero personality, we parked in only 1 of 2 handicapped spots outside the door, and actually only 1 is marked handicapped and the other was next to the handicapped ramp so one would assume it was handicapped parking.. my husband went out to our vehicle to get my arthritis medication and was informed that our vehicle was intruding on what they were setting up as a smoking area and was made to move it... really? please, don't let the handicapped intrude on those killing themselves with cigarettes... not to mention that the smoking area was right at the door, i do believe there is a distance requirement for smoking outside of a business, and i doubt that it is the first step from walking out the establishments door.... the whole night was as absolute nightmare from the handicapped and not handicapped perspective... its a night club/meat market that is in disguise as a restaurant, go to get drunk and dance if you're into that but that is all its good for... they have a lot to learn and i doubt with what i've seen that they have the ability to learn nor the care to learn... total failure, NOT WINNING...
(1)
Kelly Y.
One extra star for including sushi in their menu offering. Just as I was about to "deal" with an ordinary American bar offering of burgers and sandwiches. I discover that Drakes also offers sushi??? What?? I had to try it cuz this could be a place for those nights when hubby wants American and I do not. Although I did not place high expectations on this sushi, the menu did seem promising. My order of sushi combo with one spider roll and 3 orders (6 pieces) of nigiri was more than adequate in quality and quantity. I can't say it was great sushi, but hey, I did not have to eat bar food and I was happy about that. Hubby was very happy to get the mini burgers he was craving. So that makes 2 happy diners! We will be back.
(4)
Robyn T.
Like everyone else, I wanted to check this place out after having heard about it for months. I was majorly disappointed. We had to stand in a line outside the building when it was below freezing, and it was only 10:30pm!! Once we finally got in, you couldn't move, the music selection was erratic & quite frankly kinda weird. The drinks were expensive & poorly made; they were so packed full of ice I barely got an ounce of the Crown I had to pay $7.50 for! The "crowd" proceeded to get younger & younger by the hour! My girlfriend's brand new HTC was stolen from the ladies room on our 1st visit & no one ever turned it in. Oh, and speaking of the restroom, there is only one, with 3 stalls....so the line was horrendous the entire night. It's possible I would try the new location @ The Summit, but I'm in no hurry!
(2)
Jennifer N.
I am actually shocked at the rude and cold behavior of service today! It's not directly my service but to the general public! I am very very disappointed how you trea t your customers but even more noticeable. Your employees
(1)
Bryan M.
Visited from out-of-town for lunch. Large bar. Beautiful day - low 70-degree weather. Bar open to sidewalk. Nice breeze. Lots of seating in the back. A colleague recommended the cheese sandwich with shrimp and bacon. Holy cow! I loved it. Simple. And, clearly not on any 'healthy food' menu. But, man, it was great. Sweet potato waffle fries were good. Service was good. Sushi? I dunno. I've never tried sushi at a big bar like this. Didn't try it this time, and probably won't in the future. Rest of the menu seem to fit the location just fine. Great, casual hang-out. PS - I found Napoleon's tots.
(4)
Matt B.
Crashed in St Matthew's for Derby weekend. My buddy's house was right around the corner from this joint along with Molly's and Gerstle's. To be fair to Drake's, every single bar we went to in St Matthew's was a bit lame, even with our awesome crowd and people visiting from all over for the Derby. Unfortunately, Drake was lamer than the rest. The drinks are pricey and weak. The atmosphere is confusing. There are two parts to this bar, on one side you have a dance floor with a few hookers always lingering (seriously) and sketchy people at best, on the other side you have kind of a lounge area that was a bit more comfortable. The food was just as confused as the atmosphere. They have over-cooked hamburgers, grease-dripping fish n chips, and SUSHI. Eeek, just stay away from this place. Take a taxi to downtown if you have to.
(2)
Daniel R.
Drinks: The Manhattan I ordered had lots of bourbon with just a touch of vermouth. It was a good hard drink. Stone's Arrogant Bastard Ale is on tap too. An excellent choice for people who enjoy hoppy strong ales. It tasted nearly as good as it does in Escondido. Lines: Get in line bro. There is a line to get in the bar that moves fairly quickly. The line to the men's restroom is totally unacceptable. The cause? 2 toilets and 1 urinal for a bar that has 200+ people (better than half sausage). Decor: It's a bar. Everything seems to be pretty modern too. There are a lot of TVs seemingly everywhere. They were playing throwback MTV videos from the 1990's when I was there. People: The overall crowd was pretty good looking at Drakes. Mostly twenty something professionals. People were dressed in blue jeans and button downs and in suits.
(3)
Rachel F.
I really thought I would like this bar. Right on Shelbyville in the bar scene. Bit of a sports bar in the day turned night club in the evening. Love. Big ole beers. Love. Talking to a few friends trying to figure out how to describe why it wasn't our scene, someone said the word that we all agreed on. Douche-y. Not a classy word, but hey, if it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck. Maybe we keep catching it on off nights. But for me 3 tries and you're out. Too many classy, sporty, divey, dancey - every good kind of bar - already exists in Louisville. Pass.
(2)
Emily R.
I LOVED Drake's! LOVE! Laura F.,Gehrig F. and I were looking for a lunch and lounge spot to enjoy the beautiful spring Sunday afternoon. We wanted outdoor seating or open air spot and we came upon Drake's. We parked in the lot to the side and ventured in. We sat down in the bar area at a high top table right along the open doors facing the street so we could feel the breeze and enjoy the sunshine. The menus are right at the table and since we were hungry we dove right in. The very first thing I noticed on the menu was the Fried Pickles!!! Done!! The second thing I noticed is that Drake's is owned by the same group that owns my favorite restaurant in Lexington; Malone's and Sal's. Immediately, I was so excited to be there. I knew it was going to be good. No, no. GREEAAAAAT! Laura F. and Gehrig F. agree. They each chose a salad with a cup of the brocolli cheese soup and a Philadelphia and Shrimp Tempura sushi rolls. I, as I mentioned, got the Fried Pickles with a little ranch for dipping. Yum! There wasn't much conversation at the table with all the eating we were doing. It was delicious. I even ordered a sushi roll to take home for dinner. I cannot wait to get back to Louisville so I can have some more Drake's! I would love to come here for a happy hour or a night out. It looked like such a fun place!
(4)
Desiree R.
From out town. Went for the frickles aka fried pickles. Pretty yummy. Sushi was awesome, along with the service. Couldn't believe how good the sushi actually was.
(4)
John D.
My favorite place in St. Matthews. The beer selection is amazing and the food is great too. They sushi isn't half bad especially considering the atmosphere. My favorite is the chicken asada soft tacos. Fantastic.
(5)
Adam C.
Great overall bar atmosphere, good food and always busy because it is the new place to go. The wait for a drink is longer than most places in Louisville, so if it is busy be prepared to wait. The dance floor is very small compared to other bars in the area ( need to take the pool tables out and expand the dance floor) and overall it feels very cramped if it is busy at all.I think they had limited space so they did the best they could with the space they had.Oh and the reason for 2 stars.....THE DJ. Seriously if you let the crowd pick the songs it would be better. Best comparison...strip club music, but with videos!! Be warned and have fun
(1)
Candace P.
Yeah, um, no. Came in around 10:15 on a Sunday night. The place wasn't dead but the crowd was sad to say the least. We were one of two couples sitting at the bar and it still took almost 10 minutes for me to get a Blue Moon. Ordered mini fish sandwiches which took FOREVER and when they came out the cheese was literally congealed to the point of me being able to pull the slices off in one fell swoop (you should not be able to peel melted cheese off a sandwich). They had definitely been sitting in the back for a while because the bread was hardened, too. Towards the end of our stay, we noticed a loud beeping sound that we had originally managed to ignore as white noise. It continued and we realized it was coming from one of the game machines. There were a couple employees obviously trying to figure out the issue and they eventually just gave up, leaving the loud beeps to continue. We finally said something to the bartender about it and she said she would unplug the machine. Well she couldn't figure it out either and gave up, too. Had it not been for the obnoxious beeping, we probably would have stayed for a couple more beers.
(1)
Shawna K.
Coming here after Kentucky Oaks may not be the best indication of the time to be had at Drakes, but it was ROCKING!!! Brand new to Louisville by only a couple of weeks, it was definitely the place to go and be seen or just go to SEE! The hats were out in full force and the dudes looking dapper in seer sucker suits were the norm that night! The space rocked with open air bar, fireplace, TV's everywhere playing modern and old school videos, high top tables, comfy leather chairs, pool tables, dancing, the works! This place had it all going on!! The crowd was about as diverse as you could get, with ages ranging any where from 21-60. Again, this was probably because of Derby weekend, but no matter what the age group, it seemed to cater to them all. The food was your typical bar food with sliders, fish tacos, wings, but they also had a full sushi menu, Aqua, which was a nice touch. Now,the one thing that really stood out was our server! The place was packed to the gills and I even think by the time we left, they were not allowing anyone else in, unless someone left and she still was right there refilling our drinks immediately! No one at our group after had an empty glass or had to wait for a drink. Our food came out quick and they cleared it up fast too! Very impressed with service!! Next time in Louisville I will definitely be hitting up Drakes again! That open air bar is just too amazing to pass up!
(5)
Patrick M.
I don't get the haters above. This place is fun, the food is good, the beer is cold and with a good variety. What are they expecting from a pub anyway? I like and go with frequency.
(5)
Keith G.
First off... I love Drakes. Here's why: they have table top beer towers. I ordered a 90oz tower of Stella for $25 which equals out to be almost eight beers, so about $3.50 a beer which is a fantastic price for Stella. Anyway, the tower comes with a tap so once you buy one you won't have to order another beer for a while. If you visit Drake's order the beer tower...Trust me... it's magnificent. The food is pretty good. I had the buffalo chicken minis and they tasted pretty awesome. I was surprised that the service was as good as it was. Drake's stays pretty busy so I figured we would have to wait a while for our food and drinks, but the service was rather prompt. I was impressed. If you visit Drake's on the weekend try to come before 9pm because they start charging a $5-$10 cover, and really there is no point to pay to get into this place... it's not that special. Now I will list the few things I did not like about Drake's. First, as previously mentioned, the cover charge. I mean really..it's a bar/restaurant that happens to play dance music at night...I still don't think cover charges should apply here. There are a lot of Bros and Hos here. When I went one weekend I thought I was in an episode of Jersey Shore...people were actually fist pumping and I'm pretty sure I could have cut my finger on one dude's hair there was so much gel in it...and that's ok for some people..but it's not really my thing. One more thing to keep in mind, in the guys bathroom there is a bathroom attendant, which kind of sucks because if you get a beer tap you will definitely be using the bathroom a lot..and you either have to tip him or not wash your hands. It's a good thing I don't wash my hand when using the bathroom...ha..just kidding...I do once in four bathroom uses. Also every time I come here it's the same DJ...and to make a long story short he sucks. Unless we were still living in 1975 and people still liked the song Brick House...or in 1991 and we were still listening to Come on Ride the Train...but did anyone really ever like that song? Drake's is a pretty cool place to get a massive drink and eat some pretty good food. It has its negatives but what place doesn't? I enjoy hanging out here and will continue to do so. Just remember...Beer Tower = Magnificent.
(4)
Tre P.
Because it's a new brand here in Louisville, I was psyched to try out Drake's. Because it was a new store here in Louisville, I probably should have waited. Upon arrival no one greeted us so we were left to wander around and try and find a table. The bar staff was friendly and told us they were looking hire a host. Oh, ok. So we were forced to hover over one of the full tables paying the bill in order to reserve it for ourselves. The food was actually pretty good but the loud atmosphere isn't for everyone. Maybe on my next trip they'll get us seated in an orderly fashion and I can up their rating to 3/5.
(2)
Joe S.
I just don't get it. It's like an Applebees with a DJ and a little table-top beer gimmick. The bar area opened up to the street by garage doors is really nice, but it's just got nothing to offer from there beyond profound genericness. Strange place. Even stranger that everyone flocks to it.
(1)
Bruce J.
lexington style in louisville
(3)
Melissa W.
Always great service! Food is very good too.
(5)
dawn p.
all high tables or high table benches... was told by their facebook page that tables can be lowered ... well sure, a table might be able to be lowered but theres a problem with that... the tables that can be lowered aren't big enough for a person and friends to eat at, they're tall bar tables, not dinner tables..also, at a certain time at night those tables get removed from the floor so that they can have a dance area, even if you're in the process of using the table, they send someone along with security over to remove the table from your use.... my food was cold, nobody at the table bragged on their food in the least, sweet potato fries tasted like they'd been boiled not baked or fried, no crispness at all, our waitress had zero personality, we parked in only 1 of 2 handicapped spots outside the door, and actually only 1 is marked handicapped and the other was next to the handicapped ramp so one would assume it was handicapped parking.. my husband went out to our vehicle to get my arthritis medication and was informed that our vehicle was intruding on what they were setting up as a smoking area and was made to move it... really? please, don't let the handicapped intrude on those killing themselves with cigarettes... not to mention that the smoking area was right at the door, i do believe there is a distance requirement for smoking outside of a business, and i doubt that it is the first step from walking out the establishments door.... the whole night was as absolute nightmare from the handicapped and not handicapped perspective... its a night club/meat market that is in disguise as a restaurant, go to get drunk and dance if you're into that but that is all its good for... they have a lot to learn and i doubt with what i've seen that they have the ability to learn nor the care to learn... total failure, NOT WINNING...
(1)
Lauren H.
Drake's is an awesome place to hang out. The atmosphere at the St. Matthew's location is fun. I love that the front bar area opens up to the outside. It's a nice place to relax on a warm day. Drake's is perfect for grabbing a drink while you chat with friends or watch a game. They have a great beer selection. They offer the beer towers, ensuring you've got plenty of your favorite beer on tap at your table. While their cocktails can be pricey and weak, they offer a few deals to make up for it. They have a happy hour, as well as ladies' night on Thursday. They also offer a patio punch all day, everyday. At $5, the patio punch is a reasonably priced option. It's filled with fresh fruit and quite tasty (but weak). The food at Drake's can be hit or miss. At first, I was pretty underwhelmed with the food choices. It took me awhile to find something I really enjoyed, but once I did, I keep coming back for it. The buffalo chicken quesadilla is my favorite thing on the menu. I love it and won't order anything else. It's crispy on the outside, packed full of toppings and swimming in buffalo sauce. Dipped in their tasty ranch or bleu cheese, it is pure perfection. I give the buffalo chicken quesadilla 5 stars, but heads up, the rest of their food is closer to 3 stars for me. During the late night hours, this place turns into a dance club. The bar and dance floor can get really packed. Drake's has the cool feature where their TV's play the music video of whichever song is on, so you always have something to keep you entertained. Overall, I find Drake's to be a fun place to hang out, drink, and eat some decent bar food.
(4)
Toree P.
I would give Drake's in St. Matthews a 3 stars on average. I always have a great time if I go before 10 p.m. I really like thier food, thier beer selection in on-point, and they have open air seating in the front bar. The staff is always helpful and they have a pool-table in the back (although I have never seen anyone actually playing it) The three starts is including the post-10 p.m. crowd. It's has become a little rough around the edges. If you are looking for a bumb-n-grind type dancing bar - this place is for you. It's just not my scene - if you are looking for a place to hang-out with friends, listen to popular music or live bands, or even go with a large group - I would not reccomend this location of Drake's. However, if you want some good food for lunch or a great after-work happy hour location I would definitely visit this Drake's location. I hear the Drake's in The Paddock Shops is a great dinner spot!
(3)
Mary S.
The only thing I was rather impressed with was the draft beer list, and even that wasn't the best one I've seen. A little too pricey for some mediocre food and draft beer. I must say that I've heard worse about the place during the evening but the daytime didn't seem to be too bad as far as service went. I wouldn't go again unless I had a really good reason to.
(2)
Melissa W.
Always great service! Food is very good too.
(5)
Robyn T.
Like everyone else, I wanted to check this place out after having heard about it for months. I was majorly disappointed. We had to stand in a line outside the building when it was below freezing, and it was only 10:30pm!! Once we finally got in, you couldn't move, the music selection was erratic & quite frankly kinda weird. The drinks were expensive & poorly made; they were so packed full of ice I barely got an ounce of the Crown I had to pay $7.50 for! The "crowd" proceeded to get younger & younger by the hour! My girlfriend's brand new HTC was stolen from the ladies room on our 1st visit & no one ever turned it in. Oh, and speaking of the restroom, there is only one, with 3 stalls....so the line was horrendous the entire night. It's possible I would try the new location @ The Summit, but I'm in no hurry!
(2)
Lauren H.
Drake's is an awesome place to hang out. The atmosphere at the St. Matthew's location is fun. I love that the front bar area opens up to the outside. It's a nice place to relax on a warm day. Drake's is perfect for grabbing a drink while you chat with friends or watch a game. They have a great beer selection. They offer the beer towers, ensuring you've got plenty of your favorite beer on tap at your table. While their cocktails can be pricey and weak, they offer a few deals to make up for it. They have a happy hour, as well as ladies' night on Thursday. They also offer a patio punch all day, everyday. At $5, the patio punch is a reasonably priced option. It's filled with fresh fruit and quite tasty (but weak). The food at Drake's can be hit or miss. At first, I was pretty underwhelmed with the food choices. It took me awhile to find something I really enjoyed, but once I did, I keep coming back for it. The buffalo chicken quesadilla is my favorite thing on the menu. I love it and won't order anything else. It's crispy on the outside, packed full of toppings and swimming in buffalo sauce. Dipped in their tasty ranch or bleu cheese, it is pure perfection. I give the buffalo chicken quesadilla 5 stars, but heads up, the rest of their food is closer to 3 stars for me. During the late night hours, this place turns into a dance club. The bar and dance floor can get really packed. Drake's has the cool feature where their TV's play the music video of whichever song is on, so you always have something to keep you entertained. Overall, I find Drake's to be a fun place to hang out, drink, and eat some decent bar food.
(4)
Toree P.
I would give Drake's in St. Matthews a 3 stars on average. I always have a great time if I go before 10 p.m. I really like thier food, thier beer selection in on-point, and they have open air seating in the front bar. The staff is always helpful and they have a pool-table in the back (although I have never seen anyone actually playing it) The three starts is including the post-10 p.m. crowd. It's has become a little rough around the edges. If you are looking for a bumb-n-grind type dancing bar - this place is for you. It's just not my scene - if you are looking for a place to hang-out with friends, listen to popular music or live bands, or even go with a large group - I would not reccomend this location of Drake's. However, if you want some good food for lunch or a great after-work happy hour location I would definitely visit this Drake's location. I hear the Drake's in The Paddock Shops is a great dinner spot!
(3)
Mary S.
The only thing I was rather impressed with was the draft beer list, and even that wasn't the best one I've seen. A little too pricey for some mediocre food and draft beer. I must say that I've heard worse about the place during the evening but the daytime didn't seem to be too bad as far as service went. I wouldn't go again unless I had a really good reason to.
(2)
The N.
Only go during the day. Basically a trendy nightclub at night. Drinks are overpriced and the pours are weak. Food is hit and miss. Some food is awesome. Others taste like microwave dinners.
(2)
Jennifer B.
Since moving here in June, we come out to Drakes about twice a month. The service is great and the food is fresh. We like to start with the spicy Sarachi Wings. Then LEEB likes the salmon, BENB likes the fish & chips and I get a sushi roll. Lots of choices and good food.
(4)
Kelly P.
I've written another review for another Drake's location, so as far as the food goes I feel similarly about this spot. - I think the food at Drake's is pretty good. It's not the greatest thing I've ever eaten, but if someone suggests going here for a meal I'm not going to be upset about it. I don't really have a go-to menu item at Drake's, but I like the Buffalo chicken minis and I love the crab rangoon roll (which they also have at other BHG restaurants, including Malone's). The fish tacos are pretty decent and I love fried pickles almost anywhere, and Drake's is no exception. As far as going out, or grabbing a few drinks, I really like this Drake's location. It's close to other spots in St. Matts too, so if you're not feeling it that night you can always head over to somewhere else. But, I've been out here multiple times, and I've always had a great time. They move the tables out to make a dance floor, which is super fun, but if that's not your thing you can always sit at a table or the bar and have a few drinks, or order food. I love that the front bar opens up to the outside, which is really nice on warm nights. Even if you're there earlier in the evening it's nice to sit out there to eat. And they have trivia nights at this location, which are super fun, and they have drink specials during trivia. I'd definitely recommend this location to grab a bite, get some drinks, or meet up with friends for a night of dancing.
(4)
Malissia M.
If you're over 22, go during the day or evening. After 10, Drake's turns into a club. Which is fine, but not what all people want. Drinks are good, the beer list is tolerably varied but not awe-inspiring, and the food is likewise respectable. The apps are hard to go wrong with, and I almost order the sushi. Yes, the sushi. It's great, despite being in a bar. Salads are good, and honestly I've never disliked anything there.
(4)
Carlos G.
If you're looking for all around good food this is your place. I've always been a big fan of the minis. I tried the burger for the first time today. I've gotta say I'm super impressed! While I'm not a sushi fan my wife likes having that option when we come.
(5)
Jennifer B.
Since moving here in June, we come out to Drakes about twice a month. The service is great and the food is fresh. We like to start with the spicy Sarachi Wings. Then LEEB likes the salmon, BENB likes the fish & chips and I get a sushi roll. Lots of choices and good food.
(4)
John D.
My favorite place in St. Matthews. The beer selection is amazing and the food is great too. They sushi isn't half bad especially considering the atmosphere. My favorite is the chicken asada soft tacos. Fantastic.
(5)
Kelly P.
I've written another review for another Drake's location, so as far as the food goes I feel similarly about this spot. - I think the food at Drake's is pretty good. It's not the greatest thing I've ever eaten, but if someone suggests going here for a meal I'm not going to be upset about it. I don't really have a go-to menu item at Drake's, but I like the Buffalo chicken minis and I love the crab rangoon roll (which they also have at other BHG restaurants, including Malone's). The fish tacos are pretty decent and I love fried pickles almost anywhere, and Drake's is no exception. As far as going out, or grabbing a few drinks, I really like this Drake's location. It's close to other spots in St. Matts too, so if you're not feeling it that night you can always head over to somewhere else. But, I've been out here multiple times, and I've always had a great time. They move the tables out to make a dance floor, which is super fun, but if that's not your thing you can always sit at a table or the bar and have a few drinks, or order food. I love that the front bar opens up to the outside, which is really nice on warm nights. Even if you're there earlier in the evening it's nice to sit out there to eat. And they have trivia nights at this location, which are super fun, and they have drink specials during trivia. I'd definitely recommend this location to grab a bite, get some drinks, or meet up with friends for a night of dancing.
(4)
Malissia M.
If you're over 22, go during the day or evening. After 10, Drake's turns into a club. Which is fine, but not what all people want. Drinks are good, the beer list is tolerably varied but not awe-inspiring, and the food is likewise respectable. The apps are hard to go wrong with, and I almost order the sushi. Yes, the sushi. It's great, despite being in a bar. Salads are good, and honestly I've never disliked anything there.
(4)
Carlos G.
If you're looking for all around good food this is your place. I've always been a big fan of the minis. I tried the burger for the first time today. I've gotta say I'm super impressed! While I'm not a sushi fan my wife likes having that option when we come.
(5)
The N.
Only go during the day. Basically a trendy nightclub at night. Drinks are overpriced and the pours are weak. Food is hit and miss. Some food is awesome. Others taste like microwave dinners.
(2)
Kelly Y.
One extra star for including sushi in their menu offering. Just as I was about to "deal" with an ordinary American bar offering of burgers and sandwiches. I discover that Drakes also offers sushi??? What?? I had to try it cuz this could be a place for those nights when hubby wants American and I do not. Although I did not place high expectations on this sushi, the menu did seem promising. My order of sushi combo with one spider roll and 3 orders (6 pieces) of nigiri was more than adequate in quality and quantity. I can't say it was great sushi, but hey, I did not have to eat bar food and I was happy about that. Hubby was very happy to get the mini burgers he was craving. So that makes 2 happy diners! We will be back.
(4)
Jennifer N.
I am actually shocked at the rude and cold behavior of service today! It's not directly my service but to the general public! I am very very disappointed how you trea t your customers but even more noticeable. Your employees
(1)
Bryan M.
Visited from out-of-town for lunch. Large bar. Beautiful day - low 70-degree weather. Bar open to sidewalk. Nice breeze. Lots of seating in the back. A colleague recommended the cheese sandwich with shrimp and bacon. Holy cow! I loved it. Simple. And, clearly not on any 'healthy food' menu. But, man, it was great. Sweet potato waffle fries were good. Service was good. Sushi? I dunno. I've never tried sushi at a big bar like this. Didn't try it this time, and probably won't in the future. Rest of the menu seem to fit the location just fine. Great, casual hang-out. PS - I found Napoleon's tots.
(4)
Matt B.
Crashed in St Matthew's for Derby weekend. My buddy's house was right around the corner from this joint along with Molly's and Gerstle's. To be fair to Drake's, every single bar we went to in St Matthew's was a bit lame, even with our awesome crowd and people visiting from all over for the Derby. Unfortunately, Drake was lamer than the rest. The drinks are pricey and weak. The atmosphere is confusing. There are two parts to this bar, on one side you have a dance floor with a few hookers always lingering (seriously) and sketchy people at best, on the other side you have kind of a lounge area that was a bit more comfortable. The food was just as confused as the atmosphere. They have over-cooked hamburgers, grease-dripping fish n chips, and SUSHI. Eeek, just stay away from this place. Take a taxi to downtown if you have to.
(2)
Desiree R.
From out town. Went for the frickles aka fried pickles. Pretty yummy. Sushi was awesome, along with the service. Couldn't believe how good the sushi actually was.
(4)
Daniel R.
Drinks: The Manhattan I ordered had lots of bourbon with just a touch of vermouth. It was a good hard drink. Stone's Arrogant Bastard Ale is on tap too. An excellent choice for people who enjoy hoppy strong ales. It tasted nearly as good as it does in Escondido. Lines: Get in line bro. There is a line to get in the bar that moves fairly quickly. The line to the men's restroom is totally unacceptable. The cause? 2 toilets and 1 urinal for a bar that has 200+ people (better than half sausage). Decor: It's a bar. Everything seems to be pretty modern too. There are a lot of TVs seemingly everywhere. They were playing throwback MTV videos from the 1990's when I was there. People: The overall crowd was pretty good looking at Drakes. Mostly twenty something professionals. People were dressed in blue jeans and button downs and in suits.
(3)
Rachel F.
I really thought I would like this bar. Right on Shelbyville in the bar scene. Bit of a sports bar in the day turned night club in the evening. Love. Big ole beers. Love. Talking to a few friends trying to figure out how to describe why it wasn't our scene, someone said the word that we all agreed on. Douche-y. Not a classy word, but hey, if it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck. Maybe we keep catching it on off nights. But for me 3 tries and you're out. Too many classy, sporty, divey, dancey - every good kind of bar - already exists in Louisville. Pass.
(2)
Emily R.
I LOVED Drake's! LOVE! Laura F.,Gehrig F. and I were looking for a lunch and lounge spot to enjoy the beautiful spring Sunday afternoon. We wanted outdoor seating or open air spot and we came upon Drake's. We parked in the lot to the side and ventured in. We sat down in the bar area at a high top table right along the open doors facing the street so we could feel the breeze and enjoy the sunshine. The menus are right at the table and since we were hungry we dove right in. The very first thing I noticed on the menu was the Fried Pickles!!! Done!! The second thing I noticed is that Drake's is owned by the same group that owns my favorite restaurant in Lexington; Malone's and Sal's. Immediately, I was so excited to be there. I knew it was going to be good. No, no. GREEAAAAAT! Laura F. and Gehrig F. agree. They each chose a salad with a cup of the brocolli cheese soup and a Philadelphia and Shrimp Tempura sushi rolls. I, as I mentioned, got the Fried Pickles with a little ranch for dipping. Yum! There wasn't much conversation at the table with all the eating we were doing. It was delicious. I even ordered a sushi roll to take home for dinner. I cannot wait to get back to Louisville so I can have some more Drake's! I would love to come here for a happy hour or a night out. It looked like such a fun place!
(4)
Adam C.
Great overall bar atmosphere, good food and always busy because it is the new place to go. The wait for a drink is longer than most places in Louisville, so if it is busy be prepared to wait. The dance floor is very small compared to other bars in the area ( need to take the pool tables out and expand the dance floor) and overall it feels very cramped if it is busy at all.I think they had limited space so they did the best they could with the space they had.Oh and the reason for 2 stars.....THE DJ. Seriously if you let the crowd pick the songs it would be better. Best comparison...strip club music, but with videos!! Be warned and have fun
(1)
Candace P.
Yeah, um, no. Came in around 10:15 on a Sunday night. The place wasn't dead but the crowd was sad to say the least. We were one of two couples sitting at the bar and it still took almost 10 minutes for me to get a Blue Moon. Ordered mini fish sandwiches which took FOREVER and when they came out the cheese was literally congealed to the point of me being able to pull the slices off in one fell swoop (you should not be able to peel melted cheese off a sandwich). They had definitely been sitting in the back for a while because the bread was hardened, too. Towards the end of our stay, we noticed a loud beeping sound that we had originally managed to ignore as white noise. It continued and we realized it was coming from one of the game machines. There were a couple employees obviously trying to figure out the issue and they eventually just gave up, leaving the loud beeps to continue. We finally said something to the bartender about it and she said she would unplug the machine. Well she couldn't figure it out either and gave up, too. Had it not been for the obnoxious beeping, we probably would have stayed for a couple more beers.
(1)
Shawna K.
Coming here after Kentucky Oaks may not be the best indication of the time to be had at Drakes, but it was ROCKING!!! Brand new to Louisville by only a couple of weeks, it was definitely the place to go and be seen or just go to SEE! The hats were out in full force and the dudes looking dapper in seer sucker suits were the norm that night! The space rocked with open air bar, fireplace, TV's everywhere playing modern and old school videos, high top tables, comfy leather chairs, pool tables, dancing, the works! This place had it all going on!! The crowd was about as diverse as you could get, with ages ranging any where from 21-60. Again, this was probably because of Derby weekend, but no matter what the age group, it seemed to cater to them all. The food was your typical bar food with sliders, fish tacos, wings, but they also had a full sushi menu, Aqua, which was a nice touch. Now,the one thing that really stood out was our server! The place was packed to the gills and I even think by the time we left, they were not allowing anyone else in, unless someone left and she still was right there refilling our drinks immediately! No one at our group after had an empty glass or had to wait for a drink. Our food came out quick and they cleared it up fast too! Very impressed with service!! Next time in Louisville I will definitely be hitting up Drakes again! That open air bar is just too amazing to pass up!
(5)
Patrick M.
I don't get the haters above. This place is fun, the food is good, the beer is cold and with a good variety. What are they expecting from a pub anyway? I like and go with frequency.
(5)
Keith G.
First off... I love Drakes. Here's why: they have table top beer towers. I ordered a 90oz tower of Stella for $25 which equals out to be almost eight beers, so about $3.50 a beer which is a fantastic price for Stella. Anyway, the tower comes with a tap so once you buy one you won't have to order another beer for a while. If you visit Drake's order the beer tower...Trust me... it's magnificent. The food is pretty good. I had the buffalo chicken minis and they tasted pretty awesome. I was surprised that the service was as good as it was. Drake's stays pretty busy so I figured we would have to wait a while for our food and drinks, but the service was rather prompt. I was impressed. If you visit Drake's on the weekend try to come before 9pm because they start charging a $5-$10 cover, and really there is no point to pay to get into this place... it's not that special. Now I will list the few things I did not like about Drake's. First, as previously mentioned, the cover charge. I mean really..it's a bar/restaurant that happens to play dance music at night...I still don't think cover charges should apply here. There are a lot of Bros and Hos here. When I went one weekend I thought I was in an episode of Jersey Shore...people were actually fist pumping and I'm pretty sure I could have cut my finger on one dude's hair there was so much gel in it...and that's ok for some people..but it's not really my thing. One more thing to keep in mind, in the guys bathroom there is a bathroom attendant, which kind of sucks because if you get a beer tap you will definitely be using the bathroom a lot..and you either have to tip him or not wash your hands. It's a good thing I don't wash my hand when using the bathroom...ha..just kidding...I do once in four bathroom uses. Also every time I come here it's the same DJ...and to make a long story short he sucks. Unless we were still living in 1975 and people still liked the song Brick House...or in 1991 and we were still listening to Come on Ride the Train...but did anyone really ever like that song? Drake's is a pretty cool place to get a massive drink and eat some pretty good food. It has its negatives but what place doesn't? I enjoy hanging out here and will continue to do so. Just remember...Beer Tower = Magnificent.
(4)
Tre P.
Because it's a new brand here in Louisville, I was psyched to try out Drake's. Because it was a new store here in Louisville, I probably should have waited. Upon arrival no one greeted us so we were left to wander around and try and find a table. The bar staff was friendly and told us they were looking hire a host. Oh, ok. So we were forced to hover over one of the full tables paying the bill in order to reserve it for ourselves. The food was actually pretty good but the loud atmosphere isn't for everyone. Maybe on my next trip they'll get us seated in an orderly fashion and I can up their rating to 3/5.
(2)
Joe S.
I just don't get it. It's like an Applebees with a DJ and a little table-top beer gimmick. The bar area opened up to the street by garage doors is really nice, but it's just got nothing to offer from there beyond profound genericness. Strange place. Even stranger that everyone flocks to it.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
dawn p.
all high tables or high table benches... was told by their facebook page that tables can be lowered ... well sure, a table might be able to be lowered but theres a problem with that... the tables that can be lowered aren't big enough for a person and friends to eat at, they're tall bar tables, not dinner tables..also, at a certain time at night those tables get removed from the floor so that they can have a dance area, even if you're in the process of using the table, they send someone along with security over to remove the table from your use.... my food was cold, nobody at the table bragged on their food in the least, sweet potato fries tasted like they'd been boiled not baked or fried, no crispness at all, our waitress had zero personality, we parked in only 1 of 2 handicapped spots outside the door, and actually only 1 is marked handicapped and the other was next to the handicapped ramp so one would assume it was handicapped parking.. my husband went out to our vehicle to get my arthritis medication and was informed that our vehicle was intruding on what they were setting up as a smoking area and was made to move it... really? please, don't let the handicapped intrude on those killing themselves with cigarettes... not to mention that the smoking area was right at the door, i do believe there is a distance requirement for smoking outside of a business, and i doubt that it is the first step from walking out the establishments door.... the whole night was as absolute nightmare from the handicapped and not handicapped perspective... its a night club/meat market that is in disguise as a restaurant, go to get drunk and dance if you're into that but that is all its good for... they have a lot to learn and i doubt with what i've seen that they have the ability to learn nor the care to learn... total failure, NOT WINNING...
(1)Kelly Y.
One extra star for including sushi in their menu offering. Just as I was about to "deal" with an ordinary American bar offering of burgers and sandwiches. I discover that Drakes also offers sushi??? What?? I had to try it cuz this could be a place for those nights when hubby wants American and I do not. Although I did not place high expectations on this sushi, the menu did seem promising. My order of sushi combo with one spider roll and 3 orders (6 pieces) of nigiri was more than adequate in quality and quantity. I can't say it was great sushi, but hey, I did not have to eat bar food and I was happy about that. Hubby was very happy to get the mini burgers he was craving. So that makes 2 happy diners! We will be back.
(4)Robyn T.
Like everyone else, I wanted to check this place out after having heard about it for months. I was majorly disappointed. We had to stand in a line outside the building when it was below freezing, and it was only 10:30pm!! Once we finally got in, you couldn't move, the music selection was erratic & quite frankly kinda weird. The drinks were expensive & poorly made; they were so packed full of ice I barely got an ounce of the Crown I had to pay $7.50 for! The "crowd" proceeded to get younger & younger by the hour! My girlfriend's brand new HTC was stolen from the ladies room on our 1st visit & no one ever turned it in. Oh, and speaking of the restroom, there is only one, with 3 stalls....so the line was horrendous the entire night. It's possible I would try the new location @ The Summit, but I'm in no hurry!
(2)Jennifer N.
I am actually shocked at the rude and cold behavior of service today! It's not directly my service but to the general public! I am very very disappointed how you trea t your customers but even more noticeable. Your employees
(1)Bryan M.
Visited from out-of-town for lunch. Large bar. Beautiful day - low 70-degree weather. Bar open to sidewalk. Nice breeze. Lots of seating in the back. A colleague recommended the cheese sandwich with shrimp and bacon. Holy cow! I loved it. Simple. And, clearly not on any 'healthy food' menu. But, man, it was great. Sweet potato waffle fries were good. Service was good. Sushi? I dunno. I've never tried sushi at a big bar like this. Didn't try it this time, and probably won't in the future. Rest of the menu seem to fit the location just fine. Great, casual hang-out. PS - I found Napoleon's tots.
(4)Matt B.
Crashed in St Matthew's for Derby weekend. My buddy's house was right around the corner from this joint along with Molly's and Gerstle's. To be fair to Drake's, every single bar we went to in St Matthew's was a bit lame, even with our awesome crowd and people visiting from all over for the Derby. Unfortunately, Drake was lamer than the rest. The drinks are pricey and weak. The atmosphere is confusing. There are two parts to this bar, on one side you have a dance floor with a few hookers always lingering (seriously) and sketchy people at best, on the other side you have kind of a lounge area that was a bit more comfortable. The food was just as confused as the atmosphere. They have over-cooked hamburgers, grease-dripping fish n chips, and SUSHI. Eeek, just stay away from this place. Take a taxi to downtown if you have to.
(2)Daniel R.
Drinks: The Manhattan I ordered had lots of bourbon with just a touch of vermouth. It was a good hard drink. Stone's Arrogant Bastard Ale is on tap too. An excellent choice for people who enjoy hoppy strong ales. It tasted nearly as good as it does in Escondido. Lines: Get in line bro. There is a line to get in the bar that moves fairly quickly. The line to the men's restroom is totally unacceptable. The cause? 2 toilets and 1 urinal for a bar that has 200+ people (better than half sausage). Decor: It's a bar. Everything seems to be pretty modern too. There are a lot of TVs seemingly everywhere. They were playing throwback MTV videos from the 1990's when I was there. People: The overall crowd was pretty good looking at Drakes. Mostly twenty something professionals. People were dressed in blue jeans and button downs and in suits.
(3)Rachel F.
I really thought I would like this bar. Right on Shelbyville in the bar scene. Bit of a sports bar in the day turned night club in the evening. Love. Big ole beers. Love. Talking to a few friends trying to figure out how to describe why it wasn't our scene, someone said the word that we all agreed on. Douche-y. Not a classy word, but hey, if it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck. Maybe we keep catching it on off nights. But for me 3 tries and you're out. Too many classy, sporty, divey, dancey - every good kind of bar - already exists in Louisville. Pass.
(2)Emily R.
I LOVED Drake's! LOVE! Laura F.,Gehrig F. and I were looking for a lunch and lounge spot to enjoy the beautiful spring Sunday afternoon. We wanted outdoor seating or open air spot and we came upon Drake's. We parked in the lot to the side and ventured in. We sat down in the bar area at a high top table right along the open doors facing the street so we could feel the breeze and enjoy the sunshine. The menus are right at the table and since we were hungry we dove right in. The very first thing I noticed on the menu was the Fried Pickles!!! Done!! The second thing I noticed is that Drake's is owned by the same group that owns my favorite restaurant in Lexington; Malone's and Sal's. Immediately, I was so excited to be there. I knew it was going to be good. No, no. GREEAAAAAT! Laura F. and Gehrig F. agree. They each chose a salad with a cup of the brocolli cheese soup and a Philadelphia and Shrimp Tempura sushi rolls. I, as I mentioned, got the Fried Pickles with a little ranch for dipping. Yum! There wasn't much conversation at the table with all the eating we were doing. It was delicious. I even ordered a sushi roll to take home for dinner. I cannot wait to get back to Louisville so I can have some more Drake's! I would love to come here for a happy hour or a night out. It looked like such a fun place!
(4)Desiree R.
From out town. Went for the frickles aka fried pickles. Pretty yummy. Sushi was awesome, along with the service. Couldn't believe how good the sushi actually was.
(4)John D.
My favorite place in St. Matthews. The beer selection is amazing and the food is great too. They sushi isn't half bad especially considering the atmosphere. My favorite is the chicken asada soft tacos. Fantastic.
(5)Adam C.
Great overall bar atmosphere, good food and always busy because it is the new place to go. The wait for a drink is longer than most places in Louisville, so if it is busy be prepared to wait. The dance floor is very small compared to other bars in the area ( need to take the pool tables out and expand the dance floor) and overall it feels very cramped if it is busy at all.I think they had limited space so they did the best they could with the space they had.Oh and the reason for 2 stars.....THE DJ. Seriously if you let the crowd pick the songs it would be better. Best comparison...strip club music, but with videos!! Be warned and have fun
(1)Candace P.
Yeah, um, no. Came in around 10:15 on a Sunday night. The place wasn't dead but the crowd was sad to say the least. We were one of two couples sitting at the bar and it still took almost 10 minutes for me to get a Blue Moon. Ordered mini fish sandwiches which took FOREVER and when they came out the cheese was literally congealed to the point of me being able to pull the slices off in one fell swoop (you should not be able to peel melted cheese off a sandwich). They had definitely been sitting in the back for a while because the bread was hardened, too. Towards the end of our stay, we noticed a loud beeping sound that we had originally managed to ignore as white noise. It continued and we realized it was coming from one of the game machines. There were a couple employees obviously trying to figure out the issue and they eventually just gave up, leaving the loud beeps to continue. We finally said something to the bartender about it and she said she would unplug the machine. Well she couldn't figure it out either and gave up, too. Had it not been for the obnoxious beeping, we probably would have stayed for a couple more beers.
(1)Shawna K.
Coming here after Kentucky Oaks may not be the best indication of the time to be had at Drakes, but it was ROCKING!!! Brand new to Louisville by only a couple of weeks, it was definitely the place to go and be seen or just go to SEE! The hats were out in full force and the dudes looking dapper in seer sucker suits were the norm that night! The space rocked with open air bar, fireplace, TV's everywhere playing modern and old school videos, high top tables, comfy leather chairs, pool tables, dancing, the works! This place had it all going on!! The crowd was about as diverse as you could get, with ages ranging any where from 21-60. Again, this was probably because of Derby weekend, but no matter what the age group, it seemed to cater to them all. The food was your typical bar food with sliders, fish tacos, wings, but they also had a full sushi menu, Aqua, which was a nice touch. Now,the one thing that really stood out was our server! The place was packed to the gills and I even think by the time we left, they were not allowing anyone else in, unless someone left and she still was right there refilling our drinks immediately! No one at our group after had an empty glass or had to wait for a drink. Our food came out quick and they cleared it up fast too! Very impressed with service!! Next time in Louisville I will definitely be hitting up Drakes again! That open air bar is just too amazing to pass up!
(5)Patrick M.
I don't get the haters above. This place is fun, the food is good, the beer is cold and with a good variety. What are they expecting from a pub anyway? I like and go with frequency.
(5)Keith G.
First off... I love Drakes. Here's why: they have table top beer towers. I ordered a 90oz tower of Stella for $25 which equals out to be almost eight beers, so about $3.50 a beer which is a fantastic price for Stella. Anyway, the tower comes with a tap so once you buy one you won't have to order another beer for a while. If you visit Drake's order the beer tower...Trust me... it's magnificent. The food is pretty good. I had the buffalo chicken minis and they tasted pretty awesome. I was surprised that the service was as good as it was. Drake's stays pretty busy so I figured we would have to wait a while for our food and drinks, but the service was rather prompt. I was impressed. If you visit Drake's on the weekend try to come before 9pm because they start charging a $5-$10 cover, and really there is no point to pay to get into this place... it's not that special. Now I will list the few things I did not like about Drake's. First, as previously mentioned, the cover charge. I mean really..it's a bar/restaurant that happens to play dance music at night...I still don't think cover charges should apply here. There are a lot of Bros and Hos here. When I went one weekend I thought I was in an episode of Jersey Shore...people were actually fist pumping and I'm pretty sure I could have cut my finger on one dude's hair there was so much gel in it...and that's ok for some people..but it's not really my thing. One more thing to keep in mind, in the guys bathroom there is a bathroom attendant, which kind of sucks because if you get a beer tap you will definitely be using the bathroom a lot..and you either have to tip him or not wash your hands. It's a good thing I don't wash my hand when using the bathroom...ha..just kidding...I do once in four bathroom uses. Also every time I come here it's the same DJ...and to make a long story short he sucks. Unless we were still living in 1975 and people still liked the song Brick House...or in 1991 and we were still listening to Come on Ride the Train...but did anyone really ever like that song? Drake's is a pretty cool place to get a massive drink and eat some pretty good food. It has its negatives but what place doesn't? I enjoy hanging out here and will continue to do so. Just remember...Beer Tower = Magnificent.
(4)Tre P.
Because it's a new brand here in Louisville, I was psyched to try out Drake's. Because it was a new store here in Louisville, I probably should have waited. Upon arrival no one greeted us so we were left to wander around and try and find a table. The bar staff was friendly and told us they were looking hire a host. Oh, ok. So we were forced to hover over one of the full tables paying the bill in order to reserve it for ourselves. The food was actually pretty good but the loud atmosphere isn't for everyone. Maybe on my next trip they'll get us seated in an orderly fashion and I can up their rating to 3/5.
(2)Joe S.
I just don't get it. It's like an Applebees with a DJ and a little table-top beer gimmick. The bar area opened up to the street by garage doors is really nice, but it's just got nothing to offer from there beyond profound genericness. Strange place. Even stranger that everyone flocks to it.
(1)Bruce J.
lexington style in louisville
(3)Melissa W.
Always great service! Food is very good too.
(5)dawn p.
all high tables or high table benches... was told by their facebook page that tables can be lowered ... well sure, a table might be able to be lowered but theres a problem with that... the tables that can be lowered aren't big enough for a person and friends to eat at, they're tall bar tables, not dinner tables..also, at a certain time at night those tables get removed from the floor so that they can have a dance area, even if you're in the process of using the table, they send someone along with security over to remove the table from your use.... my food was cold, nobody at the table bragged on their food in the least, sweet potato fries tasted like they'd been boiled not baked or fried, no crispness at all, our waitress had zero personality, we parked in only 1 of 2 handicapped spots outside the door, and actually only 1 is marked handicapped and the other was next to the handicapped ramp so one would assume it was handicapped parking.. my husband went out to our vehicle to get my arthritis medication and was informed that our vehicle was intruding on what they were setting up as a smoking area and was made to move it... really? please, don't let the handicapped intrude on those killing themselves with cigarettes... not to mention that the smoking area was right at the door, i do believe there is a distance requirement for smoking outside of a business, and i doubt that it is the first step from walking out the establishments door.... the whole night was as absolute nightmare from the handicapped and not handicapped perspective... its a night club/meat market that is in disguise as a restaurant, go to get drunk and dance if you're into that but that is all its good for... they have a lot to learn and i doubt with what i've seen that they have the ability to learn nor the care to learn... total failure, NOT WINNING...
(1)Lauren H.
Drake's is an awesome place to hang out. The atmosphere at the St. Matthew's location is fun. I love that the front bar area opens up to the outside. It's a nice place to relax on a warm day. Drake's is perfect for grabbing a drink while you chat with friends or watch a game. They have a great beer selection. They offer the beer towers, ensuring you've got plenty of your favorite beer on tap at your table. While their cocktails can be pricey and weak, they offer a few deals to make up for it. They have a happy hour, as well as ladies' night on Thursday. They also offer a patio punch all day, everyday. At $5, the patio punch is a reasonably priced option. It's filled with fresh fruit and quite tasty (but weak). The food at Drake's can be hit or miss. At first, I was pretty underwhelmed with the food choices. It took me awhile to find something I really enjoyed, but once I did, I keep coming back for it. The buffalo chicken quesadilla is my favorite thing on the menu. I love it and won't order anything else. It's crispy on the outside, packed full of toppings and swimming in buffalo sauce. Dipped in their tasty ranch or bleu cheese, it is pure perfection. I give the buffalo chicken quesadilla 5 stars, but heads up, the rest of their food is closer to 3 stars for me. During the late night hours, this place turns into a dance club. The bar and dance floor can get really packed. Drake's has the cool feature where their TV's play the music video of whichever song is on, so you always have something to keep you entertained. Overall, I find Drake's to be a fun place to hang out, drink, and eat some decent bar food.
(4)Toree P.
I would give Drake's in St. Matthews a 3 stars on average. I always have a great time if I go before 10 p.m. I really like thier food, thier beer selection in on-point, and they have open air seating in the front bar. The staff is always helpful and they have a pool-table in the back (although I have never seen anyone actually playing it) The three starts is including the post-10 p.m. crowd. It's has become a little rough around the edges. If you are looking for a bumb-n-grind type dancing bar - this place is for you. It's just not my scene - if you are looking for a place to hang-out with friends, listen to popular music or live bands, or even go with a large group - I would not reccomend this location of Drake's. However, if you want some good food for lunch or a great after-work happy hour location I would definitely visit this Drake's location. I hear the Drake's in The Paddock Shops is a great dinner spot!
(3)Mary S.
The only thing I was rather impressed with was the draft beer list, and even that wasn't the best one I've seen. A little too pricey for some mediocre food and draft beer. I must say that I've heard worse about the place during the evening but the daytime didn't seem to be too bad as far as service went. I wouldn't go again unless I had a really good reason to.
(2)Melissa W.
Always great service! Food is very good too.
(5)Robyn T.
Like everyone else, I wanted to check this place out after having heard about it for months. I was majorly disappointed. We had to stand in a line outside the building when it was below freezing, and it was only 10:30pm!! Once we finally got in, you couldn't move, the music selection was erratic & quite frankly kinda weird. The drinks were expensive & poorly made; they were so packed full of ice I barely got an ounce of the Crown I had to pay $7.50 for! The "crowd" proceeded to get younger & younger by the hour! My girlfriend's brand new HTC was stolen from the ladies room on our 1st visit & no one ever turned it in. Oh, and speaking of the restroom, there is only one, with 3 stalls....so the line was horrendous the entire night. It's possible I would try the new location @ The Summit, but I'm in no hurry!
(2)Lauren H.
Drake's is an awesome place to hang out. The atmosphere at the St. Matthew's location is fun. I love that the front bar area opens up to the outside. It's a nice place to relax on a warm day. Drake's is perfect for grabbing a drink while you chat with friends or watch a game. They have a great beer selection. They offer the beer towers, ensuring you've got plenty of your favorite beer on tap at your table. While their cocktails can be pricey and weak, they offer a few deals to make up for it. They have a happy hour, as well as ladies' night on Thursday. They also offer a patio punch all day, everyday. At $5, the patio punch is a reasonably priced option. It's filled with fresh fruit and quite tasty (but weak). The food at Drake's can be hit or miss. At first, I was pretty underwhelmed with the food choices. It took me awhile to find something I really enjoyed, but once I did, I keep coming back for it. The buffalo chicken quesadilla is my favorite thing on the menu. I love it and won't order anything else. It's crispy on the outside, packed full of toppings and swimming in buffalo sauce. Dipped in their tasty ranch or bleu cheese, it is pure perfection. I give the buffalo chicken quesadilla 5 stars, but heads up, the rest of their food is closer to 3 stars for me. During the late night hours, this place turns into a dance club. The bar and dance floor can get really packed. Drake's has the cool feature where their TV's play the music video of whichever song is on, so you always have something to keep you entertained. Overall, I find Drake's to be a fun place to hang out, drink, and eat some decent bar food.
(4)Toree P.
I would give Drake's in St. Matthews a 3 stars on average. I always have a great time if I go before 10 p.m. I really like thier food, thier beer selection in on-point, and they have open air seating in the front bar. The staff is always helpful and they have a pool-table in the back (although I have never seen anyone actually playing it) The three starts is including the post-10 p.m. crowd. It's has become a little rough around the edges. If you are looking for a bumb-n-grind type dancing bar - this place is for you. It's just not my scene - if you are looking for a place to hang-out with friends, listen to popular music or live bands, or even go with a large group - I would not reccomend this location of Drake's. However, if you want some good food for lunch or a great after-work happy hour location I would definitely visit this Drake's location. I hear the Drake's in The Paddock Shops is a great dinner spot!
(3)Mary S.
The only thing I was rather impressed with was the draft beer list, and even that wasn't the best one I've seen. A little too pricey for some mediocre food and draft beer. I must say that I've heard worse about the place during the evening but the daytime didn't seem to be too bad as far as service went. I wouldn't go again unless I had a really good reason to.
(2)The N.
Only go during the day. Basically a trendy nightclub at night. Drinks are overpriced and the pours are weak. Food is hit and miss. Some food is awesome. Others taste like microwave dinners.
(2)Jennifer B.
Since moving here in June, we come out to Drakes about twice a month. The service is great and the food is fresh. We like to start with the spicy Sarachi Wings. Then LEEB likes the salmon, BENB likes the fish & chips and I get a sushi roll. Lots of choices and good food.
(4)Kelly P.
I've written another review for another Drake's location, so as far as the food goes I feel similarly about this spot. - I think the food at Drake's is pretty good. It's not the greatest thing I've ever eaten, but if someone suggests going here for a meal I'm not going to be upset about it. I don't really have a go-to menu item at Drake's, but I like the Buffalo chicken minis and I love the crab rangoon roll (which they also have at other BHG restaurants, including Malone's). The fish tacos are pretty decent and I love fried pickles almost anywhere, and Drake's is no exception. As far as going out, or grabbing a few drinks, I really like this Drake's location. It's close to other spots in St. Matts too, so if you're not feeling it that night you can always head over to somewhere else. But, I've been out here multiple times, and I've always had a great time. They move the tables out to make a dance floor, which is super fun, but if that's not your thing you can always sit at a table or the bar and have a few drinks, or order food. I love that the front bar opens up to the outside, which is really nice on warm nights. Even if you're there earlier in the evening it's nice to sit out there to eat. And they have trivia nights at this location, which are super fun, and they have drink specials during trivia. I'd definitely recommend this location to grab a bite, get some drinks, or meet up with friends for a night of dancing.
(4)Malissia M.
If you're over 22, go during the day or evening. After 10, Drake's turns into a club. Which is fine, but not what all people want. Drinks are good, the beer list is tolerably varied but not awe-inspiring, and the food is likewise respectable. The apps are hard to go wrong with, and I almost order the sushi. Yes, the sushi. It's great, despite being in a bar. Salads are good, and honestly I've never disliked anything there.
(4)Carlos G.
If you're looking for all around good food this is your place. I've always been a big fan of the minis. I tried the burger for the first time today. I've gotta say I'm super impressed! While I'm not a sushi fan my wife likes having that option when we come.
(5)Jennifer B.
Since moving here in June, we come out to Drakes about twice a month. The service is great and the food is fresh. We like to start with the spicy Sarachi Wings. Then LEEB likes the salmon, BENB likes the fish & chips and I get a sushi roll. Lots of choices and good food.
(4)John D.
My favorite place in St. Matthews. The beer selection is amazing and the food is great too. They sushi isn't half bad especially considering the atmosphere. My favorite is the chicken asada soft tacos. Fantastic.
(5)Kelly P.
I've written another review for another Drake's location, so as far as the food goes I feel similarly about this spot. - I think the food at Drake's is pretty good. It's not the greatest thing I've ever eaten, but if someone suggests going here for a meal I'm not going to be upset about it. I don't really have a go-to menu item at Drake's, but I like the Buffalo chicken minis and I love the crab rangoon roll (which they also have at other BHG restaurants, including Malone's). The fish tacos are pretty decent and I love fried pickles almost anywhere, and Drake's is no exception. As far as going out, or grabbing a few drinks, I really like this Drake's location. It's close to other spots in St. Matts too, so if you're not feeling it that night you can always head over to somewhere else. But, I've been out here multiple times, and I've always had a great time. They move the tables out to make a dance floor, which is super fun, but if that's not your thing you can always sit at a table or the bar and have a few drinks, or order food. I love that the front bar opens up to the outside, which is really nice on warm nights. Even if you're there earlier in the evening it's nice to sit out there to eat. And they have trivia nights at this location, which are super fun, and they have drink specials during trivia. I'd definitely recommend this location to grab a bite, get some drinks, or meet up with friends for a night of dancing.
(4)Malissia M.
If you're over 22, go during the day or evening. After 10, Drake's turns into a club. Which is fine, but not what all people want. Drinks are good, the beer list is tolerably varied but not awe-inspiring, and the food is likewise respectable. The apps are hard to go wrong with, and I almost order the sushi. Yes, the sushi. It's great, despite being in a bar. Salads are good, and honestly I've never disliked anything there.
(4)Carlos G.
If you're looking for all around good food this is your place. I've always been a big fan of the minis. I tried the burger for the first time today. I've gotta say I'm super impressed! While I'm not a sushi fan my wife likes having that option when we come.
(5)The N.
Only go during the day. Basically a trendy nightclub at night. Drinks are overpriced and the pours are weak. Food is hit and miss. Some food is awesome. Others taste like microwave dinners.
(2)Kelly Y.
One extra star for including sushi in their menu offering. Just as I was about to "deal" with an ordinary American bar offering of burgers and sandwiches. I discover that Drakes also offers sushi??? What?? I had to try it cuz this could be a place for those nights when hubby wants American and I do not. Although I did not place high expectations on this sushi, the menu did seem promising. My order of sushi combo with one spider roll and 3 orders (6 pieces) of nigiri was more than adequate in quality and quantity. I can't say it was great sushi, but hey, I did not have to eat bar food and I was happy about that. Hubby was very happy to get the mini burgers he was craving. So that makes 2 happy diners! We will be back.
(4)Jennifer N.
I am actually shocked at the rude and cold behavior of service today! It's not directly my service but to the general public! I am very very disappointed how you trea t your customers but even more noticeable. Your employees
(1)Bryan M.
Visited from out-of-town for lunch. Large bar. Beautiful day - low 70-degree weather. Bar open to sidewalk. Nice breeze. Lots of seating in the back. A colleague recommended the cheese sandwich with shrimp and bacon. Holy cow! I loved it. Simple. And, clearly not on any 'healthy food' menu. But, man, it was great. Sweet potato waffle fries were good. Service was good. Sushi? I dunno. I've never tried sushi at a big bar like this. Didn't try it this time, and probably won't in the future. Rest of the menu seem to fit the location just fine. Great, casual hang-out. PS - I found Napoleon's tots.
(4)Matt B.
Crashed in St Matthew's for Derby weekend. My buddy's house was right around the corner from this joint along with Molly's and Gerstle's. To be fair to Drake's, every single bar we went to in St Matthew's was a bit lame, even with our awesome crowd and people visiting from all over for the Derby. Unfortunately, Drake was lamer than the rest. The drinks are pricey and weak. The atmosphere is confusing. There are two parts to this bar, on one side you have a dance floor with a few hookers always lingering (seriously) and sketchy people at best, on the other side you have kind of a lounge area that was a bit more comfortable. The food was just as confused as the atmosphere. They have over-cooked hamburgers, grease-dripping fish n chips, and SUSHI. Eeek, just stay away from this place. Take a taxi to downtown if you have to.
(2)Desiree R.
From out town. Went for the frickles aka fried pickles. Pretty yummy. Sushi was awesome, along with the service. Couldn't believe how good the sushi actually was.
(4)Daniel R.
Drinks: The Manhattan I ordered had lots of bourbon with just a touch of vermouth. It was a good hard drink. Stone's Arrogant Bastard Ale is on tap too. An excellent choice for people who enjoy hoppy strong ales. It tasted nearly as good as it does in Escondido. Lines: Get in line bro. There is a line to get in the bar that moves fairly quickly. The line to the men's restroom is totally unacceptable. The cause? 2 toilets and 1 urinal for a bar that has 200+ people (better than half sausage). Decor: It's a bar. Everything seems to be pretty modern too. There are a lot of TVs seemingly everywhere. They were playing throwback MTV videos from the 1990's when I was there. People: The overall crowd was pretty good looking at Drakes. Mostly twenty something professionals. People were dressed in blue jeans and button downs and in suits.
(3)Rachel F.
I really thought I would like this bar. Right on Shelbyville in the bar scene. Bit of a sports bar in the day turned night club in the evening. Love. Big ole beers. Love. Talking to a few friends trying to figure out how to describe why it wasn't our scene, someone said the word that we all agreed on. Douche-y. Not a classy word, but hey, if it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck. Maybe we keep catching it on off nights. But for me 3 tries and you're out. Too many classy, sporty, divey, dancey - every good kind of bar - already exists in Louisville. Pass.
(2)Emily R.
I LOVED Drake's! LOVE! Laura F.,Gehrig F. and I were looking for a lunch and lounge spot to enjoy the beautiful spring Sunday afternoon. We wanted outdoor seating or open air spot and we came upon Drake's. We parked in the lot to the side and ventured in. We sat down in the bar area at a high top table right along the open doors facing the street so we could feel the breeze and enjoy the sunshine. The menus are right at the table and since we were hungry we dove right in. The very first thing I noticed on the menu was the Fried Pickles!!! Done!! The second thing I noticed is that Drake's is owned by the same group that owns my favorite restaurant in Lexington; Malone's and Sal's. Immediately, I was so excited to be there. I knew it was going to be good. No, no. GREEAAAAAT! Laura F. and Gehrig F. agree. They each chose a salad with a cup of the brocolli cheese soup and a Philadelphia and Shrimp Tempura sushi rolls. I, as I mentioned, got the Fried Pickles with a little ranch for dipping. Yum! There wasn't much conversation at the table with all the eating we were doing. It was delicious. I even ordered a sushi roll to take home for dinner. I cannot wait to get back to Louisville so I can have some more Drake's! I would love to come here for a happy hour or a night out. It looked like such a fun place!
(4)Adam C.
Great overall bar atmosphere, good food and always busy because it is the new place to go. The wait for a drink is longer than most places in Louisville, so if it is busy be prepared to wait. The dance floor is very small compared to other bars in the area ( need to take the pool tables out and expand the dance floor) and overall it feels very cramped if it is busy at all.I think they had limited space so they did the best they could with the space they had.Oh and the reason for 2 stars.....THE DJ. Seriously if you let the crowd pick the songs it would be better. Best comparison...strip club music, but with videos!! Be warned and have fun
(1)Candace P.
Yeah, um, no. Came in around 10:15 on a Sunday night. The place wasn't dead but the crowd was sad to say the least. We were one of two couples sitting at the bar and it still took almost 10 minutes for me to get a Blue Moon. Ordered mini fish sandwiches which took FOREVER and when they came out the cheese was literally congealed to the point of me being able to pull the slices off in one fell swoop (you should not be able to peel melted cheese off a sandwich). They had definitely been sitting in the back for a while because the bread was hardened, too. Towards the end of our stay, we noticed a loud beeping sound that we had originally managed to ignore as white noise. It continued and we realized it was coming from one of the game machines. There were a couple employees obviously trying to figure out the issue and they eventually just gave up, leaving the loud beeps to continue. We finally said something to the bartender about it and she said she would unplug the machine. Well she couldn't figure it out either and gave up, too. Had it not been for the obnoxious beeping, we probably would have stayed for a couple more beers.
(1)Shawna K.
Coming here after Kentucky Oaks may not be the best indication of the time to be had at Drakes, but it was ROCKING!!! Brand new to Louisville by only a couple of weeks, it was definitely the place to go and be seen or just go to SEE! The hats were out in full force and the dudes looking dapper in seer sucker suits were the norm that night! The space rocked with open air bar, fireplace, TV's everywhere playing modern and old school videos, high top tables, comfy leather chairs, pool tables, dancing, the works! This place had it all going on!! The crowd was about as diverse as you could get, with ages ranging any where from 21-60. Again, this was probably because of Derby weekend, but no matter what the age group, it seemed to cater to them all. The food was your typical bar food with sliders, fish tacos, wings, but they also had a full sushi menu, Aqua, which was a nice touch. Now,the one thing that really stood out was our server! The place was packed to the gills and I even think by the time we left, they were not allowing anyone else in, unless someone left and she still was right there refilling our drinks immediately! No one at our group after had an empty glass or had to wait for a drink. Our food came out quick and they cleared it up fast too! Very impressed with service!! Next time in Louisville I will definitely be hitting up Drakes again! That open air bar is just too amazing to pass up!
(5)Patrick M.
I don't get the haters above. This place is fun, the food is good, the beer is cold and with a good variety. What are they expecting from a pub anyway? I like and go with frequency.
(5)Keith G.
First off... I love Drakes. Here's why: they have table top beer towers. I ordered a 90oz tower of Stella for $25 which equals out to be almost eight beers, so about $3.50 a beer which is a fantastic price for Stella. Anyway, the tower comes with a tap so once you buy one you won't have to order another beer for a while. If you visit Drake's order the beer tower...Trust me... it's magnificent. The food is pretty good. I had the buffalo chicken minis and they tasted pretty awesome. I was surprised that the service was as good as it was. Drake's stays pretty busy so I figured we would have to wait a while for our food and drinks, but the service was rather prompt. I was impressed. If you visit Drake's on the weekend try to come before 9pm because they start charging a $5-$10 cover, and really there is no point to pay to get into this place... it's not that special. Now I will list the few things I did not like about Drake's. First, as previously mentioned, the cover charge. I mean really..it's a bar/restaurant that happens to play dance music at night...I still don't think cover charges should apply here. There are a lot of Bros and Hos here. When I went one weekend I thought I was in an episode of Jersey Shore...people were actually fist pumping and I'm pretty sure I could have cut my finger on one dude's hair there was so much gel in it...and that's ok for some people..but it's not really my thing. One more thing to keep in mind, in the guys bathroom there is a bathroom attendant, which kind of sucks because if you get a beer tap you will definitely be using the bathroom a lot..and you either have to tip him or not wash your hands. It's a good thing I don't wash my hand when using the bathroom...ha..just kidding...I do once in four bathroom uses. Also every time I come here it's the same DJ...and to make a long story short he sucks. Unless we were still living in 1975 and people still liked the song Brick House...or in 1991 and we were still listening to Come on Ride the Train...but did anyone really ever like that song? Drake's is a pretty cool place to get a massive drink and eat some pretty good food. It has its negatives but what place doesn't? I enjoy hanging out here and will continue to do so. Just remember...Beer Tower = Magnificent.
(4)Tre P.
Because it's a new brand here in Louisville, I was psyched to try out Drake's. Because it was a new store here in Louisville, I probably should have waited. Upon arrival no one greeted us so we were left to wander around and try and find a table. The bar staff was friendly and told us they were looking hire a host. Oh, ok. So we were forced to hover over one of the full tables paying the bill in order to reserve it for ourselves. The food was actually pretty good but the loud atmosphere isn't for everyone. Maybe on my next trip they'll get us seated in an orderly fashion and I can up their rating to 3/5.
(2)Joe S.
I just don't get it. It's like an Applebees with a DJ and a little table-top beer gimmick. The bar area opened up to the street by garage doors is really nice, but it's just got nothing to offer from there beyond profound genericness. Strange place. Even stranger that everyone flocks to it.
(1)Bruce J.
lexington style in louisville
(3)