This Cozy Cocktail Bar is the Perfect Spot for Happy Hour Drinks

A few weeks ago, a friend mentioned a cocktail bar she had just visited called Tartan House. She said it was cool and cozy, with fantastic drinks. I knew I had to check it out. One early evening, just as the sun set in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, I walked into Tartan House and immediately fell in love with its ambiance.

The decor includes dark, moody colors and stylish touches like unique light fixtures and tile surfaces. Because it was early evening, I was pleasantly surprised to see quite a crowd inside the cocktail bar. Couples and individuals sat at the bar, and others sat at small tables throughout the space. Their lively conversations, along with the upbeat music, created a fun vibe. The furniture was plush, and several pieces were covered in velvet. I sat at the bar and was immediately greeted and given a menu by the friendly bartender.

I perused the menu and loved each cocktail's clever name, like the Penicillin, with scotch, lemon, honey syrup, and ginger syrup, and the Inkling, with gin, capers, and squid ink. Hello Gourd-Geous featured Green River 1885 Bourbon, butternut squash-brown sugar syrup, and lemon. Beer and wine were also on the menu, as were bar snacks like charcuterie, kettle chips, roasted almonds, and popcorn.

I settled on a Daiquiri with rum, lime, and simple syrup and watched with intrigue as the bartender whipped it up. He expertly added the ingredients to a shaker. He also prepared the glass by pouring liquid nitrogen into it, which bubbled and sent vapors across the bar. After discarding the liquid nitrogen, he poured the drink into the chilled glass and passed it to me. The cocktail was smooth and fantastic; the ingredients blended beautifully together.

As I enjoyed it, I took in some of the interior details of Tartan House. On the wall behind the bar was a display made of warm wood squares, each holding a group of liquor bottles. Each square was lit, contrasting with the darker tones throughout the cocktail bar. Tartan house was nicely decorated for the holiday season with garland and wreaths.

I will definitely return to Tartan House. It's a great spot for drinks before or after dinner with friends or a date. It'd be a fantastic place to take someone visiting Louisville; it's unique but welcoming and an ideal environment for conversation.

For more information, visit Tartan House's website and Facebook page.

Downtown Louisville has a plethora of sites and restaurants. The Louisville Slugger Museum and Kentucky Science Center are great museums, and Feast BBQ and Proof on Main are excellent restaurants. Consider booking a stay at the historic and luxurious Seelbach Hilton in downtown Louisville.