01.23.24 Neat Bourbon Bar + Bottle Shop
On Sunday we finally made it to Neat Bourbon Bar nestled in the heart of the Highlands. We first popped into their bottle shop. We had a nice visit with the gentleman working who was enjoying his pho from close by. We talked bourbon and pho with him. He seemed to have a great deal of experience and knowledge with both, which we liked.
Neat Bottle Shop prides itself on having a vast collection. Over 200 varieties of bourbon. Many vintage and rare bottles are in beautifully crafted bottle lockers. The older I get the more light I need and I certainly appreciated the warm, yellow-toned lighting to see the bottle labels.
After checking out their vast collection we headed over to the the bottle bar. We knew it was going to have a cool and chill vibe because we had been following Neat for quite some time on Instagram. I was definitely in need of a chill vibe because we had come from the new Publix and spent 45 minutes in line for a PubSub. It was quite busy!
I absolutely loved the warm and inviting ambiance of Neat Bottle Bar. The colors, textures, and unique decor were a nice mix of vintage and some modern. Charm and character were in every part of Neat. I appreciated the different seating arrangements available. There were of course bar stools to admire their impressive array of bourbons up close. Each bottle truly gleamed in the soft glow. There were more cozy seating arrangements with couches and comfy swivel plush chairs for smaller groups. There were even a couple of booths as well. We started in a cozy seating arrangement then decided to move to the bar to chat it up with the bartender and other patrons.
I was in the mood for dessert after eating the Italian PubSub so I ordered the Old Fashioned Infused Ice Cream with oat milk, J.T.S. Brown BIB Bourbon, vanilla, bitters, and a cherry. It was a delicious, refreshing, and sophisticated dessert all in one. We later sampled the Wild Turkey Generations which is a blend of 9, 12, 14, and 15-year-old bourbons. Of course, I had to take a picture and tag Firebirdbo on IG and let him know. He was very curious about what we thought of it. It was sweet, spicy, and floral and certainly didn’t feel like 120 proof.
I couldn’t leave Neat without visiting the restroom to see for myself if it’s clean, has a hook, and is well equipped for all guests. I’m happy to report that it passed my inspection! I’ll write more about restrooms and how important it is to exceed guests' expectations for that experience in a future post. If you’re wondering if I cover restrooms in my hospitality training rest assured I do!
We will definitely be visiting Neat Bottle Bar again in the future. The bartender was very friendly and welcoming. It was enjoyable and different from the norm in Louisville. If you want to feel at ease in a laid-back atmosphere where the history and traditions of bourbon come alive head on over to Neat!
