July 22, 2025

Southern Cookhouse & Bar to Open in Downtown Lexington

News Summary

Southern Cookhouse & Bar is set to open in downtown Lexington, revitalizing the local dining scene. Located within the BLVD Apartments, the restaurant offers a diverse menu featuring comfort food, burgers, and Southern specialties. With over 30 years of experience, partners Bryan Henderson and Troy Thayer aim to create a welcoming atmosphere for local residents and visitors. The venue will include a spacious bar, numerous televisions for sports fans, and a covered patio for outdoor dining. Southern Cookhouse & Bar will start operating in September 2023, with plans for an expanded menu and catering services.

Lexington, Kentucky – Southern Cookhouse & Bar is set to officially open its doors during the first week of September 2023, revitalizing the dining scene in downtown Lexington. The restaurant will occupy the clubhouse of the BLVD Apartments, located on Hays Boulevard, filling the space that was previously home to BLVD Grill.

This new venture is strategically placed in the Chilesburg and Andover neighborhoods, conveniently situated just off Richmond Road, and in close proximity to I-75 and Man O’ War Boulevard. The location is expected to attract both local residents and visitors, offering an accessible dining option in the area.

Partners Bryan Henderson and Troy Thayer bring a combined experience of over 30 years in the restaurant industry to this new establishment. Their new venture serves as a revival of Henderson’s earlier establishment, The Southern Deli & Tavern, which unfortunately closed shortly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2023.

The menu at Southern Cookhouse & Bar will be diverse, featuring burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, comfort food, salads, and desserts, with many items prepared in-house to ensure freshness and quality. Several popular dishes from The Southern Deli & Tavern will be making a comeback, including notable favorites such as The Southern Burger, The Winchester, and The Fort Worth. The culinary focus will highlight a Southern twist, with unique offerings like Carne asada sandwiches served on ciabatta bread.

In terms of ambiance, the bar area at Southern Cookhouse & Bar is designed to be twice the size of the previous bar, showcasing a distinctive look with bourbon barrel strips. Patrons can look forward to enjoying eight draft beers along with a selection of bourbon and tequila. Furthermore, the venue will be equipped with a total of 15 televisions, including four impressive 85-inch screens and a 100-inch television, ensuring sports enthusiasts have ample viewing options.

The restaurant also features a covered patio capable of seating 50 guests, complete with a fire pit and a picturesque view of the apartment complex’s swimming pool. This outdoor space is perfect for those looking to enjoy their meals in a more relaxed and scenic environment.

Upon opening, Southern Cookhouse & Bar will operate on a schedule of Tuesday through Friday from 3 p.m. to midnight, and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to midnight. There are already plans to expand operating hours along with weekend brunch offerings as the restaurant grows and settles into its new role in the community.

In addition to regular dining, the establishment is considering plans to offer catering services, which would capitalize on the spacious kitchen and Thayer’s extensive experience in the food industry. Among the additional treats on the menu, soft serve ice cream is also anticipated to be a popular choice for patrons.

Emphasizing a commitment to the local community, Henderson aims to cater to neighborhood residents, considering the estimated 7,000 homes located in the area surrounding the restaurant. The tagline for Southern Cookhouse & Bar promotes a philosophy of “good food, great friends, easy living,” appealing to diners seeking a comfortable and enjoyable dining experience.

For more details regarding the offerings and the opening of this new establishment, interested parties can visit the official website at southerncookhousebar.com.