Les Miller and his brother Josh have brought back to life a derelict watering hole called Al’s Bar that now serves up ridiculously cheap local bison, in the form of burgers. After dinner, Al’s Bar becomes a nice example of how Lexington has parlayed its newfound spirit of sustainability into something of a cultural awakening. It was here, two years ago, that local poet and provocateur Eric Sutherland started what he dubbed the Holler Poets Series—its name a nod to the mountain hollows that shaped so much of Kentucky’s oral tradition, as well as a suggestion on how to be heard when reciting a poem in Al’s Bar. Once a month, two featured poets perform/holler, but the real success of Holler is an unusually strong hour of open mike, around which a dedicated community of local poets has formed.
Eric Reece, Garden and Gun
" In less than 18 months, this revived neighborhood watering hole has evolved into a culinary destination and a full-frontal music venue, broadening exposure to local jazz, indie and especially bluegrass talent, as well as sponsoring art classes, movie nights and the "holler poets" series that showcases the art of words.
Eat healthy and delicious here in these lean times for less than $5: Bison and lamb burgers, superb sweet potato fries, tender black-bean burgers and updated fried green tomatoes with basil mayonnaise are among the treats. Each item is prepared with a fine and unpretentious sensibility.
But what really impresses me is the beautiful social tapestry of the place, woven by an eclectic clientele encouraged to be themselves. Only troublemakers are not tolerated. Go at 6 on Friday evening and your bar companions might be speaking Spanish. Show up for dinner at 9:30 on a Thursday night; by 10 the (affordable) jukebox is playing Amy Winehouse, followed 30 minutes later by fiddle music and percussive food-stomping.
Wendy Miller, Lexington Herald Leader
Great place for live music, good beer, and no frat guys to be seen! Plus more bourbon than you'd think possible at a dive bar. (Though the hipster crowd seems to be taking over.) Al's is a no-frills kind of place, but is welcoming and chill. Wide variety of music, so check ahead before you go - it could be folk-rock one night and a metal band the next!
If it gets too loud, you can always go next door to the Sidecar, where the hardcore pool players and cyclists hang out!
Blue T, Lexington, on Yelp.com
Al's is situated in a funny little corner. Honestly, you think you're about to go into a corner liquor shop instead of a bar where you can hear good local bands (and sometimes not so good local bands--but that's another review for another day).
Since they have the same owners as Stella's, food here is supposed to be superb (though I haven't tried, but I have had Stella's, which is lovely, actually, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt). There are booths, bar stools and row seating in the pool table area. It's a typical dive bar that actually does what dive bars do well (whatever that may be...?): it's just a nice place to grab a drink and not have your toes stepped on by a three-inch heel by some crazed 20-somethings who've had Red Bull-mixed drinks for the past four hours (and this is coming from a 20-something...so you can take that how you like).
Smithersby T, Lexington on Yelp.com
Al's is a bar that usually has a live band, and very often it's a big show with lots of people. Which makes it a terrific and unlikely surprise that it has some of the best food in town. Owned by the same people as Stella's, they use as much produce as they can from the community garden. Excellent burgers including local beef, lamb, local bison, black bean (best in town), portabello, and falafel. The sweet potato fries are everyone's favorite. Al's is an important part of the north-side community and I'm probably as relaxed eating here as I am eating at my mother's house.
Zac on UrbanSpoon.com