Q&A With Louisville’s Haymarket Whiskey Bar

Interview with Matt Landan of Haymarket Whiskey Bar in Louisville, Kentucky

By Kurt Maitland

Louisville Urban Bourbon Trail has plenty of fine watering holes for the discriminating bourbon drinker, but some stand out even in that grouping. This is what was said about the Haymarket Whiskey Bar when Thrillist voted it one of the America’s 22 Best Whiskey Bars:

“The scene: Sure, they’ve got the requisite 150+ whiskeys from all over the world (including rarer Pappys and Jefferson selects) and master distillers dropping by for tastings, but what separates them from your average KY bourbon palace is the ambience: live music four nights a week, Doctor Who pinball, a stacked vintage jukebox, and a Centipede arcade…..”

I felt the same way on my first visit last year. It’s a definite must-visit in a town full of must-visit bars. I had the chance to catch up with owner Matthew Landan for a quick Q&A.

Matt Landon with his broad whiskey stock
(Credit: Kurt Maitland)

KM: What brought you to Louisville and made you decide to open a bar?

ML: Moved here 9 years ago from Europe to be closer to my (then aged) 11-year-old son who lived in Louisville with his Mom.

Decided to open the Whiskey Bar after owning a coffee shop beer bar for nearly five years as it was a natural expression of change and growth. A kind of reinvention of the self.

KM: What are the things that make the Haymarket Whiskey Bar stand out in the crowded Louisville bar scene?

ML: We are a working man’s bar. Not snooty, not expensive, just down to earth and welcoming.

Haymarket is a bar that turns what people think a traditional whisky bar should be on its head.  Our unmatched selection of whiskey watches over multiple pin ball tables, a finely curated jukebox with some great local music selections, one of the states’ only beer vending machine, a long bar with personality, a vinyl night curated by the neighborhood, and live music four nights a week.  We believe anybody and everybody has the right to enjoy a range of great whiskey and the diversity of our customers echos the relaxed ambiance of the bar.

KM: What do you love about owning a bar in Louisville?

ML: The free drinks and meeting people from all walks of life and all kinds of visitors to the city.

KM: What are the challenges of owning a bar in Louisville?

ML: Keeping things fresh and lively, making folks happy and keeping them entertained!

Whiskey and pinball. What more do you need?
(Credit: Kurt Maitland)

KM: How do you deal with having such a plethora of whiskeys to choose from when stocking the bar? Unlike many other bars in the area, you also have an excellent selection of non-bourbons (Japanese whiskies, single malts, etc) to go along with your amazing bourbon options.

ML: It’s easy, stock what you like, stock what you’re curious about, stock what you’ve never had before!

KM: What do you focus on when adding non-bourbons to your line up? Personal taste, queries from customers?

ML: Recommendations, requests, best of category spirits.

KM: Along with your bar options, you also are a live music venue. What do you like about the Louisville music scene and being able to host live bands at your bar?

ML: In my opinion, the Louisville music scene is the most underrated scene going today. Forget about NYC, Los Angeles, or any other bigger market, Louisville has amazing bands representing a wide spectrum of genres. From folk to metal to hip-hop to alternative…Louisville is a city that encourages the exploration of creativity without any of the pressures that bigger music scenes may have.  Because of this, I’ve seen the Louisville music scene become this sonic melting-pot that constantly surprises me with its vast talents.