Hotel Distil Hosts Louisville’s Newest Speakeasy

There’s a door on Whiskey Row few will notice. Behind it, a new chapter in Louisville’s bourbon and bars story has been unlocked. The 1933 Society is a modern speakeasy centered on bourbon, legacy, and the figures who safeguarded American drinking culture during Prohibition. Located beneath Hotel Distil on Louisville’s storied Whiskey Row, the former epicenter of the bourbon industry, the 60-seat venue features a discreet entrance on 1st & Main Street, authentic interiors and a mix of lounge and bar seating.

“Whiskey Row has always been central to bourbon’s story,” said Casey Grinold, General Manager of Hotel Distil. “The 1933 Society builds on that legacy by offering access to rare and exclusive pours alongside a cocktail program rooted in the people who carried the industry through Prohibition. It’s an experience designed for guests who want to be immersed in the history of our bourbon culture”.

The menu serves as the core of the experience, bringing history to life through a collection of cocktails inspired by the figures who defied Prohibition. Each drink is paired with a narrative – from Louisville-born bartender Tom Bullock, whose early cocktail book became a guide for underground mixologists, to Mary Dowling, who famously moved her distilling operation across the border to continue production. The result is a menu that features classic and inventive cocktails, rare pours and one-of-a-kind single barrel selections, aimed at both bourbon enthusiasts and cocktail connoisseurs.

Open Tuesday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to midnight and Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. and reservations can be made on Open Table.