Holy Grale image

Holy Grale

Restaurant Bar

Offbeat gastropub featuring a long, rotating beer list & locavore fare in a 1905 former church. People often mention beer, great, menu, good, beers, delicious, Great, selection, burger, spot,


Address

1034 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40204

Website

thegrales.com

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (1.1K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: (Good Friday), 5 to 11 PM, Hours might differ
  • Saturday: 2 to 11 PM
  • Sunday: (Easter), 2 to 10 PM, Hours might differ
  • Monday: 5 to 10 PM
  • Tuesday: 5 to 10 PM
  • Wednesday: 5 to 10 PM
  • Thursday: 5 to 11 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: beer (28) great (24) menu (11) good (11) beers (11) delicious (10) Great (9) selection (9) burger (9) spot (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 David W. 1 year ago on Google
    One of the best tap rooms I have been to. Great selection and a knowledgeable staff. The food is also excellent. I recommend stopping in.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Josh R. 7 months ago on Google • 119 reviews
    The Holy Grail is a great place to stop and get a bite and a drink. This is a smaller place but it's great looking with a great staff. No waiting on drinks and food.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Kyle H. 11 months ago on Google • 349 reviews
    I am a Louisiana girl with a traveler’s heart. I saw this restaurant and had to stop in for a bite. The location was excellent, near downtown Louisville, KY. Everything I ordered was prepared perfectly. While each thing my husband ordered was not. We didn’t make a reservation to dine tonight. There was not a wait to be seated. This 1905 former church was converted into a petite restaurant. We ate inside this gastropub because it was raining. I was very excited because of all the great photos. If you plan on dining here flip to the very back page of the beer menu. Our server was proud to be employed here. He is a kind person. Wow the bar was beautiful. Though I did not request a cocktail to test the mixologist skills. No this is a beer night. What an exclusive appetizer, it tasted lovely. The Cheese tray was brillante a must order dish. The duck confit poutine was horrible. I believe the duck was bad. Shame because I really enjoy duck. The fish looks good in the photo but a bit over cooked. The pork Schnitzel is one of my favorite dishes here. The chef was hustling in his kitchen. I encourage you to look at my photos.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Catherine 1 year ago on Google • 318 reviews
    Beautiful place! Ton of beers to chose. Their beers are international, and almost none of them are in USA which is very enjoyable for me. Their appetizers are delicious. It was my first time visit there. And I would love to come back when it is warm outside. I am curious about Their courtyard. My other tip that I didn't know. You will need to me reservation for upstairs dining as I believe. I was sitting at the bar which I enjoy the most.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Megan S. 6 months ago on Google • 50 reviews
    My husband had an Oktoberfest and a burger. I had The Holy Ghost and spaetzel. We shared pretzels and beer cheese. All delicious.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mike S. 11 months ago on Google
    Fabulous place to get a properly poured and served European draft beer, probably best in town. The Westmalle Trappist Dubble is just like getting this beer in Belgium.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lillian L. 3 months ago on Google • 37 reviews New
    An amazing must try spot for beer lovers! I love command sitting down and experimenting with new beers. Love the fact that they have a lot of beers available in a 5oz pour. Their beer list is so varied and diverse it's almost overwhelming but the staff is so knowledgeable and willing to take time to share. Then there's the food. Everything I've tried has been absolutely delicious top-notch eats. Great atmosphere too with being in an old church.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Allie I. 8 months ago on Google • 249 reviews
    We somehow got lucky enough on a Friday to be able to sit upstairs with nobody there! This was my first time but I'd expect that's usually filled up, even though there's a beer garden. I was worried at first as we walked up thinking it would be hot or stuffy but it was pleasant and pretty!! The food was great. Really enjoyed the spaeztle!!! Our waiter was knowledgeable and prompt.

  • 5/5 Joshua R. 6 months ago on Google • 4 reviews
    When there is so many different good things about this place it's hard to choose just a few. The Atmosphere in the back makes you feel like you're in an orchard. SUPER LOVELY! I recommend eating back their if it's a sunny day out. We got a plain hamburger and fries. LET ME TELL YOU! Never had a Burger so well made in my entire life. It was juicier than freshly squeezed lemons. I see why they call it the Holy Grale... Cause God himself made those burgers... I TELL YOU THEY WERE SO DELICIOUS! I had a Hibiscus beer with my meal although it was a little too sweet for my taste I would still drink it again. Everything here was A++++ if you are in the area I highly recommend trying this place! 9.9 out of 10!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Erin L. 1 year ago on Google • 160 reviews
    Beautiful job converting a church into a bar, great beer selection. Food is ok. There were deliberate decisions made by the chef to char the outside of the burger which led to a burnt taste that permeated. I ended up picking the charred bits off in order to enjoy it. I get there are stylistic choices when it comes to food, but burnt is one I don't agree with. Gluten-free bun was soft and not at all dense. Thought the flaked salt on top was unnecessary since the combination was a bit salty anyways. For $18, was a bit surprised the burger didn't come with any accompaniments aside from a cornichon. The fries were an additional $8, they were well fried and delicious but didn't love the curry ketchup dipping sauce I chose, a bit too much cumin/cinnamon for my tastes. I didn’t love that they charge you a $1 or any additional sauces either.

  • 5/5 Ciera L. 5 months ago on Google • 42 reviews
    One of the coolest bars I've ever experienced! The atmosphere is amazing, the staff is so kind, and the drinks are amazing! There are some unique beers that I've never seen in other bars. I hope to visit again and recommend you come here! The food was also great! Couldn't be happier with this place.

  • 5/5 blondeham 8 months ago on Google • 30 reviews
    Excellent atmosphere, brew selection, and food! Definitely a must to visit. Had the Schlenkerla Dopplebock and Dieu du Ciel! Peche Mortel Special Edition and both were so delicious. Also had the pretzel and cheese (the cheese spread/dip is crack), and I believe the Burrata and cheese. I meant to take a picture of the menu as their menu is wayyyyy more extensive in person than online. The Sommelier, Michael, was super helpful in brew choices and extended his knowledge on choices and beers. Will definitely be coming back to try more! Also I believe their foreign/import brews were well priced especially for a restaurant/taphaus. They are extending to have a wine venue in the near future so keep your eye out.

  • 4/5 Khayla A. 4 years ago on Google
    service, beer, food is delightful. be prepared to spend money; everything is a la carte. definitely worth the splurge, as it was quite possibly the best burger i’ve had in louisville. incredible variety of beers. walk up and order, they bring the food to you. atmosphere is great, but could be too dark for those trying to read a menu at night. go in the daytime or check the menu before you go. you got options.

  • 5/5 Tom C. 5 years ago on Google
    Great little craft beer spot in cool old church digs! Small food menu with great flavors and delicious options! Huge beer menu and solid tap choices! Definitely a sweet spot for happy hour or a quick bite and drinks.

  • 5/5 Erin C. 3 years ago on Google
    Great beer selection, great sauce selection, solid patio vibes, thug pugs were a nice touch. The pretzel bun on the burger was everything I could have hoped for. Be sure to check out all the last suppers.

  • 4/5 Jessica 4 years ago on Google
    The food deserves five stars, for appetizers my group had the brussel sprouts and pretzel with beer cheese. The brussel sprouts had a delicious balsamic sauce and were cooked perfectly crispy, minus half a star because they weren't delivered until our food order was. The pretzel was very soft and nicely salted. I had a burger cooked medium well, it was delicious! This place has a huge variety of drinks as well, something for every taste. You order at the bar and then your food is delivered after. You also pay when you order and are prompted to tip at that time, before any services are even rendered... minus another half a star. Not much room inside for seating, luckily the weather allowed us to find a table in the nice outdoor seating area. Overall, I recommend this place.

  • 5/5 Erica M. 4 years ago on Google
    Loved this tavern and the play on grale and that it was once a church. The spirits were great and very charming get away. Next time we're gonna eat and not just drink.

  • 5/5 Mallory P. 5 years ago on Google
    One of our favorite stops during our trip. The staff was laid back and super friendly, the tap list was impressive, and the food was amaze. We didn't intend on ordering food, but got a second helping of the fried Brussels because they were THAT GOOD. My only regret is that we didn't stop in when the 'Choir Loft' was open, because I took a peak upstairs and I would have definitely hung out up there all night.

  • 5/5 Brandy R. 1 year ago on Google
    Fabulous on so many levels. The food was excellent and service was impeccable. We had 2 food allergies at the table, and the server was knowledgeable about the menu and helped answer every question patiently. The beer selection was amazing, especially international beers. They had a decent selection of dark beers, which we enjoyed. And the ambiance was great. Upstairs felt like dining in a British pub, only the food slants more German. Every dish we had (burger, fish, gnocchi, schnitzel) was great. Highly recommended.

  • 5/5 Clara B. 5 years ago on Google
    If you are in Louisville, you have to go to here. Such a unique, interesting spot that offers delicious food. It’s walk up and order, and seating is limited, so get their early if you don’t want to wait in line and want to get a seat. ITS WORTH IT. Been here numerous times, and it’s one of my families favorite spots. I highly recommended their affogatos and honey bee cappuccino. They also offer a beermosa that’s pretty good. All of their food is made from scratch and so tasty. Prices are a little steep but it’s well worth it.

  • 5/5 Samantha Salinas (Dust Bunnies C. 1 year ago on Google
    I just really love this place! Great food, great atmosphere, and a huge beer selection! I highly suggest the onion soup, steak tartare, and the house beer (Orval)

  • 5/5 Madison Ned B. 1 year ago on Google
    Tristan was our server and was so attentive and thoughtful. Fantastic food and drink, loved the Father old fashioned and shrimp. We had some picky eaters at our table and Tristan catered to our needs with the utmost attention. Holy Grale has always been one of my favorite Louisville spots and I'm so happy to see it continue to shine.

  • 5/5 Michael S. 1 year ago on Google
    This was a very nice surprise place. The Father, an old fashion, was the best old fashion I have ever had. Els was a great ßrver and explained the menu and gave great suggestions. This is a place I will come back to.

  • 5/5 Reina J. 1 year ago on Google
    Great little spot for drinks. Didn’t know anything about like ANY of the beers on the menu, but the girl was amazing and helped me land on a couple great beers. Went on NYE - and as they were closing up, they gave us a little champagne leftover from their bottles for a toast. Sweet gesture.

  • 5/5 nate k. 1 year ago on Google
    Great dinner with friends. Everyone started with drinks and apps. I had a NA mango sour beer which was good. Several other non alcoholic options. Obviously huge beer list, everyone reported good brews. Got two apps, the sauerkraut balls with sausage and cheese, deep fried with horsey sauce, and a pretzel with beer cheese. Both good but the fried sauerkraut balls were better. Dinner was the burger, delicious. Did the gluten free bun which had good flavor overall, and good buttery finish and went well with the burger (gluten and I are not always friends). Burger is one of the better in the city.

  • 5/5 Taylor F. 1 year ago on Google
    Hidden away perfectly, this place nails a German beer garden vibe in the middle of a very busy street. High fences and great foliage make this an unexpectedly intimate spot in an otherwise loud area. The food slaps—great care was obviously taken to make each dish—and of course the beer selection is just ridiculous. 10/10

  • 5/5 Bianca P. 4 years ago on Google
    This is such a great little spot. It’s very popular in the summer for outdoor beer drinking. The venue is an old church transformed into a unique beer garden with rotating drafts and unique and hard-to-find bottles. They also serve great food from a rotating menu. Their patio is lovely and can’t be beat but they also have indoor seating and additional seating up in the “choir loft.” Just because this place is normally considered a summer spot, don’t count it out in the winter! They make a different beer ramen every Sunday that will warm your soul on even the coldest days.

  • 5/5 Melani B. 1 year ago on Google
    Great service and a beautiful courtyard, food and beer was high quality. Renovations inside look great.

  • 5/5 Juna U. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful bar with a great vibe and cool concept. Friendly and attentive staff, lots of beer choices along other options. Didn’t try the food, but it looked amazing.

  • 5/5 Leonard B. 1 year ago on Google
    Zwanzee day is in the books and the toast was a song! Made many good new connections and celebrated in the true spirit of a united toast! Excellent job great location, fries are aaaaaaamazing!

  • 4/5 Arturo Xavier (. 1 year ago on Google
    It was good, but the shrimps are more like an appetizer, very small dish.

  • 5/5 Dave H. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place! They have an awesome cheeseburger and really good fries!


Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Free street parking
    • ✓️ Somewhat difficult to find a space
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Food
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Food at bar
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating
  • From the business
    • ✓️ Identifies as women-owned

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