We arrived early to get a seat at the bar. We wanted the personal experience of sitting front and center with the bartender. We were able to have conversation with Christian as we tried different cocktails. The craftsmanship and attention to details makes this place a true craft cocktail bar. This was a proposal date and Christian was an awesome assistant?.
Stephen J B Davis
For a truly curated, fine libation this is the spot. The food is wonderful. But the seasonal cocktails are the real stars of this establishment. There are some staples, of course. But each year, this restaurant produces a drink menu much like a high end coffee table book. These menus detail each drink, with full color photos and even a glossary for the more common and lesser known ingredients. For dinner or just drinks, you can spend your whole night here. Either way, you’re in the thick of all the downtown hustle and bustle for easy access to what Lexington has to offer.
Scott F Wilson
This is one of the best cocktail bars within 200 miles. Oh, and the food is great. Top 20 absinthe menu's in country. Yes, in Lexington, try it.
Nick Bundy
Walked around for about 30 minutes trying to find something more than hand foods. Stumbled into west main, and the service was top notch. From the beaming, and lovely host. Which, i did not get her name. Davin, though boiiii lemme tell you about Davin. Pretty sure he had the whole restaurant. Sure seemed like it. However he handled it with grace and poise. Excellent service. Go, and ask for him and give him all the good tips. He works hard for it, and made sure everything was as it should be.Drinks wise i chose a standard mojito, but it was far from standard. It tasted perfect. Props to the bartender. Straight up nectar of the gods. Tasted like it came from Jesus's teet good.Now time for the reason we settle on west main. For dinner i chose the carved steak which was absolutely wonderful. Don't question anything, get it how it comes. A nice medium to med rare and it's delectable. Mine was more mid well, but was still melt in your mouth amazing. It tasted like how your girlfriend wishes it felt. ? My date chose the Thai noodles and she loved those as well. She managed the chop sticks like she was from Bangkok. Cause ya know thai noodles.... she sucked them down like how i imagine scarface would have if that movie was about noodles.Okay and now for the completely knock it out of the park 18th inning. The bourbon peach cobbler. Lawdhamercy james and the giant peach that shiz was good. The fresh puff pastry on top was the perfect crunch. The ice cream was delectable, and the cobbler was amazing like it came straight from Lanes Georgia. It comes on this skillet which is scalding how by the way. I definitely tried to grab the handle while i ate it, because i was trying to scarf it down before the wandering eyes of the vultures at the other tables stole it. But hand burning and all i scarfed it down before they could. As we were leaving a group of 20 walked in, and they looked like they just got done at a bar mitzvah or something. I really hope they weren't Jewish on that tip though davin. You did great.In closing. Definitely try this place. Whether in passing, or if you're a full on Lex Lutheran. the chairs and the couches, and the loungingness of it all. I felt under dressed honestly regardless of it being so laid back. *Dogecoin shirt* ask for Davin, and tip like you mean it. You'll be left with astounding service, and beautiful tasty food that will stick with you like white on rice.
Kathryn Kauffman Psychic Medium
Always a wonderful evening at this establishment. The culinary and cocktail creations are some if the best in Lexington Ky. That is why I feature them on my website for Ky travel called Staykentucky.com I can be assured that if I give a recommendation my followers will always have a great experience here. Some of the most unique mixed drinks and delectable seasonal eats. The meal and cocktail menus change. What fun!
Devon Ott-Barilli
Gavin was THE best! Get the reverse absinthe cocktail and the whiskey egg white drink.... So good. Absolutely loved the tuna, market fish, and steak. We will be back!
Danielle
My husband and I absolutely love West Main Crafting. Hands down the best drinks in town and the food and atmosphere is superb. When you go, ask for Davin, he's amazing! Definitely a 5 star experience everytime.
James S.
Great craft cocktails and a good varied menu. A bit on the pricey side for entrees. But much of it seem artisan
Nadine R.
Our serendipitous discovery of West Main Crafting Company in Lexington KY turned out to be a major highlight of the trip. It was so exceptional that we altered our plans so we could return twice more. The space was inviting and cozy; decor provided a warm, comfortable environment to enjoy the evening. The food was incredibly fresh and flavorful, and the floor staff were cordially attentive. And the deliciously diverse cocktails blew us away: they were off-the-chart amazing. It was immediately obvious the bartenders were brilliant at their craft, developing complex flavors with inspired combinations of spirits. We discovered just how much Jonathan Laurel knows about the history and chemistry of absinthe. His passion for this mystical, misunderstood spirit is so palpable that we decided to return a third time just for his personal absinthe tasting experience. Jonathan literally brought absinthe to life for us, presenting its amazing palette of flavors and textures with great style backed by serious substance. We are converts, armed now with the knowledge of to get the very best out of absinthe, understanding what made it such a rage.
drzelda
Our serendipitous discovery of West Main Crafting Company in Lexington KY turned out to be a major highlight of the trip. It was so exceptional that we altered our plans so we could return twice more. The space was inviting and cozy; decor provided a warm, comfortable environment to enjoy the evening. The food was incredibly fresh and flavorful, and the floor staff were cordially attentive. And the deliciously diverse cocktails blew us away: they were off-the-chart amazing. It was immediately obvious the bartenders were brilliant at their craft, developing complex flavors with inspired combinations of spirits. To cap it off, we discovered just how much Jonathan Laurel knows about the history and chemistry of absinthe. His passion for this mystical, misunderstood spirit is so palpable that we decided to return a third time just for his personal absinthe tasting experience. Jonathan literally brought absinthe to life for us, presenting its amazing palette of flavors and textures with great style backed by serious substance. We are converts, armed now with the knowledge of to get the very best out of absinthe, understanding what made it such a rage.
Amazing cocktail BOOK! Looking for the best cocktail menu AND execution, this is it. Need an incredible Absinthe menu, untouchable within 200 miles. As an aside, very good food too.
Gary H.
Wow. This place borders on being a Michelin Star contender. The staff were universally amazing. Friendly, knowledgeable, interested in honest critique. The cocktails were strong and perfectly mixed. The food was stellar - recognizable dishes like chicken or noodles but perfectly made. The dessert - a peach bourbon cobbler a la mode - was one of the best desserts I've ever had. This is a true gem in the area. West Main Crafting Co. actually reminded of the Alinea Group in Chicago - who are some of the most sought after foodie places in the entire world. Don't be intimidated! Part of this level of service is making you feel welcome. If you're anywhere near Lexington, you need to stop in. This is easily one of the coolest places on the state. Their cocktail menu is its own printed book, and if that's too much for you, just let the staff dial in your experience for you. Top recommendations so far: The White Birch cocktail is summery and refreshing. The shareable plate of pickles is amazing with drinks. The half chicken is a blend of world class cooking and gnaw-the-bones down-home cooking. The cobbler is to die for.
This place had truly extraordinary craft cocktails and absolutely fabulous artisanal food. We (used to) travel around the world, seeking the best cocktails and cooking wherever we went. Without a doubt we rank this small but serious place among our top ten drinking and dining experiences. And we found it totally serendipitously during our trip to the Bourbon Trail. We enjoyed it so much that we cancelled our dinner reservations for our second night so that we could return here to explore more of their fantastic creations!
Jeanne D.
We were highly impressed with the atmosphere, service and food. The cocktails blew us away. This is a must for the Lexington area.
Will Chandler
Food was great! Cocktails are delicious. Atmosphere was great for date night.
We arrived early to get a seat at the bar. We wanted the personal experience of sitting front and center with the bartender. We were able to have conversation with Christian as we tried different cocktails. The craftsmanship and attention to details makes this place a true craft cocktail bar. This was a proposal date and Christian was an awesome assistant?.
For a truly curated, fine libation this is the spot. The food is wonderful. But the seasonal cocktails are the real stars of this establishment. There are some staples, of course. But each year, this restaurant produces a drink menu much like a high end coffee table book. These menus detail each drink, with full color photos and even a glossary for the more common and lesser known ingredients. For dinner or just drinks, you can spend your whole night here. Either way, you’re in the thick of all the downtown hustle and bustle for easy access to what Lexington has to offer.
This is one of the best cocktail bars within 200 miles. Oh, and the food is great. Top 20 absinthe menu's in country. Yes, in Lexington, try it.
Walked around for about 30 minutes trying to find something more than hand foods. Stumbled into west main, and the service was top notch. From the beaming, and lovely host. Which, i did not get her name. Davin, though boiiii lemme tell you about Davin. Pretty sure he had the whole restaurant. Sure seemed like it. However he handled it with grace and poise. Excellent service. Go, and ask for him and give him all the good tips. He works hard for it, and made sure everything was as it should be.Drinks wise i chose a standard mojito, but it was far from standard. It tasted perfect. Props to the bartender. Straight up nectar of the gods. Tasted like it came from Jesus's teet good.Now time for the reason we settle on west main. For dinner i chose the carved steak which was absolutely wonderful. Don't question anything, get it how it comes. A nice medium to med rare and it's delectable. Mine was more mid well, but was still melt in your mouth amazing. It tasted like how your girlfriend wishes it felt. ? My date chose the Thai noodles and she loved those as well. She managed the chop sticks like she was from Bangkok. Cause ya know thai noodles.... she sucked them down like how i imagine scarface would have if that movie was about noodles.Okay and now for the completely knock it out of the park 18th inning. The bourbon peach cobbler. Lawdhamercy james and the giant peach that shiz was good. The fresh puff pastry on top was the perfect crunch. The ice cream was delectable, and the cobbler was amazing like it came straight from Lanes Georgia. It comes on this skillet which is scalding how by the way. I definitely tried to grab the handle while i ate it, because i was trying to scarf it down before the wandering eyes of the vultures at the other tables stole it. But hand burning and all i scarfed it down before they could. As we were leaving a group of 20 walked in, and they looked like they just got done at a bar mitzvah or something. I really hope they weren't Jewish on that tip though davin. You did great.In closing. Definitely try this place. Whether in passing, or if you're a full on Lex Lutheran. the chairs and the couches, and the loungingness of it all. I felt under dressed honestly regardless of it being so laid back. *Dogecoin shirt* ask for Davin, and tip like you mean it. You'll be left with astounding service, and beautiful tasty food that will stick with you like white on rice.
Always a wonderful evening at this establishment. The culinary and cocktail creations are some if the best in Lexington Ky. That is why I feature them on my website for Ky travel called Staykentucky.com I can be assured that if I give a recommendation my followers will always have a great experience here. Some of the most unique mixed drinks and delectable seasonal eats. The meal and cocktail menus change. What fun!
Gavin was THE best! Get the reverse absinthe cocktail and the whiskey egg white drink.... So good. Absolutely loved the tuna, market fish, and steak. We will be back!
My husband and I absolutely love West Main Crafting. Hands down the best drinks in town and the food and atmosphere is superb. When you go, ask for Davin, he's amazing! Definitely a 5 star experience everytime.
Great craft cocktails and a good varied menu. A bit on the pricey side for entrees. But much of it seem artisan
Our serendipitous discovery of West Main Crafting Company in Lexington KY turned out to be a major highlight of the trip. It was so exceptional that we altered our plans so we could return twice more. The space was inviting and cozy; decor provided a warm, comfortable environment to enjoy the evening. The food was incredibly fresh and flavorful, and the floor staff were cordially attentive. And the deliciously diverse cocktails blew us away: they were off-the-chart amazing. It was immediately obvious the bartenders were brilliant at their craft, developing complex flavors with inspired combinations of spirits. We discovered just how much Jonathan Laurel knows about the history and chemistry of absinthe. His passion for this mystical, misunderstood spirit is so palpable that we decided to return a third time just for his personal absinthe tasting experience. Jonathan literally brought absinthe to life for us, presenting its amazing palette of flavors and textures with great style backed by serious substance. We are converts, armed now with the knowledge of to get the very best out of absinthe, understanding what made it such a rage.
Our serendipitous discovery of West Main Crafting Company in Lexington KY turned out to be a major highlight of the trip. It was so exceptional that we altered our plans so we could return twice more. The space was inviting and cozy; decor provided a warm, comfortable environment to enjoy the evening. The food was incredibly fresh and flavorful, and the floor staff were cordially attentive. And the deliciously diverse cocktails blew us away: they were off-the-chart amazing. It was immediately obvious the bartenders were brilliant at their craft, developing complex flavors with inspired combinations of spirits. To cap it off, we discovered just how much Jonathan Laurel knows about the history and chemistry of absinthe. His passion for this mystical, misunderstood spirit is so palpable that we decided to return a third time just for his personal absinthe tasting experience. Jonathan literally brought absinthe to life for us, presenting its amazing palette of flavors and textures with great style backed by serious substance. We are converts, armed now with the knowledge of to get the very best out of absinthe, understanding what made it such a rage.
Restaurantji Recommends
Amazing cocktail BOOK! Looking for the best cocktail menu AND execution, this is it. Need an incredible Absinthe menu, untouchable within 200 miles. As an aside, very good food too.
Wow. This place borders on being a Michelin Star contender. The staff were universally amazing. Friendly, knowledgeable, interested in honest critique. The cocktails were strong and perfectly mixed. The food was stellar - recognizable dishes like chicken or noodles but perfectly made. The dessert - a peach bourbon cobbler a la mode - was one of the best desserts I've ever had. This is a true gem in the area. West Main Crafting Co. actually reminded of the Alinea Group in Chicago - who are some of the most sought after foodie places in the entire world. Don't be intimidated! Part of this level of service is making you feel welcome. If you're anywhere near Lexington, you need to stop in. This is easily one of the coolest places on the state. Their cocktail menu is its own printed book, and if that's too much for you, just let the staff dial in your experience for you. Top recommendations so far: The White Birch cocktail is summery and refreshing. The shareable plate of pickles is amazing with drinks. The half chicken is a blend of world class cooking and gnaw-the-bones down-home cooking. The cobbler is to die for.
This place had truly extraordinary craft cocktails and absolutely fabulous artisanal food. We (used to) travel around the world, seeking the best cocktails and cooking wherever we went. Without a doubt we rank this small but serious place among our top ten drinking and dining experiences. And we found it totally serendipitously during our trip to the Bourbon Trail. We enjoyed it so much that we cancelled our dinner reservations for our second night so that we could return here to explore more of their fantastic creations!
We were highly impressed with the atmosphere, service and food. The cocktails blew us away. This is a must for the Lexington area.
Food was great! Cocktails are delicious. Atmosphere was great for date night.