The Green Lantern ★ 4.1
$north-limestone{'monday': '16:00-02:30', 'tuesday': '16:00-02:30', 'wednesday': '16:00-02:30', 'thursday': '16:00-02:30', 'friday': '16:00-02:30', 'saturday': '16:00-02:30', 'sunday': '16:00-02:30'}
The Green Lantern holds West Third Street down as Lexington's late dive of record, open to 02:30 nightly with bands, karaoke and cheap cans.
Tip: Karaoke Wednesdays and the pre-19:00 happy hour are the moves; bring cash to keep the line moving.
McCarthy's Irish Bar ★ 4.0
$downtown{'monday': '11:00-02:30', 'tuesday': '11:00-02:30', 'wednesday': '11:00-02:30', 'thursday': '11:00-02:30', 'friday': '11:00-02:30', 'saturday': '11:00-02:30', 'sunday': '11:00-02:30'}
McCarthy's Irish Bar stays open to 02:30 every single night on South Upper, the downtown Lexington constant for a last Guinness after everything else.
Tip: It opens at 11:00 and never really empties on game days; late weeknights are when the regulars hold court.
The Bar Complex ★ 4.2
$$downtown{'monday': 'closed', 'tuesday': 'closed', 'wednesday': 'closed', 'thursday': '20:00-02:30', 'friday': '20:00-02:30', 'saturday': '20:00-02:30', 'sunday': 'closed'}
The Bar Complex runs three bars, a dance floor and drag stages under one East Main roof, the long-standing centre of Lexington's LGBTQ+ dance nights.
Tip: Thursday to Saturday only, 20:00-02:30; catch the early drag set, then the floor fills after 23:00.
The Burl ★ 4.5
$$distillery-district{'monday': 'closed', 'tuesday': '16:00-01:00', 'wednesday': '16:00-01:00', 'thursday': '16:00-01:00', 'friday': '16:00-02:30', 'saturday': '13:00-02:30', 'sunday': '13:00-01:00'}
The Burl books Americana, bluegrass and psych into a converted train depot by the Distillery District, with a retro arcade bar in the next building.
Tip: Buy show tickets ahead and arrive early enough for a round in The Burl Arcade next door at 369 Thompson Road.
Manchester Music Hall ★ 4.2
$$distillery-district{'monday': 'showtimes vary', 'tuesday': 'showtimes vary', 'wednesday': 'showtimes vary', 'thursday': 'showtimes vary', 'friday': 'showtimes vary', 'saturday': 'showtimes vary', 'sunday': 'showtimes vary'}
Manchester Music Hall stages touring acts in an exposed-brick distillery warehouse, the Distillery District's big room for Lexington concert nights.
Tip: Doors typically open an hour before the show; eat first along Manchester Street since the hall runs bars only.
Al's Bar ★ 4.2
$north-limestone{'monday': 'closed', 'tuesday': '17:00-00:30', 'wednesday': '17:00-00:30', 'thursday': '17:00-00:30', 'friday': '17:00-01:30', 'saturday': '17:00-01:30', 'sunday': '17:00-00:30'}
Al's Bar keeps NoLi's corner stage busy with punk, bluegrass, hip-hop and Tuesday open mics, a long-running Lexington bar that books bands most nights.
Tip: Closed Mondays; Tuesday open mic is free and weekend shows are cheap, so it suits a no-plan night out.