1134 E. Breckinridge St.
Opened in 1921, Seidenfaden's is one of Louisville's most endearing and enduring dives. After nearly a century, the bar has had plenty of time to carve out its niche, and it's the archetypal Germantown hangout: a perfect blend of old-school attitude with the warmth of a neighborhood pub. Despite its tight quarters, Seidenfaden's is also a great place to catch live music -- honky-tonker Johnny Berry plays regular gigs here.
921 Swan St.
This homey little joint is like a subterranean Cheers but with great food. The inside of the bar, which is said to have been dug out of the side of a hill with a mule (hence, the name), is low-ceilinged and cozy, decorated with records, album sleeves and autographed photos. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and always willing to educate patrons on the unique history of the establishment (allegedly, it was once a speakeasy beneath a brothel). What's more, the beer list isn't too shabby.
1004 E. Oak St.
It's the simple things that make Lisa's a great stop for an evening out: inexpensive drinks, pool table and straight-up rock 'n' roll. This no-frills favorite embodies Germantown nightlife and has established itself as one of the leading proponents of homegrown music. You can pull up to the bar and grab a can of PBR, have a smoke on the sidewalk patio, play pool in the side room or have your eardrums rocked in the back room.
969 Charles St.
In just a little over a year, the corner joint at Krieger and Charles streets has become a haven for the city's hip. It's got the best beer selection in Germantown, with 16 taps of high-quality imports and microbrews -- along with $2 pints of Old Style -- plus dozens more in bottles. Most will set you back around $5. The staff is genial and the atmosphere welcoming. Nachbar (which means "neighbor" in German) can get a little crowded, but two patios offer some breathing room during the warmer months. You can also catch great live music most evenings, and the bar occasionally hosts movie nights from the Louisville Film Society.
1101 Burnett Ave.
If you're out and about in Germantown, you'd better hit Check's early on your journey. It's an early closer (11 p.m. most nights), and at first glance, it's as much an old-school diner as a full-fledged bar -- the locals swear by the homemade bean soup. The beerlist isn't half-bad, with local selections from BBC and a few imports on draft supplementing the usual suspects. Check's still has the laid-back attitude typical of the neighborhood, but you can soak up the evening's beer with a tasty -- and way cheap -- cheeseburger and fries.
1036 Burnett Ave.
Residing in the old Heitzman's bakery building on Burnett, Zeppelin is a fairly new -- and somewhat distinct -- addition to the neighborhood. Clean, inviting and uncannily bright for a Germantown pub, it's a great place to pull up a stool and catch a game on one of the three flat-screen TVs in the house. Or grab a booth and nosh on some tasty grub from a menu that stretches beyond standard pub food. But Zeppelin makes a smooth transition to late-night hangout with an able beer list and plenty of friendly staff members to keep your hands full.
2126 S. Shelby St.
Don't be fooled by the "Club 21" sign that hangs over the front door; you're at the right place. Since opening its doors a few years ago, the Pour Haus has doubled as an old-school neighborhood bar and a buzzing indie music venue. And depending on which of those hats the Pour Haus is wearing, it can be jam-packed full of music-loving revelers or sparsely peppered with regulars hitting the karaoke machine. But rest assured that no matter the crowd, the beer's cheap (you can usually snag one for a couple bucks or so) and the company's fine.
