10966 Dixie Highway
Wick's is a key meet-up point for South Enders, offering myriad brews, saucy pizza and, occasionally, live music. Right off Interstate 265, the pizza parlor's main room is big enough to handle large crowds of college-aged drinkers and diners. For maximum enjoyment, try to grab a big booth near the door.
5507 Valley Station Road
Brewskee's is a quiet little bar tucked away off Dixie Highway near Valley High School. It's billed as a sports bar -- and indeed there are TVs showing all the games -- but the vibe is very low-key. It's more of a neighborhood bar, a meet-up spot for people who've probably drank together for eons. Note the decent selection of beers, including Blue Moon.
8021 Dixie Highway
The crown jewel of the Dixie Highway bar scene, Electric Cowboy enjoys packed houses on weekends. It might be because of the waitresses dressed as a sexy elves and sexy cowgirls. It also might be due to the dance floor, which has seen its fair share of boots. This is the place to cool your heels, order a few brews and wait for the next line dance to break out.
7325 St. Andrews Church Road
This neighborhood pub and restaurant -- specializing in pizza -- is a fine spot for a quiet brew. But watch that mouth; the door states that Benchwarmers is a family restaurant and urges patrons to "Please refrain from using the F-word."
7323 St. Andrews Church Road
Located right next door to Benchwarmers, Joker's is darker and seedier -- less a pub and more just a straight-up South End bar. The F-word is apparently tolerated here, and Joker's has karaoke nightly.
7807 St. Andrews Church Road
This is a South End hotspot for two unsaintly pastimes -- billiards and metal. The bar has a several pool tables, enough that you won't wait long for a round. Be sure to bring a good cue stick and even better ear protection. Several nights a month, the pub hosts some of the most ear-bleeding metal in Louisville from bands like Screwface and Stripmind. Oh, and the Pabst Blue Ribbons are only $1.
8238 Dixie Highway
Longhead's is a big barn of a bar, with a high ceiling covering scores of (mostly male) drinkers surrounding half-empty pitchers and facing myriad big-screen televisions tuned to football. It's packed on weekends, even before 9 p.m., most likely due to the cheap beer.
4948 Dixie Highway
Perhaps a fitting end to a bar crawl down Dixie Highway, where a good chicken wing can be a difficult find. Grab an order and drink a couple parting brews.
