NV Tavern

The outdoor tables at NV Tavern offer plenty of good Bardstown Road people-watching. (Credit: Javacia N. Harris, special to Velocity)

We walked into NV Tavern and instantly felt like the new kids in school. Within minutes, it was clear that this tiny tavern is one of those spots where everyone knows one another and the customers are like family to the folks who run the place. I find this charming, but wondered how quickly newcomers were made to feel like one of the gang.

It's been a year since Jo Harp opened this bar next to the Wine Market. To celebrate NV's first birthday, Harp is offering a variety of drink and food specials through Derby Day, plus live entertainment some nights.

The Bar Hopper stopped by on a recent Friday night to see what this place is all about. The crowd at NV Tavern that night seemed to range from 20-somethings to AARP members, and Harp loves it that way. "Everyone feels comfortable," she said.

I started off the night with an amaretto sour ($4.50) which was stronger than those I've had at some other bars and delicious. With our bellies growling, my husband and I looked over the menu. NV offers standard bar fare such as burgers, sandwiches and chicken tenders, plus homemade chicken noodle soup.

I ordered the chicken tenders ($4.99), while my husband took a friendly fellow's advice and tried the smoked turkey sandwich ($6.99), which was loaded with shaved turkey breast, cheese, lettuce, tomato, banana peppers and spicy mustard. I enjoyed my crispy tenders, but was still hungry after gobbling the appetizer-sized serving.

Later, Harp suggested I try her tropical sunset martini ($5), a sweet blend of Absolut Mandarin, coconut rum, Triple Sec, Peach Schnapps, pineapple and orange juices and a splash of grenadine. It went down easy.

Throughout the night, a rather eclectic mix of loud music filled the air. There was '80s rock, a little bit of country, some Michael Jackson and some Marvin Gaye. When a crowd favorite came on, the house would break out into song (and sometimes even dance). I joined in the sing-a-long when Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" came on (much to my husband's chagrin). I further embarrassed my husband by dancing in my seat to Tag Team's "Whoomp! (There It Is)."

Later, Harp broke out a bottle of Fernet-Branca, an Italian spirit originally created as medicine. Intimidated by the fact that it smelled like Listerine, I passed, but a few brave patrons ordered shots and sucked them down. They all agreed it tastes terrible, but that they love it nonetheless. Harp said she's had customers come into the tavern in search of a hit of Fernet-Branca.

With all the singing, drinking and laughing going on, by the end of the night I felt we had crashed a family reunion, with Harp acting as the cool aunt you love to visit.

Happy hour at NV Tavern is 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, when you can snag $3 wells and $1.75 longnecks. It's open 4 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 8 p.m. (or later, depending on crowd) Sunday. It's closed on Monday.

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