Paddock Bourbon Club Celebrates Its Grand Opening, Blue Door Smokehouse Returns & Joe B’s Retirement Announced

In a series of exhilarating developments across the Lexington food and beverage industry, the Paddock Bourbon Club has debuted its new facility, Blue Door Smokehouse has made a comeback, and the acclaimed Joe Bologna is bracing for retirement.

Paddock Bourbon Club Debuts

The renowned Paddock Bourbon Club has opened its new upscale facility at 1011 S. Broadway, revolutionizing the traditional liquor store concept. The venture owes its existence to the visionary Founder Erick Ostrander, who started selling higher-end spirits online amid the 2020 pandemic inspired by the points he had earned through bottle sales.

The club boasts a 1,000-square-foot showroom adorned with sophisticated leather furniture, Oriental rugs, and TV screens, exhibiting a comfortable and luxurious setting. The tasting area offers around 500 bourbons and 350 other liquors including tequilas, rums, wines, and Champagne.

The membership system offers various benefits based on the level of membership, such as bar discounts, barrel pick experiences, and access to facilities for private parties.

Blue Door Smokehouse Returns

In further exciting news, Blue Door Smokehouse is set to reopen at its new National Avenue location. After an ownership shakeup and a brief hiatus, the much-adored haunt for barbeque lovers is back in action.

Several other notable ventures have marked their return or debut too. Among them, Rock House Brewing has reopened after transitioning under new ownership, while Charlie’s Seafood has changed hands from longtime owner Patty Sissle to longtime employees Amie Crimm and Jamie Shepherd.

A Fond Farewell to Joe B.

Meanwhile, Lexington’s long-admired Joe Bologna has made public his plans to retire after an illustrious 51-year reign over his namesake Italian restaurant. The beloved eatery has been put up for sale, marking an end of an era that will surely be felt throughout the local food scene.

Similarly, Sidebar Grill has been sold after 15 successful years on North Limestone. The eatery announced that its new owners are local restaurant industry veterans Terry Keith and Devin Paulding.

As we bid a fond farewell to some well-known institutions, the city’s culinary scene continues to evolve. With the arrival of new ventures, re-opening of old favorites, what was once familiar begins a fresh chapter as new faces take the helm.