Lexington’s best sports bars and coffee shops

a bar and bar stools

Plenty of seats at KSBar | photo by The LEXtoday

Tonight is the night basketball fans — the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team is tipping off regular season play against the Duke Blue Devils.

The game will be played in Madison Square Garden + will air on ESPN at 9:30 p.m. Yes — it’s a late game — but it’s a game that everyone will talk about for the rest of the season. So don’t be the fan who rides the bench and misses this one.

We’re dishing out an assist and listing off the best sports bars in Lexington so you can get out to watch the game.

We also understand waking up for work after a late game can feel a bit like taking a charge. That’s why we’re pairing your neighborhood pub with the closest local coffee shop — a power duo like Boogie + John Wall.

Downtown

Campus

Broadway

Picadome

Harrodsburg Rd.

Tates Creek Rd.

Nicholasville Rd.

Richmond Rd.

This is a historic rivalry — and with UK ranked #10 + Duke ranked #9 — this is sure to be a brawling blue blood battle in the Big Apple.

More from LEXtoday
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Check out the co-working community that Lexington writers and New York Times bestsellers call home.
A guide to skating, skiing, and snow-filled fun close to home.
The annual Great Backyard Bird Count attracts more than one million people nationwide to help record the bird population.
We’re just a bunch of weirdoughs diving head first into LEX’s must-try pizza shops including Goodfellas, Pearl’s Pizza Pie, and Rolling Oven.
Discover local homes that showcase the latest design and lifestyle trends for 2026. From colorful finishes to energy-smart features, these properties have it all.
Elevated Southern breakfast and lunch hits downtown Versailles. Chef Olivia Jackson leads the kitchen under award-winning Cole Arimes.
Sponsored
The Lexington Herald-Leader released its annual roundup of UK’s top earners and employee salary database. We’re breaking down the key takeaways from one of Lexington’s largest employers.
Sponsored