We had a fun evening here one Saturday night while visiting Lexington. My fiancée and I had spent the day touring bourbon distilleries and were looking for somewhere lowkey with good food and good vibes. We stumbled upon Sidebar Grill while walking to downtown and based on the amount of people packed inside decided to give it a try. The only seats left were at the bar, which was fine with us, so we seated ourselves and ordered some beers. The bar tender and cook were super talkative and fun. While it took a while for us to get our food, we didn't care. We really enjoyed our time sitting there, making conversation, and watching the cook to his work. If you are in Lexington, I would recommend visiting this unassuming place, even if it's just for a drink. The staff is funny and down-to-earth, the food is really good, and the prices are nice compared to other dining options downtown. My only work of advice is, do not be the person to order chicken tenders and hold up everyone's dinner. read more

EVERYTHING! A wonderful little dive bar in Lexington, with one of the BEST grilled hamburgers I've ever had!! The bowl of chili was amazingly flavorful. I wish I lived closer because I would be here all the time. I wish I had gotten the steak that is also grilled. In addition to the great food the service was impeccable! Keep up the great work and I'll be back when I'm in Lexington again. read more

See all

Looking for a good burger and chill vibes in Lexington? Look no further than Sidebar Grill. Truly the best burger I've had. I got a special for the day: Texas Cowboy Candy Burger. The burger was cooked to perfection, with crispy bacon, cowboy candy, cheese, sauce on top. The bun was also delicious, not sure if it is locally sourced but it tasted fresh. Our server was amazing. She was very friendly and attentive. Actually, everyone who works here is great. It feels like you're just hanging out with friends. There is only street parking available. We went during the week so it wasn't a problem. Sidebar is a great place to hit up before an event at Rupp or if you're just in the mood for great food. read more

Sidebar Grill - Texas Cowboy Candy Burger - New American Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

I was in Lexington for a business conference and this was right around the corner from my hotel. I was craving a burger and this place seemed to have a good reputation, so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm so glad I did! The burger was one of the best I've ever eaten, and I am a serious carnivore! It was called the Ron Swanson and was wagyu beef, applewood smoked bacon, Muenster cheese, and BBQ bacon mayo, on a buttered and grilled bun, along with amazing fries, and a sauce that has to be tried to believe! I'll be back here on my next trip to Lexington. read more

Sidebar Grill - Burger of the Day! - New American Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

See all

Terrible service. Asked for cheese on my burger and DIDNT GET CHEEESEEE!!!! The most below average burger place of all time. Also took the guy 15 minutes and 24 seconds to get my card back. Should never take that long to pay my bill, thought buddy was buying something on EBay with it. Can name 80 places I'd rather eat. #DontGoHere read more

I went in for a quick bite. I had a Chicken Wrap, which was good. The price was reasonable. It's a small place. You can sit right by the grill and watch. I spoke with the cook a little while I waited. It was cool. read more

We ate there on the bartender's birthday. Folks were coming in and out to celebrate. There are also tables outside. The food was excellent, especially the Beef and Brie sandwich with fried sweet potato wedges. The black bean burger was good and tasty also. The Manhattan was perfect. The bartender came over to check out how the Manhattan tasted. Great wait staff. All in all great food, inexpensive prices and a welcoming vibe. We left with birthday cupcakes. read more

Food is always excellent! Atmosphere is fun and friendly. Best downtown burger option.

Great place for great food and great people. Very friendly and they cook the food right in front of you. Bartender is very cool and the cook is amazing. Nice place to eat a great burger and great drinks. The Narragansett beer wash that burger right down. I will be back to this place. read more

Everything. Basic bar food but delicious, freshly prepared Service was friendly, relaxed. Great place for a casual meal

Visited on a Sunday when they usually don't serve burgers, but they accommodated my need for meat and made me a burger! It was a Sidechick with sweet potato fries accompanied by a hefe beer. Truly awesome experience for a one-time visit through the city. read more

Sidebar Grill - New American Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

traveling through Lexington found this on Yep. This place is in downtown Lexington. It's a small place. Good atmosphere, sit at the bar, and look at the old grill that has been seasoned over the years. Fresh hand-made patties for the burger. And when I tasted it, you could taste the seasoning from the grill. Good service from the bartender. read more

See all

Goddamn. Phenomenal food, cheap beer, phenomenal service. This place went above and beyond. Excellent start to the night and let me tell you the night is still young. Will definitely be back read more

Sidebar Grill - Goddamn. Food was phenomenal, Excellent service. Definitely a good start to the evening and let me tell you the night is still young. - New American Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

We were looking ( on yelp) for a new place to eat and we found Sidebar Grill which is located on Limestone just across from the courthouse. It is a dive bar with some great food. We had burgers and chose sweet potato fries (a must try) and a side salad. The burger was one of the best that I have had in awhile and the prices are very reasonable. There is a good selection of food on the menu including dinner items such as flat iron steak, fried chicken, and fish and chips. This place will be in our restaurant rotation. read more

Sidebar Grill - Burger with sweet potato fries - New American Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

See all

Decent burger and food but I think what really cracked me up was the last time I tried to go - door was open, sign was on and as I sat down to get lunch during a work day the bartender looked at me puzzled and said 'we aren't open and we won't serve you until we're open in a while.' I looked at em puzzled and said sorry, then left. I walked in at around 11:30AM...and thought 'hey, must be noon when they open.' Nope, it's 11:30. Not my kinda vibe, it's a local dive bar with a dedicated crowd and that's something, but for the times I went prior and after that interaction some time back, I just have never felt the need to go back. read more

A local bar located across from the Fayette County Circuit Courthouse. We happened to eat there the first time on my Birthday last night. We had heard they had the best burger in town and that is what I wanted to eat on my Birthday. We were there on a Thursday night and it seemed like they had a good crowd. The place is small and cozy and the food was delicious. I had the 1/4 lb burger and the house salad. The burger was tasty and the salad was great with better lettuce and a lot of topping and great ranch dressing. My husband ordered the sweet potato fries with his burger and they were excellent. This is a place I will definitely return and eat again. read more

See all

Honestly best food in a bar in Lex period no debate. Staff is fun and liven up the atmosphere. I love when I remember to go here for lunch quality food. read more

Had a mid-afternoon light lunch here today and was completely happy with the experience. To begin with, Lisa got us seated on the sidewalk, it was a beautiful afternoon, and brought us a couple of delicious local beers by Ethereal Brewing. My wife had the grilled cheese, with bacon, with french fries, the fries were great and there were more than enough for two in the serving. She was well satisfied with her plate. I got a burger on a Brioche bun that was as the best I've had in Lexington. I opted for a salad all the vegetables were very fresh and crisp. To close my review, I want to say that our server Dee and Lisa as well, were both very attentive. I highly recommend The Sidebar Grill. read more

I've never been more disgusted. We asked if we could sit outside. Server rolled her eyes at us and told us to bring our own menus out and wanted us to clear the table. Used to love it years ago. These people don't deserve your money. read more

Brie cheese on burger, amazing, and the fries, just so! Ambiance doesn't hint at good food, but rather a rowdy evening. Don't be fooled.

Absolute best burger in Lexington - no competition! If you want a bunch of frills this may not be the place for you. But if you want delicious quality food and attentive service in a hole in the wall setting, go to Sidebar. Never ever disappoints. The main menu is fantastic but their rotating specials are amazing as well! read more

I know this looked like a bar, so probably getting lunch there would be okay. Unfortunately I think it was more of a bar than a food place. Service was extremely slow, it took us over an hour to get our lunch. The place was not that busy that the kitchen would have been overwhelmed. The food was mediocre, the choice of drafts however were very good. read more

I stopped in at this place on a random walk about town for a quick bite and a drink. It actually came on recommendation of a bartender at a nearby stop - unfortunately their venue wasn't selling food this night only drinks so she directed me to sidebar :-) I'm glad she did. The waitress was a very cool and funky chick, colorful with body glitter LOL, and that's basically how you would described the little place. It's like a shotgun bar/kitchen, funky and unique and doesn't take itself too seriously. Inclusive stickers and iconography gave a vibe. The grilled cheese was amazing super buttery. I like it. :) read more

Sidebar Grill - Wall art - New American Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

See all

For being so close to the downtown square, it's not as popular of a place as you'd think. I came one evening for a friend's birthday dinner and there were a few people in here. It was kinda late in the evening and a weekday though. I had ordered the black bean burger. Bland. Not good at all, but my friends seemed to enjoy their burgers and salads. I did like the fries though. Maybe I'll try something else on the menu next time. read more

I wish I hadn't waited so long to try this place out. The burrito was great and the fries were the best I've ever had. I will be back! read more

Sidebar Grill - Chicken teriyaki burrito - New American Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

FAVORITE BURGER IN LEX! after many years of trying to figure out where my husband (Lexington native) favorite burger is he told me it was Side Bar. My first time going I ordered the burger and I completely agree with him. They home make their fries as well which is always an extra perk. They have daily specials so I usually try that, everything I've had I really liked. If you're in the area of downtown check out side bar. read more

I've ate at Sidebar twice and while I love the atmosphere of this small place, the food just doesn't cut it. I hate being served food that's not hot. Both trips the fries were stale and cold. Maybe they need a better bulb in their heat lamp. I also don't like buns on a burger cold, they should be warmed up or toasted. The waitress/bartender was nice but it got busy during my last visit and she could have used some help. read more

punk. funk. regulars. we were headed for Oscar Diggs in Lexington, and hadn't checked to see that it was open. got to the venue & saw the outside tables chained & whatnot. started back toward the car, & we were like - hey, check this place out. we went in & had an excellent lunch. service was a little indifferent, but it was that kinda place. solid beer selection, solid whiskey selection, solid chow. funky interior, a few outside tables. colorful clientele. a block up from a rainbow crosswalk, so welcoming. nice place - looking forward to finding a way to swing by again sometime. read more

Great local dive bar with surprisingly great food. Always has a vegetarian option, which is wonderful. Get the side bar if you are a meat eater, the steak is fantastic. it is tiny (not their fault) and gets so crowded that there is no place to eat at peak times. That is the absolute only downside. read more

A great low key bar and restaurant downtown, at the beginning of NoLi!! Not a big menu (a plus), a little above a bar menu but not a full blown causal restaurant billing! Limited seating but still roomy, I caught the after-work rush. Had the "Beef & Brie" sandwich along with the sweet potato wedges with a brown sugar butter. Beef was very tender. Also shared a chicken tenders appeitizer with my guest. I've heard not so good reviews on service though I had wonderful service on my visit. The price was right and the waitress kept the drinks full. Definitely will be back!! read more

Sidebar Grill - Beef and Brie sandwich along with the sweet potato wedges with a brown sugar butter - New American Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Sidebar is a hidden gem; inconspicuous amongst the flashy downtown restaurant scene with neon lights and calligraphy-filled sandwich boards. But this place is a showstopper. There is not a potato in this town than can hold a candle to their perfectly fried, golden brown fries. They're reminiscent of the fries you get at parking lot carnivals or the state fair. And don't get me started on the fried pickles...how do they pack all that crunch in a lightly breaded pickle chunk?! For all my local Lexingtonians, add this place into your regular dining out rotation! read more

Best burger AND fries in Lex... hands down! The price is comparable to local establishments in the downtown area, but the taste and quality is far and above. read more

Great food, the burger I got was great and the chili side I got with it was also great. Good for dipping fries in.

This place is really small but the food is pretty good. Mostly burgers and chicken sandwiches and that type of food but good for the money. On the day we were there the service wasn't the best but my buddy had been there a few weeks before and said the service was good. read more

Ordered burgers, a cup of soup, and fried pickles. Waited an hour and finally cancelled our order after we realized it was never coming. Waitress was unapologetic. Seems to be a common theme after reading other reviews. read more

If you want a dive bar, with good food - here it is. Seemed like mostly regulars in there. Only 1 waitress, but she kept up nicely. Shared a very good burger , along with an equally good fish sandwich. Both came with a large amount of homemade kettle chips. Numerous flavors were available. Went with dill and bbq. Both very good. Add in 2 adult beverages and bill came to $27. read more

Fried pickles and chicken tenders, and fries are awesome!! Highly recommended them!! read more

Sidebar Grill - 10/23/20 - New American Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

I went as a one-person guest around 5p. It was not crowded, and I sat outside. Service was great, and everyone around me was nice. I had the veggie burger and fries. SO GOOD! I would definitely return. Has a hipster and chill vibe to it. Bathrooms were clean, too (always a plus in my book). read more

Sidebar has a great black bean burger for healthy downtown workers - even those who aren't, but just like good food. Try it!

This is a kind of hole the wall place and almost a dive bar but its more than that. The food here is really excellent and to my surprise I found out its really all very farm to table (with an emphasis on bar food)! My burger was well made and cooked perfectly and the fries also cooked just right. The food service was right on it. My only issue with this place was that the bartender that night was to be be honest, a dick and not especially nice. I've been in my share of NOLA dive bars in my life and understand bar culture and the relationship between customer and bartender and the guy who worked that night needs another job. read more