Gerstle’s Place

Met some friends here Friday night after work. Had not been here in a long time and now I know why. Will never come back here again. There was no wait staff so we had to go to the bar to get our drinks. I ordered a $ 10 fried fish sandwich that I can’t believe the bartender even served it because it was burnt. Then the waitress argued with me that I was lying and had eaten it even though I had only taken one bite from the fish. The only good news was she did take it off the check.

time and time again I continue to come back to gerstles only to be reminded of how much I absolutely hate it. rude employees, bad service, bad bar in general

I was excited to try this place since I had heard good things about the music. After only being there about an hour, on a weeknight, however, some guy came out and cursed out a patron with a dog in front of the entire bar. The bartender did try to help the situation and the patron said she didn’t care, she knew him and it was ok. I was then told that it was the owner. I cannot believe that anyone would treat a customer like that. I will not be returning. What a shame.

This place is pretty good. They often have decent live music and drink specials, it’s a fun place to catch a ball game, and I love some of the bar food they have. Most of the time parking is no issues as well. If you’re looking for a small fun place in St Matthews this is a pretty good bet.

Gerstle’s is quickly becoming my favorite patio spot for live music. A great location, a nice patio, open-​air bar area, live music and inexpensive beer– what’s not to love?
I have been to Gerstle’s about 4 times in the last 2 weeks to enjoy the weather on the patio with friends. Each time, the bartenders were very friendly and offered beer of the month and happy hour specials. They always have $ 2 PBR’s and a $ 3 beer of the month. (currently Shiner Bock I think)
Most nights of the week there is a band set up in the open-​air bar area connected to the patio. I recently saw Drew Alexander and War Panties. Both great! It’s a nice spot to chill with a cold beverage and listen to the tunes of local bands.
The food is decent too. I ordered a chicken quesadilla and a friend ordered a burger and waffle fries to share. All came out hot and well prepared. Nothing special but good pub grub. That’s all you need anyway, right?

I had a great time here!
I came with friends to see a band play. The band was great, the music was loud (as it should be!) and drinks were strong and pleasingly priced!
I’d be glad to go back anytime… as long as it isn’t for football :-P (It’s a Viking’s bar).

Decent bar. I’ve only been here for drinks and don’t know much about their food. It’s been around for awhile and has plenty of room. It has a decent sized patio for drinks with a good back bar. Drinks are reasonably priced. The inside/​main bar area is much louder as they usually have a band in there on weekends. They sometimes have small bands near the back bar too. I used to be a regular because it’s fairly cheap, is in a great location and has a good atmosphere. I recently stopped going as often because truly Louisville has better places to offer. If you’re simply looking for a place to grab some cold ones and chill with your buddies then Gerstle’s isn’t a bad place to do it.

The second trip for me to this place will definitely be my last. Went there for a cold beer with my wife on a Friday afternoon and was there at about 4:45. The sign said this dump was open at 4pm but you would not have known that by the rude bald headed jerk bartender. This guy was as nasty appearance wise as he was in his attitude. I said hello how are you? and he just stared at us until I finally said, could we get a beer? I don’t know if this guy is just mentally challenged or just a bag but after having to ask for a glass for my beer (no biggie) the guy gives me a glass that had more lipstick left on it than Tammy Faye Baker. If I could give this nasty place minus 3 stars I would have. I guess being snarky and rude is in these days but not for me.

Being a recent transplant to Louisville, Gerstle’s has quickly become the ‘default’ hangout place for Friday (or any other day) happy hour with work friends. Why? It’s cheap, centrally located to most of us, and just an easy place to chill out. We love being on the patio and you can’t beat those happy hour specials.
The atmosphere is pretty laid back until Fri/​Sat nights around 11-​midnight when it can start getting super packed depending on what’s going on. We don’t really come for the music, so we usually leave by then.
The food here is pretty good pub food, I’ve had the Quesadilla, Queso dip, Chicken sliders, burger, and hot wings. It’s pretty good but nothing really to get excited about. The only reason I give 4 stars is because they seem to have trouble staffing their cooks or something. One time, they said the kitchen was closed and we couldn’t order anything because the cook got in a car accident and broke both his legs. Another time, our food took two hours to arrive. We drank so much beer by then we weren’t even hungry anymore. These were both Friday nights too.
Still, a great hangout and I’m sure we’ll continue to come back…

Had a very relaxed atmosphere, live band, and decent food. The bar staff was excellent. I would definitely revisit.

Hang out at the outside back bar… the best place to be on a Friday summer night with friends.

Yes, I’m a little biased, as I’ve become a regular at this fine watering hole over the last few months. But Gerstles is awesome, can’t beat live music every night of the week, free pool & trivia on Mondays & staff who aims to please. The bar is pretty chill from Sun to Thurs, but Fri & Sat is always wall to wall packed (mostly with what appears like the yacht club guys/​gals trying to slum it at a dive & failing because Gerstles isn’t really a dive at all).
Drinks: good pricing and interesting shots
Food: Try the QuesoDilla

SO TRAGIC!
We were really excited about a GREAT band that we try to check out each time they visit Louisville– MOJOFLO (fun and funky!)… unfortunately the snobbery was out in full force at this St. Matthew’s location.
We had a great time dancing to the sweet grooves of brassy goodness that is the MOJOFLO… until our lovely neighbors decided to start kicking my boyfriend in the behind! That’s right… people were so nasty about … well who knows what they were being mean about … that they were pushing and shoving him from behind. It honestly felt like the high school experience I am grateful to have never had.
Barbie doll look alikes would stare me up and down like I was a pariah to society. We were really just trying to enjoy ourselves in the small spaces we had to dance. At least I was enjoying myself and smiled back at them. They were just standing there in their 8 inch high heels, trying to stay upright, judging me because I do not buy into the overdone façade. I try to keep my personal style light, comfy, and my makeup flattering yet natural. This does not mean I am not aware of trends… but sheesh, I felt more outcasted that I do at Fourth Street Live…
Talk about MEAN GIRLS!
On top of all of this, at the beginning of the night, while we were waiting to see the band, I spotted an almost open table and headed there while the boys bought drinks. I was quickly informed by an older lady that the seats were taken. When I asked if I could sit until they returned, she curtly responded «NO!» «Really?» I asked, as my tired legs complained up at me… «Really…» She said.
Now, I feel that we all live in this world together, and that we should take care of and look out for one another. I believe that kindness goes a LONG way. I also believe that if I wanted a second high school experience, I would have, well honestly, I didn’t even encounter anything that cruel during my blissful four years of adolescence.
I will NOT be returning to Gerstle’s. You could not pay me to go back. Bartender Jason (who used to work at The Hideaway– awesome guy!), always takes care, but unfortunately, he works in a cesspool of hatred and cruelty.
People of St. Matthew’s — LEARN TO BE NICE TO YOUR NEIGHBORS, PLEASE!

This place is GREAT! Beer is COLD. People are nice. Just an all around awesome place. Sometimes you even see a local celebrity, (LOL). See y’all Fri night!

Gerstle’s gets some pretty great music bookings for this part of town. Good live music, cold beer and a diverse, easy-​going crowd are why I keep going back.
My prior visits have all been positive, but this weekend, the sound was just off. The music was overly loud to the point that it was unpleasant.
To be clear, I’m not so old and crotchety yet that I can’t handle loud (hey you kids, get off my lawn!).
I went there for loud. I wanted to have to shout to have a conversation. And I wanted the music to be loud enough to hear over the people at the next table shouting to have a conversation. But this was loud beyond that — this was loud to the point that the sound was distorted and I couldn’t hear the band.
I’ll go back, but I’m hoping the sound guy will learn you don’t always have to go to 11 in the interim.

Good dive bar. Friday night live music hit the spot.

I’d give it zero stars if I could. Dump. No parking, no patio, poor service, poor crowd, poor attitudes. Worst bar in an area with many other, better options. I’ll never go back.

Gerstle’s just got bought by new owners, and it seems to be having an identity crisis. They’re in the midst of some remodeling that has left not enough seating in the main bar area and some awkwardly positioned booths, and the back room is now serving as a semi-​indoor smoking patio. Are they going for sports bar? Pub? Music venue? Seems like all of the above. Still, expect all the old comforts: decent noshing, a respectable beer selection including some BBC options, and best of all, Bluegrass Mondays with Steve Cooley & crew.