Jim Porter’s Good Time Emporium

Heard from my boss that I just had to come here, especially when rumor is this 3-​decades-​old establishment regrettably will be shutting down soon. Came here for drinks on a Wednesday night and found most of the rooms blocked off and only 3 other patrons enjoying their own drinks on a huge, vacant dance floor. The bartender was a bit messy shaking my martini, but it was solid service otherwise. Curious about the history of Jim Porter’s and its rumored closing, I got into conversation with another member of staff, and he was kind enough to show us around the closed off bars and dance floors and answer our questions. He recommended Friday and Saturday nights for full access to all Jim Porter’s rooms as well as the upstairs level, and to see what it’s like with a good-​sized crowd of patrons. I can only imagine what this place used to be like and what potential still holds. Just like my boss said, Jim Porter’s is a Louisville gem and a piece of an era gone by. Sounds like it won’t close until 2017, but I hope it stays open longer than that.
Seems to be a full bar, offers some food options. I will probably dine elsewhere and then come here for drinks, dancing, goofiness, and people watching.

My husband and I stopped in on a weekend visit. The music in all rooms was great. The dance space was nice and the help was extremely friendly. I read a few bad reviews and don’t get it. Great music, great dance space, friendly crowd… Get over it.

MATURE Age Group: Go on a Saturday night… they tell me it is more ROCKING Good time. … and more fun. We went on a Friday night still had fun. The crowd was small. This is a BIG place with Bands in most rooms playing something you will like. some ROCK and some Cover Type Bands. Go to the website check it out.

Here’s the thing about Jim Porters; it’s not just a dive, but it’s kinda sleazy.
I think by calling it an «Emporium» and by decorating it as fancifully as they do, the goal was not to be considered a «dive». But that was the result. The bar seems dated. Like the kind of bar you’d see Swayze hired to fix in «Road House». It wasn’t violent or anything like that. Just kinda dingy, dated and unpleasant.
The service staff seemed unhappy. I don’t think I saw a smile all night. I don’t know why that is, but it definitely stuck out to me. There were a few nice bartenders here and there, but everyone else seemed downright sour.
There were two different bands playing. And a dj in another room. You can’t fault them for not trying to make the place fun. And there’s a great flow pattern around the bar. Lots of different rooms to hang out in, and a huge patio that is enclosed. All these are good things.
But overall it seemed sleazy and gross. I know its reputation as a cougar bar. And that’s fine and dandy. But my group of friends didn’t enjoy it that much. A lot of them had their asses grabbed by women they weren’t even talking to and didn’t have any interest in. The men in the room, as well, had this kind of vibe.
I gave the bar 3 stars because I am trying to be fair. It is possible the night I went just happened to be extra sleazy. And I see a lot of potential. I didn’t enjoy much about it, but if it were cleaner and some of my interactions were more positive, I might CONSIDER coming back.

I hesitate to review this place for fear that I have to acknowledge that I went there. But ‘all that exists for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing’ — so you should be forewarned.
It had been a long time since I was coerced into going to Porters and I really did not want that streak to end. I admit it — I had a built in bias and was predisposed to dislike it. But my über cool, hipster friends (early 30’s) had a post-​wedding party there and I put aside my trepidation to attend their event. This review does not give Porters any brownie points for the fact that some really cool people graced its presence on this one evening. It is just about Porters itself.
It was way worse than I expected and I expected it to be pretty bad. It was just a very sad and depressing collection of individuals (present company excluded, of course) wrapped inside a sleeziness that is probably on par with or worse than a run-​of-​the-​mill strip joint. I kid you not. It was comical enough that I could not suppress actual laughter on a few occasions during my limited time there. Whether it be the 70 – 80 year old woman trying to hit on you by yelling obscure comments in passing, or the guys wearing their pimp-​like outfits and gold chains, or the regulars who engage in small talk by putting the place down and claiming that they never go there — but happen to know everyone else by name. I’m sure that there were a stack of cologne samples from magazines scattered somewhere too.
As someone who is comfortable at holes in the wall and dive bars, and who can backpack for a week without bathing, I craved a hot shower and a scrub brush after leaving Porters. I just felt really dirty; almost violated. Now if looks and personality and intelligence are not important and you just want to hook up with any random person who is warm and willing, then this might be your place. But it is not for the general population.

If you told me a year ago that Jim Porters would be one of my regular haunts, I would have laughed in your face. But Thursday night swing dancing has caused me to change my ways.
In addition to offering a FREE «you call it» Thursday night dance lesson on anything from basic east coast to charleston to balboa from 7pm — 8pm, JIm Porters also offers an open swing dance with from 8pm to 10pm that brings in a diverse crowd of young and middle aged dance enthusiasts. Everyone there is so friendly and welcoming, its easy to have a good time even if you aren’t an experienced dancer. You don’t even need to bring a dance partner. If you arrive after 8pm there’s a $ 2 or $ 3 cover.
While I definitely prefer to dance to live music, the DJing isn’t terrible, it’s historically been a mix of vintage swing with some more modern numbers thrown in to spice it up. For those who need a little liquid courage to get on the dance floor, the bar is never crowded and drinks are relatively affordable.
If you’re interested in finding out about other swing dance opportunities, I highly recommend joining the the New Lou Swing Dance Community Facebook group.

Would you like to dance, mam?
Jim Porters may not be hip to the young crowd, but this place is perfect speed for people of all ages who enjoy a no drama, immediate bar service, affordable price, and ACTUAL dancing (not the ass gyrating that other Bardstown Road bars offer). Although, Jim Porters has a reputation geared for 45 plus crowd, any age can find an enjoyable experience at Jim Porters.
I love taking people to Jim Porters, because it IS always a good time emporium. I think in 20 years if I was single I would be happy to have a place like Jim’s to get my boogie on.
The atmosphere from the clientele to décor is vintage. Little nick-​knacks all over the walls and people. Okay, to prevent myself from the constant generational play on words I will list the top ten reasons why I still hang out at Jim Porters when the mood strikes me.
1. I take my male friends to earn ME drinks because ladies will actually buy drinks for men who dance
2. There is never a wait for a drink because there are at least 7 bar areas
3. Dancing, the back room may have more of the traditional ass and grab, but the main stage offers band stand music and will have Swing, Latin, twirling, and Box Steps. They even offer weekly lessons on weekdays.
4. Karaōke all night every night
5.Men will buy you a drink from across the bar and don’t expect anything
6. There are 3 three themed rooms that play different music so you can switch rooms depending on your music mood
7. You can find plenty of areas to talk to the people you are with without screaming over music.
8. They serve pub food
9. They has pool tables upstairs
10. PEOPLE WATCHING AT ITS FINEST!
I recommend Jim’s to any group or person looking for a good time and different experience away from Highland Bars.

If this place wasn’t known as the place to be for cougars, I might like it more. Drinks are reasonably priced. Parking isn’t bad.
A friend and I went to see a band play (she knew two of the bandmembers). And it looks like a great place to see a band. But the room was practically empty. But that’s what you get when the show starts at 8pm on a Friday night. Who does that?
We left when the band finished at 9:30-ish and the place was still empty.
I love the décor though…

Sure, the regulars are kinda scary, but this bar is a tacky fun time. I went with friends and they were in complete awe of the spinning, light up colored chandelier.
The bathrooms are among the most distastefully appointed yet I can’t turn my head away from them things I’ve seen in ages. And very clean, too.
Plus, if western swing dancing or rockabilly are your things, they have that here. A nice break from your regular sit down and drink bars. Drink and Dance