Green River Distilling’s ‘Pride of Owensboro’ Coming to ‘Whiskey Row’ [Renderings]

Green River Distilling - Whiskey Row, Shooting the Shoe

Louisville Kentucky’s Whiskey Row continues to roar back to its Pre-Prohibition prominence. Just over a decade ago Whiskey Row had no distilleries or distillery destinations. In 2013 Heaven Hill kicked off the Whiskey Row renaissance with the opening of Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, a fully operational craft distillery putting out one barrel a day. In 2022 the Kentucky Distillers’ Association and its members worked with state and local government to pass HB 500 that allowed distilleries to open satellite tasting rooms. Those satellite tasting rooms are now landing on Whiskey Row like a Starlink train of tasting rooms dispersed along Louisville’s Main Street.

Green River Distilling Co. Coming to Whiskey Row

Green River Distilling - Shoot the Shoe Coming to Whiskey Row, Tasting Room — Horseshoe shaped bar.

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Marking the next chapter in a nearly 140-year history, Green River Distilling Co. in Owensboro, Kentucky, has begun construction on a new consumer experience that will bring “The Pride of Owensboro” to the streets of Downtown Louisville. The new downtown tasting room and experience will include the following.

Horseshoe Shaped Bar – The warm and communal space will feature a horseshoe shaped tasting and cocktail bar, serving neat pours and straightforward cocktail classics.
Retail & Bottle Shop – A retail and bottle shop will offer both everyday whiskies, and limited-edition distillery exclusives.
Shoot the Shoe – Made for friendly, low-key fun, patrons can play “Shoot the Shoe,” a game of skill using the Green River bottle as a goal.
VIP Lounge & Stage – Visitors can relax in the lounge, complete with an intimate performance stage with flexible seating for VIP experiences.
Speakeasy – Beyond the main room, a hidden entrance will lead to a speakeasy bar where the brand will host a refined cocktail program, educational experiences and private events.

Green River Distilling - Shoot the Shoe Coming to Whiskey Row, Retail Space — Retail space.

The warm and communal space will feature a horseshoe shaped tasting and cocktail bar, serving neat pours and straightforward cocktail classics. A retail and bottle shop will offer both everyday whiskies, and limited-edition distillery exclusives. Made for friendly, low-key fun, patrons can play “Shoot the Shoe,” a game of skill using the Green River bottle as a goal, or relax in the lounge, complete with an intimate performance stage with flexible seating for VIP experiences. Beyond the main room, a hidden entrance will lead to a speakeasy bar where the brand will host a refined cocktail program, educational experiences and private events.

Bardstown Bourbon Co. and Green River Distilling Co. to be Neighbors

Green River is owned by Bardstown Bourbon Company, whose tasting room and retail shop located on the same block has been a resounding success since opening in 2023. More than 100,000 guests have visited the space in the last year.

“Through our brand homeplaces in Bardstown and Owensboro and our tasting room in Louisville, visitors have come to expect first class experiences that engage, educate and delight,” said Mark Erwin, CEO of Bardstown Bourbon Co. “Green River Distilling Co. has a rich history and an even better revival story, and the Main Street experience will embody the brand’s timelessness and approachability.”

Green River Distilling - Shoot the Shoe Coming to Whiskey Row, Cocktail Bar — Cocktail bar.

Green River Distilling - Shoot the Shoe Coming to Whiskey Row, Louisville, Kentucky — Cocktail bar.

Throughout the tasting room, visitors will find Green River memorabilia and artifacts showcasing the brand’s storied history which began in 1885. Relics, photographs, historic blueprints and advertisements will be seamlessly incorporated throughout the 4,400 square foot space.

“Our Owensboro distillery is a special place steeped with the history and grit of a brand that has seen prohibition, natural disasters and changing palates,” said Dan Callaway, VP New Product Development. “Our new tasting room on Whiskey Row will bring the spirit of the 10th oldest distillery in Kentucky to the welcoming home of bourbon tourism, with fun, spirit and surprises like only Green River can.”

Joseph & Joseph Architects, an architecture, interior design and master planning firm specializing in distillery design and hospitality, designed the space. Earlier this month, Joseph & Joseph was honored by The Kentucky Society of The American Institute of Architects with the 2024 People’s Choice Award for the Bardstown Bourbon Company Louisville Experience.

Buzick Construction will serve as contractor for the project. Bardstown Bourbon Company has previously worked with both Joseph & Joseph and Buzick Construction on the Bardstown campus, including the most recent expansion which brought the organization’s distilling capacity to 18 million proof gallons annually.

Opening Mid-2025

Green River Distilling - Shoot the Shoe Coming to Whiskey Row, Stage and Lounge — Rendering provided by Joseph & Joseph Architects.

Green River Distilling Co. new ‘Pride of Owensboro’ will be located at 714 W. Main Street, AKA ‘Whiskey Row’, Louisville, Kentucky. The new destination is expected to open mid-2025.

Green River Distilling Co. is a celebration of classic Kentucky – honoring the past while staying firmly planted in the present. The 10th oldest licensed distillery in Kentucky (DSP-KY-10), Green River is known as “the Whiskey Without Regrets,” and enjoys a long, rich history dating back to 1885. Reintroduced in 2022, Green River Distilling Co. is proud to call Owensboro, Kentucky home, and serves as the westernmost outpost of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail™.

Authentic and approachable, Green River offers a growing portfolio of whiskeys crafted from historic mash bills. Blended to create a smooth and welcoming taste profile, Green River Distilling Co. is a true testament to simplicity and quality going hand in-hand.