For 100 years, the regular crowd has been shuffling into the iconic Gerstle’s Place for nights full of cocktails, live music and tasty bites to eat. This mainstay of St. Matthews opened in 1924 and was one of three bars original to the area, the other two being Dutch’s Tavern and Maier’s. The last man standing, so to speak, on the famed St. Matthews strip is Gerstle’s Place, a testament to resilience and adaptability.
“Twenty or 30 years ago, if you lived in or around the area, you went to those three bars,” says Erik White, Gerstle’s Place owner. “In the past 15 years or so, St. Matthew’s has grown into a much bigger, more populated area. Other bigger bars or venues have come in, but Gerstle’s is the last one of those originals left.”
White purchased the famed pub in 2008 and says it had declined in popularity, reputation and curb appeal. The pub’s heyday was in the 1970s and 1980s, and it was left in desperate need of a facelift in more ways than one. He says when he bought the place, he started a public relations campaign to rebrand it, calling Gerstle’s “Not your grandfather’s bar anymore.”
“When I bought the place, we came in and essentially gutted it,” White says. “There was carpet in the bar. Can you imagine? We were pulling up carpet with beer and bourbon, and who knows what else, soaked into it.”
White’s most prominent addition was a much-needed outdoor space for guests to hang out. He added a patio, noting that summers and fall were slow times for Gerstle’s because people want to be outside enjoying the warmer months before the dark winter months arrive.
Gerstle’s Place is widely known as the place in St. Matthews to catch live music on any given day of the week. White says Gerstle’s loves showcasing local talent on two stages in the bar. On Friday and Saturday nights, a DJ plays after the bands. White says the majority of the bands booked are local cover bands. He says he doesn’t stick to one genre of music. He just wants to provide fun, upbeat music for his customers.
“One thing I’ve said over and over to the staff here is that all we’re doing is throwing a party every single night,” White says. “That’s all we’re doing. When you throw a party at your own house, you clean the place up, have some good food and alcohol, and play some good music. That’s what we do every single night for our customers.”
A 100-year run is not without its fair share of stories or lore. The history of Gerstle’s is as murky as that carpet White pulled out of the bar many years ago. White says he does know that John Gerstle bought the property in the early 1920s and, in 1924, acquired a license for a billiards hall. Ever since, the stories have abounded. Grandparents, parents and kids have frequented the bar at different points in their lives. You don’t get to 100 years old without a few rumors, suspicions and lore surrounding the spot.
Some of those hushed whispers include stories about how the initial bar was built as a home during the Prohibition era, likely to have operated under the radar. White says he’s heard stories about the place, but he’s not sure what’s true. What he does know is that he’s proud of what’s become of the landmark at the intersection of Lexington, Frankfort and Shelbyville.
“Honestly, we really do have something for everyone,” White says. “We have people that come in and just get lunch. We have people who stop in for drinks after work. Then we have those late-night party seekers wanting to listen to live music and unwind. We also have people who come in just to watch sports. The crowd really just depends on the day.”
White is particularly proud of the diverse offerings. Whether you’re a fan of live music, sports or just good food, the bar has something for everyone. He believes this diversity sets Gerstle’s Place apart and attracts a wide range of patrons.
“When I bought the place, the kitchen was built for fried food,” White says. “I’ve been working for years to take our food to the next level. I wanted to focus on being more of a scratch kitchen. So, yes, we have chicken fingers, but they’re hand breaded. We cut our own french fries. There is nothing frozen in our kitchen.”
He says it’s taken him years to get past the establishment’s three Bs…beer, bourbon and bands. While he’s happy to say they still offer those things, he’s even happier to report that he’s seen an increase in people associating Gerstle’s with food too. He attributes much of that to Chef Ken Barkley and his new additions to the menu. He says he’ll often buy a regular customer a burger just to introduce them to the idea of Gerstle’s as a food destination.
“Gerstle’s has been a staple in the St. Matthews area for as long as I can remember,” says Nate Driggers, a St. Matthews resident. “Whether you want to grab a drink to watch the game, listen to live music or stay out late with friends, Gerstle’s has a little bit of everything. It is hard to believe a business can survive for 100 years. That just goes to show that they do things the right way.”
While White says the history of Gerstle’s Place’s historic walls is rich and fascinating to delve into, he wants to continue to focus on the present and future. He says he loves that it’s considered a neighborhood dive with a fresh update.
“It’s crazy to see all the changes it’s gone through over the past 100 years,” White says. “I can’t believe it went from its heyday in the 1970s and 1980s to a lull, and back to the same little neighborhood dive music venue, only new and improved.”
It’s located at 3801 Frankfort Avenue in Louisville. For more information, visit gerstles.com.
