By Matt Mattingly
Learning to expect the unexpected just might be the unofficial theme of the Back Door, a laid-back bar that welcomes all walks of life.
”If you’re drinking to forget, please pay in advance,” reads a sign over the bar. Isn’t honesty always the best policy?
I found a willing ear at the bar, one of many during my Thursday night excursion. Chris Lesko, who has been a bartender for three years, lauded the bar’s strong, cheap drinks and family atmosphere. As I found out, he wasn’t kidding – the mixed drinks have earned the Back Door a cult following in Louisville. The Jack Daniels and Coke I ordered ran $3.75, and was literally one splash of Coke in a sea of Jack. Owners John Dant and Mike Ewing like it that way.
Past the bar and a healthy smattering of locals, it’s a short walk to the first of two game rooms. Adorned with several TVs for sports nuts, the game rooms offer the obligatory Golden Tee, foosball, pinball and six pool tables.
In addition to billiards, nestled at the back of the pool area is a window for food orders in case traffic at the bar is heavy. The Back Burner Grill serves up everything from soups and sandwiches to pizza, pasta and the staple of every good neighborhood bar, chicken wings. An order of 10 goes for $5.95, and orders of 25 and 50 wings run $9.25 and $19.95, respectively.
After ordering a 10-inch cheese pizza at $5.95 and one bottle of domestic swill, I had a great time for less than $20. Only two items on the menu exceed $10, making the Back Door a great choice for students with meager budgets.
For those who have experienced the Back Door and find it reminiscent of “Cheers,” you’re not alone. I was pleasantly surprised by the relaxed atmosphere, from the stools of the pool room to the wooden phone booth across from the main bar.
Scott Brining of Shepherdsville made his way to the Back Door after work and praised the bar’s mellow mood.
”People like it here because it’s not a pretentious bar,” Brining said. “We can usually walk in after 9 p.m. and pick up a [pool] table.”
Likewise, New Albany resident Jason Mallory enjoyed the low-key environment. “It’s laid back. You can just show up,” Mallory said.
And students do so by the boatload on weekends. This was the first bar I’ve encountered that gets more crowded as closing time approaches.
The Back Door is a unique bar that offers a great change of pace from tired top 40 tunes and blaring music. With plenty of booth seating near the bar, I had ample opportunity to take in a musical set featuring Dave Matthews, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison.
Young and old, professional and slacker share the bar on a daily basis. At the end of your (late) night, the Back Door provides a great departure from the usual haunt.
