Buffalo Trace opens new cafe inside historic clubhouse

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) - Buffalo Trace Distillery is officially opening its first permanent on-site dining destination: the John G. Carlisle Cafe, located inside the historic Elmer T. Lee Clubhouse.

The 4,900-square-foot cafe—opening nearly a year after floodwaters impacted the distillery—offers indoor seating for 70 guests, plus patio seating, and will focus primarily on lunch service. On the menu: made-to-order sandwiches, salads, desserts, and Kentucky staples like the Kentucky Hot Brown. Guests will also find items incorporating Buffalo Trace flavors, including bourbon bacon, barrel-aged coffee, and bourbon-infused dessert toppings.

The cafe will also feature a rotating lineup of cocktails for purchase, including a Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned, Wheatley Vodka Peach Mule, and Traveller Whiskey Lucky Penny.

Inside, the distillery says the space reflects its theme, “Honor Tradition, Embrace Change,” with historic artifacts and displays—including the only known bottle of Carlisle Whiskey preserved in the distillery’s archives, rare photographs, and a subtle reminder of the April 2025 flood: a visible flood line marking the high-water level reached.

“For years, guests have asked for a dedicated place to enjoy a meal while spending the day with us,” said Tyler Adams, General Manager of Buffalo Trace Distillery, calling the new cafe “a meaningful addition” that opens the historic space to the public for the first time.

THREE WEEKS OF DAILY MAY EXPERIENCES

To mark the grand opening, Buffalo Trace is hosting a three-week lineup of daily events throughout May, including:

Free Meal Mondays (May 11, 18, 25): First 100 guests eat free (vouchers at check-in)
From the Archives Tuesdays (May 12, 19, 26): Noon–2 p.m. open house with Lead Archivist Nick Laracuente
Whiskey Wednesdays (May 13, 20, 27): Complimentary samples of a new, soon-to-be-announced release (with limited bottles in the gift shop)
Meet the Masters Thursdays (May 14, 21, 28): One-hour meet-and-greets
- 5/14: Harlen Wheatley, Master Distiller
- 5/21: Danny Kahn, Master Distiller & Distillation/Aging Ops Director
- 5/28: Drew Mayville, Master Blender
Freddie Fridays (May 15, 22, 29): Complimentary Freddie’s Old-Fashioned Soda products + appearances by Freddie Johnson
Sippin’ Saturdays (May 16, 23, 30): Seasonal cocktails noon–2 p.m. + bourbon-infused Rebecca Ruth’s chocolate pairing
Grain & Glass Sundays (May 17, 24, 31): Complimentary breakfast bites 11 a.m.–noon + tastings of Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain

A SPACE WITH DEEP ROOTS

Built in 1935, the Elmer T. Lee Clubhouse has served for decades as a gathering place for employees and special events. The cafe is named for John G. Carlisle, the Kentucky politician credited with helping secure passage of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. Buffalo Trace also notes Carlisle’s legacy lives on through the former Carlisle Distillery, built by Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. in 1879 and demolished in 1936.