Buffalo Trace Distillery has announced the grand opening of the John G. Carlisle Cafe, a permanent dining venue located within the historic Elmer T. Lee Clubhouse in Frankfort, Kentucky. The 4,900-square-foot cafe opens on May 11, 2026, nearly one year after historic floodwaters impacted the distillery.
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READ THE STORYThe cafe seats 70 guests with additional patio seating and focuses primarily on lunchtime service. Its menu features made-to-order sandwiches, salads, desserts, and Kentucky classics, including the iconic Kentucky Hot Brown.
Buffalo Trace-infused flavors appear throughout the menu, including bourbon bacon, barrel-aged coffee, and bourbon-infused fudge topping. A rotating cocktail menu will feature a Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned, Wheatley Vodka Peach Mule, and a Traveller Whiskey Lucky Penny.
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"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. "The John G. Carlisle Cafe is a meaningful addition to the Distillery experience, opening this historic space to the public for the first time and inviting visitors to slow down, settle in, and fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere that makes Buffalo Trace so special."
The space displays historic artifacts, including the only known bottle of Carlisle Whiskey, preserved in the distillery’s archives. Rare photographs of the original Carlisle Distillery and images of employees using the Clubhouse dating back to the 1950s are also featured. A subtle design element marks the flood line from the April 2025 high-water level.
To celebrate the opening, Buffalo Trace is hosting three weeks of daily programming throughout May. Events include Free Meal Mondays for the first 100 guests, Whiskey Wednesdays with complimentary samples of a new release, and Meet the Masters sessions on Thursdays featuring Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley, Master Distiller Danny Kahn, and Master Blender Drew Mayville. Freddie Fridays will feature appearances by global brand ambassador Freddie Johnson.
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"As we introduce the John G. Carlisle Cafe, our team is committed to delivering a terrific experience," said Adams. "We encourage guests to plan extra time for their next visit and thank them for their patience as we welcome visitors into the space for the first time."
The cafe’s name honors John G. Carlisle, the influential politician whose leadership helped secure passage of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. built the original Carlisle Distillery in 1879, which produced Kentucky River Whiskey and Carlisle Whiskey until Prohibition before being demolished in 1936.
The Elmer T. Lee Clubhouse was originally constructed in 1935 as a gathering place for meals, celebrations, and community at the distillery. The John G. Carlisle Cafe will operate daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
