Popular Lexington sports bar temporarily closing. When is it coming back?
KSBar & Grille, the popular sports bar owned by the team behind Kentucky Sports Radio, is closing for the summer.
Matt Jones, one of the owners, said that after seven years of slinging wings, burgers and beer, KSBar needs renovations and a refresh.
The radio show will not be affected by the restaurant closure.
He said the bar will be closing June 3 and reopening in August, well before football season begins.
“We’re taking a break,” Jones said. “We’re going to do some upgrades to the facility, refresh the menu and the interior.”
Jones said they informed employees on Monday about the plans. Some staff will stay on during the transition, while others will be offered positions at places owned by bar partners.
“Everybody we have will be welcomed back when we reopen,” Jones said.
KSBar opened in August 2018 at 1030 South Broadway. Tilted Kilt, owned by one of KSBar’s investors, opened next door later in the fall. Tilted Kilt is expected to remain open.
KSBar & Grille grew out of the hugely popular live KSR radio show and KentuckySportsRadio.com, a sports blog that Jones sold in 2020. The radio show hosted by Jones, Ryan Lemond, Drew Franklin and Shannon “The Dude” Grigsby, airs on WLAP in Lexington and WKRD in Louisville with syndication to other locations.
Jones said in 2018 that they hoped the bar would become “the number one spot in Lexington to watch all sports.”
With photos of University of Kentucky players on the walls and sports memorabilia decorating the space, KSBar has become a popular place for fans on big sports days.
This story was originally published June 2, 2025 at 5:08 PM.
