Fresh seafood, rum drinks coming ashore as Lexington favorite returns after 2 years
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- The Ketch reopens July 7 in Lexington with renovated space and returning staff.
- Fresh seafood, sushi bar, and rum drinks headline the upgraded 2025 menu.
- New features include boat-themed bar, brunch offerings, and patio seating.
A longtime Lexington seafood restaurant that’s been in dry dock for two years is about to relaunch.
The Ketch, at 2012 Regency Road just off Southland Drive, is finally back and ready to take you for a little spin that brings a little nostalgia with it.
Local bar owner Ryan Foster and several business partners, who include James Crowe, the son of Kentucky country music singer J.D. Crowe, bought the restaurant from owner Art Howard in 2023, then began slowly renovating just about everything from the outside in.
They got rid of the carpet and put in new floors and furniture, raised the ceiling and added lighting and more TVs. They added a second bar that looks like the back of a boat named The Ketch and garage doors that will be open in seasonal weather.
And they put a door to a bigger patio, added a tiny spot for acoustic music and completely revamped the notoriously inconvenient women’s bathroom.
There’s now room for about 90 inside and 60 outside.
“We basically rebuilt the whole thing,” Foster said.
But there are a few things they didn’t touch, including the original wooden walls and bar. Many of the kitchen and serving staff will also be returning, he said.
Foster said the menu will focus on fresh seafood and will be getting an upgrade, with the addition of a sushi bar as well as premium options. Fans of regular specials, including Oyster Monday, Shrimp Wednesday and crab legs, should look for those to return in some fashion eventually, Foster said.
House-made desserts, including the key lime pie and bread pudding will also be back.
The restaurant will open for lunch and dinner with a limited menu beginning July 7, then expand offerings once the staff get their sea legs back. Brunch on weekends will also be returning.
General manager Jeremy Kendrick said the bar plans to launch mimosa flights and a Bloody Mary bar for brunch and elevated cocktails for every day. There will be eight beers on draft at all times.
And they are coming for one particular title: “Our goal is to have the best frozen drink in town,” Kendrick said, which will include all-fresh ingredients and one of the biggest rum selections in town.
The Ketch
Where: 2012 Regency Road
Hours: Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to late, Saturday 9 a.m. to late and Sunday 10 a.m. to late
Online: ketchseafoodlex.com
This story was originally published July 1, 2025 at 7:47 AM.
