By Christopher Harris
One might walk past it on a Friday night and think they were in Lexington or Louisville rather than Somerset , Ky . A modern lounge area , big TV sets on the wall , large garage doors that open to provide easy in-and-out access and the sweet summer breeze , and the promise of all kinds of fun activities inside its walls .
That ’ s the Birdies and Barrels vibe .
Located at 201 East Mt . Vernon Street downtown , on the corner at the intersection with South Maple Street , Birdies and Barrels is Somerset ’ s latest nightspot . So much more than just a watering hole , Birdies and Barrels is the vision of Anthony Cox , a local product who went away for a while and came back with big dreams — and a taste for the finer things in life .
“ I fell in love with bourbon and cigars a couple of years back ,” said Cox , a 2001 Southwestern High School alum who moved away at 18 and spent time “ a little bit of everywhere ” — 47 different states and nine countries , traveling for work in the staffing industry and other purposes .
“ I was moving back here , and I figured Somerset was a great place , I love what ’ s going on down here now ,” added Cox . “... I brought a little bit of my Louisville background with me ; I have some buddies who owned some bar up there who helped me find my way around , a lot of bourbon clubs up there and things like that . We have some speakeasys set up and that ’ s kind of the vibe we were going for down here .”
Birdies and Barrels features a specialty drink menu with cocktails specially created for the establishment . Try a Who ’ s Your Caddy , with Maker ’ s Mark , peach puree , fresh lime juice and ginger beer , “ kind of our play on a Mule ,” notes Cox , or a Smokin ’ Ace , the bar ’ s signature Old Fashioned , smoked with cherry wood chips , or a Gimme Epresso martini with espresso , white chocolate liquor , and vanilla vodka — already a local favorite , noted Cox .
Lifted Spirits , a local event bartending company in Somerset , helped Birdies and Barrels create the menu and consulted with Cox and the bartenders .
Bourbon is another spirit — tying in with Somerset ’ s new relationship with Horse Soldier Bourbon — that is a key part of the Birdies and Barrels menu . The bar features flights of bourbon , allowing connoisseurs to sample some of the best Birdies and Barrels has to offer . Cox also noted the bar will have occasional drink specials , potentially even indicated by a particular lighting visible from the exterior , so those passing by who know what to look for can gain a clue as to what the bar might be serving — another hint of that fun “ speakeasy ” feel .
But Birdies and Barrels is more than just a bar . Still in the construction stages in May , the upstairs of the building , one of the numerous older structures lining East Mt . Vernon Street ,
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June 2023 SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky • 31