Green River Distilling Co. Breaks Ground on a Location on Louisville’s Whiskey Row

(Renderings: Green River Distilling Co.)

On Tuesday, Green River, the historic Owensboro, Kentucky-based distillery, announced it has broken ground on construction on a tasting room on Louisville’s whiskey row.

Green River’s Louisville tasting room is scheduled to open mid-2025 at 714 W. Main Street.

Described by Green River as a “warm and communal space,” the 4,400-square-foot location will have a horseshoe-shaped bar that will serve neat pours and cocktails. The location will also have a retail and bottle shop, which will sell Green River’s core products as well as limited-edition distillery-exclusive offerings.

The horseshoe-shaped bar is a nod to the shape of the bottom of Green River’s bottles, which the brand intends to be used for “Shoot the Shoe,” a casual game in which players shoot coins using Green River bottles as goals.

The space will also include a lounge with an “intimate performance stage.” Past the main room, a hidden entrance will lead to a speakeasy bar, where Green River plans to host a cocktail program, educational experiences and private events.

Green River was acquired by Bardstown Bourbon Company — which has a location on the same block as Green River’s new construction — in 2022.

“Through our brand homeplaces in Bardstown and Owensboro and our tasting room in Louisville, visitors have come to expect first class experiences that engage, educate and delight,” Bardstown Bourbon Co. CEO Mark Erwin said in a news release. “Green River Distilling Co. has a rich history and an even better revival story and the Main Street experience will embody the brand’s timelessness and approachability.”

Green River was revived in 2020 but has roots dating back to 1885. The tasting room will showcase memorabilia and artifacts, including photographs, blueprints and advertisements showing off the brand’s history.

“Our Owensboro distillery is a special place steeped with the history and grit of a brand that has seen prohibition, natural disasters and changing palates,” Green River VP New Product Development Dan Callaway said. “Our new tasting room on Whiskey Row will bring the spirit of the 10^th oldest distillery in Kentucky to the welcoming home of bourbon tourism, with fun, spirit and surprises like only Green River can.”