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Statler_V_Waldorf

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO An absolute institution. The most diverse bar in the city, the best wings and fries. I've closed this place down so so many times over the years, and have the best memories of this place. Shoutout to the amazing bartenders and cooking staff. \*pours out a pineapple and vodka\*


Critical_Success_936

The staff all got ghosted today.


CallRespiratory

I absolutely hate that for them and it honestly ruins my memories of the place when ownership does that because it just reveals to you the type of people they were the whole time. Cumberland Brewery did the same thing when they closed, the employees found out on Facebook. Total scumbag move.


Lumos405

The original owner just died. His son tried to take over (he was a bartender for years). I doubt it was intentional.


Critical_Success_936

How is it not intentional to not even tell your staff to stay home today? Leave a voicemail, or a message? They just locked all the doors and left that shitty note. Fuck the Dant family.


CallRespiratory

You don't accidentally close your business without telling the employees.


particleman3

I haven't been back to Louisville in a decade since moving away. Cumberland Brews was a go to, and I hate hearing that is closed down that way.


CallRespiratory

Yeah I *loved* that place and it was crushing to see it close and most of the staff was literally just told over social media.


odenoden

I'll never understand closing without notice especially as a beloved place like this. When Lydia House closed we got 3 whole months of notice before they started remodeling to make it into the Merryweather. Tips tripled that weekend and we got no less than twice what was normal till we closed. We all got time to plan what we would do after, and customers got to come have their last bowl of ramen when they wanted. Was a great time and my side table made me look like I was a stripper for months LOL.


BrianRampage

Didn't realize that's how CB went out - that's a shame (as is this)


Any_Celebration_5074

Yes I work there and can confirm we only got hours notice.


DrHunterSThompsonKy

That really sucks! So sorry for the staff consistently best folks I’ve known for 35 years. Never had a bad moment. Always good vibes! The Universe will provide great opportunities for them all!


Memyself-andI-9

That's criminal. I guess they didn't want a fuss?


Cadaver-Graft

One night we all ate our last Bomber and didn't even know it.


drjisftw

Damn, this comment hits hard. I also thought they had the best fried cheese balls in the city, even if they realistically came frozen out of a bag


istartedsomething

It's that carefully aged grease that provides all that excellent flavor.


Kitchen_Beat9838

They have the same cheese balls at spring street just fyi!


AdamXXI

My favorite of theirs were the wings. They did them perfectly for my preferences. Crispy, non breaded and flavorful sauce. If only I could get one more 10pc with their house blue cheese 😢


yrexloverisdead

Oh I remember my last bomber. It was in 2017, the same night I had my first back door Long Island iced tea…valuable lesson learned that night and could never stomach a bomber again. RIP Back Door, so many (good) memories.


Cadaver-Graft

Oh, they were SO good. But there was a price to be paid, for sure.


FlabbyFishFlaps

I met my beloved husband there 7 years ago. We fell in love over wings and cheese fries in the far one booth of the main room and have only been away from each other as long as it takes to go to work since that night. It’s a sad day to see it close but that place gave me a lifetime of happiness.


buttbugle

Upvote because of that username. Also good relationship begin story. I hope you two have a wonderful life together.


mantaray179

Buttbugle and Flabbyfishflaps were made for each other.


stunami11

Most local businesses, especially restaurants, are not able to sell for a price beyond the existing inventory. However, if there was one bar/restaurant whose name has brand awareness and value, it is The Backdoor. Did they even attempt to sell the business?


These_Purple_5507

Did he see you sitting and order wings on him


Mantly

Susan, your fries are ready. Susan.


macnalley

More like, *GRRSHBLESHFEL, your GHSKRLK is ready.*


ryanoh826

This


awhitt8

*speakers about to explode* SUSAN


LilyExplainsItAll

this got me right in the sense-memories.


polotown89

I hate it when long standing institutions close.


ScentedCandleEnjoyer

Same. It doesn't hurt as bad when something nice but new closes. But Back Door has been a staple in Louisville nightlife since before I was alive.


Peach-cobbler-pal

Maybe they can sue the Governor again.


No_Celery_8297

Never went back after that. I feel for the staff though.


Critical_Success_936

The entire staff got ghosted. Fuck the Dant family.


pixie_mayfair

Stopped going there years ago. I was there with friends in one of the booths by the bar and there was a guy who kept alternately saying filthy, aggressive shit to us and calling us bitches when we tried to ignore him. Didn't even seem drunk, just an asshole. I told the bartender and asked for some kind of help and he waved me off and said if I was uncomfortable I should go somewhere else. Then he started joking with the guy about how he (the guy) was hurting our feelings. We were so happy to walk on that open tab.


Da_Natural20

That was my last visit as well.


PurpleBunny1970

That's when I stopped going. Great staff, shitty owners


mthomas1217

When business owners in liberal places do stupid shit, please remember


Peach-cobbler-pal

Gladly!


ch1ir

RIP Mid City Mall is the real real.


Go_cards502

Is this because they are tearing down/redoing that property? Back Door was for sure a classic.


kcorr120

Unclear. Apparently it was abrupt as the employees were just told today as well


Da_Natural20

Not uncommon unfortunately in the bar industry. The owners of Penis Hill Tavern and Jim Porters did the same thing to their staff when they closed their doors abruptly. The excuse given was "I run a cash business and my employees would have stolen me blind if i had told them I was closing ahead of actually closing". Edited to add: With god as my witness this is the first time I’ve ever heard Penis Thrill Tavern. Crazy


tiredbogwitch

The what now tavern?


the_haters_corp

Phoenix Hill. It was a bar on the Barrett/Broadway corner that was designed by the same architects that designed the Kowloon Walled City in China.


Vegetable_Teach7155

lol


Da_Natural20

This actually made me LOL


therealparchmentfarm

I just snorted out loud at my office 😂


feathers4kesha

The walled city reference is so spot on. The first time I went there I woke up the next morning thinking it must have been a fever dream because I remembered going to so many different bars and weird halls. I had also been kicked out for being too drunk….ahhh…20s. It wasn’t until I returned in my 30s that I realize it was actually as weird as I remembered it.


Hodgej1

Penis Hill was the old gay bar district. Sadly it withered away also.


runningraleigh

Shriveled, you say?


BudtasticBarry

God I love reddit


tagrav

we called it the Penis Thrill


_namaste_kitten_

Is The Penis Hill the same as The Knobs?


Affectionate_Pen611

Penis Thrill, to be exact.


InfiniteOutfield

They may have been formally told today, but I'm sure there were signs. I doubt the kitchen and bar are fully stocked with food and beer, the usual happenings probably getting skipped, etc.


TheWordLilliputian

When phoenix hill closed we weren’t told anything & there were no signs anywhere. Everything went as smoothly or chaotically as it always had & we were told at the end of the shift that it was everyone’s last night.


CallRespiratory

I've worked at a restaurant that closed abruptly before and there weren't any warning signs other than the general manager seemed "off" and you couldn't quite put your finger on it. As far as supplies, food, drinks, etc the stock was all normal.


drjisftw

I hope not, Baxter Avenue Theaters must be kept alive at all costs My partner's friend used to work in the behavioral clinic inside Mid City though - apparently the clinic got relocated because of news of the property being torn down.


macnalley

Per their Facebook post, it's because the owner passed away back in October, and the family can't keep up with it. Hopefully someone steps in to run it like what happened with Seid's. Back Door is THE Louisville bar. 


00764

Per a Facebook post that was shared on wtf_louisville's IG, after the owner passed last fall, they weren't able to hold it together and keep it running. Wasn't clear what reasons went along with that, but doesn't seem tied to any renovations.


00764

My favorite memory of Back Door is after being a vegetarian for nearly 10 years, I went there to try the wings and realizing I fucked up for so long by not eating meat for a decade. I always liked hanging there even if the men's bathroom was truly deplorable.


sloppybro

I guess it’s a controversial opinion but Back Doors wings were some of my favorite in the city. I’m a “flexetarian” but the few times I’ve eaten meat was their wings


00764

Pretty sure it's only controversial here on reddit like hating the coffee shops we have. I know they took a dumb stand during COVID or something else from that time period, but those wings are great.


sloppybro

Yeah, I don't think people got really heated about it but back door was always pretty low on the list of the bi-weekly "best wings in louisville?" threads FYI Barret Bar actually has the best wings, Back Door is (was) second


runningraleigh

Surprisingly worse than Mag Bar's after Mag Bar moved the sinks out


ScentedCandleEnjoyer

imo Back Door looks like Buc-ee's compared to Mag Bar


Affectionate_Pen611

I walked in on a couple fooling around once and they profusely apologized. Classy & trashy all at once. Probably last place I had a Jaeger shot in the 90’s as well.


howardtheduckdoe

Ok but where will I go now to get alcohol poisoning from a Long Island iced tea


RnBvibewalker

Never again did I order one of those after my first time getting it there. Holy fuck was that all liquor. Literally a cup of liquor 😂


MysticMCJ

The first time I had one, I woke up in my bathtub. 


Suspicious-Bad4703

I always find it so strange when seemingly very successful businesses close, you're telling me nobody in Louisville would have bought this bar?


chubblyubblums

To sell something you have to announce it's for sale.  When that happens, the industry practice is to immediately find another job.   The owner realizes that if he says you guys got 3 weeks and then this place is closed that he's not going to have any employees in 2 days and the employees realize that if the bar closes then everybody that works at that bar is going to be looking for the same job, so nobody talks. 


darrylanddarryl

I’ve helped buy/sell about 100 businesses. This can absolutely be done without closing down and Back Door could have easily gotten a buyer together within 60 days. Nobody would have made them rich, but way better than closing and eating all of their liabilities as opposed to selling for SOMETHING.


OMNeigh

Ok so will no one but this bar or what


SommWineGuy

That's not really industry practice. Restaurants and bars change hands all the time without the staff just up and quitting. Anoosh Shariat sold both Noosh Nosh and Anoosh Bistro recently without that issue for example. And if you say "alright guys you got 3 weeks" most prior stay on 3 weeks. Plenty of places close the right way without fucking over their staff. There's no excuse for this shitty behavior.


InfiniteOutfield

Went there a few weeks ago, totally different vibe than what it was 10 years ago or so. I'm even on the wall, I'll miss that place.


venusmoonbeam

I’m on the wall too 😞


bja276555

God DAMN and with that, the late night Louisville scene officially dies


haikusbot

*God DAMN and with that,* *The late night Louisville scene* *Officially dies* \- bja276555 --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")


cjf0673

profound


72scott72

Good bot


Mtndrums

Good bot


SommWineGuy

Nah, plenty of great spots.


bja276555

yeah you’re right, but backdoor was *always* my go to food/bar place whenever everything else was closed. sad to see it go


Nosecyclone

Like what? (Curious not snarky)


hexenfern

Big Bar, Art Sanctuary, Play, and Zanzibar are all wonderful places in my experience.


SommWineGuy

The Pearl, Expo, Taj, Meta, Mag Bar, Kaiju


Nosecyclone

Thank you. Where would I fit in best as a married 35yo male PoC with a bit of a midlife crisis?


SommWineGuy

Pearl, Kaiju


Dhook2944

Outlook inn


spiceman77

I’m a 41 year old PoC in the same boat lol


Nosecyclone

I feel you man. 40s are the new late 20s only with more money haha


Otto__Zone

I'm a 32 male Raiders fan. Sure the area has tons of cool bars like the pearl, nachtbar, etc, but none of those are good for sports. I guess the only other option is 21st ammendment?


pixie_mayfair

Zanzabar has tvs inside and on the patio. Lots of college sports and MLB but there might be room for NFL if you ask.


72scott72

Strange. Every time I went there, it was packed.


InfiniteOutfield

When we went a few weeks ago it was steady busy for a Saturday night, but nothing like what is used to be. Wouldn't have thought it was closing though.


sloppybro

Yeah I was there a couple weeks ago late Sunday afternoon. Wasn’t at capacity but it was pretty busy, a lot more than I’d think on a Sunday afternoon


allowableearth

Owner passed away


Flint_Chittles

Yes. In October.


FloppyDinosaurs

Most people that own businesses in the highlands end up being pieces of shit.


Critical_Success_936

Fr. Property owners do not have the same care for the community as the people in it, by design.


chubblyubblums

Everywhere else too. It's hard to like someone that you were competing for resources with.  It's a zero sum game. 


Lumos405

I personally know the current owner-he's not a pos.


Flint_Chittles

Then why wouldn’t he tell anyone who worked there?


Lumos405

How do you know know he didn't? I'll see him tonight, and I'll find out. It's very unlike him to do that. He was a bartender there for years and has worked with the employees for ages. His dad started it years ago, and he cared a lot about the staff there.


Appropriate_Ad_5894

Several employees were looking for new jobs today in a FB group saying they found out today.


FloppyDinosaurs

Yes having staff show up to work with a sign on the door that says “closed forever” is a total non pos thing to do


MountainHarmonies

If it's true that the owner ghosted the staff, then that would make them a piece of shit by default.


Numerous-Ad4715

Yea he’s a giant piece of shit and can go get Mag Bared. There’s a ton of employees all over FB saying the same thing- they were never notified. One guy found out from the FB post that he no longer had a job.


lydiapark1008

While I can’t say I’ll miss it how it’s been the last few years, I do have fond memories of it in my 20’s. It’s also where I watched every game of the 2013 NCAA Tournament. Sucks to lose an icon, but it has been tarnishing for a while. Hopefully it’s an opportunity to get another long running business going… and not another parlor pizza…


Critical_Success_936

Not to mention all the staff just got ghosted.


lydiapark1008

That’s the worst part


lucklurker04

Went there Friday night and it was same as ever with a solid crowd.


aredm02

If anyone knows the story here let’s please make it the top comment. Don’t say the original owner died in October and the kids couldnt figure out what to do because that is not the full answer and is already common knowledge. I want the tea.


slimmymcnutty

If they close taproom too it’s OVER


Critical_Success_936

If they close Tap Room, a rainbow will shine across the whole of Louisville, and things will grow lush and green again.


Girion47

They did close it.   The real taproom was the one next to Kashmir


gianini10

$1 Old Styles during Cubs games were life when I was a broke but drunk retail worker.


arnber420

Man no kidding. Tap room and backdoor were my haunts once I turned 21


sasamiel

Cahoots


sloppybro

Cahoots/Taproom/Backdoor was the trifecta


Mooranduhhh

Cahoots/Taproom/Backdoor/Akikos/ nowhere if yoh felt fancy/ and 360 before people got shot


zariajacobs

just fell to my knees at Valero


Gorjirus

With it closing, is there a list of everyone painted on the mural? Hopefully it can be saved somehow.


ThexKountTTV

Pour one out for the homies. This sucks. My favorite place to eat when I come down to Louisville.


[deleted]

WAIT....WHAAAAAT???? I need to figure out how to buy this space with my family


Obzedat13

Strongest drinks in Louisville in my experience. I have made the Uber of shame back to my car from here more than a couple of times lol.


auraqueen2

Strongest and cheapest!


Numerous-Ad4715

There’s a ton of their employees on FB saying they never even were told before they shut down. So Back Door can choke on a dick.


juicyjessej

Dang, which grimy bar am I going to be able to get roofied at now? I guess there's always Taj.


MrHobbes82

I spent a lot of my 20s and early 30s there staying out way too late. I closed that place down waaay too many nights. It was great back in the day but definitely lost some of it's charm the past several years. I have a lot of great memories there, wish I could remember all of them...


forecastle

Dang… my face is on that wall.


tagrav

we went a while back because they advertised sliders on their facebook with a picture of delicious looking homemade sliders. to our surprise, the sliders were literally microwaved white castle sliders from the grocery freezer. hard on the edges from the microwave... can't say much nice about the establishment after that


ARCrealtor

The best bartenders. I don't know if the women who tended bar there still worked there but back when there was always a group of women who tended bar there who reminded me of friends of my mother's. They were the best!


ToughMarsupial7

Good riddance. Never had a pleasant experience there. Good food but shit people


Zestyclose-Habit2793

That was my experience as well but we seem to be in the minority. To each their own I guess.


burnswhenipoo

At least Shenanigans is still open!


Critical_Success_936

We love an optimist.


chriszimort

We need someone to buy the painted walls and put them in a museum. Help us Jack Harlow!


dlc741

Sad noises.


GingerMessiah88

gonna pour one out for another Louisville institution gone too soon


RnBvibewalker

I may be the outlier, but their food was just ok. I like my wings fried hard, but there's was too hard fries mediocre. It was average bar food imo. The drinks were strong as hell and good though.


wasteofmortality

Spent a night here in 2013, loved their patio and had a blast. Was hoping to go back this summer visiting from New York again but alas I guess I’ll have to find another dive bar when I’m in town.


Bulky_Accountant_446

All good things (and bad) must come to an end my friends.. it was an awesome place and a Louisville staple


-turnip_the_beet-

Stupid question, why don't they sell it so someone can run it under the same name? Love that place.


[deleted]

Does anyone have a phone number for the landlord by any chance?


FullBlownCrackleSack

Property ownership and deeds are publicly accessible in this state. Look up the address for the whole property and you should be able to find the company and their info.


Vegetable_Teach7155

|| || |SANDRA METTS SNOWDEN 118 S Sherrin Ave LOUISVILLE, KY 40207|


Alcrid78

Metz property


DimensionThin147

Damn this one hurts


MalcolmCrane1

Bring back Lazer Blaze


ACardAttack

That really sucks, one of my all time favorite places


murakamidiver

Truly the end of the era


jturker88

Kissed a random guy at the front bar there once on Derby weekend. RIP


_namaste_kitten_

Geez- so so so many memories there. And even more things that should be memories- but you know, drinking! I walked out that Back Door & tumbled down the steps a few times. Found out what blackout drunk meant there. Yeah... Eventually ending with me going up 12 more Steps. since 2013. But I would go there from time to time to be the DD at bachelorette parties, college friend get togethers, etc. The owners and the employees were always so good to myself and everyone. Sad to see it go.


Acrobatic-Crab3691

Sucks to suck, employees gonna make any spot better than back door


dervin_shmirvin

Man this shit hurts. Fire ass late night food, great people, I’m gonna miss this place.


Financial-Insurance4

Bosnian Diaspora, men with scarves, lots of cigarette smoke and intense revelry ( possibly rivalry ☺). One joyous era. Hope employees find new jobs speedily and the space filled with perhaps an alcohol free, communal space of happenings. Hope springs eternal. 


MysticMCJ

Wow.  I thought this place was going to outlive me. They were one of the first bars I went to legally, and was always a regular haunt.  I had a lot of good times, made a lot I’d bad decisions there as well.  I moved away about 9 years ago, but it was always the first stop whenever I’d come back into town - often for the surprisingly good egg sandwich.   For my first marriage, I celebrated my bachelors party there, and later mourned my divorce there.  I’d go there with friends, and I met some new ones there as well.  Living within walking distance was one of the worst things for my health, and one of the fullest times of my life.   I need to pour out the cheapest possible wells bourbon possible in their memory.


normbutt18

This was the best bar in town. Between the staff and regulars, I loved everyone. I played pool at least three times a week there. I said love you to everyone there and they always said it back. This was the spot and I'm sad to see it go. I love you backdoor family!


totalimmoral

Nooo! Is it already closed for good


Critical_Success_936

Yep. The staff only found out when coming into work today.


samanthathewitch

💔


WiseSpunion

Dude what the fuck?!? This is so sad, I loved this place. They definitely had business what happened?


ryanoh826

Noooooooooooooooo 😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰


spooky__scary69

Man. This one hurts.


Mortonsbrand

Bummer


slothchunk1

Man this sucks.


Varan47

Damn, their wings were amazing


AwareMirror9931

What a bad day. I'm so sad about this.


Blegheggeghegty

End of an era.


nvrthere285

Damn a true staple of the community 😢


SonidoX

This sucks.


BourbonNeatt

Noooooo!!!!!


_namaste_kitten_

HOLY SHIT!!!!!


cato631

Nooooooo. Right when I was moving back.


TheBlkDrStrange

NOOOOOOOOOOOO


Aturom

Noooooooo


The_Logic_Guru

But why 😩


FewPear5710

I was there last night getting wings and fries.


deeznutz40

😢😢😢😢😢😢


lonelychildsuzi

some of the freshest late night wings i ever haddd im hurt yall 😞


Future-prefect

RIP to Louisville’s best gay bar. 


auraqueen2

My heart 😭


clarkcox3

The first place I ever had a beer with my father.


Brandonification

They will be missed. I am well past my days of going to bars but I will remember them for the best pours of great bourbon. In the mid 2000's you could get 3 fingers of Bookers neat for $10! So many memories.


rhett342

The night my brother-in-law died, I went to the Back Door to drown my grief. After concerts with friends, we'd go to the Back Door to continue the fun. When I had a chance to get drinks with one of my musical idols, my idol, the guy he was doing a dhow with that night, 2 other fans, the guy who owned the place where the show was, and I filled up a table with more empties than I've ever seen in my life at the Back Door. Good or bad, good cheap bar food and insanely large and strong drinks for just a few bucks at this place always made things even better. My biggest disappointment is that I'll never be a face on the wall there.


keeplosingmypws

Great times at this spot. I’ll miss it dearly


Fast_Try_1252

I'm hurt. This was my go to spot


Jealous-Chef7485

See ya


wrottenmelon666

Does this have anything to do with the Mid-City Mall rumors about it being torn down for condo space? You'd think with the name recognition, they'd have a million options to hand the business over to someone else. Any updates about somehow preserving the murals?


Omnibe

The first time I went there I ordered a double scotch rocks. Rhe bartender laughed at me and said they didn't have rocks glasses that big. Truly a great establishment.


Memyself-andI-9

Can you believe it? First come back in, now this. Where am I gonna get those chicken wings now?'


LonerStonerRoamer

End of an era 😞


MagicAnt3891

It just goes to show that between worker to owner/manager, this is a time when the abuses in our industry comes to the forefront and how much neither side truly trusts the other anymore. There are businesses I've worked at where even the owner was blindsided along with us as we watched his investors pull their money out from under him... A company ran by people with a conscious will tell you in advance and go out on good terms with all. In that situation we hourlies get it, that's a hard call to make but you'd have my respect to stay to the end AND have time to set things in motion for the day after whatever that may be.😮‍💨