The Irish Rover

This is Louisville's Irish pub. It has been open for three years in a 150-year-old building in a historic neighborhood. It draws a range of customers from college students to retirees, as well as many families.

Nine taps include eight regulars plus one revolving tap. Regulars are Guinness Stout, Harp, Murphy's Stout, Fuller's E.S.B., Watney's Red, Newcastle Brown, Whitbread and Bulmer's cider.

Pub grub is made from fresh ingredients. Starters include Scotch eggs for $4.50, Irish chips for $1.95 and mushroom croustades for $3.75. Sandwiches and burgers run $2.95-$5.75 and come with Irish chips. Pub grub includes smoked salmon and potato gratin for $5.75, Dublin coddle (stew) for $4.95, leek and mushroom quiche for $3.50 and fish cakes for $7.95. Pub plates are served after 6 p.m. and include Irish salmon for $10.95 and Irish whiskey steak for $10.95. There's a children's menu.

The pub also stocks several single-malt Scotches and Irish whiskeys, including the rare and outstanding Midleton.

Beer prices: 20-ounce pints $3.50.

Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. (midnight weekends).

Location: From Interstate 64 East take Grinstead Drive exit and take left at ramp (from I-64 West take right at the end of the ramp). The first left is Peterson, which deadends into Frankfort Avenue. Go left.

More vitals: Also serves wine. Outdoor patio. Separate non-smoking section, wheelchair accessible. Has own parking lot, but it fills quickly. Hosts beer dinners, whisky dinners and cigar and port dinners.

August 1996