Old Talbott Tavern, Historic stagecoach tavern in Bardstown, United States.
The Old Talbott Tavern is a tavern and inn from 1779 in downtown Bardstown, Kentucky, built with thick stone walls in Flemish bond pattern and original wooden floors. The building has two stories, with a restaurant on the ground floor and guest rooms above, all kept in a period style with deep window casings and low ceilings.
The building was founded in 1779, making it one of the oldest taverns still in operation west of the Appalachians. Over the following decades it became a stopping point for travelers moving through central Kentucky, and three men who later became US presidents passed through its doors.
The tavern is still an active inn and restaurant, where visitors sit at the bar or at wooden tables and order regional dishes tied to Kentucky cooking traditions. The French-style murals painted on the interior walls are still visible in the dining room, giving it a look that stands apart from most old American taverns.
The tavern sits in the center of Bardstown and is easy to reach on foot from most of the town's other historic spots. Anyone planning to stay the night should book a room in advance, especially on weekends, as there are only a handful of guest rooms available.
The bullet holes still visible in the interior walls are said to have been made by outlaw Jesse James, who reportedly fired at birds painted in the French-style murals. Guests eating in the dining room today can spot these holes without any special access or tour.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
