I love my home office — but sometimes, I just need a change of scenery. And when you work remotely, there are a plethora of places to choose from. I look for spaces with good lighting, comfortable seating, and of course, great coffee. One of the shops on my rotation is Jackdaw Coffee & Bourbon Bar, located on the ground floor of Cambria Hotel Louisville Downtown — Whiskey Row.
Hotel director of sales Theresa Dunn agrees that Jackdaw is the perfect spot for a work-from-home alternative.
“If (you’re) tired of looking at your living room,” she said, “grab your laptop, come in, enjoy a cup of coffee, hang out, (and) do some work.”
The Louisville Jackdaw location opened in December 2021. There are also Jackdaws in Aurora, Colorado, and Fort Worth, Texas, but as director of food and beverage Gustavo Lopez explained, the Derby City spot is a bit different.
“We’re more like a hybrid (restaurant) with a coffee and bourbon bar,” he told The Courier Journal, adding that the others are full-service, sit-down establishments.
Named for the jackdaw bird — which is the smallest member of the crow family and known to easily create a home wherever it lands — each restaurant location caters to the community it serves.
“When you land here, you’re home,” Dunn said. “That’s kind of our tagline.”
Louisville’s Jackdaw caters to the barrel-aged American whiskey for which Kentucky is known.
“The bourbon crème latte is our big seller,” Lopez said. Made with bourbon crème, espresso, and whole milk, the popular pick is served over ice.
The menu also boasts a few region-specific beverage options, like the Kentucky Coffee, made with bourbon, cane syrup, and house coffee that’s topped with whipped cream and angostura; and the Louisville Handshake, a blend of bourbon, espresso, angostura syrup, and half-and-half on rocks, served with a twist of orange.
“We’re really good at making drinks,” Lopez exclaimed. “Our baristas are really experienced, so they always have a (new) special (that they’ve created).”
Right now, Jackdaw Coffee & Bourbon Bar is offering a special drink menu based on astrological signs. Lopez’s favorite is the vanilla latte with lavender.
“That’s the Aquarius (drink),” he said with a laugh. “I’m a Scorpio, but that’s my go-to. It’s the best thing — hot or cold, you’ll love it.”
As its name would suggest, the restaurant also offers an extensive bourbon and whiskey list. From Old Forester 1870 to The Macallan 12-year Single Malt Scotch, there are more than three dozen bourbons, Canadian whiskeys, Scotch whiskeys, and Irish whiskeys to choose from.
As Lopez explains, the restaurant’s cuisine is Irish-based and includes items such as a classic corned beef sandwich. There are also commonplace offerings with an Irish twist, like the Irish Nachos. Made with shredded brisket, Irish bacon chunks, sour cream, jalapenos, green onion, and shredded cheese, the dish — which is available as an appetizer or an entree — is served on crunchy tortilla chips. There’s also a corned beef quesadilla, made with corned beef, pepper jack cheese, and sour cream or ranch.
When Lopez and his team have seasonal menu offerings, items that receive a great response — like the breakfast burrito that debuted last year — become part of the permanent menu.
“People loved it,” Lopez said. “Our biggest seller is the breakfast burrito and the Top O’ the Mornin’ Breakwich, which is made with Irish bacon. (It’s) a (certain) type of … thick bacon. It kind of feels like you’re eating ham.”
He added that during lunch, lots of customers go for the Bacon & Brussels Caesar, which includes chopped romaine, shaved Parmesan, garlic croutons, crispy bacon, and Brussels sprouts.
The downtown restaurant is also used for hosting various events throughout the year.
“We (are) always trying to do things (for the community),” Lopez said, adding that he has a Halloween costume party in the works and plans to participate in the next Pride Festival as well. “We’re (also) starting to do a local art night to bring in locals once a month (for) an art show with wine or cocktail specials.”
Dunn added that they’ve also held local networking events, and are collaborating with local nonprofits.
“We’ve done some events with I Would Rather Be Reading … to help them get out their mission and gain volunteers,” she explained. “We’re (also) hopefully going to do some stuff with Donate Life in the fall. (Gustavo) and his team do an amazing job of really trying to engage everyone in the community.”
Lopez adds that Jackdaw is dog-friendly, and customers will often pop by with their pups to grab a quick cup of coffee to start their day.
“When (guests) come here, they feel at home,” he said, adding that the staff tries to get to know their customers and build rapport with their regulars. “It’s not just a … transaction. It’s a whole experience.”
Know a restaurant that would make a great feature? Email writer Lennie Omalza at aloha@lennieomalza.com or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at kgregory@gannett.com.
WHAT: This is an Irish-based restaurant and coffee bar with a bourbon bar and cocktail program.
WHERE: 120 S. Floyd St.
SERVICES: Dine-in and carryout; 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily
CONTACT: 502-977-4590, jackdawrestaurant.com/louisville-kentucky
