Drink Here: The Best Bars in Lawrence, KS

Looking for an evening on the town or just a late nightcap? Lawrence may be small, but it is home to a plethora of drinking destinations. Most the best places to secure a drink are located on Massachusetts Street in downtown Lawrence, making it easy to bar hop you way across all the best spots.

Whether you are looking for crafted cocktails, a cold local pint, or a quick and dirty sip at a local dive bar this guide will steer you to all the best places from two people who lived in Lawrence for 12 years combined.

Dive Bars

Being a college town, it’s only right that we begin with the dive bars. Here is where you will find the locals and college students alike enjoying simple drinks, bar games and lively entertainment.

• Louise’s

  Located in the heart of downtown Lawrence, Louise’s has been a mainstay of the Lawrence bar scene for decades. The bar has what you’d expect from a dive bar; pool tables, schooners, and an authentic feel. Where this bar stands out is how it evolves through the evening. For those of us who graduated long ago, it’s a great place to stop before a game or after dinner. But as the evening progresses, the bar becomes more lively with college students. And there’s plenty of space to spread out with two levels.

• Harbour Lights

  Another long time Lawrence bar, Harbour Lights is the type of bar college students and recent grads take their parents when they’re in town. It’s a bit quieter and relaxed than Louise’s. The service is fast and efficient, there are pool tables/darts, the booths are a bit worn out and it has a great outdoor seating space to enjoy a warm Lawrence evening.

• Jazzhaus

  For college students, this bar was the spot to go on a Thursday night when you wanted to step it up a notch and take advantage of a good drink special (for me, that was Crown and Coke). The bar stands out with its live music, plush seating and good vibes.

• Red Lyon Tavern

  Walking into the Red Lyon, you first might notice the smell of popcorn. Beyond that, this bar is a great spot if you’re looking for a mixed drink with a healthy pour, a pint of Guinness, are into soccer and appreciate bars that have real darts.

Breweries

Lawrence doesn’t have many breweries, but the breweries it does have truly shine. They have a storied history with Free State Brewing that set the stage for newer breweries to find their places. These are great places to secure a seat to watch a KU game or spend an afternoon.

• Lawrence Beer Company

  LBC is fairly new to the scene, opening in 2017. Located just a bit off the main drag in East Lawrence, LBC was an instant favorite for us. They’ve got a large taproom and outdoor seating to hang out or watch a game. Featuring a wide selection of beers plus cocktails, wine and hard seltzer; they’ve got something for everyone’s palate. Plus they have a really great food menu too.

• Free State Brewing Company

  Besides the University of Kansas, Free State is another beating heart of Lawrence. Opening in 1989 in downtown Lawrence, they made history in being the first legal brewery to open in Kansas in over 100 years. They brew up some awesome beers and feature some fantastic artwork on their labels. Make sure you stop in hungry as they operate as a restaurant as well - you can’t go wrong with a bowl of their famous cheddar ale soup.

• Fields & Ivy Brewery

  Another newer brewery, Fields & Ivy is another great stop for a pint. It is located over on 23rd street so it’s a bit of a hike if you are hanging downtown, but worth a stop over. They have a wide selection of home brews, cocktails, and wine. Not to mention a huge variety of pizzas and other pub food.

Cocktail Bars

Lawrence doesn’t have a huge cocktail bar scene as they truly shine in the dive bar arena, but they have some cocktail gems along Massachusetts street that make you want to stay awhile and enjoy some expertly made drinks.

• John Brown’s Underground

  This speakeasy is tucked away on one of the side streets of the main drag. Just down some steps and you are transported into a 1920’s style speakeasy. The bar is dark and intimate and people of all ages enjoy the ambiance. They’ve got some unique spins on some classics while also serving up innovative and fun cocktails. The menu routinely changes so you always get to try something new. You can also secure reservations to ensure you get a seat.

• The Bourgeois Pig

  This spot is one of our favorite places to hang on a beautiful day in Lawrence. They’ve got some great outdoor seating where you can people watch and enjoy a delightful cocktail. Seating inside is limited, but it’s got a lovely vintage vibe. They are serving up great classic cocktails, but also usually feature some seasonal signature drinks. The Bourgeois Pig is also a great place to stop in the mornings for a cup of coffee to start your day.

• Merchants Pub & Plate

  Merchants is a gastropub first, but we like to stop by their bar fairly often. They usually have some fun takes on seasonal classic cocktails and a decent happy hour. Want a beer instead of a cocktail? Merchants always has a great selection of rotating taps.

Cheers!

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