Music. Grub. Sports.
Blind Squirrel is a bustling sports bar, restaurant, music venue, & destination whose original nest was built in 2017 in Louisville, KY. The local hot spot has now expanded to its second locale in Florence, KY, just outside of Cincinnati!
Located in the Gunpowder area in the recently renamed Blind Squirrel Center, the 10,300 ft² ‘Squirrel’ offers live music most nights on our indoor stage or outdoor patio that are both steeped in beachy, Key West-vibe settings.
Our menu boasts an array of shareable appetizers, gourmet burgers, pizzas, soups, salads, & other unique fare including seasonal favorites that are enjoyed inside or out under the breezy palm trees.
Our expansive bar offers 36 beers on tap, 100+ bourbons, & every other boozy beverage in between. And, dozens of TVs + a big screen ensure you’ll never miss your favorite sports!
We’re excited to join the Northern Kentucky community & look forward to becoming your go-to spot for Music, Grub, & Sports!
History
- June 2011 - Matt (the owner) purchases an old concrete plant in Louisville, KY with plans to build a sports complex & coffee shop.
- June 2013 - King Louie’s Sports Complex opens.
- June 2014 - Matt then changes plans from a coffee shop to the massive restaurant.
- July 2015 - Matt builds an amphitheater with plans of hosting huge rock concerts with bands like Metallica & The Rolling Stones.
- July 2015 - Matt then changes his mind & decides beach volleyball with three white sand volleyball courts would be a better fit for the amphitheater.
- March 2015 - Matt & Kathy Rumpke (Owners) purchase an Irish Wolfhound & plan on naming the restaurant Shady McGrady’s after said Irish Wolfhound.
- February 2017 - Eric Hillard (Partner) swipes right & meets a friend of Matt’s. This friend encourages a meeting between Eric (has restaurant background) & Matt (no restaurant background), but Eric has no interest & doesn’t want the headache.
- March 2017 - Eric changes his mind & meets with Matt. After about 40 minutes, the two agree on a partnership to create the most unique restaurant in Louisville for all things entertainment.
- April 2017 - Eric assembles the best group of managers in Louisville. They back out which turns out to be a blessing, because then he REALLY hires the best management team in Louisville.
- April 2017 - At the last minute–with no input from anyone else–Matt changes the name from Shady McGrady’s to Blind Squirrel, causing Kathy (owner & wife), to leave the restaurant, swearing never to return.
- May (late) 2017 - Kathy decides to forgive Matt for the name change & rejoins the team, even though she still thinks the Blind Squirrel name is ridiculous.
- May-June 2017 - After many construction delays, the management team gets really good at playing ping pong while waiting for the building to be ready.
- June 2017 - Hiring begins. The Blind Squirrel hires 120 smiling faces to help launch the Blind Squirrel.
- Aug 1, 2017 - The Blind Squirrel opens in Middletown, KY.
- January 2021 – Matt, Kathy, & Eric decide to build a new nest in Northern Kentucky & choose Florence, just outside of Cincinnati--a city dear to their hearts.
- November, 23 2021 - Blind Squirrel opens its second location in Florence, KY!
- Present Day - Matt can be seen driving around the Louisville grounds with his trailer hooked to his van, dreaming of ways to make Blind Squirrel even bigger & better.