Feel-good food and drinks on tap at "elevated sport bar" on Whiskey Row in Louisville

If you’re looking for burgers with “too many pickles,” something called “burgoochos” and shots of Old Grand Dad bourbon, this will not be the last place on your list.

Actually, it’s likely the only spot in town serving all those items. The new establishment’s name, Last Place, comes from the time of day, or early morning, it might be frequented.

And, as a sports bar, the name nods to losing a race or game. What might one do in that position? Seek out some “feel-good food,” which is how Chef Dave Richter describes his menu.

One more meaning to the moniker. Last Place takes up the bottom, or last, floor of Number 15, the new five-level entertainment venue on Whiskey Row on Main Street in downtown Louisville. The bar is very much part of the Number 15 fun, as patrons visiting the complex can order food from Last Place via kiosks on upper levels.

The door to Last Place, though, is one street over on Washington Street near establishments such as Troll Pub Under the Bridge and the recently opened Nic & Norman’s.

With neon lights on dark brick walls, stadium seats, plenty of televisions and a vintage telephone, the decor offers a mix of sleek and old-fashioned.

“It’s a unique spot on the block,” Zachary Terowski, operations manager of Number 15, told the Courier Journal. “It fits into the vibe that Louisville is looking for. We’re also sitting at the bottom of a pretty large music venue while bringing that casual restaurant fare.”

That fare was created by Richter and his wife, Jessica, who traveled from Denver to help open Last Place. They previously developed dining options for Number 38, the first concept launched by the Colorado-based Numbers Holding Co. LLC.

Richter leans on “regional Americana fare” and “elevated bar food,” he said. Last Place’s menu starts out with appetizers such as cornbread, cheese curds, and chicken on a stick with green chili. “Burgoochos” blend a Kentucky favorite, burgoo, with a nacho format, thanks to a bed of Doritos. “Frings” are a mix of fries and onion rings made with Michter’s Rye duck fat, peppercorns and fry sauce.

Burgers have proved popular since opening in June, said Richter.

“A lot of places serve you a generic cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and onions on it,” he said. “We have composed flavor profiles on each one.”

Last Place also stands out with its hours. The eatery is open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Starting at midnight, the menu switches to a smaller number of offerings such as footlong hot dogs, “fried stuffs” and some bourbon and beer combos.

Jessica Richter said the late-night offering caters to people working in the service industry or looking for grub after a concert downtown.

“There’s not much going on for late-night food other than White Castle,” she said. “We thought we’d bring a little better quality food to people.”

The hot dogs come with a message on the printed menu: “Free napkins with every purchase.”

The late-night menu also offers patrons some instructions: “Foot-long dogs served with chips and hot sauce. Tear the bag open, lay it flat, drizzle with Texas Pete’s, and eat like no one is looking. You’re drunk. We’re drunk.”

Speaking of drinks, you’ll find three rotating beers on tap. On a recent visit, those included Coors Banquet, an IPA from Country Boy Brewing, and Yuengling. A short list of cocktails include “Rodeo Lemonade,” made with Suerte blanco tequila and roasted jalapeno-infused blackberry lemonade, and “Vatthattan,” a riff on the classic Manhattan referring to the process master distillers use to blend whiskeys from multiple barrels.

“We’re trying to be part of that movement now in getting people downtown again,” said Jessica Richter.

Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: At Last Place in downtown Louisville, feel-good food comes first