Buster's Billiards & Backroom

Buster’s, now officially Buster’s Billiards & Backroom, is finding new life in the Lexington Distillery District – an area of former bourbon distilleries and warehouses that is being revitalized and transformed into an entertainment destination. The Old Tarr Distillery Warehouse, Buster’s new home, was built in 1860, and was part of the Ashland/Old Tarr Distillery (the first registered distillery in Lexington). The Lexington Distillery and the James E. Pepper Distillery (originally Henry Clay Distillery) were also part of this thriving commercial area. At their zenith in the late 1800’s and the early 1900’s, these distilleries produced more than 36,000 barrels of bourbon per year, and the bonded warehouses within this 60-acre distillery area, including the Old Tarr Distillery Warehouse, housed over 180,000 barrels of bourbon.

At 11,000 square feet the building has given Buster’s new owners, Jessica and Clark Case, the opportunity to combine their favorite billiards hall with something Lexington has needed for a long time – a mid-sized music venue. The space is divided between a billiards lounge, which seeks to carry-on the Buster’s vibe, and the Backroom, a state-of-the-art concert hall. The ability to host regional and national musical acts, and to provide a venue for art and performances of all types, adds dimension and excitement to Lexington’s thriving arts scene, and gives Lexingtonians the opportunity to keep their entertainment dollars local. Buster’s Billiards & Backroom is proud to be a part of the Lexington Distillery District, which celebrates Kentucky’s heritage and culture, and hopes to contribute to the fabric of that culture for years to come.