On many an evening, Irish music and merriment can be heard coming from Dicey Riley’s Irish Pub or Mortimer Bibb’s Public House in the heart of downtown Frankfort on St. Clair Street. Both establishments offer a little taste of the Emerald Isle without leaving the Bluegrass state.
Dicey Riley’s Irish Pub
Dicey Riley’s brings an authentic Irish vibe to Frankfort with three of its owners hailing from Ireland.
“We loved Frankfort with it being the state capital, and St. Clair is a lovely street,” co-owner Breandan Draper said about choosing the place for their pub. “We looked at quite a few places in Kentucky. This was by far the best building and location. As soon as we saw this building we knew it was the perfect place.”
When deciding on a name, the partners settled on a well-loved drinking song of Dubliners — Dicey Riley.
“We chose a famous Irish song from Dublin,” Breandan explained.
The building, which houses the pub, was previously owned by Anthony Johnson (AJ) who also owns The Brick Alley next door. AJ bought the adjacent land to The Brick Alley from the Dunn brothers in 2012 after they demolished the vacant building damaged by a fire in 2007.
AJ had original bricks and historic materials saved from the destroyed building to use in the construction of the future expansion. Local artisan and craftsman of Three Elements Designs, Robert Kirkman, designed and built much of the wood structures found at the pub including a drink ledge made from a large beam, the massive bar that runs almost the entire length of the space, as well as the main door and custom garage doors. AJ is one of the current owners of Dicey Riley’s, which opened in February 2024.
An inviting courtyard opens onto the St. Clair Mall and is a great place to enjoy a pint and people-watch during a pleasant evening. The garage doors open to the courtyard, making the bar open-air when weather permits.
Patrons enjoy a wide selection of draft beers, cocktails and whiskeys at the bar or at pub tables. While no food is served, customers can bring their own food to enjoy at Dicey Riley’s including food delivered from The Brick Alley. At least once a week, there is live entertainment that regularly features local musicians.
Irish phrases to try (Source: Templebarpub.com)
- Sláinte: Pronounced ‘slancha,’ it means health and is a way of saying ‘cheers’ as you raise a glass.
- Pint of the black stuff: Guinness, Ireland’s national beer. If you don’t want a pint, you might prefer a glass of Guinness which would be a half pint.
- Craic: Generally fun or lively, and can be used in a greeting as in ‘What’s the craic?’ meaning ‘What’s going on?’ or ‘How are you?’
- Jammy: Lucky.
- Gaff: Where you live.
- On the lash: Going out for some serious drinking or partying.
- Banjaxed: Something that’s broken, ruined or just doesn’t work anymore. Could also be used to describe someone who’s had one too many in the pub.
Mortimer Bibb’s Public House
In the center of Frankfort’s downtown entertainment district, Mortimer Bibb’s Public House is also situated on St. Clair Street in the former Selbert’s building. The legendary Selbert’s clock still stands watch on the front sidewalk.
Mortimer Bibb’s exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere for visitors, making it an ideal place to connect with friends. That’s exactly what the owners Kevin Newton and the late Karl Lawrence wanted to create in their hometown of Frankfort.
“When we traveled to Ireland and noticed the pub culture, we thought it might be nice to bring a version of that culture to Frankfort,” owner Kevin said. “We liked the feeling of the pub being a community center, which includes traditional music sessions regularly and hearty Irish food. In a few short years, the pub has become a destination on St. Clair loved by the community. We will be forever grateful to our loyal patrons.”
Karl designed both the space and the bar; then, both men worked to transform the area into an authentic Irish pub environment. A unique chandelier made of Jameson bottles was inspired by the Jameson Distillery in Dublin. Patrons can enjoy a drink at the long copper-plated bar surface, which Karl patterned by hand with a hammer.
“Everything we do is community-driven. We want to be a place that people think more of than just a pub — a place to gather, as well as offering culture and introducing you to something new,” Kevin said.
Mortimer Bibb’s is known for hosting live music sessions, whether it be traditional Irish music or a Catfish Alley Fiddle Jam with local fiddler John Harrod. In the spirit of being a community gathering space, the pub hosts a free “Craft on Tap” event the second Thursday of the month and Poetry Night with BroadStone Books the third Thursday each month.
For those looking for a spot of Irish food, Mortimer Bibb’s offers several specials such as beef and Guinness stew and shepherd’s pie and plans to expand the menu in the future.
As March ushers in St. Patrick’s Day, the luck of the Irish will be with Dicey Riley’s and Mortimer Bibb’s to celebrate with the Frankfort community. Check the pubs’ website, Facebook and Instagram sites for a calendar of upcoming events. Whether you’re seeking a hearty meal, a perfectly poured pint or the melodic strains of Irish music, a visit to these pubs promises to be a memorable experience steeped in genuine Irish charm.
